Nia Isabella Du Plessis writes her own music, sings, plays the guitar and has just published her debut poetry book.

That’s quite a lot for a 20-year-old, but she’s only just getting started.

The former Dunstan High School student is currently in the midst of writing and illustrating a children’s book and is excited about her debut novel - a historical fiction based on true events.

“There has been a lot of learning involved - not just the writing but everything involved with making a book, a book.” she said.

When she first started, Nia contacted some of her favourite authors from all over the world, Micheal Morpurgo, J.K Rowling and Sarah J Maas, to name a few; for some inspiration and advice. 

Australian novelist Jackie French is the only author who responded giving Nia advice; “write the novel backwards, write your ending first,” she said.

With creativity comes rebranding. Bringing all of her music and writing under one new name - Nia Isabella decided she’d have to leave out the family name as it was just getting too long.

“You should see people’s faces when they ask how to search me up. Nia Isabella Du Plessis, it’s a mouthful.” 

Currently she has three songs on across streaming platforms Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube. Thanks to her family connection back in South Africa who had a recording studio, she was put in touch with the talented Zander Lourens - a sound engineer and music producer. 

Out on the family farm, Nia converted an old caravan into a sound studio, and now she’s actively working on promoting her music, and self-published poetry book - of which she has 150 copies hot off the press.

Whispers Of A Soul is her debut collection of poems, based on love, loss and hope, - reflections on the beauty of the human spirit.

“Some of the poems are from my own experiences, but many of them are for people who have gone through something and I feel inspired to write for them. It has a lot to do with empathy and stepping into the other persons shoes as much as possible.”

Nia has been writing poems for many years and found an old notebook with children’s stories from when she was just seven. This sparked the beginning of her illustrated kids book series. ‘Mr & Mrs Hopkins farmyard of Hullabaloo,’ starring Bessie the cow.

The Alexandra Public Library and the Poolburn Hub have been supportive of her journey and will be holding a poetry event to introduce her book in the New Year.  

Alexandra Paper Plus has also decided to do a display and then she’ll work out how to build her profile nationally.

It’s going to be a busy summer for Nia - not only will she be balancing her passion for writing and singing but training horses also - helping people speak horse. 

“I’m working to support my passion, as creativity isn’t cheap.” she said. 

Next year she might even look at doing an apprenticeship as a ‘horse whisperer,’ in the North Island.

So many opportunities. So many pathways opening up. As Nia has quickly learned, it’s all about balance and determination. Connecting with the right people and not giving up.