Admittedly, I’m a little late to the game. Nikkita Bell’s Bound in Pincers was released the first week of 2024. While I love to discover talented, new-to-me writers who are just as adept with their words as they are at telling stories, the amount of sifting required to find gold can be disheartening. But when you find that gem — a writer who has a mastery of her craft and can tell an extraordinarily fresh and compelling story with characters you obsess over long after you have finished the last page — the joy is euphoric. It’s like they have access to those wondrous dark worlds that you thought only swirled about in your imagination, and they’ve crafted a provocative tale just for you.
I am not a fan of spoilers. To keep things vague, Bound in Pincers is about falling for the girl your mother warned you about. On the flip side, it’s about being that girl. Embracing your truth and living loud. Beyond that, this epic tale is beautifully layered. It has depth, emotional complexity, and high stakes. Yes, the main character, October Winters, may be unapologetically evil, but Nikkita presents her in such a fun, “cozy mystery” kind of way that she becomes immediately relatable and endearing.
To be honest, I forced myself to put this book down when I was only halfway through because I did not want my time with October Winters to end. She might have been dangerous and not good for me (or roughly a thousand other folks), but regardless of all her red flags and questionable morals, I had a crush. Despite her obvious sinister leanings and bad girl habits, this anti-heroine has a lot of traits I wish I could slip into my life. She is confident and bold. She takes action and doesn’t worry about what is in her rearview. She is goal-oriented and driven (at least when it suits her needs). I was actually rooting for her, the baddie. In real life, I would never do that (I hope). However, in Nikkita’s fictional universe, it was an absolute delight to visit those alluring shadows.
October’s overwhelming likability is a result of the author’s engaging style and joyous approach to the craft. You can feel her excitement humming from every page. Each scene felt alive, like it was a thrill to write.
Nikkita is an artist, and that is obvious, even when she’s not working with pencils, inks, and paints. Her words create vivid pictures on the blank canvas of her reader’s imagination. Not only is October Winters’ plight a wonderful adventure, but each sentence is a splash of dazzling color that has been meticulously blended together on her palate to create a vibrant work of art. When I found out an upgrade to Bound in Pincers was in the works, I needed to learn more. My FOMO was irrepressible. I reached out to my new favorite author, and she graciously agreed to answer a few questions about her life, her craft, and the future of my fictional crush: October Winters.
Do you consider yourself an artist first or a writer first?
I definitely consider myself an artist first, and have a degree in graphic design (specifically entertainment marketing, which is where I started out). I currently work as an Art Director in the pharmaceutical marketing industry designing ads and related materials for rare disease medications and treatments! It’s such a fulfilling role. However, writing is a secret (not so secret) passion of mine that has stemmed from years and years of ‘escaping’ into other worlds via books and daring to create my own.
Do you have any other creative passions or pursuits?
I love creating candles, and I actually can sing very well (without formal training, just from years and years of trying).
Can you describe your writing process and where you find inspiration?
Any time I think of a new story for a novel or novella, it always stems from a random idea that pops into my head, or a piece of media that really struck me. Being a very visual person, I can imagine scenes PERFECTLY, and rely heavily on atmospheric, aesthetic settings that strike me. My current (and usual) obsession has been vintage themes/eras and nostalgia. There is just something so comforting about the old and familiar, and wanting to romanticize such areas of life through storytelling — the good, the bad, AND the ugly.
What is the hardest part of the process for you?
The hardest part of writing is coming up with a full-blown plot. I normally can think of a few scenes that are just so perfect, so ‘iconic,’ but when it comes to putting together an entire start-to-end idea, I have a little performance anxiety.
How about the easiest part?
The easiest part is coming up with dialogue and witty banter. I consider myself a funny gal, and always quick to respond when faced in a comedic setting. I think that may stem from growing up in the heart of LA (where my novel and novella are set) and surrounded by so many colorful personalities. I love to challenge myself to come up with banter that makes a reader stop and go, “HA!”
Are you a fast writer?
When it comes to writing fast… The short answer is that I am a slow poke. I actually haven’t finished a full-length novel in seven years! This year has been the first time I finished a novel in a short amount of time. The novel expansion of Bound in Pincers took three months, and that is because I set self-imposed deadlines and (semi unrealistic) goals to self publish in early 2025. It also helps that writing October Winters comes so naturally to me.
What did you enjoy most when writing Bound in Pincers?
My favorite part about writing Bound in Pincers is that I set it in the city I was born and raised in, and that I can use my knowledge and experience to not only help immerse my readers into her world, but the world I grew up in. I loved writing a character who was a villain through and through, and exploring the psychological aspects of selfishness and self-preservation (both qualities I do not possess, if I may humbly say so.) I also loved writing a character who stays true to their personality throughout the span of the novella/novel.
How much of you is in October Winters? Are there any aspects you share?
October and I couldn’t possibly be any more different, in terms of morals and personality traits. Where she has little to no remorse or care for anyone’s opinions, I take a lot of pride in putting my family and friends first, brightening people’s days, and being as friendly and personable as possible. She… is very much the opposite.
We DO, however, share a lot in common in our interests! Particularly, we both LOVE fashion and creepy crawlies. I tend to love animals that are dangerous (there’s just something so cute about giant alligators, but that’s a conversation for another time), and so does she! We also love the same kind of music (alternative rock, classic rock, and metal), and really enjoy melty ice cream and cold pizza. We also tend to fall for men with hero complexes and prince charming types, which I personally do not consider a bad thing!
Are there any aspects of October Winters that you have adopted since writing her into existence?
I, one thousand percent, have adopted her fashion and style. I love the grunge look, but also love the classier sides to her like any time I depict her in the 1920’s, dressed to the nines. On the rare occasion, I’ve developed more of a potty mouth or ‘attitude’ when I’m frustrated, which is also a bit rare, but I chalk it up to having to be in her headspace while writing for so long!
Is it more fun to write the hero or the villain?
While writing heroes comes easier to me because of my personality, morals, and ethics, I LOVE writing villains. There’s something exciting about the campiness of a villain that gets away with their plan, instead of having good triumph over evil. As much as readers use books to escape our grim reality, I find it comforting to read stories that highlight the grimness and difficulties of life. The harsh reality is, the real world isn’t always made up of heroes who always save the day. So there’s something fun about writing a character with complex emotions and backgrounds and what drives their choices and actions.
I think you told me you employ method writing. Can you explain that process?
My method writing is actually a little hilarious. I find that dressing like my character helps me disassociate or ‘become’ her, in a way. So, a blonde wig, scorpion jewelry, and a leather jacket are key when trying to ‘become’ October.
Do your friends and family notice a change in your behavior/personality when you’re deep in a story?
There ARE times where I’ll slip a little ‘attitudey’ or ‘morally gray’ comment around my loved ones, and my husband and best friend respond with, “darling, your inner Toby is starting to show,’ and it always results in a nice laugh with us all. Sometimes I take the method writing a little too seriously, but I find it’s what helps me immerse myself into my character and writing.
Are you really an extravert? How does that work with the long, lonely hours of writing?
I actually ENJOY the long, lonely hours of writing. It’s the only ‘quiet’ time I have where I can just focus on me and my craft. I adore talking to people and making friends and connecting with people, but writing is the only time I can truly escape and focus. Even when I draw, I can talk and draw at the same time. I can tell full-blown stories while drawing, because it’s just so innate and second nature. But writing takes a lot of focus and quiet. While I enjoy writing alongside friends, checking in with accountability buddies, and sharing pieces of work with critique partners, there’s something special about the long, lonely hours that I crave.
What’s next for you?
My debut novel, The Bombshell Devil’s Advocate, will be releasing early in 2025! It is a revamped, retconned, reconstructed, rewritten version of Bound in Pincers that is full novel-length and explores more of our favorite gal, October Winters and the supernatural world she stems from. My cover reveal will be on Halloween, which is also October’s birthday!
Is there anything you’d like to share that we didn’t cover?
Something I haven’t really talked about or mentioned is that this novel will not JUST be a novel, but a hybrid graphic novel as well! Each chapter will include a page or two of fully illustrated panels or ‘companion pieces,’ as I like to call them, illustrating the events of the chapter, to help immerse readers into the world I’ve created. I’ve always wanted to blend my two passions together, and this is the best way to do it. I know many people with aphantasia, or the inability to visualize text or stories, so I feel that it would be so helpful to those who need a little something extra to bring the story to life. Additionally, I feel that the world I’ve created, while set in an urban city that anyone can visit, is VERY visual and atmospheric, and I really enjoy the consistency and ‘warm fuzzies’ I feel when being able to see the characters, setting, and world that an author has created in a creative media sense.
Creating a graphic novel has always been a dream of mine, and October has always been my passion project. So why not go all out for my debut?!
What is the best way for people to connect with and support you?
I am almost ALWAYS on Instagram. Unhealthily so! I can be found there, on Threads, and TikTok @nikkitabell. I also have a website, www.nikkitabell.com, and can be emailed at authornikkitabell@gmail.com. I am always open to art commission inquiries as well, so long as it fits within my personal schedule!
Nikkita Bell Links
Website • Instagram • Threads • TikTok • Email
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