Author Interviews: Nikki Haverstock

Author Nikki Haverstock

Author Nikki Haverstock

I’m so happy to introduce fellow cozy mystery author, Nikki Haverstock to Author interviews, today.

Nikki Haverstock is a writer who lives on a cattle ranch high in the Rocky Mountains. She has studied comedy writing at Second City and has published 6 cozy mysteries that are heavy on the humor.

Before fleeing the city, she hosted a competitive archery reality show, traveled the world to study volcanoes, taught archery and computer science at a university and now works on her family’s ranch herding cattle. Nikki has more college degrees than she has sense and hopefully one day she will put one to work.

Nikki likes to write comedy pieces that focus on the everyday humor of one-uppers, annoying humans and the strange behavior of the ultra-rich. She tried stand up but the cattle weren’t impressed.

Welcome Nikki and thank you so much for coming on Author Interviews. Let’s start dishing!

1. Let’s start with something fun. What’s your favorite hobby?

I would say archery. I have been competing in recurve target archery (like what you see in the Summer Olympics) for 16 years. I have coached most of that time but since I am not coaching right now, I suppose it is mostly a hobby.

Additionally, I have a ton of crafty hobbies.  I’ve quilted since high school (with the fabric stash to prove it), I take pictures of everything and I melt glass with a torch to make glass beads.

2. If you had the opportunity—who would you like to spend an afternoon with and why?

Tina Fey. I have a great deal of respect for how she has carried herself while not only being a comedy writer but also a performer. If you haven’t read her memoir, go grab it.

Amy Poehler and Mindy Kaling are also top contenders, notice a pattern?

3. Coffee, tea, soda or something else?

I am 7 months pregnant so right now it’s lots and lots of water with small glasses of juice here and there and one precious cup of coffee that I savor.  Before I was pregnant, I was drinking a lot of coffee. A big part of coffee drinking was the ritual of getting up from the desk, getting a cup (with a very generous helping of cream) and letting my mind wander while I sipped.

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4. What are you working on right now?

Being pregnant is taking up a lot of my energy but I am thankful that I can still work.  The second book of my Reality TV Cozy mysteries is in edits while I am writing the rough draft of my Target Practice Mysteries sixth book.  Plus I have two co-writing secret project for 2017 that I am plotting with fellow authors.

5. How would you describe your writing style?

Wholesome and Funny.  I want my books to be safe, fun little adventures that make you smile.

6. Do you have any advice for a person just beginning their writing career?

Read, write, revise and repeat.

7. Do you immerse yourself in new situations for writing ideas or do your ideas come to you through your normal, day-to-day life?

I am naturally curious so I am learning new things all the time (mostly when I am avoiding real work) but most of my ideas come not from deliberate research but from stumbling across something that sparks an idea.

8. Where can we find you on the interwebs?

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/nikkihaverstockauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RancherNikki

Website: http://nikkihaverstock.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RancherNikki

Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/user/RancherNikki

I love it! Especially the tiny chihuahua peeking out from around the woman on your cover! Thank you so much, Nikki, for stopping by my blog today and telling us a little bit about yourself. Good luck on all of your “new releases”!

And so, gentle reader, stop by one of Nikki’s pages and say hi! There will have to be a baby picture posted somewhere. LOL.

NaNo Week 1: Monday Blog Post

National Novel Writing Month

National Novel Writing Month

Newest News:

This is the end of week one of the 2016 National Novel Writing Month. As of the end of the day, Sunday, I have over 15k written in my fourth Brown Rain series novelette, Tested. I say novelette because that’s what it’s supposed to be. But it’s already running long and I have to say, has a lot of extra baggage that needs to be tossed. But I’m not doing it now. I’ll wait for the rewrites.

Suffice it to say Kyra and Alyssa are in hot water up to their necks. There may be a love interest and as always, they’re looking for clues as well as helping people.

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On the Mystery in the Woods front, no progress. I’m writing and that means my brain isn’t in editing/rewriting mode. I’ll keep trying because I really do want to have that book out by the 1st of 2017. I find I’ve neglected my story bible and that hampers me when I want to use the name of a highway or a character, I’m having to go back to the published book to get the answers. Not good. I need to build a good reference series bible where I can go look up pertinent info when I need to. Author problems, right?

Giveaways:

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The Halloween Author Group Giveaway has closed. I’m still trying to contact my 1st prize winner but the 2nd prize winner, Lori Neal Brockman, was contacted. If you didn’t win this time, a new giveaway, Rudolph’s Holiday Giveaway is starting in a day or so. This time, a $120 main prize, lots of author prizes, what’s not to like. And you get the opportunity to find new to you authors. You’ll see my posts on my Facebook, and Twitter pages as well as in these posts and my newsletter. Don’t miss out this time.

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I’m also going to be on Facebook for an event called Writers Colony Press Holiday Indie Extravaganza. The event runs December 3rd and 4th. Writers Colony Press publishes anthologies for charity. The Longest Night Watch Volumes 1 and 2 are to raise money for Alzheimers. We dedicated them to Terry Pratchett, and Gene Wilder. The other Anthology out is “Stardust Alway’s” for Cancer research, and dedicated to Alan Rickman and David Bowie. And also, to our very dear friend Stacy Whitemire who passed away recently. She will be greatly missed. Find some new to you authors today and do a good deed for charity. Come join our extravaganza. Lots of authors will be on the event page sharing books, contests and fun. You could win a prize, or two! https://www.facebook.com/events/364089737264705/ Click on the Discussion tab.

Shout Out:

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On Wednesday, I’ll have my interview with Nikki Haverstock up on this blog. If you’re a cozy mystery fan, you’ll love Nikki and her stories. Can’t wait for the interview? Check out http://nikkihaverstock.com/ to get an introduction and a taste of what she’s writing. You won’t be sorry.

Garden News:

The broccoli is recovering from being critter chewed. New leaves are out and light frosts, though we haven’t had any yet, will not bother the plants. I may get a broccoli spear or two out of these yet. The rest of the garden looks sad though the cherry tomato plants continue to produce. I do have to clean up though. I actually invited people over for Thanksgiving and I’d like the back yard to look presentable, if not pristine. Gumption. Where are you?

Where Will I Be?

Imzy Stickers

Imzy Stickers

Do you follow me on Pinterest, twitter, Facebook, Instagram or other sites? You can find all my links here. I’m also on a new social media site, Imzy.com. The site is now out of beta testing and has opened its doors to everyone. You can follow me there at https://www.imzy.com/connies_random_thoughts. I’ve been posting daily updates on my NaNo progress there including snippets and random pictures. Enjoy.

Newsletter Sign Up:

Click here to sign up for my newsletter. I’ve put sign-up prizes on both the regular and the Brown Rain newsletter sign-ups. That’s right. If you sign up for my newsletter you get a free story from me. Be prepared for fun and contests! Click on the video link for a short video from me. Hear what I’m working on. Join my “A” Team to be the first to read my books and hear what new books are coming.

Newest Book Release:

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Troubled Streets released on October 15th! I’m pretty excited about it. You can buy it and my other books at: Apple, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, Gumroads or Chatebooks today! I’m still getting it loaded onto Gumroad and Chatebooks. You can also see all my books on www.ConniesRandomThoughts.com. If you’ve read any of my books, please drop a short, honest, review on the site where you bought it or on Goodreads. It’s critical to help me promote the books to other readers. Thanks in advance.