I’m delighted to have author Nikki Lofton here on the blog today to talk about her book Nightingale’s Nest!
by Nikki Lofton
Genre: MG Mythological
Paperback: 256 Pages
Publication: February 20, 2014
by Razorbill
Twelve-year-old John Fischer Jr., or “Little John” as he’s always been known, is spending his summer helping his father with his tree removal business, clearing brush for Mr. King, the wealthy owner of a chain of Texas dollar stores, when he hears a beautiful song that transfixes him. He follows the melody and finds, not a bird, but a young girl sitting in the branches of a tall sycamore tree.
There’s something magical about this girl, Gayle, especially her soaring singing voice, and Little John’s friendship with Gayle quickly becomes the one bright spot in his life, for his home is dominated by sorrow over his sister’s death and his parents’ ever-tightening financial difficulties.
But then Mr. King draws Little John into an impossible choice—forced to choose between his family’s survival and a betrayal of Gayle that puts her future in jeopardy.
Inspired by a Hans Christian Andersen story, Nightingale’s Nest is an unforgettable novel about a boy with the weight of the world on his shoulders and a girl with the gift of healing in her voice.
Tell us a little about yourself and how you got into writing.
I let go of my lifelong dream for quite a few years, though. I ended up being a teacher for a while (super fun, actually), and a director of family ministries. Then one day, I looked in the mirror and saw the gray hairs starting to peek out and realized I didn’t have forever to chase that dream! I started writing again, in earnest, that year. I had my first two contracts with Penguin about two and a half years later.
I saw Nightingale’s Nest was inspired by a poem you wrote “The Treasure Nest” and also the Hans Christian Anderson story “Nightingale.” Could you elaborate on this?
The second picture book poem was called “The Outside Music.” It’s now called Wish Girl, and will be my third novel! Writers should NEVER throw away any “failed” work. They’re seeds, all of those almosts.
What kinds of challenges did you face telling Little John and Gayle’s story?
Little John is a boy “with the weight of the world on his shoulders.” How did you go about balancing Little John’s vulnerabilities with his newfound role in Gayle’s life?
How have the characters changed since you first envisioned them? Did any in particular surprise you?
What draws you to fairy tales and magical realism?
What kinds of characters do you like to see in books and why?
What are you working on right now?
I think readers who liked my first two books will like this one, too. It’s full of magic and danger and a pinch of tragedy, too.
Nikki Loftin is a writer and native Texan who lives just outside Austin, Texas, with her two boys, two dogs, nine chickens, and one very patient husband. She writes Middle Grade novel-length fiction as well as personal essays, puppet plays, articles, poems, and short stories. She is the author of The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy and Nightingale’s Nest. Nikki is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin graduate writing program (MA, ’98). She has been a popcorn seller, waitress, bookstore employee, Music and Gifted/Talented teacher, and a Director of Family Ministries. Her favorite food/obsession is ice cream, preferably Blue Bell Moo-llenium Crunch. On very good days, she prefers writing even to ice cream.
Author: Crystal
A story girl at heart, Crystal is a bibliophile who can easily spend the day immersed in a good read. She writes under the name Kristy Wang. You can follow her writing adventures on X and Instagram @_kristywang.
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