My Life as a writer
When did you first realise you wanted to write for a living?
I have had a passion for movies and TV from a very young age. During my teen years, I wrote reviews on films as I wanted to be a film critic. I instead used my ability to have my voice heard as a special needs teaching assistant helping students with many kinds of disabilities.
I have Cerebral Palsy so during the first lockdown I was on the shielding list. it was then that I started to write again properly and decided I wanted to make a career out of writing stories as an escape from the real world
Which writer, past or present, do you most admire?
J K Rowling, I first entered the world of magic through her Harry Potter books
G R R Martin
Eric Kripke for his work on Supernatural
What was your first published (or performed) credit as a writer?
I am a fairly new writer and both my biggest pieces are still under production. I have converted my partner’s book into a script that is awaiting production and I have sold an episode to CBS that is also awaiting production.
Which piece of writing work are you most proud of?
The piece of work I am most proud of has not been published. I wrote it as a short screenplay for a film competition. It is about a young girl living with Cerebral Palsy and Autism and the effects lockdown had on her. It sees her travel to another universe where she is completely free. She floats on a chair made of clouds that carries her between worlds. She meets dragons, pirates, Lego that turns into anything you imagine right before you and the ability to float through the stars. It leaves you wondering if the little girl really visited these worlds, or if she used her imagination as an escapism from a world that was scary to her.
Although this piece had not been published and is only a short screenplay I am very proud of the meaning it holds.
Who or what inspires you to write?
I am inspired to write as I want to make a difference in the world. I prefer writing fiction and magical stories where the people reading can shut off and transport themselves into another world for the time they are reading/watching as I find this can make a big difference to someone who is having a hard time. I want to bring the sense of calm you get from a nature walk into someone’s living room.
The support of my family and friends inspires me to write.
How do you switch off when you’re not writing?
I love being in nature during the warmer months. Spending time with my family, watching films and playing deck-building card games.
Which one piece of advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Never underestimate your ability. If you’ve written a piece (screenplay or book) with a certain story in mind to tell, do not change it just to fit in with the world and others telling you “it would be better if…” If you have true meaning and passion behind a story you are telling, stick with it. Someone will eventually come along and share the vision you have for it.
Why are you a member of WGGB?
Yes I am now a member of the WGGB.
Hi, My name is Niki I am 34. I currently live in West Yorkshire with my fiancé and stepdaughter.
I have Cerebral Palsy and Autism. I have always had a love for film and fantasy novels and I am excited to be given a chance to share my imagination with others.
I am a former admin worker and special education needs teaching assistant.
While 2020 closed many doors for us as a family, it opened the door to allow me to write, which I am very excited to expand in the years to come.
