Local author Scott Reintgen published his debut novel Nyxia this fall, aiming to write a book that would allow the students he teaches to see themselves in literature.
Reintgen grew up writing stories and spent college and graduate school honing his craft and growing as a writer.
This led to a career in teaching English and creative writing at Jordan High School in Durham, North Carolina.
Nyxia follows the story of Emmet, a boy from Detroit who has been chosen to go on a mission into space, where he and nine other recruits have the opportunity to mine a substance called Nyxia, which had become the most powerful substance in the universe.
Reintgen visited Flyleaf Books this October and answered questions about writing, inspiration, his book and more.
Reintgen says that his work as a high school teacher has greatly influenced his writing, and vice versa.
“I think the most obvious way [is] in helping me write a story that would be entertaining for my students,” Reintgen said. “When you’re in the classroom every day with each other for a full semester, you definitely find out more about what students like and don’t like in the books they’re reading. ”
Reintgen says he finds inspiration for his work in many different aspects of life.
“I listen to a lot of Imagine Dragons when I write fight scenes,” Reintgen said. “Most of my influences are from books [and] movies, though.”
Reintgen cites Ender’s Game, Red Rising, The Maze Runner, and Divergent as four pieces of young adult literature that have especially influenced his writing style in Nyxia.
