NAked with Nathan Nix

Today we're NAked with Nathan Nix.  

Nathan Nix

Who are you and what should we know about you in 50 words or less?
I’m Nathan Nix, a novelist and screenwriter from the great city of Houston, Texas. I like telling stories and made an independent feature-length film when I was 23. It was terrible. Writing novels is much cheaper, so I do that now instead.

Which one: chocolate or bacon?
Probably bacon, but I could be tempted if something’s in the chocolate, like hazelnuts or coconut.

What is the name of your book and what is it about in 50 words or less?
The Drifters follows Nic, a suburbanite whose post-high school plans are derailed by a careless but egregious crime. Instead of heading off to a university with all her friends, she enters the bizarre purgatory that is community college, where a trio of aimless but talented artists and musicians take the former homecoming queen under their wing.
 
Tell us your main character's name and 3 adjectives that describe him/her.
Nic (short for Nicole) is faithful -- but conflicted -- and resilient.

Please share with us an excerpt of 150-200 words from your book.

We evacuated the show, along with about half the crowd, most of whom had apparently only been there to see Matt’s band. On the way to Helios, we drove up Montrose to Westheimer. The ragged, tattooed, and glammed-up (think David Bowie, not Academy Awards) flowed in a steady stream down the sidewalk, through parking lots, and into ratty-ass clubs, pool halls, Stop-N-Gos, and a Taco Cabana. The homeless milled about too, some old and bearded, others young and strung out and dressed like Rufio from Hook.

We cruised along, the windows down as Sofi smoked yet another ciga­rette.

Not that I would have ever been down on lower Westheimer with my friends from high school, but if by some far-fetched chance we had accidentally ended up in the area, windows would be up and doors would be locked. A degenerate reputation preceded the neighborhood, especially that particular intersection. Everyone in Houston knew drugs were being sold and prostitutes (straight, gay, transsexual, etc.) were soliciting clients there. It was the dark side of town in the minds of pretty much anyone I’d ever talked to until I met Sofi. Even she knew some of the stories were true though. After all, the area’s unofficial slogan was “City of Montrose: Watch Your Bike.” Perhaps they’re understating things a bit.