Cat Johnson Braves Doll Lil’s Word Association Challenge!

Nikki Carter has been a book-lover since she was in elementary school. Her favorite stories are fun, fresh, and full of drama. When she’s not writing, Nikki enjoys reading, shopping, and hanging out by the pool. Nikki lives and loves in Dallas, Texas.

Q: With so many various writing conferences and cons nowadays, authors seem to have several options to fill their schedules. What is it about Romantic Times that made you add this event to your busy schedule?

A: I’ve been wanting to come to Romantic Times for years! It really is the best of the best. I’m stoked because it’s my first time at RT and my first time in Los Angeles. Score!

Q: As far as busy schedules go, do you find time to read for yourself? If so what are some of your current favorite books?

A: I am an AVID reader. I am always in the middle of a book. I just read That Devil’s No Friend of Mine by J.D. Mason and Perfect Peace by Daniel Black. They were excellent. I love science fiction and futuristic type books. When I really want to curl up and go into a reading cocoon, I’ll pull out something by Anne Rice, Octavia E. Butler or Eric Jerome Dickey – they’re my faves!

Q: So many adults are enjoying the YA genre now. Do you feel like your writing has messages for the targeted audience of young adults, or do you keep in mind the cross-over audience as well?

A: Well, when I’m writing the YA books, I just really try to have a fun and dramatic story with teens at the center. I don’t think about genres or messages when I write. I think about stories!

Q: Do you ever get “star-struck” meeting other authors or have “fan-girl” moments?

A: Yes, yes and yes! Last fall, I found out I was going to meet Eric Jerome Dickey for the first time at a book conference and I went on a no-carb diet because I didn’t want to have to suck my stomach in when I asked him my writing question. I didn’t eat a cookie or a piece of bread for weeks. Let’s just say I was a little bit cranky, BUT I did not have a muffin top! LOL! It was fun, and he was really down to earth and gave me some great advice. I also got star struck when I met Terry McMillan several years ago. I was brand new and had just published my first novel. She was hilarious.

Q: Since Romantic Times has an emphasis on romance, who are some of your favorite romantic couples of fiction, or ones perhaps you’ve created?

A: Edward and Bella have got to be my favorite romantic couple! I was team Edward from the jump. I also really like Sam and Sunday from my teen series. Sunday is such an ambitious girl, so she needs a guy who can get with that.

Q: Are there certain things you have to have to write, like snacks or music?

A: Caffeine. Preferably Starbucks. I like snacks too. Potato chips, cookies. Wait…I don’t know if I need those to write, or if I just need them to live! LOLOL! But I also need quiet. I can’t write with background noise.

Q: Writing seems to be such a personal thing, is it hard to send your work out into the world? How do you deal with getting feedback from so many different people?

A: Getting feedback is hard sometimes, because people don’t realize how close these stories are to your heart. I’ve been fortunate to not ever have had a really bad review, but every time I put something out there I open myself up to that possibility. It’s scary, but it makes me want to write the best thing I’ve ever written, every time.

Q: If you could give one piece of advice to young adults (on anything), what would it be?

A: I tell my teenager and tweenager all the time to be themselves. If people don’t like you for who you really are, then you don’t want them in your circle! And a friend circle can be very small – it doesn’t have to include all the pretty, popular people.

Q: What is your opinion on the steady popularity of supernatural elements in YA fiction? Do you think that the Vampire (were’s, angels, demons, fairies) trend is here to stay?

A: It’s not new! I’ve been reading supernatural books since I was a teenager! Madeline L’Engle was one of my favorite authors and the Wrinkle in Time books rocked! I think it is here to stay, and that we’ll see it evolve and become even more creative as the years go on.

Q: As writers of Young Adult fiction, teens (and some adults for that matter) can get kind of obsessed with characters and the authors that created them. Do you enjoy the fame and attention you have gained from writing or is it more of a nuisance?

A: Anyone who buys my books can NEVER be a nuisance! Maybe I understand because I’m a fan girl.

Q: What is next for you? Any exciting news you could share…or tease us with?

A: I think Nikki Carter readers will be happy to know that Gia Stokes from my first series (So For Real) becomes a major player in the Fab Life books! I’m excited to bring Gia back and tell the rest of her story. Also, I’m stoked to be included in The Breakup Diaries anthologies.

For one talented girl, reality bites. . .

Sunday Tolliver is gifted, smart, and ready to take the music industry by storm now that she’s signed a record deal. All she has to do is survive touring with her diva cousin, Dreya, and she’ll finally get a shot at her own R&B; dreams. But the tour’s mega-bad-boy star, Truth, refuses to believe that Sunday isn’t feeling him–and a jealous Dreya is doing everything to make Sunday pay. When filming for a behind-the-tour reality show starts, Sunday’s live-and-on-camera humiliation is threatening to derail her chances–and help Dreya cover up stealing her songs. Now Sunday has one last chance to prove herself. And with the spotlight heating up, all bets are off–and this battle is on. . .

Nikki Carter is giving away a signed copy of her YA novel “All The Wrong Moves” here on Paperback Dolls. Simply leave a comment for Nikki in this post to enter and win.

More ways to win:
+1 for each place you post about today’s contest on your blog, social network, or anywhere you can. Digg it, stumble it, twit it, facebook it, share it with the world. Wherever you share it, make sure you add a link to it along with your comment.

Giveaway ends April 24th and the winner will be chosen by random.org and announced in our ‘Week in Review’ post April 26th. We ask the winners to post a review of the novel someplace. Whether it is on their own blog, Amazon, GoodReads, LibraryThing or wherever, it doesn’t matter. Just help get the word out. Also, we will try to contact the winners, but we ask that you check back to see if you’ve won.

Paperback Dolls is made up of women from different parts of the world, with different backgrounds, different tastes and beliefs that were brought together through a love of reading. We like to think of ourselves as a cyber version of "The View" that focuses on books, authors, and reading. We are proof positive that one common love can unite the most opposite of people and form lasting friendships that introduce other ways of life and perspectives to each other.

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