Being half Mauritian, Nadine decided to move her family from the UK to the sunny sands of her motherland, in the hope that it would offer more inspiration and ultimately a desire to actually get up in the mornings to get things done. She lives there with her husband, two children and a rabbit.
Being both a mum and a teacher, Nadine has seen her fair share of both adorable and downright disgusting childhoods (and let’s be honest, adults) habits and actions. These often hilarious experiences, alongside her own children’s requests for made up stories about themselves, plus time due to lockdown, have led her to delve headfirst into the magical world of story-telling.
She hopes ‘The Bogey Fiend’ will bring equal amounts of laughter and cringing to both children and the adults that read the story to them...
You can follow Nadine on Instagram
What inspired you to start writing?
ND: I started my first picture book because I had time due to lockdown and a funny idea that stirred in the deep recess of my fuzzy brain that made me laugh out loud and think that my daughter (my son is a bit old) and niece and nephew would love it due to its gross nature. I then went on to begin a YA fiction novel at the same time but have only managed a chapter and a half...
How long have you been writing?
ND: A year seriously, I wrote a lot of poetry in my youth and some short stories, but I've always had a love of words - just wish I could remember them all.
What advice would you give a new writer, someone just starting out?
ND: Just start, you will never know if you're a writer if you never write anything. Don't let it sit on the back burner and allow it to be something you always wished you had done.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
ND: My kids, my classroom, friends, nature and general observations and interests.
What book is currently on your bedside table?
ND: 'The Golden House' by Salmon Rushdie
Favourite song?
ND: 'Never Too Much' - Luther Vandross
Your hero?
ND: Cliché but my dad, he's been there for me through thick and thin and never tires of giving advice, spurring me on and helping where he can, he's always the first person I go to.
If you could choose three people to invite for a dinner party, who would they be and why?
ND: My Mum, Mother-in-Law and Gran, all taken too soon and 3 of the most amazing women I have ever had the honor to know. Just one more night with them would be amazing. Each one taught me valuable lessons and shaped me into the person I am today, I am grateful to have had them in my life.
What’s your favourite food?
ND: Almost anything Thai.
What’s something you’ve done but will never do again?
ND: White water rafting.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? By whom?
ND: My Mum often would do things with no apology to anyone, she would laugh and say ‘ask me if I care’ and when we asked she would reply ‘I don’t give a ****’ It was her way of saying never worry about what other people think of you.
What’s your favourite way to unwind after a busy day?
ND: A good book, glass of wine, hot bath and a hug with my kids.
What would we most likely find you doing on a weekend?
ND: Whatever the kids want to do - swimming, beach, walking, watching films, eating good food.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
ND: Anything Harry Potter, books, films and Lego.
What are you really bad at?
ND: Spelling - not the best when you're a) A teacher and b) Want to write books! Also, remembering anything - I have the worst memory in the world.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
ND: Teacher, I never wavered from 4 years old. I didn’t expect to go into special needs teaching but that is what I did for 10 years prior to moving to Mauritius and now I work with children that have difficulties in mainstream school.
Are you a dog or a cat person?
ND: Neither, we have a bunny
Do you have hidden talents?
ND: I'm a pretty good baker and I can create things like kids costumes out of whatever I have lying around, a skill I inherited from my very talented mum.
If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?
ND: Eidetic memory
What’s your favourite band?
ND: Hmmm, not really sure, I love a lot of music from across the decades but if I had to choose, I would say 'Serious Problem' - the band my brother was in many years ago, the craziest, funniest, and most downright disgusting band ever, my mum was their biggest fan.
What fictional place would you like to visit most?
ND: Hogwarts
Which season is your favourite?
ND: In the UK Autumn, just before winter when the leaves crunch underfoot and your breath puffs out in clouds from your mouth but the sun is shining brightly. In Mauritius the summer, sundowners on the beach and pool parties with friends.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
ND: Crocodile burger! I was once offered Bulls testicle but declined thankfully.
What totally irrational fear do you have?
ND: Falling, but even off something only a foot high. No fear of heights though, makes no sense.
Do you do sports?
ND: I played Ultimate Frisbee for a while (amateur group just for fun) but I try to exercise with a bit of step aerobics and running around with my kids.
If you could change your name, what would it be?
ND: I love my name, I couldn't imagine being anything else
What’s your (celebrity) girl/man crush?
ND: Jennifer Lopez, Sean Connery's voice
What’s your favourite animated film?
ND: Inside out or beauty and the beast
Where you would you love to travel to?
ND: All over Asia and South America
'The Bogey Fiend' is coming this Summer! Stay tuned...
