Thrilled to welcome author Nick Wilford to the blog this week to chat about his latest YA novel

Author Name: Nick Wilford

Book Title: The Becalmer

Book Genre: YA sci-fi

Release Date: 08/08/23

Publisher: Creative James Media

Welcome, Nick! Please tells us about The Becalmer.

A girl with the power to overcome conflicts using her mind is called on to take on the mission of her life: stopping a war. But when she comes up against an adversary who shares similar powers but doesn’t use them for good, she must dig deep and call on strength she never knew she had if she’s going to prevail.

What sparked the idea for this book?

The idea came about early during lockdown when I was thinking how useful it would be to be able to quickly resolve arguments. That was definitely a pressure cooker environment of being stuck together with people, and even if it’s people you love, it was claustrophobic not to be able to easily get away when things get heated. Then, widening that out, the idea lent itself to something that would be natural for a sci-fi setting, Harica showed up as a character, and the rest went from there.

How long did it take for you to write the book? Did you do any research?

It took just under eighteen months to write it, from early 2020 to the middle of 2021, including waiting to hear from critique partners. So that’s not a continuous process, I tend to have gaps, including the typical “what am I doing” crisis moment around the middle! In fact, I have one of my critique partners to thank for rounding out the story and, consequently, Harica herself. She suggested it wasn’t quite finished because the antagonist hadn’t been properly dealt with, even though there was a resolution of sorts. But by taking on that battle, Harica learns to take ownership of her gift and also that it doesn’t define her, but it does make her stronger.

What drew you to writing YA science-fiction?

Well, I think teen characters are some of the most fascinating to write about because they’re just trying to figure out what the world is about and where they fit in it. And if you throw them into a fictional narrative, inevitably there’ll be high stakes, there’ll be obstacles, there’ll be antagonists for them to deal with. But it’s almost like that’s on top of what they’ll already dealing with, so there’s a whole cocktail of things going on. Often they have an awkwardness, a reluctance, which I relate to – I still feel like that! They’re reluctant to step up, until they don’t have a choice, and hopefully they find themselves though that. As for sci fi, that’s attractive because there’s unlimited possibilities for where things could go. I like big concepts, and I like looking at something we’re in the midst of right now and taking it to its logical conclusion – or even illogical, because so much of what is already happening defies logic.

What’s your favorite part about writing/being an author? What do you find challenging?

I think it’s interesting you put a slash between writing and being an author because it’s like those get split off into different realms. Writing is the actual business of putting words on the page, which can often be draining and makes you question everything about yourself, but ultimately it’s hugely rewarding. “Being an author” is everything else, from publishing to marketing to appearances, writing newsletters and interacting with people. I would still say my favourite part is the writing, letting my imagination have free rein and slipping into those characters’ worlds. I’m trying to get better at the other parts and enjoy them more! What I do find challenging is that you have very little control over what happens to your book once it’s out in the world. You try to write the best story possible and give it a fair shot in terms of promoting it, but it really is out of your hands. However, there is something nice in it having a life of its own and I’m trying to accept that too.

What do you hope readers will take away from this story?

This applies to anyone, and I’d like to think anyone of any age can enjoy this story, but I think particularly for young adults they don’t want to have anything that marks them out or makes them different. It’s not easy, especially at that age, but I’d say to young readers to lean into whatever that thing is and embrace it. In that way, you grow as a person and it helps you find your place in the world more than trying to fit in does. I wish I’d taken writing more seriously when I was younger – it felt pretentious somehow, even though it shouldn’t be like that at all because telling a story is the most human thing in the world.

Any words of wisdom you give your pre-published writer self (or to a new writer)?

This carries on from the previous answer I suppose – try not to have inhibitions while writing. Don’t think about what you’re trying to achieve with the writing or what message you want to convey. Listen to the characters and what they want, and go where they want to go. When you start writing, completing a book seems impossible but you’ll get there if you take one scene at a time and be present when writing it instead of thinking too much about what comes next.

What are your interests outside of writing and reading?

I would say music is hugely important as an inspiration – although I can’t listen to anything while doing the writing itself, I will have playlists that connect to certain scenes and help me get into the story. Apart from that, I don’t really have other hobbies as such but I love getting away with my family as often as possible. Seeing the world is refreshing, and it adds more fuel to the tank.

Are you working on a new project? Please tell us about it.

I’ve completed another book since The Becalmer, which relates to the world of cloning and includes trans characters. I think it was Stephen King who said there isn’t anything new to write about but if you take two things and put them together in an unusual way you come up with something new. That definitely applies here. And then I have my current work in progress which involves AI and VR gone haywire. That is one heck of a rabbit hole!

Where can readers find you?

I’ve got all my links at my Linktree, which can be found here.

Thank you, Nick! The Becalmer is out TODAY.

The Becalmer

Harica is gifted with the ability to defuse conflicts using her mind. When she is recruited to assist in resolving a war via an arranged marriage, she discovers that the reluctant bride-to-be has similar powers. Princess Jasmila doesn’t use her powers for good and when Harica arrives to help with the marriage arrangements, she fights back and sends Harica into a coma.

It is through this comatose state that Harica discovers a mysterious liminal space populated by others who share her gift. In this new realm, she learns to do things she never believed possible, but soon things spiral out of control.

In the face of a terrifying and seemingly unstoppable adversary, Harica wrestles with the decision to come to terms with the dark side of her gift. Will she take ownership of it or turn her back on it forever?

Author bio:

Nick Wilford is a writer and stay-at-home dad. Once a journalist, he now makes use of those early morning times when the house is quiet to explore the realms of fiction, with a little freelance editing and formatting thrown in. When not working he can usually be found spending time with his family or wrangling his six adorable dogs. His first traditionally published novel, a YA sci-fi adventure entitled The Becalmer, will release from Creative James Media in August 2023. His other books include the Black & White trilogy, a YA dystopian series, and A Change of Mind and Other Stories, a collection featuring a novella and five short stories, four of which were previously published in Writer’s Muse magazine. Nick is also the editor of Overcoming Adversity: An Anthology for Andrew.