Ola Awonubi holds an MA in Creative Writing and Imaginative Practice at the University of East London. In 2008 her short story ‘The Pink House’, won first prize in the National Words of Colour competition and another short story of hers The Go- slow Journey, won the first prize in the fiction category for Wasafiri’s New writing prize in 2009. Her first novel, ‘Love’s Persuasion’, was published by Ankara Press, an imprint of Cassava Republic, which also published her second book, ‘Love Me Unconditionally’. Her latest book is an historical fiction, ‘A Nurse’s Tale’. It will be published in July by 0neMoreChapter, an imprint of HarperCollins UK. It is inspired by the story of the daughter of an Alake of Abeokuta, OmoOba Adenrele Ademola, who served the UK during the second world war at Guy’s Hospital. In this interview with United States Bureau Chief OLUKOREDE YISHAU, Awonubi discusses this book and writing. Excerpts:
You are known for a different genre of writing. Tell us about this transition to historical fiction and how easy or difficult it was?
It wasn’t too difficult because my collection of short stories Naija Love Stories were all historical. Historical fiction is different because when writing you have to take into consideration the past societal, cultural norms, the language, morals, settings, clothing, food in your writing. Also putting everything into historical perspective – dates also have to be checked.
What are the themes in The Nurse Tale?
Love, duty, sacrifice, generation
Why is it important to tell the nurse’s story?
It is important to tell the story of this Nigerian nurse because it reveals the contributions Africans made to the war effort during the second World War, especially in a society where this is not public knowledge.
Being a work based on a true-life story, how much flexibility did you exhibit to make it creative and not boring?
I used characterisation, plot, voice, sense of place and point of view to make it creative and colourful. Regarding flexibility I researched what I could find about Adenreles life in London as not much information is available on her life when she returned to Nigeria. I then built on the information I found and created a dual narrative in the story.
In researching this work, did you meet any of her family?
No I haven’t met with any family members.
Tell us the things you found out about her, which made it into the book and the ones that didn’t make it.
She moved in Royal circles in London and she accompanied her father the Alake of Abeokuta to state occasions as well. She also did a broadcast for the BBC about her life as a nurse. That made it into the book. As to what her life was like when she returned to Nigeria we have to guess that she continued working as a nurse.
How long did it take you to work on this?
Three years of research, writing, working on edits and more writing.
Will you say writing has been good to you or would you have preferred something more profitable?
I love writing. I do it out of passion and not just for the money. If it was for just the money most writers wouldn’t do it. In terms of something more profitable there are lots of things you could do but would you feel self actualised or have a sense of purpose? Write well and opportunities will present themselves and hopefully it will translate to more readers- more sales but it is not a sprint – it is more of a long distance jog.
What makes a good or great writer? Awards or what?
What makes a great writer is working on your craft. Learning from reading others works and learning the techniques they used to captivate the reader and keep them invested in the book. Awards are just one of the by products of good writing.
What does your writing process look like?
I start a story from the inciting incident and build up the book from there. It could be an argument or a revelation or a family event and create tension between the characters and let things develop from there. I also create a character notepad where I break down everything there is to know about them; name, occupation, past trauma, family life, appearance, how they sound, age etc so that when I’m writing dialogue; they sound authentic.
Do you have any another work in progress?
Yes. I am writing another romance.
Tell us about your previous works.
Love’s Persuasion and Love Me Unconditionally are romances from Ankara Press and are on Audible. I also self-published a collection of short stories titled Naija Love Stories and my last novel is Lovers Leavers and Keepers, an inspirational love story of second chances at love against the backdrop of wealth, corruption and deceit.
The summer is around the corner. Do you have book recommendations?
There are so many great books but these are just a few:
The Nigerwife by Vanessa Walters
A Good Name by Yejide Kilanko
The Attic Child by Lola Jaye
The Middle Daughter by Chika Unigwe