Interview with Nikki Roddy

www.nikkiroddy.com

Let’s get some of the typical interview questions out of the way first. When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?

I always liked writing in school, but the burning desire to make it my day job hit me about three years ago. I was working as a file clerk, getting ready to apply to law schools, and realized that I couldn’t bring myself to turn in my applications. My dad asked what I really wanted to do with my life, and in an unexpected burst of courage, I said, “I think I want to write.”

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

I moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to travel and figure out how to make myself a writer. One night, I was out and met the editor of a magazine. I told him I was a writer (a bit of a lie), and he asked me if I wanted a job in the magazine’s office. The next week I had a full-time job as a staff copywriter. I was promoted to Assistant Editor a short time later. To this day, it’s the most serendipitous thing that’s ever happened to me.

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?

My book, Take Me With You: Off-to-College Advice from One Chick to Another, is a fill-in gift you give to your friend when you’re graduating high school and leaving each other. Nowadays, there’s tons of online ways to keep in contact, but if you want the perfect little present to personalize, something your friend can have forever, Take Me With You is it.

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

Because my book is nonfiction, I drew on my own personal experiences, and friends’ experiences, to come up with the different chapters on college advice. Plus, having traveled a bunch, I’m an expert at goodbye gifts. I know how fun it is to give a friend a going away gift that is unique and special.

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

My parents are the best…. No offense to anyone else’s parents, which I’m sure are pretty cool, too. My dad works in the international corporate world, but writes fiction novels in his spare time. I guess I get the writing love from his genes. My mom is a loving, patient caretaker, who spoils our family rotten. My older sister works in sales and just got married, and my younger brother plays bass in a band and is obsessed with nutrition.

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

Really delicious, freshly made gnocchi.

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

Turn off my alarm, check my email, and mentally calculate when the last time I took a shower was. I have shower anxiety! It takes a lot for me to psych myself into taking one.

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

You might be surprised that I don’t have a closet, attic, or basement! My room is a converted dining room, which means all of my clothes hang on a rack in the corner.

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?

A warm, buttery yellow, because I would make people calm and happy.

Who is your favorite cartoon character?

Charlie Brown is one of the best characters (cartoon or real) ever. He’s the ultimate lovable loser.

Which cartoon character is most like you?

Lisa Simpson has always felt like a kindred spirit.

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 think being a young activist in the 60’s would have been an incredible time to be alive and witness how the US was changing. Plus, the music was amazing and being at Woodstock would have been cool.

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

I’m a fan of indie pop, punk folk, country, rock, classic rock, and cheesy pop music. A few of my favorites are Band of Horses, The National, Lou Reed, Born Ruffians, Elton John, The Whitest Boy Alive, Neko Case, Cat Stevens, Man Man, James Taylor, M.I.A., Grizzly Bear, and Phoenix.

I tend to not listen to music when I’m actually writing, but music inspires me to write.

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?

Favorite shows: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Office, Extras, Community, Arrested Development, and Party Down.

Movies I can watch over and over: The Royal Tenenbaums, Stand By Me, Rushmore, Rome + Juliet (1996 version), Reality Bites, City of God.

The last movie I saw in the theater: The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.

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

It sounds cheesy, but don’t ever trick yourself into thinking a goal is unattainable. Take risks, have fun, embrace who you really are, and remember that you can continue to have fun for the rest of your life. Growing up does not equal settling for a boring life. You should always be passionate about what you do.

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

Hopefully more fun, nonfiction books!

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