"BEHIND THE WORDS - UNVEILING THE INSPIRATION BEHIND NICCI WRIGHT'S LATEST MASTERPIECE": DE MODE OF LITERATURE

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DE MODE NOVEMBER 2023 VOL VI. ISSUE XXXVII | LITERATURE

Article Published on: 08TH JAN 2024 | www.demodemagazine.com

"HOLDING STRONG" - BY AUTHOR NICCI WRIGHT (GENRE: TEEN & YOUNG ADULT)

“Hi, ok so my name’s Abbigail, but my friends call me Abby. I'm sixteen and so sick of this house, these little boys and being broke. I live (not “lime”) with my boyfriend Tyler and his friends though more like acquaintances. OMG! They can argue! Drives me insane! They argue over the stupidest crap, This time it's a tub of yoghurt. No wonder I don’t say anything about my shit going missing. Think about it, if I was still on the streets. I wouldn’t have a fridge and my shit would go missing all the time, if not me so I’m not complaining.”

Abbigail starts out doing it tough; domestic violence warning. Things do get better though! Abby aims high but that’s what makes her Abby. Draino may need a little inspiration and maybe Abbigail could provide that. There are some language oopsies throughout and apologies for any offence in advance. It’s a short but compelling read at only 127 pages. Abbigail will steal your heart and hopefully give everyone who reads it a little inspiration. Based in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Abbigail will take you on a journey through life as it was but stay tuned for the next book in the series Keeping On.

BOOK BLURB

So about me, I'm Abby (I told you that already). I have black hair, sixteen-year-old, a few piercings and a back tattoo to cover the scars. I live off the homeless allowance from the dole office and pay more than my fair share in bills and bloody food for the boys.

OK, so they are older than me. Brian is eighteen, Tyler, my boyfriend is twenty and the other dude that lives here is Draino, he's nineteen I think. And don't ask me why they call him Draino. I'm scared to find out.

BOOK REVIEW

Really enjoyed the book, can’t wait for the next one. - Reviewed in Australia

DIRECT LINK TO BUY 'HOLDING STRONG' IN INDIA - CLICK HERE  

DIRECT LINK TO BUY 'HOLDING STRONG' IN ALL COUNTRIES - CLICK HERE

JOURNEY OF THE AUTHOR NICCI WRIGHT

NICCI WRIGHT

In 2017 Nicci decided to move to Chinchilla in West Queensland, Australia, this was the birthplace of her first book Holding Strong. Sitting in her study with her black Labradors wobbly and blob close behind her on her chair it took nearly six months to write. As a foster kid, Nicci faced many adult challenges forcing her to grow up and be independent, arriving at the foster home on the eve of her 15th birthday with only a fruit box full of mended clothes from her childhood home. It taught Nicci to hold strong no matter what. Many times, Nicci had tried over the years prior to (Holding Strong) to write a book; never getting beyond page three or four before giving up and starting again. Going to university to study writing, Nicci finally found the much-needed skills to begin and finish writing her debut novel.

Holding Strong though inspired by her experiences as a foster kid and homeless teen is still far from her story. Abbigail battles a different story and has Draino by her side, always and forever, or does she? Abigail has the strength of a lion and dreams as big as a mountain that she never fails to believe she can achieve. With all the violence and misfortune, Abigail always still believes she can and will have a better life than she has ever known. Holding Strong is the beginning of a three-book series, available in both paperback and also an ebook. Nicci’s goal is to get it into every detention centre in Australia and beyond the Australian borders to help disadvantaged youth be guided on a road of recovery. Holding Strong is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble etc. The best way to find a way to purchase in your country is Google Holding Strong by Nicci Wright. Every online bookstore will come up.

Nicci Wright, a 43-year-old author, cherishes her role as a loving mother to three wonderful adult children. In addition to her human family, she shares her heart and home with her two cherished dogs, Wobbly and Blob. Having navigated the challenges of being a foster child, Nicci holds family in the highest regard. To her, family transcends the boundaries of blood, extending to the close-knit circle of friends she has gathered and maintained over the years. Family, whether formed by bonds of blood or friendship, is at the core of Nicci's life and values.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE AUTHOR - www.nicciwright.ampbk.com

FOLLOW THE AUTHOR ON INSTAGRAM

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW OF AUTHOR NICCI WRIGHT WITH DE MODE

Q: "Holding Strong," tells the story of Abigail, a 16-year-old girl forced to leave school and her foster home. What inspired you to write this particular story, and what message do you hope it conveys to readers?

A. Holding Strong tells the story of Abbigail and Draino, two homeless teens who want to be more than where they have come from.

Q: Abigail has big dreams, and returning to school is a significant part of her journey. Can you share more about her character and what challenges she faces throughout the narrative?

A. Abigail has spent her life to date, absorbing information from other kids and what their family life is like to realise; that her life is not the norm. All she wants is to be normal. Abigail hopes to inspire others in her position to be more than what society expects.

Q: As someone who has been through the foster care system, how did your personal experiences influence the development of Abigail's character and the themes explored in the book?

A. Having been through the foster care system myself I hope to inspire change. Abbigail’s rare insight comes from my experiences and expectations. At 15 and a half homeless I have experienced many similar adversities from living in a condemned building to walking the streets of a night just hoping to not be mugged or worse.

Q: Family is a central theme in your life, both with your own children and your dogs. How does the concept of family play a role in "Holding Strong," and why is it so important to you?

A. Through the years I have found my friends in some most unusual situations to become ‘my family’ because family to me is a necessary support network. Without a vent or BBQ together, it leaves a big gap of belonging or a sense of belonging that is needed for a successful life. Dogs are included in this of course because of their unconditional love for humans.

Q: "Holding Strong" touches on the idea of change and making a difference in one's world. Can you expand on this theme and its significance in the story?

A. Holding strong is all about change, it’s all about being the best, you can be. Abigail won’t settle and neither should anyone. We never stop learning and growing as an individual and part of a group in society. It’s about embracing positive changes.

Q: Abigail's journey is one of resilience and determination. What do you think readers can learn from her character about facing adversity and pursuing their dreams?

A. In life we take two steps forward and one step back. Holding strong is about embracing the challenges and thriving in the face of adversity. It is also a guide to getting help for yourself. In both domestic and family violence, and as a human right.

Q: The book's title, "Holding Strong," suggests inner strength and determination. How does Abigail embody these qualities, and how do they help her overcome obstacles?

A. At no point does Abbigail doubt she’s entitled to positive changes. Her attitude allows her to never give up and shows others to live up to their worth.

Q: Can you share any specific challenges or moments of growth that Abigail experiences on her path to pursuing her dreams?

A. At the start of the book Abigail is with Tyler, I don’t want to ruin the storyline for the readers; but she goes through domestic violence it doesn’t take her long to acknowledge that’s not what she wants her life to be about.

Q: Writing a book is a significant endeavour. What motivated you to become an author, and how did you approach the writing process for "Holding Strong"?

A. To write Holding Strong I attended university for a while until work got in the way, during studying though it gave me the skills I needed to write Holding Strong. I started out writing poetry when I went back as an adult to finish year 10 at an adult entry high school in Brisbane. English was my favourite subject. From wanting to write poetry I graduated to wanting to write a novel. Education is very important to me I guess it was so because I was forced to leave school when I became homeless at fifteen and a half.

Q: In addition to being a writer, you're also a mother and a dog lover. How do your roles as a parent and a pet owner influence your creative work?

A. My children are my biggest motivation to write to leave a legacy behind for them. Also, to set a standard of achievement so they may become successful in their chosen careers. My dogs are great listeners and are never far from my side when I’m at my computer. My dog blob before he passed used to always sit behind me on the chair while I wrote. Which is where he was when I wrote Holding strong.

Q: What can readers expect from your future writing projects, and are there any particular themes or stories you're excited to explore in your upcoming work?

A. My future writing projects include the next two books in the Holding Strong series titled Keeping On and Letting Go. Keeping on is already at the publishers so keep an eye out for a release date. I'm also about halfway through writing a stand-alone titled, Just Around the corner, which is a young adult fantasy book. Sam and her cooky 91-year-old Grandma have some great adventures, going through portals around Australia and to the Tapioca Islands (No they don’t really exist) so keep an eye out for it also.