Heres the situation… Nick Haskins is the author of On the Edge of Heat, Jamal, and My Husband’s Wife. Haskins was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio where he currently resides. After years of aspiring to become a film and TV writer, he began to shape his creative dreams, and released his first book in 2011. Nick has been actively working on building his catalog of work, and readership, with plans to become a full-time writer.
The Situation Room with Michelle Cuttino sat down with Nick Haskins to talk about his latest release, Betrayed, and what else we can expect from him in the future.
Michelle: Please tell us a little about yourself.
Nick: Sure! My name is Nick Haskins. I am a self-published author from Toledo, Ohio. Im single, never been married. I dont have children of my own, but adore my nieces and nephews. I am very, very close with my family. I havent been to church in over a year, but I am a stronger believer, and have faith in God.
Michelle: How did you get your start with writing?
Nick: When I was very young, around maybe ten years old, I remember this ongoing storyline playing in my head. As I got a little older, I would start reenacting, and even speaking for the characters in my head every night. When I turned around seventeen, I started writing out the storyline in a notebook. I wrote for about a year, but stopped for close to ten years. In 2008, I read a Mary B. Morrison book, and got a major dose of inspiration. From there, I went and found the notebook I used to write in as a teenager, and wrote my first book, On the Edge of Heat.
Michelle: What has been the most challenging part about being an author thus far?
Nick: So far, the most challenging part about being an author for me is promoting and getting my work out to readers once its released. Im hoping with all the social media outlets Im starting to explore, and the virtual tour I have planned with AAMBC, I will see a drastic change in my readership since my last release in 2013.
Michelle: Your latest release is titled, Betrayed. What is the book about?
Nick: Betrayed is about a father, William Majors, who raises his young son, Billy, after Billys mother dies. William promises his ailing wife that he would always take care of their boy, raising him up into a man. He didnt trust any other woman to come into his, or his sons life, until Billy was all grown up, so William dedicates himself to his son without so much as taking a dinner date. Sixteen years later, once Billy turns 21, William becomes eager to find a wife. When he meets, and falls madly in love with Jennifer Payne, he marries her only to have Billy fall in love with her too.
Michelle: From where did you draw inspiration for this novel?
Nick: One day the storyline just started playing in my head. First the father and the son came to me, and then this beautiful, tall, thin, dark chocolate skinned female came shortly after. Once I started paying attention to the storyline, the black front cover, and their full names came to me. At first, I was going to title the book Major Payne (pun on the characters last names), but that didnt pop out for me. I went for Taboo, then I settled on Deceived, which eventually turned into Betrayed.
Michelle: What do you hope readers walk away with once theyve read Betrayed?
Nick: My hope is that readers will walk away, shaking their heads thinking, Damn . . . thats f****d up! I want the illicit coldness of the story to be conveyed to my readers. Im also hoping my readers will feel all my, at times, raw emotions I poured into this book.
Michelle: When its all said and done, and your last book is written, what do you want to be remembered for as a writer?
Nick: I want to be remembered as a great storyteller. I want to entertain my readers; take them on a chilling journey through my books. I want all the joy and excitement that I feel while Im writing to leap out to anyone who reads my work. I put my heart and soul, and everything I have creatively into my projects for my readers.
Michelle: What advice would you give to an up and coming author who is just starting in the industry?
Nick: I think my advice has been the same since I started: Do Your Homework! No matter how good of a writer you are, no matter how many stories may be on the inside, you owe it to your career to make smart, informed, researched choices. Dont let anything, not even money, jade your decisions.
Michelle: Whats next for Nick Haskins?
Nick: Im actually working on a project right now. It has more of an urban feel, a little different from Betrayed and my other books. Im not releasing the title just yet, but I will say it revolves around a young couple, Jace and Leah McCall. When Leah uncovers a secret about her new husband, Jace, she becomes obsessed.
Michelle: How can our readers contact and/or follow you?
Nick: On social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat) @iamnickhaskins
I also have a website: www.nickhaskinsbooks.com.