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This Women's Month, we're excited to share our chat with Nicole Rimensberger, a talented South African children's book author. Nicole loves writing stories that South African kids can relate to, and she's been on quite a journey in the book world. In our interview with her, she tells us about what inspires her, how she writes, and some of the hurdles she's faced as a woman in publishing. If you're curious about the person behind the Tilly & Thandeka series or want some tips for writing your own stories, you're in for a treat.
What inspired you to start writing children's books?
Nicole: It’s simple, books inspired me.
As a child, I spent hours lost in books - in adventures and clues and faraway places. It thrilled me that anything could happen and this drew me to write stories – this idea that with my imagination I could build, experience, feel, and create.
My first book, Witchfield, explored some universal themes like the relationships between parents and children, bullying and friendship, inequality, and the exploitation of the environment, but I wanted to set it in South Africa. I wanted to make sure that the adventure that unfolded was one that made South African children think: ‘This could happen to me’.
This put me on a journey to write stories set in South Africa and is something I remain very passionate about.
What does your typical writing process look like?
Nicole: I would love to say I am a meticulous planner, but unfortunately, despite my wishes, I am not. I start with an idea that pops into my head, in the shape of a character, a situation or a ‘what if’ question. That idea then needs time to ripen. There’s nothing I can do to rush it. Once it’s taken on more of a tangible form in my mind, I move on to the scribbling phase. I make notes, many of which make little sense to anyone else and from there, I see where the story takes me. There’s usually a lot of stops and starts involved, a fair amount of back-tracking, also threats of giving up and many, many cups of coffee.
How do you develop relatable and engaging characters for children?
Nicole: I think of my characters as aspects of childhood – being curious, striking out on your own, learning about yourself and who you are, and longing for adventure. Writing for children is hard because while they are less hung up on realism and more likely to suspend their disbelief than adults are, they also require a high standard of emotional authenticity. That’s a difficult line to master: finding out you have magical powers – that, they can accept, but is the character believable, can they relate?
What challenges have you faced as a woman in the publishing industry?
Nicole: I think being a writer is hard. For me, writing has to fit into the margins of my life – around and between family, the mundane daily tasks that need doing and the usual demands of work. I’ve learnt to make little moments count, and to not expect big, empty spaces to write in. Just getting to write one sentence is better than not writing one at all. So, when I do finish a book, like I just did with Tilly & Thandeka: The Star Siblings, then I see that as a triumph.
I’ve also learnt that writing a book is just one step in the process of getting it into the hands of readers. It’s especially tough in the South African market, where publishers are often cautious about investing in an unknown writer. This is a big challenge. It’s also an opportunity to think outside the box and make things happen for yourself. I’m independently published and I’ve had the privilege of working with some amazing people and companies as a result. What I find particularly exciting is that I’m constantly learning, challenging and imagining.
What messages or themes do you hope to convey through your books?
Nicole: I want to write fun, exciting stories that convey to South African children that having an adventure can happen to them too. So many stories, particularly those aimed at the middle-grade market, are set overseas and I think this gives the impression that the world of literature, adventure and mysteries is one that doesn’t really belong to them. Inviting children into the world of literature by creating stories that they can see taking place around them, happening to children like them, that is a powerful message.
I write to entertain, to draw children into a world that allows them that magical experience of “getting lost in a book”. That is the impact I want to have.
What advice would you give to aspiring children's book authors, especially women?
Nicole:
Read: To write well, you must read extensively. Explore children's literature to understand what is popular, what resonates with you, and what doesn't. Familiarise yourself with the genre's landscape.
Write: Incorporate writing into your daily routine. Your writing doesn't always need to be for an audience or publication. Use notebooks to jot down observations, ideas, fragments and beginnings. These will serve as your creative raw material.
Story first, lesson second: Focus on crafting engaging stories rather than teaching lessons. Children can easily spot when they're being taught, so prioritise the excitement of the story. A good story will naturally impart lessons.
Don’t give up: Expect and accept rejections as part of the process. Not everyone will appreciate your work. Persevere, learn from the feedback and continue writing.
Think outside the box: The South African book market is challenging due to its small readership, influencing publishers' decisions. Be proactive and consider hybrid publishing, innovative marketing, newsletters, complementary products and creative ways to connect with readers. Experiment with different strategies to promote your books.
Who are some of your favourite children's book authors, and how have they influenced your work?
Nicole: I have a lot of favourite children’s authors!
As a child, I loved the excitement and anticipation of Enid Blyton, and the irreverence of Roald Dahl. Since then I’ve really come to admire Philip Pullman and Jaqueline Wilson for never talking down to children, Thomas Taylor and Lemony Snicket for the quirky characters and mysterious settings they create, Nadine Aisha Jassat for breaking down the boundaries between poetry and fiction, Serena Patel for writing excellent mysteries to be solved. And in South Africa, writers like Bridget Krone and Bontle Senne.
If left unchecked, I could just keep going!
Can you share any upcoming projects or books that you’re excited about?
Nicole: The third book in the Tilly & Thandeka series, The Star Siblings, has just been released. It’s an adventure that takes place at an observatory on the KwaZulu-Natal coast where strange events begin to happen that threaten Dr Rani’s research into a special star. The two brave girls have to untangle some strange clues to find out who is behind the havoc before it’s too late!
Right now my focus is on marketing Tilly & Thandeka: The Star Siblings and I’m giving myself a bit of time before diving into a new writing project. But… I do have to say that there are some new Tilly & Thandeka ideas brewing. We’ll have to wait and see where those ideas take me.
What does Women's Month mean to you, and how do you celebrate it?
Nicole: If I’m honest, I’d like to see the idea of Women’s Month leaking into a few more months on the calendar and not just being something that is ticked off the list in August. There’s a lot to be said for the unpaid labour women put into keeping things together – taking care of homes and families and businesses and juggling a million other things too, often alongside stressful careers. There’s a lot to be celebrated there, but also a lot that needs to be addressed.
Nicole Rimensberger's responses show us how much can happen when you mix creativity with hard work. Her commitment to crafting stories set in South Africa helps local children see themselves in books, potentially sparking a lifelong love of reading. As we think about Women's Month, Nicole's experiences and advice can really encourage new writers, especially women who want to make their mark in publishing industry. Her story reminds us that with determination and a bit of out-of-the-box thinking, you can overcome challenges and bring your imaginative stories to life. We're looking forward to seeing more of Nicole's books and the positive effect they'll have on young readers in South Africa and beyond.
Learn more about Nicole, her kids' writing courses and free resources on: https://hellotypewriter.co.za/.
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