Writing can be a passion or a chore.  In Nicole's case, it is truly a passion!   Picking up a pen and paper came quite easily for Nicole.  In fact, you can see her material on the Nigel Page at thebassgod.com.   Join me as we read in depth this poet's tale.

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Q/A:

What is your background?
Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada.  I'm the youngest of six siblings.  Family legend has it that I was conceived in New Orleans, but then my parents divorced when I was five, so there goes the happy ending to that story.  I always hated school.  In high school, I became very bored and enrolled in honors classes, but I just daydreamed.  I didn't follow the flock and go to the University. I had no desire.  I went straight to work with the Canadian Mental Health and worked with mentally handicapped persons for almost a year.  After my employment ended, there I was jaded and bored yet again when I found an ad at one of my favorite haunts for an evening writing group.  It was a casual thing in this guy's basement.  Strangers became friends through prose and poetry.  We drank wine and read our work and also had homework (the first time that I didn't complain about doing it).  I met a friend who got me involved with a local theater company and the rest is history.  I have worked for the company on two separate occasions. I have also worked in tourism.  I am a writer and I like working with people, what can I say!

What are your vital statistics?
I am 27, inching slowly towards 30, but I'm a kid at heart.  I'm short and sweet with blue eyes with dark shoulder length hair at the moment.  I will just follow Candace in this question and offer that I am a non-smoker that loves beer and wine way too much.  Loves live music more than sex (like I mean it literally).  I'm a free spirited girl with a big heart and a lot to say.  I am a good listener and can talk anyone under the table.  Can you tell that I am a Sagittarius?

What stimulated your interest in writing?
No one ever read to me a lot when I was a child, but I was always fascinated with books.  I have been collecting for a long time and my first little collection consisted of the Judy Blume series with "4th Grade Nothing" and "Little House on the Prairie" books.  They were my favorite things in the whole world.  Around the time I discovered Judy Blume and Super Fudge, I started writing stories and illustrating them.  My first ever story was about a turtle named Nick.  I found much joy in words, stories, and poems and thought, hey I can do this, I have things to say, so I started writing them down.  It was soon after that I started listening to a lot of music.  Growing up in a house full of adults, I didn't have much in common with them, but I was always hearing their music.  I listened not only to music, but to the lyrics, which to me was poetry.  When the MTV age hit, that poetry on the radio was being illustrated in video.  What an exciting time, eh!

What kinds of writing styles do you enjoy?
You mean what do I like writing the most?  Poetry seems to be my medium.  I do write prose as well, it's just not something I share as much.  I write songs and have written with and for my brother in the past and will continue to do so in the future.  I write everything, from grocery lists, poems, stories, and letters (I am fascinated by letters), and journal entries.   It's all creative and productive.  The golden rule is to write every day.  I try and live by that.

Have you ever had any of your work published?
I spent the good part of two years sending things out.  I have a book of rejection letters I am quite proud of.  I have been successful on a few occasions.  My first $2 I ever made from writing is in a frame on my book shelf with a photocopy of the check.  It was for an erotica journal called "Desideratum."  They bought a poem called "Rush." I keep that $2 up, so I can see it to remind myself that I did it once and I can do it again.  It motivates me.  I have also had various poems and prose pieces (mostly non fiction) published in an Ontario quarterly called "Country Charm," which has since gone under.  Also, Blue Mountain Arts Greeting used a verse I wrote for my sister on her 40th birthday in one of their gift books and calendars.  Currently, three of my latest poems have been accepted (unpaid of course) for the June issue of "Nectarzine," which I am really excited about.

Are you working/worked for an employer in an area where your job consists/consisted of writing?
Yeah, that was the great thing about the theater.  I was the Administrative Assistant and I got to write up blurbs for the shows and do press releases and things like that from time to time.  It was a nice way to flex my writing muscles!  I mean, I was surrounded by writing all of the time, in means of scripts or  books in consideration for adaptations. It was an incredible environment for writing and being creative.  Though, working there sparked my interest in graphic design because I was part of the team who helped design the brochures for the season and shows.  I loved doing that.

How did your review column come about for thebassgod.com?
I was involved with a great zine called BASSics-A John Taylor Fanzine for a little while.  I contributed a few articles and reviews.  I even tried out the whole "homage to the Nigel Pages" there for the first time.  It was something that I looked forward to.  It was something that I enjoyed doing.  When thebassgod.com was mounted, I wanted to contribute and show my support for both the site and John's work.

Why did you have an interest in writing for thebassgod.com?
Again, my love of writing and my love of John's work propelled me into wanting to be involved.  I am friends with Rose and Sunshine and was very happy to whip something up to support the site and have a little fun.  I have the ultimate respect for JT's artistic integrity and his endeavors, whether it be music or film.  It only makes sense to show my support through what I love doing the most, writing.

What are your musical interests?
That is a big question.  I love music, a lot of it.  I grew up with a Dad into country music and two older sisters who listened to disco and the Gap Band.  My older brothers were all different in their tastes.  One brother loved James Taylor and Dr. Hook, another was into Black Sabbath and Mott the Hoople, and my musician brother was filling the house with everything from Rush to Teenage Head to Rod Stewart.  I just really love music!  I listen to everything from Louis Armstrong to the Deftones.  My favorites, though, are Duran Duran/JT, the Clash, the Doors, Chris Isaak, Sheryl Crow, the Tragically Hip, and 80's music.


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