Interview With Author Nat Bickel
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Nat Bickel is an energetic storyteller who aims to move people to action with her words. She has a bachelor’s in communications, a previous contributorship with Darling Magazine, and published features in Glamour, Stylist, Shondaland, Refinery29, Parade Magazine, and more. Through her journalism experience, she’s interviewed celebrities, worked with musical artists, and reported on current trends and events. She’s the author of the children’s book, The Christmas Clue, that showcases the tale of a Christmas morning scavenger hunt. When she’s not writing, you can find her taking film photos of her dog, pressing flowers, or blazing new trails with her husband.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Christmas Clue – Christmas has always been the happiest time of year for my family with seemingly magical memories from my childhood. I know not everyone has this same admiration for the holiday season, which is why I wrote the children’s book, The Christmas Clue, in hopes to ignite feelings of joy and novelty towards this time of year. Throughout my youth, my parents curated unforgettable experiences for my brother and I through inventive Christmas traditions. My dad, in particular, is highly creative and came up with the ultimate tradition, a scavenger hunt to find our last present. This started when we were in elementary school, and the clues grew progressively difficult each year. The annual hunt commenced after we opened all the presents under the tree. My dad would then say, “Did you check in the tree?” My brother and I would search the tree branches to find envelopes with each of our names on them where the first clue lived. Once we each read ours, we would race to the separate locations they alluded to. After retrieving the next clue, we’d regroup, reading them aloud for the family before racing off again to find the subsequent one. This went on and on with one clue always outside, forcing us to get somewhat bundled up before braving the cold to retrieve it. On the rare occasion when we had white Christmases, my dad would have to quickly reprint a clue, the ink smudged from the snow. I adore my dad for staying up each Christmas Eve night and hiding our clues in secret, knowing how excited we’d be in the morning. My book is inspired by this tradition in hopes that other children will get a taste of the exhilarating, magic-filled journey we embark on each Christmas morning. As my brother and I have grown up and gotten married, our spouses have been inducted into the tradition, as well. Now, as we expand our families, I can’t wait to see our own children go along for the wild scavenger ride filled with the love and care of Christmas joy surrounded by family.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Writing has always been the way I process things, and therefore I try to take readers on a journey with me, letting them see the world from my mindsight view. I tell people I’m an energetic storyteller because I feel the energy when I write. For example, I can tell when a good story or article is brewing. It starts to pop up in my dreams, and I can visualize it before the words come to me. A half-sleep state is usually how my writing starts. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve accidentally texted with a sentence I didn’t want to forget, when I was trying to make a note for myself.
Whenever I sit down to write, I have to drink out of my favorite mug. It gets me in the headspace of “I’m about to let the stories, worlds, characters, and metaphors unleash onto a page.”
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Becca FitzPatrick (Author of Hush Hush Series, among others) has influenced my passion for YA because she’s so good at wanting you to like the bad guy. I’ve literally held my breath while reading her books, in suspense of what’s going to be on the next page.
Kristin Hannah (Author of The Nightingale, among others) influences me through the complexity of her stories. She draws you into the characters, clearly defining them so you’re never questioning who anyone is throughout the story.
What are you working on now?
I have a young adult novel I’ve been working on polishing for a few years now, a new children’s book idea that I’m working on fleshing out about inclusivity and diversity, and a short story of mine is going to be published in a Christmas Anthology this year (2022) with TouchPoint Press.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social media is your best friend. My publisher helps promote through Ebookfairs, but utilizing your personal following is invaluable.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Constantly be writing/creating.
Even if no one reads it, write it because you only have yourself to benefit.
No one has lived your experience or is in your head, so let your unique thoughts out regularly.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“When you’re in the middle of a story you’re in the middle of possibility” – The Chair on Netflix
This isn’t direct advice, but it keeps me going when I feel like a story has fallen flat or I’m not sure what direction to go next. Just being in the middle of a story feels thrilling, and the possibilities are endless because it’s your creation.
What are you reading now?
Lately, I’ve been reading books on raising children, but I recently started another Kristin Hannah book—The Great Alone.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Short stories have been my sweet spot this year. I’ve been crafting a few in hopes to see them published via literary contests and anthologies. I also hope to get my novel published within the next year or so, but my ultimate goal is to continue to share my creativity and life experiences through story.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Because of Winn-Dixie (a classic from my childhood)
Little Women (I relate so much to Jo, I think it would motivate me to survive)
Wilderness Survival for Dummies (for obvious reasons)
A book that has to do with snow or winter to get my mind off of the heat and current environment (this could be a fictional or nonfictional book)
Author Websites and Profiles
Nat Bickel’s Social Media Links