041BOOKS columnist LAUREN HEWITT chats to Nuhaa Bardien, an Indie author hailing from Cape Town, currently immersed in crafting the standalone sequel to her By The Book Series, following the events of Till This Night.
Nuhaa Bardien is an indie author from Cape Town, South Africa. She is married and has a five-year-old son. They also have an 11-year-old fluffy cat named Cinnamon. Currently, she is working on the standalone sequel in the “By The Book” series, which continues the events of “Till This Night.”Nuhaa Bardien is an Indie author from Cape Town, South Africa. She is married and has a five-year-old son. They have an 11-year-old fluffy cat, Cinnamon. She is currently working on the standalone sequel in the By The Book Series. This follows the events of Till This Night.
Tell me a bit about your road to publication in South Africa
 It wasn’t a very long one if I am being honest. I started writing during the lockdown and completed my first ever draft in November 2020 (during NaNoWriMo). I was really proud of that story, but I received bad feedback when submitting it to a small publishing house. This put me off for a few years but I kept thinking about it, and I didn’t want to give up on the story or my characters.
Fast forward three years, and I adjusted the plot (that is now the version of the second book that I am currently editing) and then decided that I wanted to self-publish my work. The journey has been hard but rewarding.
Are any scenes in the books based on real-life events?
There’s a few scenes that are inspired by people or moments that I have experienced, but not entire scenes.
I studied Event Management and worked in the hospitality industry for four years so that’s where the hotel inspiration and information came from.
If your book were made into a movie, which actors would play your characters?
I love this question! In my mind, Theodore is a young Tom Hiddleston. Very gentle and proper with a wonderful air about him. Savi could definitely be played by 90s Kajol. Her energy and vibrant nature is very similar.
What is your favourite childhood book?
It was Hairy Maclary’s Bone by Lynley Dodd. I loved it so much that I claimed it from the library when I was four (I didn’t know at the time that that’s not how libraries worked haha). My parents had to buy it because I’d written my name inside.
Tell me about your writing routine
I love routines and organisation but when it comes to my writing, it can be pretty chaotic. I need the space to be clean and clear before I can write and I don’t like distractions so it’s not always easy when your five year old is around. But I like to put some lo-fi on and put my earphones in and just start writing. It can either lead to a writing sprint where I write 4000 words or I only write 100 words but each amount adds up eventually.
How do you celebrate when you finish your book?
Cry. haha no, just kidding (mostly). I feel so empty when I finish a book and I just walk around like that Pablo Escboar GIF
How do you select the names of your characters?
I love having names with beautiful meanings. I’m drawn to floral and celestial names so that’s kind of become a theme in my writing. Theodore sounded like someone who comes from old money and like he would be such a gentleman and Savi means “sun” and I thought it was cute because her surname is Ray.
What inspired the idea for your book?
The story was leaning into star-crossed lovers and soulmates when I wrote it and that’s when the idea of Romeo and Juliet retelling came in. To have external factors trying to pry these lovers apart, while they themselves are so sure of their feelings, is what I wanted to convey.
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
Just one?? I would love to just have a tea party with so many authors and just talk books, green flag love interests and ROMANCE haha
Would you be friends with any of the characters from your book in real life?
All of them! Ted and I would talk about the environment and charity work and Savi and I would fangirl together
Do you have a message for your readers?
Always remember why you love to read and read what makes you happy. And be kind.
Nuhaa’s books can be ordered from her instagram or her websiteÂ
Leave a Reply