PHOTO: Nikki Broadwell, full-time author and creator of thirty books, enjoys life by the sea with her husband and dog.
Exploring Mythology Time Travel And The Supernatural
Nikki Broadwell, author of over thirty books, reveals her passion for mythology, time travel, and strong female protagonists, while reflecting on creativity, transformation, and the power of following one’s true voice.
Nikki Broadwell has dedicated over two decades to the craft of storytelling, bringing to life more than thirty self-published books that traverse fantasy, mystery, mythology, and the supernatural. A writer who embraces inspiration as it arrives, she allows her imagination to guide her pen, weaving narratives that are both rich in atmosphere and deeply human. Her upcoming move to the quiet shores of Arcata, California, promises to provide a fresh wellspring of inspiration, where sea air and solitude will accompany her words.
At the heart of Broadwell’s work lies a fascination with transformation—of time, of self, and of the unseen worlds that brush against our own. From the Celtic-infused Wolfmoon series to the imaginative explorations of The Library of Time, her novels are threaded with myth, romance, and questions that reach beyond the ordinary. For her, writing is not simply about plot, but about exploration: of identity, of possibility, and of the mysterious forces that shape our lives.
Her characters, particularly the women who inhabit her stories, are never static. They grow, stumble, and learn—reflecting her belief that journeys of self-discovery are the very essence of storytelling. This organic approach, where heroes are made rather than born, lends her work a truthfulness that resonates with readers seeking more than escapism.
Equally visual in her process, Broadwell’s collaboration with cover designers ensures that her books carry an aesthetic that mirrors the spirit of the tale within. Whether she is conjuring the magic of tree sprites, delving into the paradoxes of time travel, or wandering through paranormal landscapes, she does so with a voice uniquely her own—boldly unconcerned with convention, and always faithful to the heart of her craft.
Your Wolfmoon series blends Celtic mythology with romantic fantasy. How do you weave the elements to create a compelling narrative?
I am by nature apantser—in other words I write what comes to me, whether from the goddess or the muse. I do not preplan, but I do my homework when it comes to the Gaelic language, and mores, and the creatures I add, like the tree sprites etc…. As far as the romantic aspects, every good story, (in my opinion ) has to have a romantic aspect. And so the fantasy and the love interest, weave themselves into the narrative.
In the Library of Time, time travel plays a central role. What inspired you to explore this concept in your storytelling?
I am fascinated by time—is it linear or do past present and future exist simultaneously as Einstein has proposed? Time travel lends itself to the most outlandish ideas, taking the imagination on a ride. I try to be as true as I can to the notion of it, but it is always an interesting theme to explore and comes up in many of my books.
Your characters often grapple with themes of identity and transformation. How do these themes reflect your personal experiences or beliefs?
Isn’t this what life is all about? It is for me. I have felt these themes in my own life since I first began to read books. I suppose I explore different aspects of myself in my characters and hope they find their true potential in the end.
The Raven and Hummingbird series delves into the supernatural. What draws you to explore paranormal elements in your writing?
I love the paranormal! It provides endless fodder for meandering through strange and wondrous landscapes. My favorite book as a child was Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carrol. I also loved Doctor Doolittle, and The Borrowers.
Your works frequently feature strong female protagonists. How do you develop these characters to resonate with readers?
I assume that most of my readers are women, although I may be wrong. I did get a comment from a reader of the Wolfmoon series that my main character in the first book, The Moonstone, was whiney and weak. She was. It doesn’t make sense to me to start a character out as a hero. She or he needs to grow and learn and become something better. For me it’s the entire point of the book. There are readers that want heroes right off the bat. They will not enjoy my books.
You mention collaborating with a designer for your book covers. How does this partnership influence the visual representation of your stories?
I am visual by nature—was a visual artist before I began to write. I have found that after I begin a story, I start visualizing the cover. I search for imagery and then I speak to my cover designer and we work together to create it. The cover seems to set the tone of the book before I’ve even written it. I love the covers and how they speak to the storyline.
Your writing spans several genres, including fantasy and mystery. How do you navigate genre conventions while maintaining your unique voice?
The simple answer is, I don’t. I find that in a single book I may be delving into several genres. It is a problem with marketing, but it’s the way I write. My mystery series is quite different from the other books I write. And they are not as popular, but I also haven’t tried terribly hard to market them.
What advice would you offer to aspiring authors looking to create immersive worlds and memorable characters?
There are many people who are quite successful writing to market. Maybe that would work for them. My own advice is always to find your voice and be true to it. Just follow what’s in your heart and write from that place. But it all depends on what your goals are. If it’s to make a bunch of money I have no advice because that is not my goal. If it were, I would have quit a long time ago.
