We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nikki Lamers a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Nikki, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I have always had a passion for writing, but I struggled with believing I could write my stories and make a living doing it because so many would say it’s nearly impossible. My parents supported me, no matter what I decided, and I had so many English teachers who pushed me to write, but that fear of losing the one thing you always wanted became a living and breathing thing, so I compromised my dreams. I settled for writing articles, grants, educational materials, programs, events and other fact-based writing in healthcare and other professional positions. I enjoyed it, but it was demanding. When my kids were born, I found the health field took all my time with little pay, especially if I would need to pay for childcare. Most importantly, I wanted to see my kids grow, so I made the decision that would change my life forever. It was time to follow my passion. I went back for an additional degree in creative writing and published my first book in 2014.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I grew up in Wisconsin and lived in Florida for a few years working at the “happiest place on earth” where I got a degree in Managing and Communicating, before ending up on Long Island in New York where I now live with my husband and our two kids. I have a degree and background in Public health from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse and incorporate various aspects of health and wellness in my stories.
Writing, reading, coffee, fruit and dark chocolate are all I need alongside my friends and family. Since meeting my husband, I enjoy spending time in Maine, traveling and exploring different places, meeting new people and always looking for my next story. For my other job I freelance as a script writer, advisor and supervisor on and off set.
Reading and writing has been my passion, my safe space, my creations and my journey for as long as I can remember, especially when it comes to romance. Who doesn’t love a happy ending? I remember my dad would always have a romance book in his hand and as I got older, I borrowed his books and we shared our favorites. I’ve done writing in journalism, scripts, grants, educational materials and more, fictional writing my passion. As a romance author I dig deep into characters and how life impacts their relationships, writing stories full of love, laughter, tears, heat and heart.
I’m a multi-award-winning author writing in various romance sub-genres including contemporary, small town, romantic suspense, sports, new adult, paranormal, and urban romantasy, but with me, it’s all character driven, so you never know what’s coming next.
Most of my books are stand-alone novels, each part of different inter-connected series. The award-winning Unforgettable series is set in Maine following emotional journeys in a picturesque, small town setting, starting with my youngest MCs. The Mending Shattered Hearts series deals with tougher life issues and is set in North Carolina. My Dreams Lost & Found series is set in Wisconsin, inspired by the town I grew up in, with the first second edition in the series releasing soon. The female main character is adopted like me and I used my life experiences to tell hers, but it is not my story. Leave of My Duty is set in Texas and part of a collaborative police series, Piper Falls: Station 28. Evan’s Cove is my series that is a spin-off from this and will remain romantic suspense. Blind Date with a #FORMERPLAYER is part of the Love Canyon: Blind Date with a #BOOKBOYFRIEND series set in California with a meddling town book club. My story is a sports romance, centered around a baseball player and a physical therapist. My Waves Crashing series is my Urban Romantasy series, inspired by my love of the water and The Little Mermaid. This is my only series that must be read in order. I do have several other projects coming soon that I can’t wait to share.
In addition to the stories, I provide merchandise that complements the stories, the worlds and the characters for purchase, sharing them on my website and at various book signings and events around the world. I provide writing and publishing classes and assistance through retreats, trainings, classes or one-on-ones.
As an editor and advisor for a book or a script, I assist in developing and strengthening your story, making sure to maintain your voice while appealing to your intended audience. I have also turned books into scripts, and ironically, vice-versa. I love all the different ways to tell a story.
As a script writer, advisor and supervisor, I work on and off-set with scripts and making sure the stories are told as the writer and director intends, including continuity. I’ve worked on commercials, television shows and film projects. Each one has different challenges depending on the project and my requested role. It’s definitely something I enjoy.
My journey started young in scripts and journalism, adding grants, articles, programs and educational materials before getting my creative writing degree and publishing my first romance book.
My daughter unintentionally got me back into scripts. She has always loved performing. She did a lot of musical theater and some acting on screen as well. While on set with her, one of the directors she worked with had read one of my books and asked me to work with them on a script. I was thrilled they were impressed with the emotions I pulled. This brought me further back into script writing and advising, but also led to me taking classes to learn the practice of script supervising skills and their programs. It has been a great benefit as my other job with my writing.
My mission is to share character-driven stories full of love, laughter, tears, heat and heart. I dive deep into who they are and how life impacts their relationships, providing worlds and characters we can get lost in.
www.nikkialamersauthor.com
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Ironically, a lesson I had to repeatedly unlearn is the way you write depending on what you’re writing. While writing a grant, you’re providing the facts, but you’re also providing both fact and opinion-based support. In journalism, you’re providing the facts and most of the time leaving your opinion out of it. Many times you’re “telling” the story, or reporting it. But when writing a fictional story, the biggest rule is show, don’t tell. Books are all about showing the details. Then, jumping into script writing, the small details are not the writer’s job, unless it’s truly pertinent to the story. Many times, what you want to include needs to be left out for the director and the rest of the team to decide, which isn’t always easy. And that’s just the beginning of the circle of writing. I had to learn quick to be able to maintain all aspects of writing and continue to create stories.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect for me is when I know someone enjoyed one of my stories, or I made an impact on them in some way through my writing, my books or scripts, my advice or guidance, or other connection. Being adopted, my books in my Dreams Lost and Found series has made an impact to many and I’ve found friends and connections of others who were adopted. This community and the book community have been an endless support and I’m incredibly grateful. Sharing stories, worlds and characters we love helps in so many ways, letting people know they are not alone.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nikkialamersauthor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikkialamersauthor
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NikkiALamersAuthor
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-mullaney-26360118
- Other: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/23239603https://www.amazon.com/stores/Nikki-A.-Lamers/author/B00NU1VU8Mhttps://www.bookbub.com/authors/nikki-a-lamers
Image Credits
Judith M Riley
Lauren Hallaceli
Violette Wicik
Dennis Theoharidis
Illustrated Cliterature
Tom Lambui