In this episode, I’m joined by Nadia Ragbar to discuss her latest work, The Pugilist and the Sailor.
The book follows the lives of conjoined twins, Bruce and Dougie. One an ambitious boxer and the other a bookkeeper. As the brothers pursue their individual desires, a love interest and a boxing championship, they are compelled to consider the true meaning of belonging, independence, and their own place in the world.
Apart from the book, Nadia shares her strategies for writing the novel, which took about 12 years to get published. We talk about what happens when plots don’t work, her fortunate journey to publication, her devotion to understanding her characters, and how she handled working with editors.
Show highlights
- What’s been making Nadia happy lately
- Starting the book from the last line
- List making as a way to foster inspiration
- Connecting to the humanity of characters
- The road to publication
- When plotting doesn’t work
- Navigating the editing process and choosing feedback
- Lessons from waiting for publication
“I feel like I’m not myself if I’m not doing something creative. And so I don’t want to waste any more time. I just want to keep with this momentum and not be in a place … where I am regretting the time that’s gone by.”
Nadia Ragbar
The Pugilist and the Sailor is out now from Invisible Publishing.
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About Nadia Ragbar
Nadia Ragbar‘s short fiction has appeared in Broken Pencil and This Magazine, among other outlets. Her flash fiction appeared in The Unpublished City, an anthology curated by Dionne Brand, which was shortlisted for the 2018 Toronto Book Award. The Pugilist and the Sailor is her first novel.
About The Pugilist and the Sailor
The Pugilist and the Sailor follows conjoined twins, Bruce and Dougie. Dougie is an ambitious amateur boxer, having dragged his brother into the ring since childhood. Bruce is a bookkeeper who has become smitten with Anka. Unaware of the facts of the twins’ physicality, an epistolary relationship unfolds between Anka and Bruce, as he wrestles with broaching the topic of separation with Dougie. Dougie’s sole focus is the Heavyweight Amateur Boxing title as one half of “The Reuben Beast,” though he is trying to ignore his mysterious blackouts and severe headaches.
A character-driven story with an ensemble cast, told across multiple points of view and time periods, The Pugilist and the Sailor examines the unique relationships between conjoined brothers, parents, crushes, and unexpected mentors. A story about the intertwined nature of longing and belonging, compromise and connection, this novel is ultimately a consideration of family and finding your unique place in it, and in the world.
Guest’s links
Follow Nadia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nadiaragbar/
Find out more about Nadia: nadiaragbar.com
Host’s links
Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/
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