The art of story telling comes easy to some. Often times there are those who know how to create worlds and characters so realistic and captivating that readers get lost on the page. Nikki Turner is one of those writers.
Turner jumped into the literary world head first and has become one of the best selling writers in the urban arena. In a field where heroes and heroines cross with hustlers and hoodlums, Turner has found success. Her street tales have garnered her the title Queen of Hip-Hop Lit. Her first novel, A Hustler’s Wife released in 2002, placed her amongst some the best urban writers such as Sister Souljah, Zane and Terri Woods, gaining accolades which include being a New York Times, USA Today, and Essence best seller.
The success of her other novels, The Glamorous Life, A Project Chick, and Riding Dirty on I-95 led Turner to penning a novella under 50 Cent’s G-Unit book line entitled Death Before Dishonor. Turner has also collaborated with hip-hop legend Dana Dane, DJ Kay Slay and many others helping to bring their projects to the next level. Most recently she worked on the soon to be released novel ‘Invincible’ by rapper Styles P.
[pagebreak]
With her newest release Relapse Turner once again intertwines the fast life and fabulousity with a much needed lesson to be learned. Main character Beijing Lee caters to the every whim of her clients as a respected concierge at a five star hotel. Getting in good with her celebrity clientele has gained her some favors but nothing compares to the lavishness that surrounds her thanks to her man Lootchee. But as the well known saying goes all that glitters isn’t gold and Beijing learns this the hard way when she finds herself stuck between a rock and a hard place and has to be rescued by a ghost from her past. This new novel offers plenty of twist and turns.
Global Grind sat down with Nikki Turner to talk about Relapse and her career as one of urban literature’s most respected scribes.
What are you most excited about with Relapse?
I think it’s a story that so many girls need to hear and can relate to.
How do you come up with such strong female characters?
I put a lot of thought trying to come up with girl characters that make sense.
What writers do you admire?
Ernest Hemingway, Jackie Collins, Sister Souljah, Maya Angelou, the list can go on.
What was the decision behind continuing with your other characters?
The readers wanted it. You have to give them what they want. Its about giving them great stories. some characters they won’t let me get rid of.
[pagebreak]
Out of all your characters which do you have the most personal connection to?
I think I connect to each and every one of them but for different ways and where I was [in life]when I wrote the book. Of course Yarni because she was the first one but just each and everyone I have a connection to. In the front of my books when I write my letter to the reader I always talk about giving birth. Its like giving birth, so like children I have a connection with each and everyone of them even though there are so many.
How do you feel about being a best selling author and being able to walk i
