Nikki Brooke Inspires With Her Dystopian Debut Plagued Lands And Passion For Bisexual Representation

Exploring Identity, Love, And Power In A Dystopian World

Nikki Brooke discusses her debut novel Plagued Lands, her journey of self-discovery, authentic bisexual representation, and the challenges of blending dystopian world-building with deeply personal and emotional storytelling.

Nikki Brooke is a name that is swiftly becoming synonymous with bold, imaginative storytelling and authentic representation in the realms of science fiction and fantasy. An Australian author and scriptwriter, Nikki’s work is a breath of fresh air, weaving intricate worlds with deeply personal and resonant themes. Her debut novel, Plagued Lands, is a testament to her talent, blending the gripping tension of a dystopian future with the raw, emotional journey of self-discovery. As a finalist in the 7th Annual Launch Pad Prose Competition and a semi-finalist in the ScreenCraft Cinematic Book Competition, Nikki has already proven her ability to captivate audiences and critics alike.

What sets Nikki apart is her commitment to authentic bisexual representation in literature and cinema, a cause she champions with passion and purpose. Her characters are not only richly developed but also reflect the complexities of identity and human connection, offering readers a mirror to their own experiences. With Plagued Lands, Nikki has crafted a story that is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling, drawing comparisons to beloved dystopian works while carving out a space that is uniquely her own.

In this exclusive interview, Nikki shares insights into her creative process, the challenges of balancing world-building with emotional depth, and the personal journey that shaped her writing. Prepare to be inspired by an author who is not only redefining the genre but also challenging societal norms through her art.

“Nikki Brooke is a trailblazing author whose imaginative storytelling and authentic representation redefine the boundaries of science fiction.“

How has your personal journey of self-discovery as a bisexual influenced the characters and themes in “Plagued Lands”?

Funnily, it was actually the characters who influenced me, rather than the other way around. You see, I thought I was straight. But then these bi characters kept popping into my head, including Martina, the main character of “Plagued Lands.” After a while I had to ask myself ‘why’ and I did some internal reflection. I also started following bisexual creators and reading bisexual stories, both fiction and non-fiction. I finally realised that I’m bisexual, and I had suppressed my feelings most of my life to fit in with societal norms. But with the increase of awareness, plus more bisexual representation, I finally recognised that I have always been bisexual. Through writing bisexual characters, I discovered that sexuality can be more fluid and complex than I realised. 

What challenges did you face in ensuring authentic bisexual representation in both your novel and its film adaptation?

I was so used to reading female love interests from the male gaze that in my first draft, I have to admit that I slightly objectified the female love interest, Persephone. I had to pause, reflect internally again (because my attraction to women doesn’t even look like that) and then rewrite. I was only just learning about my own bisexuality, so I grew and evolved as my characters did.

“I was only just learning about my own bisexuality, so I grew and evolved as my characters did.” – Nikki Brooke

How did you approach balancing dystopian world-building with the more personal and emotional journey of Martina’s character?

The world is an integral part of Martina’s journey, so they’re interwoven closely. How the world works is only revealed as Martina interacts with it, rather than any large info dumps, and since it’s in first person POV, we also get to hear her thoughts about the world and how they change. In the first chapter, Martina discovers her perceptions might be wrong, and the rest of the book is her discovering the truth—it’s the heart of her turmoil.

Can you talk about the influences of books like “Want” and “Legend” on “Plagued Lands,” and how your story differs from or expands on those narratives?

“Plagued Lands” was heavily influenced by “The Hunger Games” and has a similar vibe. However, the concept and story are completely different. Although I read “Want” and “Legend” after I wrote “Plagued Lands,” they all follow the expectations of a YA dystopian, i.e. there’s a corrupt government, an unlikely teenage hero, and a rebellion. They also share a crossover of themes and imagery, like a toxic environment, hazmat type suits, star-crossed lovers, and deadly diseases. However, “Plagued Lands” is set in a future where all cities are surrounded by glass bubbles to protect against diseases outside, quite different to the other books—but if you like those books, you’ll most likely enjoy “Plagued Lands.”

What role do Nathan and Persephone play in Martina’s journey, and how do their relationships with her evolve throughout the novel?

There’s a love triangle between the three of them which technically isn’t necessary for the main plot, but I enjoy romantic subplots, and love triangles create a delicious tension between characters. Without giving too much away, I’ll say that this love triangle will continue to evolve and cause problems throughout the trilogy. Despite the romance, both Nathan and Persephone are essential to the main plot. They help Martina understand the truth about the world. Both see it from different perspectives and all three of the characters come from varying backgrounds, so Martina ends up with lots of different views of the world by the end of the book. Without either of these characters, she would never discover the truth.

“One of the key themes is choice—the choice over your own body and medical autonomy or how to live.” – Nikki Brooke

As “Plagued Lands” delves into themes of pandemics and societal control, how much was influenced by our experiences with covid-19, and what parallels do you see between your fictional world and the challenges we faced?

Funnily, I came up with the concept of “Plagued Lands” years before the covid pandemic. Covid still had some influence on the book though. It’s mentioned in it as a historical disease, and I gained insights on pandemics, like lockdowns, or using facemasks and sanitiser, and built that into the book. One of the key themes is choice—the choice over your own body and medical autonomy or how to live. With people now, particularly women, losing their bodily autonomy, the theme is highly relatable. Another theme is greed and power, like most dystopias, and what might happen if people of influence go unchecked—which is something to pay attention to in today’s time.