Breaking Out: Nikki May
Author photo credit: Mike Cooper
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We first connected with Nikki May during her debut novel’s publication and featured her in our January/February 2022 issue‘s Breaking In column. Now that her next publication is hitting the shelves today, we’re reconnecting with her
What was the time frame for writing this latest book?
Forever! At least that’s what it felt like.
I started working on my second book before my debut, Wahala, was published. I rattled through thirty-thousand words in three months but quickly realized I was telling the story the wrong way and abandoned it. Then Wahala came out, and the positive reception gave me “the fear,” I became convinced it was a one-off and that I’d forgotten how to write.
Eventually, I knuckled down and went back to basics: What’s the story? Who’s telling it? Why does it matter? I knew I had the bones of a great book I just needed to work out how to tell it. I had a draft in six months, getting 80,000 words down but stopping short of the denouement because the real work begins in the editing, and it was clear there were loads to unpick at the beginning.
My second edit took three months, and by this stage, my story had shape, my characters felt real, and I knew what I was trying to do.
I did two more sets of structural edits with my editors who had brilliant suggestions on tightening the narrative and focusing the scope. And then it was onto line and copy edits. So, all-in-all, about a year to write it (spread over two years) and six months of editing with my editors.
Has your perspective on the publication process changed since your debut was published?
I guess it’s less mysterious now I’ve seen behind the curtain. This time around I had a clear idea of the process and how long everything takes. I’m now used to the s-l-o-w, s-l-o-w, s-l-o-w followed by the Go! Go! Go! rollercoaster that’s the reality of this industry. And I now have author friends who are a huge help and a welcome reality check. I also feel more confident in my voice now, so there’s slightly less pressure.
What was the biggest surprise while getting this book ready for publication?
How personal it is. People say your debut is autobiographical but there is much more of me in This Motherless Land than in Wahala. I didn’t realize how much until I started prepping for live book events and thinking about what to say. When we meet Funke in 1978, she’s living my life in Lagos! She’s in my house, with my parrot and my green Chopper. She goes to my school and my beach Even her mother is inspired by mine. Writers draw on what they know, I guess!
What do you feel you did really well with this novel?
Characters. I’m very proud of Funke and Liv, it took a lot of work to develop them, and I had to dig deep but it was worth it. I’ve created two fully fleshed three-dimensional characters that readers can believe in and root for. They’re flawed (perfection is mind-numbingly dull) but they are real, and I love them. I’m also thrilled that people are calling it page-turning cinematic. Yes, it covers some meaty themes and touches on serious topics like race, culture, and place—but its main aim is to entertain, and I think I delivered that.
Anything you would have done differently?
As always, I’d procrastinate less and trust myself more. I’m brilliant at finding excuses not to write—some days scrubbing the bathroom is more attractive than staring at a keyboard. If I knuckled down and got on with it (and stayed off social media), I’d be on book five by now!
Author photo credit: Mike Cooper
Would you like to share some advice for our readers?
Persevere. Books are big and unwieldy and the only way to get to the end is to keep going. Finish a draft and then go back to the beginning. And repeat. Again, and again— until you’ve got the right story down. Oh, and read. Read in your genre and out of it, read brilliant books to inspire you and awful books to make you feel good about yourself. Just read.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on my next book. Which translates as—I’m back to procrastinating and spending too much time on social media. But I do have a great idea and I’m falling in love with new characters.
Where can our audience find you online?
X: @NikkiOMay
Instagram: @NikkiMayWriter
Website: Nikki-May.com
While it is possible to write a novel in a month, in this course, you’ll spend 15 weeks writing yours—all the while gaining valuable feedback and getting the encouragement you need in order to finish writing your novel.