Quick Chat With The Author… is a weekly OkadaBooks series that spotlights indigenous authors, amplifies their voices, and gives character and depth to the brains behind the amazing stories our readers have come to love on the OkadaBooks mobile app. Check back for new episodes Wednesdays at 12 noon.
When I first reached out to Dr. Amaka, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew I was a fan of her works and that this was an opportunity to get to know her better. Did it work? Yes. At the end of this chat, I now have a better picture of who Amaka Azie is beside the beautiful contemporary romance novels she writes, and I’m excited to let you really know her for yourself, too. Let’s go!
Hi, Dr. Amaka. Can we meet you?
I’m Amaka Azie: I work as a part-time doctor. I am an author of African romance fiction. I have eight (8) self-published novels and three (3) with other publishers. In total, I have 11 stories featuring African lead characters under my belt. I’m extremely proud of that feat.
It’s really something to be proud of. Kudos!
I know you’re a doctor, but can you tell us what kind of doctor you are?
I’m a family doctor. In the UK, I’m called a General Practitioner (GP).
On the surface level, how does the medical profession compare to the joys of writing?
To me, they are really both similar. In family medicine, I interact with patients and their families. I’m privileged to get to know the private and social lives of my patients because everything about individuals affects their health. When I’m writing, my characters interact with me in my head. (I know this sounds a little crazy), but it’s true. My characters become like my patients, I get to know them and try to bring some resolution to their problems, giving them some form of closure. The only difference is that my patients are real, and my characters are a figment of my imagination. Haha! (Now, I really do sound crazy, don’t I?)
LOL
For how long have you been writing professionally? Tell us a little about how you started.
My first book, Melodies of Love was published with the help of Accomplish Press in 2016. It’s the first of a trilogy involving the Obi Family siblings. Although my debut novel came out 7 years ago, I’ve been writing for over 20 years, since I was 15.
I used to pass handwritten romance stories among my secondary school classmates while on the queue, and I felt positive about my writing.
When I finished my residency training in family medicine, I decided to follow that passion. I attended a writing and publishing course and took off running. I’ve not looked back since then.
As an early-life reader, which books would you say inspired you to give writing a shot?
The Concubine by Elechi Amadi and A Fresh Start by Helen Ovbiagele.
They were the first 2 books with a theme of African love that made me long to be a writer.
Of all the different kinds of stories to tell, why have you chosen to spotlight stories showcasing love and familial relationships in the Nigerian/African setting, specifically?
Growing up, I enjoyed reading romance novels. I read a lot of Mills & Boon and Harlequin books. Although I loved them, I was often disappointed because the characters weren’t people I could identify with. I wanted to read romance fiction with characters that looked like me, African main characters who had my kind of skin, my hair texture, who shared a similar experience with me.
The older I got, the more I became passionate about African representation in fiction, the kind that shows all the sides of our continent, not just focusing on the bad.
There’s more to Africa than war, poverty, illiteracy, and disease. A lot of Africans experience mundane family living, go to school or work, to the clubs, get married and have children, experience heartbreak and divorce. I wanted to be a part of the brave authors showcasing the mundane living of regular Africans. Romance fiction was my way to go with that.
I believe that the Pacesetters series were popular in the ’90s because of the way it showcased all the different facets of African life.
I’m proud of myself for sharing the romantic side of Africans.
You were named one of the most influential authors under 40 by the Nigerian Writers Awards (NWA) for the years 2017 and 2018, consecutively. This is just one of your many achievements as a writer. What does this kind of recognition mean to you, and what advice do you have for a writer who feels discouraged due to numerous rejections they’ve received during the course of their budding career?
It’s always amazing to be recognized for doing what you love. It gives some form of validation for that choice, and the effort one puts into the craft. My parents and family were really proud of me. Whenever I find myself in a writing rot, I look at my few accolades and pat myself on the back.
My advice to budding writers is to know what audience they want to capture. Learn about the genre you want to write, read a lot of stories in that genre, see what voice works for you and what doesn’t. Figure out what type of author you want to be. Do you want to self-publish or use the traditional publishing route?
Dealing with rejection is part of the game – either by publishers or readers. Take constructive criticism and work on your craft. Keep reading and keep writing.
Check out all books by Amaka Azie HERE.
There is a hesitation that comes with talking about sex and sensuality in Africa, I consider it brave that you are telling your stories regardless of these biases. Are there specific challenges or criticism you have encountered for choosing to write in your genre?
Africans love sex. We only like to pretend that we don’t. Haha!
Sex and sensuality are a part of our culture, and I’m not sure how people were made to feel ashamed of the natural God-given drive.
I write romance fiction. Sex is an important part of love and romance. As an author, my duty is to create a believable and authentic story, not try to water the reality down.
I’ve had criticism about my sex scenes. The few who have had the audacity to direct them to me have told me that they were offended by how detailed they were. My response to them was, and would always be this (As a typical Naija babe answering questions with more questions): Would you want an author who writes thrillers to skim over important details of a crime in the plot? Why shouldn’t a romance author do the same? What is it about sex between two consenting adults that makes you so uncomfortable?
Well, expect more detailed sensual stories from me. Haha!
I am looking forward to that already. Can’t wait.
There is always something to be said about how diverse the Sciences are from the Arts, yet you have found a way to balance both. How is life being a Medical practitioner and a Writer? What are some of the joys and challenges involved, and how do you strike a working balance between both worlds?
To be totally honest, family medicine is not a clear science. There is a form of art to convincing a person with a cough that they don’t have lung cancer or trying to support a terminally ill patient through their sickness. I enjoy interacting with patients, seeing the full picture of their lives that most specialists don’t. An ophthalmologist usually concentrates on a patient’s eyes, but a GP would also know that the patient has a dog he/she usually takes for a walk and that their visual impairment has increasingly made that difficult.
I combine both aspects of my life quite easily. Thankfully, I work only part-time as a family doctor.
I actually got the inspiration for My Sister’s Bestie from an odd couple that walked into my clinic. They looked like an unlikely pair with totally opposite characters, but they appeared to love each other. It was lovely to watch them together.
With about eight (8) published, contemporary romance novels under your belt, how would you describe your writing process to the uninitiated?
It’s a long and grueling process, but it’s fun. Especially if you are committed to the craft. I’m a plotter. So, I usually have an outline that I follow when writing. It works for me. However, I do understand that that doesn’t work for everyone. Find what works for you.
In a post you made on your website about writer’s block, you made a remarkable statement I took note of. You said, ‘“It’s easier to write about hate than about love.” Can you help buttress this assertion as a standalone thought? What’s it about hate that makes it such a powerful force that’s easier to express in writing?
There is so much hate in the world. There is a war going on as I write. People thrive on reading negative stories. On social media, television, or newspapers, the bad news is consumed faster than good news.
Writing about murders, rape and evil get more traction than writing about love. In a world where hurting people is more newsworthy than lifting other people up, it takes a lot of skill to write about love and make people pay attention, get them to believe that they can find peace and acceptance in another human.
It’s easier to sell hate than love. Romance writers are really gifted!
Are there any themes/topics you believe you’ll never consider writing about?
Sci-Fi. I don’t enjoy that genre, so I’m not inclined to write anything featuring ghosts, aliens, vampires, or mystical beings.
That being said, I loved Ann Rice (RIP). Her book, Memnoch the Devil, about Angels and Demons, is one of my all-time favorites.
I’m not sure I can write romance with non-black main characters. I feel there aren’t enough love stories told about black people.
You claim to have watched almost all the documentaries available on serial killers. I’m impressed and curious to know why you enjoy them so much. Is this a hint that writing a crime thriller/serial killer love story lies somewhere in your future?
Haha!
I find it very fascinating to explore the story behind what could turn an innocent young boy or girl into a monster capable of heinous crimes. I love how the documentaries delve into the past of serial killers to give us a little extra context about them. My mother always tells me off for enjoying them so much, but I can’t help it.
However, while I relish reading and watching stories about real-life serial killers, I don’t think I can write love stories out of that kind of evil. I’m not a fan of dark romance. I love breezy and funny love stories.
You had a playlist you listened to while writing ‘Love at First Sound.’ Is listening to music an important part of your writing process?
Yes. I listen to instrumental jazz while writing. I can’t write with music that I can sing along to. I’ll be distracted. But when I’m having a bit of writer’s block, I listen to passionate lyrics that put me back in the mood.
Toni Braxton and her sad love songs have helped me through some writing problems!
Who are some of your favourite musical artists?
Fela, Bob Marley, Tracy Chapman, Brandy, Toni Braxton, Jay Z, Davido, Paul Simon, Simi, Flavour N’abania, and Sir Shina Peters.
That’s a diverse list. Nicely put.
Check out all books by Amaka Azie HERE.
You describe Enugu as a town you really love to write about. You also currently live in the United Kingdom with your family and enjoy traveling. How does moving across different locations impact your writing?
I lived in Nigeria for 25 years. Moving to the UK didn’t really impact my writing about a country that I lived in for so long. Although, most of the time, I have to do a lot of research to check for changes that have happened in Nigeria in my absence, so that my stories would be a little more realistic.
Do you feel an obligation of any kind to represent places you’ve either lived in or visited in your works?
Nope. No obligation whatsoever. There are not enough love stories about Nigerians and Africans. I’ll focus on writing about Nigerians falling in love. People in the world need more of our love stories.
Which of these many places of visit do you consider most memorable?
I enjoyed Dubai most. I loved the people, the diversity of culture, the food. A close second would be Malta.
On a scale of 1- 10 how good a painter are you?
5/10. Painting is a form of therapy for me. Nothing like splashing bright colors on a canvas to clear one’s mind. Love it.
Where did your love for painting come from?
It’s probably genetic. My mum is artistic. She can sew beautiful designs and make colorful jewelry. My fine arts teacher, Mr. Eriwana (RIP), was a major inspiration to me too. He was a patient teacher who showed his students the therapeutic qualities of art.
Check out all books by Amaka Azie HERE.
Who are your top three Romance Authors? And, how have they helped influence your writing?
Delaney Diamond, Nora Roberts, and Kiru Taye.
Delaney Diamond is an author of African-American romance. I love how her black characters are educated, passionate and real. She’s one of the authors who made me realize that, like me, there are readers out there hungry for black representation in romance fiction.
I love her. She’s one of the few authors whose books I buy without even reading the blurb.
Tell me something about you that’s not a secret but not many people know.
I have a twin brother.
You have a new romance trilogy I’ve already started calling the Love Elements’ Trilogy coming soon. I, personally, can’t wait to get my hands on it. Can you tell us a little about it, its original title and an exclusive sneak peek into what to expect from it when it arrives?
Thank you!
The trilogy is about three (3) Lagos plastic surgeons finding love and rekindling a lost love. I plan to make it fun, sexy, and dramatic.
There would be themes of second chances, infidelity and forgiveness, romance during a life-threatening illness, a stripper and a doctor falling in love, and loads more. I can’t wait to share the stories in my head.
I think you’ve made it more difficult for me to wait, but wait we shall.
What are your thoughts on the impact OkadaBooks has on reading and publishing in Nigeria?
OkadaBooks has been good for African self-published authors. I consider OkadaBooks a trailblazer because it was one of the first platforms available for African eBook readers. Now, there are many upcoming ones. OkadaBooks paved the path for self-publishing in Nigeria. I respect that.
What are your hopes for the Nigerian Literary and Publishing Industry in the near future?
I wish traditional publishers will take a chance on the romance genre. We Africans can have our own Mills & Boon, too. We have a responsibility as a continent to share the many sides of our lives with the world. Constantly putting out only “Woe is me” tales, is doing the image of our vibrant continent a disservice.
Check out all books by Amaka Azie HERE.
Read previous QCWTA episodes HERE.
Leave a Reply