Interview with Nikol Hasler

http://midwestteensexshow.com/

When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?

In first grade we read a book about an owl. I don’t recall what happened to the owl or if I even enjoyed the book. I do remember that the author of the book came to our school to give an assembly and she talked about how much she had loved reading when she was little, to the point that she’d hide books under her pillow. That’s when it really hit me that people write the books I love, and the idea was mind-blowing.

However, I never intended to be a writer. I never thought I was. Still today, when people ask what I do it takes me a moment to answer, finally saying, ”I’m a writer, I think.”

Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publishing?

I met the publishers when I was speaking at a youth centered event. They were aware of the web series I host and we began to talk about ways to turn that content into something that would work in book form.

Tell us a little bit about either your latest or upcoming release. If you could only tell your readers one thing about the story that had to convince us to buy the book, what would it be?

Sex: A Guide for Teens is a completely non-judgmental or opinionated book that frankly discusses all things sexual. Even the adults who have read it have told me that they learned things from reading the book. Plus, the cover is pretty sweet. Who doesn’t love cows? They obviously love each other.

What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?

When we began airing MTSS, a video podcast about teens and sex, I was not expecting the overwhelming number of emails from teenagers who had real questions about sex. In those emails I was reminded that I was once a teen and that it was confusing as hell. That confusion is my inspiration.

Let’s hear about your family, who I’m sure are thrilled to have a published author among them!

I don’t think any of my three sons even understand how cool this is. “Yeah, that’s our mom. She’s been on CNN and Nightline. She wrote and produced a pilot for Comedy Central. She wrote a book.” They’re much more interested in what I am cooking for dinner. They are decidedly anti-tilapia.

Now for some fun facts. What’s your greatest comfort food?

I always say tomatoes. It’s true that I love chomping into them, but I have to come clean. I love Sun Chips. Any flavor, any time.

What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning?

If hitting snooze three times doesn’t count, I’d have to say that I play a round of Words With Friends on my iPhone before I get out of bed. Then I check my email. Then I rush downstairs to see if Santa came. (Once a year. The other 364 days I take a shower.)

If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what’s the one thing that would surprise me the most?

Me hiding in there with a baseball bat or more likely a high heel, poised to attack this person who just showed up at my house and started looking through my stuff. Beyond that, maybe all of the pickles in the cellar. I honestly have a huge stash of pickled everything. I find cooking soothing, and the art of preserving food is one I’m very proud of.

Everyone asks the question about “if you could be a tree, which tree would you be?” so I want to know: If you could be a color, which color would it be, and why?

I’ve never been asked what sort of tree I’d be. I’m a little disappointed. So, I guess I’d be brown, like a tree.

Who is your favorite cartoon character?

I used to have the biggest crush on Shaggy from Scooby Doo.

Which cartoon character is most like you?

When I was a teenager, I was totally Daria. Now I’m more like Betty Boop. (Because I’m adorable.)

If you could beam yourself to anywhere in the world (“Beam me up, Scotty!”), during any time in history, where and when would it be—and why?

I am so boring when it comes to questions like this. I live in Los Angeles. I work as a Producer. I get to write columns and op-eds and books. I’m working on screen plays and spending time with amazing comedy writers. My kids are healthy and happy. I cannot think of any time or place I would rather be. I don’t want to even pop away for an hour to another place and time.

So what’s your favorite type of music to listen to? Favorite musical artists? Do you listen to music while you’re writing?

I get into certain moods. When I work out I love to listen to hip hop and old hair metal. When I do yoga I prefer listening to Pink Floyd. I love this band, Infantree and have been listening to them when I write, as well as Cloud Cult.

Oh, and The New Pornographers are so so good.

Do you have any favorite T.V. shows? Movies you watch over and over again? What was the last movie you saw at the theater?

I love cooking shows. I love Project Runway. All of the NBC Thursday night comedies get recorded on the DVR. Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Party Down make me laugh harder than anything on television, and now Children’s Hospital is on Adult Swim.

You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your teen readers. What would it be?

Since my book is filled with advice about sex, my advice to teens is that they work on talking. One chapter of the book focuses on how to talk to people - parents, partners, friends - about a topic which can cause major issues if not talked about.

One last question. What stories can we look forward to from you in the future?

Well, I already write two columns about sex and relationships, but I would really love to write some David Sedaris style short stories about growing up in foster care.

Again, thanks so much for joining us at TeensReadToo.com!