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.
For this week’s episode, I had an interesting conversation with Jonah Igwe. He’s an amazing storyteller, one who’s written one of my favourite books on the OkadaBooks mobile app. Igwe opens up about a lot of things, from the inspiration behind his well-received, bestselling, debut novel, Fading Face, to a surprising hobby he has, to his hopes for the Nigerian publishing industry. It’s an interesting lot. You should dive-in without further ado.
Briefly tell us about yourself.
I am an author. I think writing chose me because I am an unrestricted reader and I read all kinds of materials – novels, biographies, journals, self-help books, and many more. Originally, I studied Economics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. However, I realized that I read and write creative works seamlessly. So, I would say that the satisfaction I get from reading and writing created the author you see in me today.
Apart from writing, what else do you do for a living?
I teach young adults and children creative writing. It’s something I do part-time.
How did you get into that and how has it been juggling it with your writing career?
Well, I would say that I got into it by chance. This happened some years ago. One morning, I walked into a school and told them I could teach. They asked me what I could teach and after a brief moment of thought, I told them I could teach creative writing and that was it. Juggling teaching with writing is interesting rather than stressful to me because both exist in my comfort zone.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you weigh your fulfillment in this other career, and how does it compare to the joys of writing?
I would say 10. I derive equal satisfaction from both teaching and writing. The reason is that both involve the process of creation. In my creative writing classes, I teach my students to see themselves as creators of their characters, settings, and conflicts. When they hand in their works, I derive great joy from reading and taking an imaginary journey through their minds. This is the same level of joy I get from writing by myself.
Can you walk us through what a typical day in your life looks like?
My day begins at 4:00 AM. I wake up at that time of the morning to read and add a few paragraphs to my upcoming book. Then, do a little workout to keep fit. Later, I attend to my teaching schedules. In the evening, I spend time with my wife and two daughters, and we spend most of that time sitting in front of the TV.
If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that takes place in the same location, where would that be? And, why this place?
That place would be Ivory Coast. I think the sandy beaches in Grand-Bassam and mountains like Tonkou and Nimba would offer a very scenic and adventurous setting ideal for a romance novel.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote? If you do, please tell me a little about it.
Yes, it was a short story about two young lovers who eloped in the face of persecution to face the unknown.
Would you say there’s a connecting line from the version of you that penned down that story and the beautiful storyteller you are now?
Yes, I think there is a connection. The only difference between then and now is that presently, I write from a position of knowledge of how the world really works.
Your debut novel, Fading Face is, to put it mildly, a lot. I enjoyed reading it. Can you give a little background into how the story came to be and the events that led to having the prestigious Love Africa Press publish it?
I wrote Fading Face during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. One day, I sat in front of the TV trying to chronicle the events of that moment when my wife told me, “You know you’re a good writer and you can use this time to write a novel.” That was how it all began. Love Africa Press first entered the scene when I started my research on publishers who are willing to give African voices a chance on the global platform. In fact, Love Africa Press occupied a prestigious position on the list and that was when I decided to send my manuscript to them. From my interactions with my publisher, the cinematic opening and small-town setting of my work caught their interest.
How many other books do you have published since Fading Face?
After Fading Face, I have another book, Eye Hunter. It’s a horror/thriller novel that will soon be made available to my esteemed readers on OkadaBooks.
Describe your reaction when you first discovered Fading Face was the OkadaBooks maiden Book of the Month?
Wow! I was excited beyond words. I was pleasantly overwhelmed because it’s a recognition and reward for creativity. Also, to be the maiden Book Of The Month was the icing on the cake and I thank OkadaBooks for initiating this project which will obviously add more visibility to the chosen books and make the voices of the authors louder.
Read Fading Face by Jonah Igwe on the OkadaBooks mobile app.
Do you feel that writing about love, sexuality, and passion has changed whatever traditional views you might’ve had in the past concerning these topics?
Of course, it has. Though I read sizzling romance novels, I was uncertain about how African society would see an author of romance novels. Now, that perception has changed. I feel at ease and fulfilled doing what I love because our society seems to have embraced that form of creativity and its authors.
In your opinion, what’s the recipe for an irresistible (love) story?
One straight answer, in my opinion, is for the writer to put himself in the context.
I understand fiction most times gets its root from real-life events. So, naturally, I’m curious as to which parts of Fading Face and its characters were inspired by happenings in/around your life?
Those parts that show the main character, Nnamdi, as a passionate and never-let-go lover are literally me and my personal experiences. I love hard and faithfully, too.
Which of the many interesting characters you’ve created best describes you, or someone close to you?
I would say that the character, Nnamdi, best describes me.
Stories with authentic cultural settings, like Fading Face, typically take a lot of research and effort to be brought to life. What advice do you wish someone had given you before you embarked on the journey of writing this book?
I wish someone had given me advice on how to describe a traditional setting of a small Igbo town.
What would you say is the strangest thing you found out during the research/fact-finding process for the book?
The strangest thing I found is that Aspilia Africana which is a plant that is widespread in Africa is used in traditional medicine to stop bleeding, treat rheumatic pains, bee and scorpion stings.
What’s the one lesson you definitely want people to take away from reading Fading Face?
I would like people who read Fading Face to know that true and undying love still exists out there and is within reach. They should also understand that valid dreams can still be achieved by dint of hard work and focus. For instance, Nnamdi kept his eyes on his education in order to better himself and make a bright future despite the alluring prospects of doing otherwise. In the end, he achieved greatness.
What are you currently reading? Tell me a little about it.
I am currently re-reading Bound to Fate by Kiru Taye. I am reading it for the second time because it connects with my personal experiences. It’s a beautiful love story about two lovers, Lara and Ike, who experience tragedy and challenges which they must overcome in order to live and love in the present.
Are you a movie or TV series person?
I’m a TV series person.
What are your favorite kinds of TV series to watch to unwind?
My favorites are love series on ID Discovery like Love Hurts, Scorned: Love Kills, Who on Earth Did I Marry, Dates from Hell, and Fatal Vows.
Give me three fun facts about you.
I dance to no music whenever I’m happy and alone. My attempts at singing usually end up producing screams. Finally, I’m reserved in public but talkative at home.
Are there any hobbies you have that might surprise your readers?
Yes. I learn the French language for the love of it.
Who or what are the biggest influences on your writing? Give them a shout-out.
My shout-out goes to my wife for encouraging me and reading my manuscripts, my publisher and editor for polishing my work, and my esteemed audience for welcoming my work with open arms. I love you all.
What are your thoughts on the impact OkadaBooks has on reading and publishing in Nigeria?
The impact of OkadaBooks on reading and publishing in Nigeria is huge and highly significant. OkadaBooks is an exciting meeting point for readers, authors, and publishers. It provides a platform that gives readers easy access to thousands of books in one place while publishers get unrestricted access to a very large reading audience. It’s an innovative platform that is increasingly encouraging reading which is required to build a progressive society.
What more do you think we could be doing for the industry?
If possible, OkadaBooks could partner with corporate organizations in the country in order to establish annual awards for Nigerian authors of various genres. This will encourage authors to produce better quality works and increase visibility and readers’ engagement. That way, the reading consciousness will creep back into so many minds and more readers will come onboard OkadaBooks.
What are your hopes for the Nigerian Literary and Publishing Industry?
In the near future, I hope to see more and more Nigerians reading Nigerian literature. I look forward to seeing a Nigerian Literary and Publishing Industry that is as popular as the Nigerian film industry. I also hope to see authors and publishers celebrated and adequately rewarded for their creativity.
How soon can we expect another book from you?
It will come sooner than expected. Eye Hunter will be available on OkadaBooks in the coming weeks. So, readers should watch out for it.
Read Fading Face by Jonah Igwe on the OkadaBooks mobile app.
Read previous QCWTA episodes HERE.
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