Five Questions with Scott Reintgan

In Nyxia, the first book a YA trilogy that reads like Ender’s Game” meets “The Hunger Games”, Scott Reintgan weaves together an engaging tale for sci-fi readers of all ages. A self-described “back-row dreamer” Scott is a former English teacher dedicated to engaging readers through exciting characters and storylines. Nyxia Unleashed, book two of the Nyxia Triad, releases July 17th.
 
When did you first realize you were a storyteller?
 
Storytelling clicked for me through video games. As I walked through quests in World of Warcraft and other games, I realized I loved all the narrative piece that tied everything together. That love grew with my love for reading, which eventually grew into my love for writing. I still use the fact that video games paved the path for my career against my mother.
 
What do you love about the writing process?
 
I love the act of creation. There is just nothing quite like that first spark of an idea, that first time we meet the bad guy, that first time we realize how it all will end. I'm actually a big fan of revision, too, which ends up being more like a puzzle that you have to slowly fit together. But that first run through of creating the story and the characters and the setting? It's the best.
 
What is the hardest part of being a writer?
 
The hardest part about being a writer is learning balance. Wiley Cash had a great Twitter thread about this recently, but the image of writers sitting a desk every day for 10 hours, humming along in story world, is just a little inaccurate. Writing involves so much more. Learning how to balance publicity and marketing and still being able to spend time with the characters we love? That's one of the hardest lessons I've had to figure out.
 
Where do you find your inspiration?
 
Inspiration is everywhere. I actually just gave a talk to local students where I discussed collaborating with the world around you. Opening up your eyes. Taking a step back. Listening closely. These are hallmarks of a great author in my opinion. Those threads of reality that we can pluck in our day to day end up being the core pieces of great stories. Just remember to write down those ideas as they come. Far too many authors have had wonderful ideas slip through their fingers for lack of a pen.
 
What are you working on right now?
 
Right now I'm working on the second novel in a middle grade series (the first one--When in Fancy--will release from Random House in 2020). I've finished the entire Nyxia series. Nyxia Unleashed comes out on July 17th, but book three will release in April 2019. I'm excited for people to read the conclusion. And as always, I'm working on like three other books simultaneously because I can't stop dabbling in all these lovely little ideas that come across the brain.
 
To find out more about the North Carolinian wordsmith and us his new adventures, check out his website.

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