Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyler Nixon.
Tyler, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
For as long as I could remember, I’ve wanted to create.
At first, it was building Legos. Then it was making iron man suits out of cardboard and duct tape. The next thing I know, I was building a world with my childhood friend Jon that we called “World 2.” As a joke, I wrote a 35,000-word novel related to it and thus, my love for writing was born.
In high school (October 2014 to be precise), I wrote and self-published the first version of my story, “Sky of Shadows,” on a website called “Smashwords.” Needless to say, it was an abject failure but I was proud to be a published author nonetheless. About 4 years, a marriage, a tour in the US. Navy later, I decided to pull both the original SoS and its sequel from Amazon and redo them from scratch, terrible covers included.
Later on, I joined a Discord writing group called “The Fellowship of the Ink,” whom -when I submitted SoS- promptly tore it apart. It was then I learned a valuable lesson: Any old schmuck can write, but it takes practice to write well.
Eventually, with the help of my friend and wife, Sky of Shadows is redone from top to bottom and I am a published author once more!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Without a doubt, the biggest obstacle is learning to take criticism with grace and apply it.
Some people when they write their first book are so caught up in the idea of being an author, they develop this idea that they are naturally talented and don’t need help, or feedback. I was one of these people. Eventually, I learned to be humble, and as such my writing skills have grown exponentially- and yet there is always room to grow.
Also, there is writer’s block. Very annoying, lots of different solutions to break it. For some, it could be as simple as taking a walk. For others, it could be taking a break. For me, it was learning to sit my behind down and just write something. Anything.
As the age-old advice goes: “How can you know something works if you haven’t tried it yet?”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am, first and foremost, a writer and author. My latest book, the revised edition of “Sky of Shadows,” was self-published on 4/20/2022.
In addition to writing, I also dabble in art and graphic design. I am currently enrolled in school for it, in fact! Once I graduate I hope to design book covers and other things as a side gig.
While “Sky of Shadows” is what I’d consider my first real story, my current work-in-progress, “Fractured Soul,” will probably be the best book I ever write. During the process of writing it, I’ve expanded my horizons, learning, and pushing the boundaries of what I thought I was capable of in order to create a story worthy of its target audience.
What separates me from others, I’d say, is my drive to get something done. I am a vehemently determined individual. One way or another, I will accomplish my goal.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and are any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Caring for others.
At the time, I worked as an appliance repair technician. I would go to customers’ homes and fix their refrigerators, and a lot of them either had server health issues or were understandably nervous about Covid. I would always do my best to reassure them, wearing a mask, voluntarily showing my vaccination card, washing my hands frequently, whatever needed to be done to set their minds at ease.
Pricing:
- “Sky of Shadows” softcover print $9.99
- “Sky of Shadows” ebook $2.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tylercnixonauthor.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylercnixonauthor/
