Nikki May on Identity, Belonging, and Writing the Stories We Carry

In this rich and layered conversation, Monica Wisdom sits down with Nikki May, the Nigerian-British novelist behind This Motherless Land, to explore the power of storytelling, identity, and cultural belonging.

Nikki’s journey from corporate executive to published author is not a straight line. It is a path shaped by lived experience, persistence, and a deep connection to the stories she carries. In this episode, she shares how her upbringing between Nigeria and England informs her work and the characters she brings to life.

This conversation moves beyond writing and into identity.

Through her novel, Nikki explores the complexities of navigating multiple cultures, the tension of belonging, and the resilience required to hold all parts of yourself at once. Her protagonist reflects this reality, moving through questions of home, loss, and self-definition with clarity and strength.

Monica and Nikki also explore the role of storytelling as both reflection and connection. The stories we tell are not separate from who we are. They are shaped by community, memory, and experience.

At its core, this episode is about claiming your full identity and understanding the power of telling your story on your own terms.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The journey from corporate career to published author
• Writing across cultures and navigating dual identity
• The inspiration behind This Motherless Land
• The importance of representation in literature
• Community as a source of creative and personal grounding
• Embracing your full identity without separation

Key Takeaways:

• Your story is shaped by where you have been and how you have lived
• Identity is layered and requires space to be fully expressed
• Representation in storytelling creates connection and understanding
• It is never too late to pursue the work you are called to do
• Writing is both a discipline and a process of self-discovery

About Nikki May

Nikki May is a Nigerian-British author whose work explores themes of identity, culture, and belonging. Her novel This Motherless Land reflects her lived experience across continents and offers a nuanced look at the complexity of navigating multiple worlds.

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