CWD Member Interview – Nicki Edwards

 

Each Thursday we will be interviewing one of the members of Christian Writers Downunder – to find out a little bit more about them and their writing/editing goals.

Today interview: Nicki Edwards

Question 1: Tells us three things about who you are and where you come from. 

I’m a wife to Tim (29 years on Monday!) 

I’m a Mum to 4 adult kids (aged 20, 22, 24 and 26). 

I’m a nurse currently working in a very busy GP clinic. 

I’m from Geelong where I have lived for most of my life.

Question 2: Tell us about your writing (or editing/illustrating etc).  What do you write and why?

I write contemporary women’s romance. My books are sweet/clean romance stories featuring relatable heroes and heroines dealing with medical dramas in small town locations.

Question 3: Who has read your work? Who would you like to read it?

I’ve had a 99 year old lady in a nursing home read one of my books! Her daughter took a photo of her sitting up in her bed reading.  That was very cool. I’ve also had my friend’s daughters read my books and love them. I think anyone who enjoys a heartwarming story will enjoy my books. There’s no smut and the storylines are simple.

Question 4: Tell us something about your process. What challenges do you face? What helps you the most?

The biggest challenge I face is time. I’m currently working 4 days a week in a busy GP clinic getting ready for Covid vaccines. Prior to that I was working in the Emergency Department and ICU of hospitals in Geelong. 

In terms of my process for writing – I have to fit it in around whatever else I’m doing at the time. It’s not easy! What helps me the most is brainstorming tricky scenes and having encouraging writing buddies who remind me I can do this!

Question 5: What is your favourite Writing Craft Book and why? 

I don’t read writing craft books – sorry! (Am I allowed to admit that!). I also don’t listen to podcasts on writing either. I have a dozen or so craft books on my kindle but they’re all unread! The only ones that I have used in the past are the writing thesaurus books.

Question 6: If you were to give a shout-out to a CWD author, writer, editor or illustrator – who would they be?

Shout out to Andrea Grigg – she’s my biggest cheerleader (and she reads writing craft books then tells me what I need to know!). 

Question 7: What are your writing goals for 2021? How will you achieve them?

My goal this year is to finish the book that’s due and regroup and decide what’s next. I have lots of ideas but the reality is, with the covid vaccine coming, my work hours will increase and it’s likely I won’t have much writing time in 2021. But bring on 2022!

Question 8: How does your faith impact and shape your writing?

I like to think my faith is interwoven through all my books in subtle ways. I tend to ensure relationships are patched up with my characters seeking and receiving forgiveness from others. 

Personally, I feel God has shaped my writing from day one and He has lead me to write mainstream romance, not Christian romance. Every time I’ve put my toe in the water to investigate writing a Christian romance, I feel God gently tug me back and remind me what He has asked me to do.

About the Author

Nicki is a city girl with a country heart. Growing up on acreage outside Geelong in Victoria, Australia, Nicki spent her formative years riding horses, hand rearing lambs and pretending the neighbour's farm was her own. After spending three years in a regional town in New South Wales in her twenties, Nicki’s love of country towns and rural life was further developed.

​Nicki’s dream is to one day escape to the country with her husband Tim to live surrounded by horses. Unfortunately, until that happens, Nicki lives vicariously through the lives of the characters in the books she loves to read and write. But she recently got a horse, so hopefully the country escape won’t be far off.

A voracious reader, Nicki always wanted to be an author. After returning to university as a mature aged student to study nursing, Nicki juggled full time study, part time work and raising four small children to achieve her dream of becoming a nurse. But her other dream—the dream to write—never left, and in January 2015 Nicki had her first book published.

Nicki works as a nurse in a busy General Practice, which is where many of her stories and characters come to life. In between work and riding her horse, she writes. 

Nicki and Tim have four young adult children, two spoiled border collies (#mollyandindie) and an ancient Burmese cat (Roxy). Nicki’s latest love is Monty, a Thoroughbred who has his own Instagram page!

To stay up to date with her latest releases, please visit Nicki’s website: http://www.nickiedwardsauthor.com/ or find her on Facebook or Instagram where she spends far too much time!

Omega Writers Book Fair (Brisbane)

Last Saturday, on the northside of Brisbane, over fifty enthusiastic people came together to celebrate books, writing, authors and stories at the first Omega Writers Book Fair. 

Rochelle Manners & Lynne Stringer

We had 16 stalls and over 18 writers and authors - including YA authors Lynne Stringer and Adele Jones; Fantasy authors Lisbeth Klein, Raelene Purtill and Jeanette O'Hagan; middle-grade author Jenny Woolsey; children's author Paul Clark; romance author Andrea Grigg; historical fiction from Frank Taylor, writers of biographies and memoirs such as David Bennett (also theology), Ruth Bonetti, Hazel Barker, Nina Wiesenekker; self-help (on hearing loss) by Pamela Heemskerk; inspirational stories by Graham Bee, Kaye Hollings and Gwen Akers; and devotions from Ray Akers. Rochelle Manners from Wombat Books/Rhiza Press was there with a wide range of fiction and non-fiction for all ages through Books in Stock; and also Nola Passmore from the Write Flourish (editing), poetry and short stories. There were a number of new releases -Lynne's Once Confronted, Adele's Activate, Hazel's Heaven Tempers the Wind, Ruth's Burn My Letters - as well as titles shortlisted in the 2016 Caleb Prize - for instance Too Pretty by Andrea Grigg.

Ruth Bonetti reads from new release Burn My Letters

We also had book teasers and readings - poetry, excerpts from novels, flash fiction and short stories - that brought laughter, tears and enthusiasm to the listeners.

The two workshops - The Power of Story by Paul Clark and The Writing Life by Raelene Purtill - inspired those who participated. 

And then there were the door prizes and the end of day prize draws - with a couple of fantastic book packs - as well as the show bags and a delicious lunch. (You can see more photos of the day here.)

First Prize - Fantastic Book Pack 

Altogether, it was a great day of fun, friendship and enjoyment of books and faith. Many went away with a pile of wonderful books and anticipation of hours of reading pleasure.

It was all made possible by the authors, publishers and editors who came and shared, our workshop presenters, Omega Writers (including President Simon Kennedy and Judy Rogers), and a group of volunteers and offsiders - as well as book lovers and readers who attended. Throughout the planning and on the day itself, we were grateful for God's provision and power, and for those who supported the day in prayer.

Omega President Simon Kennedy with Jeanette O'Hagan

While most of those present came from Brisbane, the Gold Coast, even Gympie - we were thrilled to have Lisbeth and Graham Klein, who are currently travelling around Australia. 

There were a number of people who would  have loved to be with us but were unable either due to distance or to prior commitments or other restraints.

We are thinking of doing it all again next year - and the Toowoomba-rites and inspired to run a Book Fair in Toowoomba.

Overall, it was a good start and well worth the effort of putting it together. Wouldn't it be wonderful to see Omega Writer Book Fairs across Australia - celebrating the writing of Christians downunder :)

Jeanette O'Hagan