The Writers Who Read series continues this week with author Nicki Salcedo.
Who are you?
I’m a happy writer. I love finding stories and tales of the unexpected. I was an English and creative writing major in college. I’ve always wanted to tell stories that were both complex and accessible. I read all different genres, and I write all different genres but my heart is with romance. All of my stories have a romantic element. I’m a member of Romance Writers of America and a Past President of Georgia Romance Writers. I’ve spent the past few years trying something new by writing a column for Decaturish.com. It is still creative, but non-fiction. The truth is much harder to write than fiction. I like the challenge of writing outside of my comfort zone.
Which book or series was your gateway into the world of reading?
I read Louis L’Amour and Harlequin Romance novels when I was a kid. I read lots of poetry. Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, E.E. Cumming. I read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. These are stories of romance and nostalgia. These are the books that have impacted the kind of writer that I am today.
Nowadays, what makes you crack open a book instead of pressing play on your favorite Netflix show?
I don’t watch TV. I don’t have time. I travel a lot, so I have lots of excuses to read. I still read books the old fashioned way – on paper. I have many favorite authors, but I love finding a book by authors I don’t know. You don’t know what to expect. The journey is different when you read an author for the first time. New books keep me reading.
Which authors are auto-buys for you? Why?
Malcolm Gladwell, Kresley Cole, Lisa Kleypas. I’m curious about human behavior, and I love a good romance particularly a series. Why are they auto-buys? They deliver good stories consistently. These days, I look for new authors more than go to familiar favorites. I like the thrill of discovering a new voice.
What is your book kryptonite–those unique settings, tropes, or character types that make you unable to resist reading?
I’m into characters. I enjoy books about people in seemingly quiet situations that have a complex emotional resonance. I love interesting use of language. I don’t think I’ve read two books from the same genre this year. I’ve read everything from thriller to romance to literary to comedy. All the ones I enjoyed had interesting characters and were beautifully written.
I used to be all historical romance or all character-driven literary fiction. But now I’m going through a thriller phase. I never try to guess the ending or outsmart the author. I did not read mysteries growing up, so these stories surprise to me. I’m try to read outside of my comfort zone when I can. It’s not easy. I’m still tempted by dashing dukes!
What is your ideal time and place to read?
On an airplane. I don’t get a lot of quiet reading time at home! The selection at an airport bookstore is limited. I don’t make a habit of reading best-sellers, but as a writer it is good to know what sells and what I like.
Are you a re-reader? Why or why not?
Absolutely. I re-read, if not all then part of, most of my favorite books each year. I can open a book to a favorite passage and see if it still means the same thing or still evokes the same emotions as the first time I read it. Also, reading is how I improve my writing. It is better than any writing class you can take.
Which books have had the biggest influence on your writing? 
Beloved by Toni Morrison, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, and Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez. Recently, I was influenced by Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Bulter. It impacted the way I looked at characters and motivation. It’s a great book that’s beautifully written.
What makes a book a satisfying read for you?
When I clutch it to my heart and have to find someone to read passages to. I enjoy stories with satisfying endings. I like authors who don’t have predictable endings or a crazy twist endings. Satisfying is ending the book the way the story should end. Sometimes that means happy. Sometimes that means tragic or sad. As a writer, I understand that it is hard to start a story, but it is infinitely more important to finish it correctly.
What are you reading right now?
Tanya Michael’s If She Dares. Black Phoenix by Allan Kemp. The Martian by Andy Weir. Yes, I read three books at a time. Why not!
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N
icki Salcedo is an Atlanta native and graduate of Stanford University in California. Her romantic suspense novel All Beautiful Things earned her the Maggie Award of Excellence and a Golden Heart© nomination. She writes a weekly column for the Atlanta based newsite Decaturish.com. Intersections is a collection of these columns about life in the South. Nicki has four children, a husband, and a cat named after a famous baseball player. She thinks everyone should write and loves connecting with readers. You can find her on Twitter @nickisalcedo, Instagram @Nickisalcedo6, Facebook, or on her website.
Want to learn about the favorite books of other romance writers who read? Click here.