As a journalist, writer and aspiring author, when I heard I was going to interview Nikki Turner I was soooooo excited. This woman has paved a great way for female writers and the Urban or Street Lit genre. However, upon meeting Nikki I was so blown. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I never expected this humble and sweet person that I met.
Nikki is not shy by any means regarding her accomplishments or being proud of them, but she’s not boastful either. She’s very concise with her words, but when she does speak the genuine tone lets you know that she’s serious about what she does and she’s no newbie in the literature game.
So my well-read and well-rounded citiXIns…this week in our XI Reader’s corner we have Essence and NY Times Best Selling Author…Nikki Turner!
XI: How you did fall in love with the written word?
From a little girl I’ve always been a reader. I had no choice in my house. My grandmother took me to the bookstore literally as long as I can remember, even before I could read. Every Saturday we went to the book store to get books.
XI: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I was such an avid reader and when I went into the stores and they didn’t have the books that I wanted to read…because there were no Urban books at that time…I just decided one day hey I’m gonna write a book.
XI: How did you feel when you completed your very first novel and saw it in print for the first time?
OMG!!!! Its like a feeling that you can’t even explain. It’s like a high beyond any other high. I’ve never used drugs before, I’ve never even smoked a cigarette, but it’s just such a feeling. I started crying as a matter of fact.
XI: How do you come up with your book ideas and characters?
In day to day life I meet people. Or sometimes if I’m on a plane I’ll ask someone what they do and they’ll tell me something that sounds intriguing. But my girls, I create them. I take bits and pieces from life and I create them.
XI: In acting, many people research by shadowing those they are portraying, it seems you do the same when you are creating your fictitious worlds, what makes you so dedicated to realism?
This is my passion; writing these books are my passion. So when you are passionate about something you just can’t help but to go all the way.
XI: What about the literary world of Hip-Hop Fiction turns you off?
There is a lot about the assumptions that people have that turn me off. Some people talk down on it [Hip-Hop/Urban Fiction or Street Lit] and think they aren’t REAL BOOKS. Sometimes I meet people and they say, ‘oh you don’t’ write real books.” And I’m like last time I checked, it looked like they sold them in the book store! They don’t take the time to understand that this is just a mirror to our reality, because it’s Hip-Hop or Street Lit or Urban. So they feel like it’s not real literature.
XI: How do you counter that?
I ask them have they read a Nikki Turner book?!
XI: Who is Beijing and what influences her in your newest book “Relapse?”
There are two sides to Beijing. There is her work or corporate side and then her personal side. I just think that her love interests influence her on the personal side with her making certain decisions. Her passion for what she does influences her work side.
XI: What made you decide to bring Lootchee back on the scene and why in this new light, in regard to him being a bit more exposed and vulnerable?
Everybody either loved to hate Lootchee or hated to love Lootchee, so he’s one of those characters that people love. I just think that people have different sides to them, even Johnny Wiz. Johnny Wiz was in my book “Ghetto Superstar.” But here we got to see a different side of him in this book [Relapse]. I just think that certain people get to see different sides of you. Like when you are in a relationship, you may be a different person with one person than you are with another person. So if I’m supposed to write books that are a mirror to reality, wouldn’t I show him in a different light? Even though he [Lootchee] has a pattern of how he is with women. He’s loved several of my main characters or they loved him.
XI: The theme of the drug game and addiction run pretty regular in many of your books, what encounter in your own life did you have with it?
My first book was called “Hustler’s Wife.” I’ve had guys who’ve lived that life before. But I don’t think that women should glorify that life, because it has repercussions. You have to pay the piper one day.
XI: Not to spoil it for any of the readers that haven’t gotten the book yet, but will we see Beijing and the crew again? *crosses fingers*
Let’s hope so! *as she smiles slyly*
XI: You have worked with several noted artists turned authors, how was that?
It was a wonderful experience. 50 Cent, Dana Dane, Styles P…it’s all been a blessing. Like for Dana Dane, I am THE original hip hop fan. I love hip-hop and old school hip-hop especially. So to work with people that I admire and be able to help them do what they want to do after they’ve empowered me in some way long before I even met them, it’s surreal.
XI: Do you think that you would work with other unknown individuals if they wanted you to assist them in working on their projects?
Of course. I do that with Street Chronicles and also Nikki Turner Presents. Those individuals are up-and-coming authors.
XI: You are both an Essence and NY Times best selling author, how do you feel about that as an African American young woman?
GREAT! I was telling someone that I had a friend who would take me out and they would introduce me like ‘this is Nikki and she writes book.’ Several times I was introduced like that and then I said listen, I am a New York Times Best Selling Author when you introduce me. They said it’s not a big deal and I told them to watch and see! When you say that you are a writer, people are like oh, she’s a struggling author. Then they ask, are you self published. But to be able to say I’m a NY Times best selling author and then when they ask, oh who published you and I can say Random House…it feels good. REAL GOOD.
XI: How do you feel about being celebrated and accepted outside of your direct genre because you don’t find much if any Street-lit or Urban literature on the NY Times list that aren’t biographies or autobiographies?
It’s just a blessing. It feels like God has favored me.
XI: Speaking of God, what is your relationship with God because often times we have a lot of successful people that feel they did it all by themselves and on their own?
I feel like I’m one of God’s favorites! I’m highly favored and I’m blessed!
XI: When you decided to become a full-time writer, were your friends and family supportive? How did that make you feel?
NO! when I wrote the first book, no one believed in me. My grandmother was the only person that really believed in me. She didn’t really get what I was doing, but she’s always been supportive. But I can remember when I was like I’m about to be a best selling author and they were all like “yeah, okay.” But it gave me the push that I needed, it motivated me!
XI: Who is Nikki Turner beyond the 30+ books and the fame and fortune?
Nikki is a mother. I think I’m a good friend, I’m very giving, I’m very compassionate. I’m very nurturing. I love hip-hop. I think I can sing, but I really can’t carry a tune. I’m a woman of God, a woman of Faith.
XI: What’s on deck next for you?
Of course I have “Natural Born Hustler”, that comes out in October. I have Styles’ book that comes out in two weeks, which is a part of Nikki Turner Presents. I’m writing as we speak, the third part to “Hustler’s Wife.”
XI: What advice would you bestow upon up and coming or aspiring authors, despite the genre?
I think the first thing they must do is focus on their manuscript; focus on whatever they’re writing. Often times people will say, oh I’m writing a book, how am I going to put it out, promote it and market it. I think all that is good but the most important thing is to get a great body of work that you can work with. Because when you are submitting things, no one wants to see mistakes. And you only get one time to submit.
XI: What would you say to genre specific authors for Urban Lit?
I think they need to study the industry. They should read other people’s books that are in that industry and make sure they are doing something unique. There are a lot of urban books out now, so your book has to stand apart.
XI: I was once told by an English professor that the best writers are the best readers. What is your take on that?
I agree! Like I said, I was an avid reader and I still am. I read a lot of non-fiction now, but I think that in order to be a great writer you have to be a better reader.
XI: Any last words?
Please go get Relapse!!!!!
Relapse was a fabulous read and to be honest I knocked it out in FOUR HOURS!!!! All of Nikki’s books that I have read have been fabulous reads and just fun to escape into. Aside from being a mirror into many people’s urban reality, her worlds are a great place to live that life that you never really would on your own for those whose reality it’s not.
This woman has poured her heart and soul into her work and with that, she has done it again! Make sure you pick up Relapse and look our for her Nikki Turner Presents series featuring a novel by Styles P and of course Natural Born Hustler, Fall 2010.
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