N C Scrimgeour Author Interview: Scottish Folklore, Comfort Reads, and Guilty Pleasures - Jon Colt

From folklore-steeped fantasy to sprawling science fiction worlds, N. C. Scrimgeour writes character-driven stories that balance escapism with emotional depth. Based in Scotland, she draws inspiration from mythology, imagination, and the simple comforts of books, games, and rugby weekends. In this interview, we talk about her writing routine, comfort reads, creative influences, and where new readers should begin their journey into her worlds.

What’s a typical weekend like for you when you’re not writing?

I enjoy watching rugby, so I usually try to catch a couple of games over the weekend. Apart from that, I’m either out with the dog or settling down with a book to read or a game to play (Expedition 33 has been my latest obsession!)

What book (by another author) has stayed with you the longest, and why do you think it stuck?

I read Watership Down by Richard Adams when I was a child and it’s stuck with me ever since. My copy is so worn from the number of times I’ve read it. It still amazes me to this day how much story and worldbuilding and characterisation is contained in a single standalone book. It’s definitely one of my comfort reads.

What’s a comfort TV show or film you always find yourself returning to?

I love all things fantasy and sci-fi, whether it’s books, TV shows, games, anything! Some of my favourites are The Expanse and Black Sails. But in terms of comfort, I do have a couple of guilty pleasures that I enjoy watching just to relax and escape in a bit of fun – Emily in Paris and Below Deck come to mind!

What attracts you to the sci fi and fantasy genres?

I think it’s the sense of escapism. You can be transported to different places and imagine yourself somewhere away from the world we live in. There’s just a sense of magic and wonder and it lets your imagination run wild, which can be a nice outlet from day-to-day life!

When did you start writing, and when did you first publish?

I’ve been writing ever since I can remember – I was always making up stories ever since I was little, and I always wanted to write. I started taking it more seriously about 10 years ago, and I released my first book in 2021, so it will be my five-year anniversary of being published later this year!

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What music are you into? Any particular artists or bands?

My music taste is eclectic to say the least! I’ve got everything on my playlist from musicals to rap to soundtracks to cheesy 90s nostalgia. I quite enjoy folk music – The Amazing Devil are brilliant and I listened to them a lot when I was writing my fantasy series.

Do you have any pets?

One dog – a rescue called Link. He’s a lurcher and can be a terror sometimes but he’s also very chilled out and enjoys long naps on the sofa!

Where do your story ideas usually come from? Can you give a couple of examples of where certain works came from?

I don’t think I ever have one source of inspiration when it comes to ideas. There are certain things from other media that might resonate with me, whether it’s a character or a setting or some kind of premise, and then I tend to think about the ‘what ifs’ and other possibilities. And when that happens enough times, suddenly you start to form more coherent ideas and tie them all together. With my fantasy series, Sea of Souls, I knew I wanted to write about Scottish folklore but give it my own twist. So I took from the existing mythology and then built on that.

What does a typical writing day look like for you?

On a weekday I squeeze in an hour before and after work. On the weekends I have a bit more time, so I usually try to get a couple of hours done in the morning and then a couple of hours after lunch. The evenings I usually try to keep for relaxing, as I don’t feel as creative then!

What’s your absolute favourite meal?

Ooh good (and impossible) question! I love Italian food – Saltimbocca is one of my favourites. With a nice glass of wine to wash it down!

Are you more of a planner, or a ‘see where it goes’ kind of writer?

I am definitely a planner. I was more of a ‘see where it goes’ writer when I was younger, but I never ended up finishing anything. I really enjoy developing the structure of the story before I get more into the creative side of it, and I like knowing the ending before I start writing so everything I do is focused with that in mind.

For readers discovering your work for the first time, which book would you recommend starting with?

Sea of Souls is a great place to start – it’s a (relatively) short single-POV dark fantasy book steeped in Scottish folklore, magic and monsters. It’s part of a trilogy which is now complete, so you don’t have to wait for the next book either!

A love of folklore, careful planning, and a deep appreciation for escapism all shine through in N. C. Scrimgeour’s work. Whether she’s building dark fantasy worlds rooted in Scottish myth or finding inspiration through music, games, and well-earned downtime, her passion for storytelling is clear.