Nikki Broadwell Shares Her Worlds of Fantasy and Transformation

PHOTO: Nikki Broadwell, full-time author and creator of thirty books, enjoys life by the sea with her 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.

N ikki Broadwell is a literary gem whose vivid imagination and devotion to the written word have gifted readers with enchanting tales that transcend the boundaries of genre. Her works, rich in magic, romance, and mystery, resonate with readers who yearn for immersive worlds and unforgettable characters. With a career spanning over two decades, Nikki has woven her unique voice into every story she tells, capturing the hearts and minds of her audience.

From her spellbinding Wolfmoon series, where Celtic mythology and romantic fantasy intertwine, to the thought-provoking time-travel escapades of The Library of Time, Nikki displays a masterful ability to craft compelling narratives that linger in the soul. Her supernatural Raven and Hummingbird series further showcases her skill at merging the paranormal with emotive storytelling, building on her lifelong fascination with strange and wondrous realms.

What sets Nikki’s works apart are her richly layered characters, particularly the strong female protagonists who embark on transformative journeys, and her exploration of universal themes like identity and growth. Her dedication to authenticity and her collaborative vision for designing visually captivating covers add an extra dimension to her storytelling. Whether delving into fantasy, mystery, or the spaces in between, Nikki Broadwell offers her readers a literary experience that is as heartfelt as it is imaginative.

In this issue of Reader’s House magazine, we had the privilege of sitting down with Nikki to discuss her inspirations, creative processes, and the philosophies that shape her craft. We invite you to immerse yourself in her world and uncover the magic behind the stories. Through this candid conversation, Nikki offers invaluable insights into what it means to write with passion, purpose, and a touch of the extraordinary.

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.