Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Nikki Minty
Book Title: The Zadok Series:
Pastel Pink, Ruby Red & Powerful Purples
Released: 04/15/21, 7/15/21 & 10/15/21
Genre: YA Fantasy/Scifi
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “The Zadok Series”?
Minty: My son Randall Jackson, AKA RJ, helped to inspire The Zadok Series. We were sitting in the library waiting for his sister to finish her art class when the question “I wonder what happens after you die” came up. RJ said, “Wouldn’t it be cool if every time we died, we regenerated onto a different Planet?” Of course, I jumped on this idea and together we discussed what the different races on the next planet would look like and what new capabilities/powers they would have. As a tribute, I’ve modelled a character after my son RJ. He has Aspergers/Autism and is quirky with a brain like an encyclopaedia.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Minty: 90% of the characters in my book are named after friends and family members. I like the idea of keeping my family and friends involved in the journey. This being said, the only character who is similar in personality to their namesake is RJ.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Minty: I’m a big fan of character driven books, hence, Pastel Pink is a character driven book. While I enjoy world building and a bit of action, the characters are the most important part of a story for me, so I like to make sure they come first. Of course, this is a personal preference. I’m not a strict outliner and I don’t write a book from beginning to end. I jump all around the place and then piece everything together.
If "The Zadok Series” were adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Minty: Jade & Ruby: Amber Heard
Lucas & Alex: Taylor Kinney (I gave Lucas brown eyes, a gold tooth and a scar and Alex a scar through his brow and lip)
(These are the actors I envisioned when writing these characters. Hopefully they could digitalise them to look younger for Ruby and Alex, I see this done all the time these days)
Harlow & Floss: Dakota Fanning
Zavier: Luke Eisner
Jax: Jax is hard to cast because I imagine him to look like a cross between Alexander Dreymon from The Last Kingdom and Henry Cavil from Witcher, but they are both really pushing the age bracket.
Zannah: Marie Avgeropoulos
Slater: I’d imagined a young Tyson Beckford when creating Slater, but Keith Carlos could work. They have a similar look.
These actors are all older than my characters, but actors often play younger roles.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Minty: I tend to read/listen to extra books/audiobooks or binge watch a tv series to get the creative juices flowing again.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Minty: Perseverance is the key. Believe in yourself and don’t give up. Also, kindness and positivity will get you further than resentment and negativity. Stay positive and push forward.
What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?
Minty: I love Fantasy, SCI-FI, Paranormal Elements, Supernatural Elements, Magical Realism, Romance, Mystery, Thrillers, and the occasional Horror depending on the subject.
Amanda Hocking is my all-time favourite author. I love absolutely everything she writes. I’m also a big fan of Tjalara Draper’s, The Celestial Series.
What are you working on next?
Minty: A Supernatural Thriller set in Louisiana, USA.
Learn More About the Author and The Zadok Series here:
Twitter https://twitter.com/NikkiMinty1
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nikstamint
Website https://nikkiminty.com
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21088034.Nikki_Minty
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