DarkLight On... Nicky Strickland!

 

Welcome Nicky!

How did you come to write speculative fiction romance? What attracted you to the genre?

It chose me. Even the attempts at non-speculative fiction I end up with time travel and mythical creatures stepping onto the pages. I’ve conceded my writing will always be speculative.

My attraction is via a lifelong fascination with mythologies of the world and a constant running commentary of “What If” scenarios.

How do you describe your work?

On social media I say I write where the fantastical is part of our own world/s. Probably still the easiest description for stories that cross multiverses, multiple timelines and realities.

Are you a plotter? Panster? Or somewhere in-between?

I’ve tried both and neither really gelled, no matter how many workshops or books explained the benefit of either to them. Years ago I used to use the term skirtser….

I can find the POV for any character (even what may appear inanimate bystanders) in any scene so to keep it under control in my early writing I would take one character and write in a straight line so to speak to help hold the story. With this, one thing that is consistent when the actual words are in play, it took 5,000 to 10,000 words for the story to fall into a space and a mud map appears.

Now that has changed with the introduction of what I called doodles but are becoming illustrations and at times storyboarding. It’s becoming more like bringing a jigsaw together with a mix of pages of drawings, words and combinations of the two. 

Do you have a favourite of your characters/stories?

I would say I have a soft spot for my mermaid characters. For stories, the multiverse is entwined (quantum entanglement) but the elementals and the forecaster through lines are possibly what have captivated me most (for now anyway).

What advice would you give authors who also have health conditions affecting their lives? 

Oh this one I could write so very much. Firstly, have a sense of grace and self-compassion.

I would say to anyone embarking on pursuing any type of creative pursuit, do not do as I have done. Between workshops, books, seminars, general advice and the like, I’ve absorbed too much of what you “should”/can do.  So much of this information is based on the premise IF you are in good ongoing solid health. No matter what you read, remember it is that person’s lived experience. Only you know your body.

Another thing to remember, writing is more than the wordcount. Don’t get hung up on “being productive”. It’s okay to have times where you are not actively producing (be it stories, newsletters, website content, social media). Balancing activity and rest is essential when dealing with health issues, especially ones where Fatigue, PEM (post exertion malaise) and brain fog/exhaustion are major components.

Adapt your workspace to suit your health/body requirements. Any tool that makes it easier to juggle your body’s needs and access your stories, use them. Examples are laptop tables as bed tables, wedge pillows allow back support and can help turn your bed into a workspace, if suitable, try dictation software. Ask people what works for them. Most people will be happy to share their tips and tricks.

Listen to your body. Do NOT push yourself, if you have deadlines, try to pace yourself using Pacing as a technique which TLDR is essentially do 80% of the 100% you plan to do allowing 20% to fall away. That goes for word counts, editing, housework, emails, social media, any of it.

People still don’t openly discuss what the reality is until someone has a breakdown/burnout/receives a life changing diagnosis (I’ve gone through all of them, as well as ongoing lifelong conditions). It’s getting better re openness and if I am asked about it (like this blog), I will answer to destigmatise and help others.

Essentially, do you and work within YOUR capacity. 

What can we expect from you in the future? 

Books that will be a mix visual and written elements involving mermaids, elementals, galaxy and planet creators and forecasters.

What are you currently reading/watching? 

I’m an omnivore across genres and media formats…..

Currently reading:

The End of Everything - Katie Mack

The Fairy Tellers - Nicholas Jubber

even greater mistakes - Charlie Jane Anders

Stars and Smoke - Marie Lu

Currently watching, I’ve been slow to a few of these shows.

TV: HeartStopper, Mayfair Witches, Interview with the Vampire, Tale of the Nine-Tailed

Movies: Red, White & Royal Blue, Wicked

Rewatching: Agatha All Along, Bridgerton, The Fifth Element

What other ways do you fill the creative well?

No surprise, feet (or whole body if warm enough) in the ocean, cross stitch, painting and colouring in. I’m also hopeful this year I can resume lap swimming which refills and relaxes me and usually also untangles any story knots.

Nicky Strickland

Nicky is a Brisbane-based storyteller who plays in worlds where the fantastical is part of our own. Ever since she could work out what the squiggles mean on paper, Nicky has been an avid omnivorous reader. A member of both the speculative fiction and romance communities in Australia, Nicky has in the past assisted in organizing speculative fiction events and has agreed to do it once again in the romance community as a member of RWA (Oz). It’s a way for her to justify the amount of coffee consumed. There are a number of ideas competing for her attention however she is currently working on her Elemental series. This involves the world as we know it merged with natural disasters, sentient elements, mers, sylphs and the occasional human.