A Conversation With Bestselling Author Nick Oliveri

Last weekend, I had the privilege of interviewing the bestselling author, Nick Oliveri.

Nick has published 8 novels, with his debut, "The Conjurer," hitting the shelves in December 2021. That's an impressive number of novels released in less than three years!

During our interview, Nick generously shared his insights into the world of writing and publishing, advocating for accessibility and encouragement rather than gatekeeping. Nick's genuine desire for our success in our writing journey was evident throughout our conversation.

Let's take a moment to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Nick Oliveri for his unwavering support in our journeys to becoming authors.

Author Profile

“I love to bring things I think of into existence.”

Nick's creative drive has always propelled him to create. From crafting board games and teaching himself to read and write as a child to venturing into startup businesses, he has consistently pursued his passion for turning ideas into reality. Now, he has wholeheartedly embraced the written word, showcasing remarkable success thus far.

Nick appears to be fueled by curiosity, yet he possesses a commendable ability to focus entirely on one pursuit at a time, avoiding the allure of distractions.

Reflecting on my own journey toward becoming an author, I've found myself jumping from one project to another without ever reaching completion.

Discerning between a project that needs adjustment or abandonment and one that is simply overshadowed by a perceived more promising venture is crucial.

Now, let's dive into Nick's creative process.

The Creative Process

When I asked Nick about his creative process, he prefaced his response with, "there is no one way to create."

The creative process is inherently personal, and what works for one person may not work for another.

For those yet to establish a creative routine, it's essential to experiment with various approaches to discover what resonates. Perhaps you'll adopt a single aspect of Nick's process that complements your existing routine, or maybe you'll embrace it in its entirety. That's the beauty of creative processes—they're customizable to suit individual preferences and needs.

Here are two key elements of Nick's creative process:

1. Write every day: Nick emphasizes the importance of consistency, believing that the best word is always the next one. He views writing as a discipline and a craft, stressing the necessity of showing up daily to hone your skills. After all, you can't refine a blank page.

2. Write with passion: Nick identifies his most productive writing moments as those infused with intense emotion. By channeling raw feelings into his work, he aims to create art that resonates deeply with others, echoing Ernest Hemingway's famous sentiment: "There is nothing to writing; all you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed."

How to find your voice as a writer

Discovering one's voice as a writer often entails a journey of trial and error. It's a disconcerting sensation to lack clarity about one's unique style and voice.

For Nick, finding his voice involved embracing failure as a stepping stone to progress. Rather than viewing setbacks as definitive failures, he perceives them as opportunities for growth and reflection.

With each project that doesn't meet his expectations, Nick engages in a constructive analysis: How can I improve next time? What went wrong? What specific elements didn't resonate, and why?

Rather than succumbing to the weight of failure, he chooses to leverage it as a catalyst for improvement, embodying the concept of "failing forward."

“If your gonna fall, at least do a somersault in the direction you want to go.’

Overcoming the challenge’s of writing your first draft

Writing your first draft can indeed feel overwhelming. Overthinking, self-criticism, and procrastination often become familiar during this phase.

Yet, despite the challenges, Nick offers valuable advice to navigate through them.

Reflecting on his experience writing his novel, Nick discovered a pivotal realization: the importance of writing for oneself. Amidst the uncertainties and self-doubt of the first draft, acknowledging that the work is primarily for personal fulfillment can alleviate the pressure.

During this stage, it's essential to cultivate a mindset of overt optimism, reminding yourself that no external judgment weighs upon your shoulders. Your first draft is a sanctuary for exploration and expression. Embrace this freedom and allow your creativity to flow, knowing that this draft is yours and yours alone.

Working with editors

Above all the recommendations an editor or beta reader may offer for your book, Nick advocates for prioritizing your vision.

When I questioned Nick during our interview about navigating the balance between accepting editorial advice and sticking with your vision, his response was simple: intuition.

Trusting your instincts is key in discerning when to incorporate feedback and when to stand firm in your creative choices. It's about maintaining an awareness of what resonates with your vision for the work while remaining open to constructive criticism. Ultimately, it's your intuition that will guide you in making the best decisions for your manuscript.

Closing thoughts

I hope you gained at least one thing from my conversation with Nick, one thing to advance your dreams of becoming an author.

If you’ve made it this far I have one thing to ask of you, share this email with a friend. It is my mission to create the next renaissance of authors that will change the world with their work, but I can’t do it without you.

Thank you for reading.

Wishing everyone a transformative week of writing and exploration!

Links

Nick’s Twitter

Nicks Books