MEET THE AUTHOR BEHIND THE NEW HORROR NOVEL "I WANT TO LOVE MY OWN LIFE"
DOPE BLACK WRITER SPOTLIGHT
Finding truth in fiction is a thing that most writers set out to do, but achieving it is an entirely different story. On the contrary, it only takes a quick glance over at Nadira's work to find the truth emanating from the pages. In the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement, DC Comics was searching for more Black writers to highlight on their platform. When the opportunity landed on Nadira's desk, she searched not outward, but inward to write a comic that speaks to the disproportionate illness care treatment for Black women in the American HealthCare System. The bold, unflinching perspective that makes Nadira's writing profound will be on display next in her new Horror novel entitled "I Want to Love My Own Life".We chatted with Nadira to hear more about her story, her book and her use of writing as a tool to empower Black women everywhere. Read up on this talented writer below, and purchase the horror novel here.
1. YOU'VE BEEN WRITING CREATIVELY FOR A LONG TIME. ARE YOU ABLE TO TRACE BACK WHAT INITIALLY SET OFF THAT SPARK FOR YOU CREATIVELY AND LED YOU DOWN THE PATH YOU'RE ON NOW?
My grandma, for some unexplained reason, just knew that I would benefit from writing. I would go to her house a lot growing up, and she was the first one to give me a notebook and ask me to write a story for her. I was probably six at the time, and I’ve loved writing ever since. The ability to plan and create worlds filled with people I loved and hated was and is thrilling for me. My grandma continues to push me to never give up on my writing because she’s always had faith that I could be good at it. She is still one of the only people I let read my work when it is in draft form.
2. I LOVE THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO WRITE ABOUT AN ISSUE AS IMPORTANT AS THE DISPROPORTIONATE ILLNESS CARE TREATMENT FOR BLACK WOMEN IN THE AMERICAN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM ON A PLATFORM LIKE DC COMICS. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT OPPORTUNITY AND YOUR DECISION TO TELL THAT PARTICULAR STORY?
I received this opportunity quite randomly. One of my English professors at Howard University, Dr. Singer, recommended me because he knew that I liked creative writing and because DC was looking for more Black writers to share their voices in the wake of BLM. One of their representatives ended up calling me on a Tuesday to explain the project. I wrote them a pitch and it all developed from there. I chose to write specifically about the treatment of Black women in the American HealthCare System because my mother has been living with chronic illness since I was born. She was unable to find a responsive and caring doctor for many, many years, which unnecessarily prolonged the extent and degree of her physical and mental pain. I interviewed her about her experience and used that to craft the comic. I hope that this comic can help other Black women who are going through the same thing feel heard and represented.
3. CONGRATS ON YOUR FORTHCOMING NOVEL "I WANT TO LOVE MY OWN LIFE". CAN YOU GIVE US A QUICK IDEA OF WHAT THIS BOOK IS ABOUT?
As the name suggests, "I Want to Love My Own Life” is about the steps it takes, from the perspective of a Black woman, to learn to treasure your own existence. Those steps for me being having the courage to acknowledge the harms I was allowing myself and others to inflict on my life, summoning the power to fight against these harms, and choosing forever that going forward I would choose my own well-being and value self-preservation.
4. HOW MUCH HAVE THESE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES MANAGED TO FIND THEIR WAY INTO YOUR WRITING? HAVE YOU FOUND THAT YOUR WORK IMITATES YOUR LIFE AT ALL?
I was, like most people, very fearful at the beginning of the pandemic. I was also living in Washington, D.C. at the time when the streets were lined with emboldened cops and unnecessary military personnel. Everything felt very heavy and uncertain. I think that this heaviness and fear is why my book ended up being written as a triumphant horror—because I was afraid but I did not want to be.
"My work definitely imitates my life. All of my work starts with a feeling or event that I want to explore, and then I take that event or feeling and think about how I can make it meaningful to others as well."
My work definitely imitates my life. All of my work starts with a feeling or event that I want to explore, and then I take that event or feeling and think about how I can make it meaningful to others as well. Although I am partial to fiction writing, all of my works start from a place of truth, or at least a search for truth.
5. WHAT ARE YOU HOPING IS THE TAKEAWAY AFTER PEOPLE READ "I WANT TO LOVE MY OWN LIFE"? IS THERE ANY THEME THAT YOU'RE HOPING READERS ARE ABLE TO GRASP FROM YOUR LATEST WORK?
I can’t say what people will take away from it. I hope that Black women especially will feel that they have the power to change their circumstances for the better, despite all of the evils and monsters that try to deter our success and lives. Besides that, I just hope that people will start to include more Black women voices in the horror genre because we, better than anyone I think, know how it feels to stare at fear straight-on.
My grandma, for some unexplained reason, just knew that I would benefit from writing. I would go to her house a lot growing up, and she was the first one to give me a notebook and ask me to write a story for her.
6. ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD OR HIGHLIGHT?
My authors name is just "Nadira"Please feel free to follow me on Instagram @nadiraxrene. I just got an account two weeks ago, but I plan to post all of my writing & my new author website there!
Read her new horror novel here