Teen Writer, Best-Selling Author: Leila Mottley’s Journey to Nightcrawling

By Mikekel Robinson|KTSU 2 News

Leila Mottley, New York Times best selling author, came to Texas Southern University on April 17 to read from her debut novel, Nightcrawling, and promote her Nightcrawling Paperback tour.

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Balancing Writing and Teen Life

At just 17 years old, Leila Mottley began writing Nightcrawling, her debut novel that would go on to be longlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize. Despite the challenges of being a full-time student and living the life of a teenager, Mottley found ways to carve out time to write.

“It’s definitely difficult to write a book while also trying to live life,” Mottley said. “But a lot of what I did was I would write late at night. I would write before work, on my breaks, and after work. Then I would go out with my friends after I was done writing.”

Through this commitment, Mottley proved that a balance between creativity and discipline can bring about powerful results, even while juggling the pressures of growing up.

Inspiration Behind Nightcrawling

Mottley’s writing was inspired by a deeply troubling event. In 2015 and 2016, a case in the Bay Area revealed the abuse of a young girl by multiple police officers, sparking a wave of outrage. Mottley, then a teenager herself, was struck by how the case was covered.

“The case was a huge deal, but it was mostly about the impact on the police department,” Mottley explained. “Very little conversation was had about the impact on the young girl or the thousands of other women and girls whose stories never get told.”

This glaring injustice became the driving force behind Nightcrawling, as Mottley sought to bring visibility to the stories of those who are silenced, especially marginalized Black girls.

Staying Inspired and Creative

Writing a novel while also living life required a delicate balance for Mottley, who is as much a teenager as she is an emerging author.

“I try to make it a balance between discipline and creativity,” Mottley said. “I write daily most days, but I also make sure to give myself periods of time where I’m not forced to write. That’s when the creativity flows.”

For Mottley, creativity isn't just about writing, but about allowing herself space to grow as a person while remaining true to her craft.

A Voice for Social Justice

Mottley’s writing extends beyond the page as a powerful call for social justice. With Nightcrawling, she aims to give a voice to the marginalized and to let young Black girls know they are not alone.

“I hope Nightcrawling makes Black girls feel a little less lonely,” Mottley said. “I want them to know that they have stories too, and their voices deserve to be heard.”

Through her words, Mottley continues to fight for justice, proving that literature can be a tool for change and a means of amplifying silenced voices.