An Interview with Nikki Sartain

Nikki grew up in central London and studied English Language and Literature at the University of Liverpool. Her childhood dream of becoming a writer was put aside when she was recruited to work for Microsoft EMEA Corporate Investigations, doing ALL the undercover things.

She lives in Somerset now, in the southwest of England, with her family and her completely ridiculous cat. He’s never learned that he isn’t actually a human and no-one wants to burst his bubble.

Nikki is the director of both Noteworthy Editorials – a persuasive literature and grant writing service – and Noteworthy Design – a creative art store that can be found on Etsy UK.

She is deeply proud of managing and creating a vast library of teaching materials for ‘The Archie Project,’ the national award-winning primary school teaching project that educates children in all aspects of dementia and the use of intentional words, acts of kindness and empathetic communication.

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What inspired you to start writing this book?

Having worked for Microsoft EMEA Corporate Investigations, I have always been a little bit obsessed with all things spy! The main character has always been alive in my mind, and her story arc has developed and deepened over the years as she became more concrete in my heart.

My years spent teaching children via The Archie Project showed me how utterly delightful children’s minds are. They embrace silliness, humour, adversity, and wonder with an eagerness that never fails to take my breath away. I knew that my book had to be for this middle grade reader group because they would wholeheartedly embrace Arabella in all her spidery glory. My family and I are keen board gamers, piano players, crazy dancers, and food growers – creating this series is something that resonates deeply with how we choose to live and the people we love to be. Plot scenarios zoom all over the house as they are embellished or discarded and key words or ideas are flung up and down the stairs day and night as they occur to us. The only decent thing to do was write it all down.

Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

Arabella Eightlegs: Girl Detective has never been anything else. She lived in my mind long before she jumped into my laptop and she has grown into her title more and more as the months go by.

Describe your dream book cover.

A rich, emerald green velvet cover with gold vine and leaf embossing. Wear and tear down the side where fingers have traced the indents for over one hundred years. Arcane symbols…but no words…

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

This Girl Is On Fire by Alicia Keys, because Arabella is hero-status level ten! She deals with so many hurdles and issues every single day, but she just picks herself up and stumbles (or scuttles) on forwards with her internal monologue grumbling away and a smile on her face.

Troublemaker because she is definitely that!

Train’s Drops of Jupiter because she is just so magical. Imagine being able to transform into a spider and legitimately work for the Secret Service aged ten.

What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?

The Inkheart trilogy (comfort!)

The Green Rider series (comfort!)

Flossie Teacake’s Fur Coat (both!)

The Pippi Longstocking series (both!)

Save the Cat! Writes a Novel (research)

A Short Walk in The Hindu Kush by Eric Newby (distraction)

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

The Archie Project – national dementia awareness teaching project management

Corporate Investigations – corporate and global security investigations.

Something about me that you don’t know – I absolutely LOVE wild swimming and wild camping! You can find me in the river year-round, and if you’re late, you will find me wrapped up in a towel on the riverbank afterwards with a coffee and a book.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I’ve always filled little notebooks with stories, as long as I can remember. I’m more than a little bit obsessed with Oscar Wilde, William Boyd, Arthur Conan Doyle, Ranulph Feinnes, and Kurt Vonnegut. I love reflections and mistakes…people who make life more real.

My first clear memory was age seven or eight, writing a book that I rather self-importantly called The War of the Roses. I remember being so proud because it filled an entire exercise book! My Year 3 and Year 6 teacher (Stephen Trow) always said that he would remember me for my writing and that he would buy my books one day. One day soon I’m going to use all my stealth skills to ninja creep to his place of work, sneak a copy onto his desk, and then vanish before anyone shouts at me for hiding in their office

Where is your favorite place to write?

Underneath my Christmas tree! Honestly, it’s the best. If you’ve never tried it then you really should. Flatten yourself down on your belly, put the tin of Quality Streets and a mug of coffee in easy reach, stick some Miles David on the LP player, and write by the light of the twinkles. Ideally get the cat to flop down across your legs for extra atmosphere – but we all know that cats never do a single thing they’re asked so that one is just a tentative suggestion.

What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?

Toughen up, kiddo!

Take the feedback for what it is – constructive criticism by people with more experience and a bigger viewpoint than yours. Be humble, be productive, be grateful and, most importantly, be your own biggest cheerleader. It will all pay off in the end.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

The fundamental fact that little people can (and frequently do) achieve MASSIVE things. We live in a society that protects and stifles children more than ever before. Children are so incredibly resilient and resourceful! They are capable of so much more than grown-ups give them credit for.

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Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.