Nicole Sharp's Blog

Italian wisdom that inspired my writing career

I was recently talking to a few writers and the question that we ended up talking to for quite some time was this: What has been the biggest challenge in the self-publishing journey? The Biggest Challenge in Self-Publishing (It Wasn’t What I Expected) As we theorized and philosophized, I realized my biggest challenge, the thing that changed everything for me, was getting out of my own damn way. I had soooo many excuses. I wanted to publish all the stories I was writing, but it seemed like every ...

Coffee in romance novels

I’ve been thinking about coffee. If you know me, or have read my work, you’re probably thinking, ‘of course your thinking about coffee!’ If it’s not Italy and how to get to Italy and what adventure I’m currenting writing, then I must be thinking about coffee. Though, to be fair, I often think about what we’re going to have for dinner, if I’ve switched the laundry, how am I going to juggle all my work with gardening this summer and the intricacies of the latest Beowulf translation in the world an...

How Food & Travel Inspire My Romantic Comedies

When I ask you about Italy, whether you’ve been or you dream of going, chances are pretty good that while expounding on your trip, you’ll utter something along the lines of, “And oh, the pasta!” And of course, you’ll say that! Italians have built up notoriety for romance, travel and food. So, is it any wonder that my books set in Italy included a lot of pasta and wine and pastries and cappuccinos? And it seems, that is one of the many elements of my books, readers seem to enjoy: “Luscious; every...

5 Cool Things to See in Florence (From an Author Who Writes About Italy)

Now, we’re all aware of the fact that I’ve been to Florence several times and that I love the place so much, and love Italy so much, it’s a major character in three of the books I’ve published. As you can imagine, because of these things, I often end up with people asking me for tips and tricks when they head to the place of my ancestors, aka: the birthplace of the Renaissance. So, I thought it would be fun to talk about a few of the things you don’t always find in guidebooks, but that I think a...

10 Rules of Writing

Some days I just want a large, neon arrow, pointing me in the right direction when it comes to my writing career. I try to explain to the muses. Declare to them that sometimes, I need loud clanging bells and whistles indicating: “Go THIS way!!!” I know there are several schools of thought that like to say that the signs we’re looking for can be found in whispers and gentle nudges. Thankfully, with the use of the interwebs finding the whispers of inspiration is a little easier. And the whispers I...

A Wee Irish Tale…

Amid the rolling green hills of County Cork Ireland, where tiny villages dot romantic landscapes is a land ripe with legend. You see, it was in one of those little villages, within the confines of County Cork, that our Irish ancestors lived. You know, some great grandparents, great aunties and uncles, random cousins … all who are now names assigned to old black and white photographs. But some of their stories have survived, and some of our family’s folk-lore still lives. And what better day to d...

A daily to-do list for times of resistance

(Written at 3:36 am when my congestion woke me up gagging) Wake up.Breathe.Scramble to find hope in the fact that you woke up today.   Get the kids to school.Tilt them out of the car and try not to let your voice waiver as your verbal flailings remind them:YOU are amazing. YOU are powerful. YOU’ll get through this. You are WORTHY. Cry on the drive to work.Rage scream.    Early morning: During second and third cups of coffee, check on friends. How are you?We’ve got this!I believe in YOU.YOU’ll ge...

Thinking about…

A friend and I get together and walk every two weeks or so to catch up. Walking took the place of coffee sitting a long time ago. Once the hugs of greeting are given; cell phones and keys are tucked away in various pockets; and hats fitted into place – we get to the task of walking. And talking. My friend quickly runs through her personal update and then excitedly asks, “what have you been thinking about lately?” I like that question, the way she puts it. Though, I have to ask myself, is it real...

Flowers From the Trash

I was wading through a stack of old photos, trying to figure out what to keep and what to throw when one caught my attention. Just a picture of roses in a vase. I was about to throw it away when writing on the back caught my attention: “Flowers from the trash.” A thunderbolt of a memory: This is a ‘Grandma story’. Grandma Carroll is my mom’s mom. She’s still with us today, 92 years old, a force to be reckoned with. She still dresses for the day, gets her nails done and matches her jewelry. She i...

The Ultimately Achievable List of Resolutions for a New Year!

I like to celebrate the New Year a week or two late. I mean, every New Year’s Eve (around 2pm) I seem to find myself with an insatiable need to reorganize my whole house, lose 50 pounds, paint my living room, minimize my ‘stuff’ and write something spectacularly literary ALL by midnight. So I can welcome the new year with a clean, peaceful slate. I came to the conclusion long ago that each person should have their own new year anyway, and that day should fall on their birthday. I like this becau...