Chidera Onyebuchi is a Nigerian Writer based in Lagos. She’s currently studying Creative Arts at the University of Lagos. In 2019, she published her debut novel FINDING GAREN at the age of 19. Her second book, IN A FORTNIGHT is currently in the works to be published. She was selected for the African Film International Festival Creative Writing Workshop in 2019. Some of her short stories have been shortlisted for the Teecocks Initiative Creative Writing Competition in 2014, Freedom Magazine Literary Award in 2018 and second runner up at the Lekeku Writer’s League Competition in 2018 season. Her short stories have also appeared in the blogs of Writewell Consults and Patabah books blog.
1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Thank you. I realized I wanted to be a writer when I was in Year 8 but before that I used to tell people stories from my head and give them the impression that it was from a movie.
2. At what age did you start writing and what was your inspiration
I started writing at the age of ten. In year 8, I saw one of my friends writing a story with pictures and I was like “Wow, I can do that? I can put all these stories in my head into writing?” It was at that moment I knew that I wanted to be a writer.
3. How many books have you written and which is your favorite?
Wow, that’s a tough one. In secondary school I was on a writing spree. I wrote lots of stories in short and long notebooks and actually finished the stories. What helped me more, was my friends and the people that knew that I write. They always wanted more and begged me to write new ones after I’d finished a particular story. I was even writing two or three stories at once. That was possible because while one person was reading what I had written so far in a story, I’ll be working on another one until I get the previous one back.
I miss those times.
4. What do you think makes a good story?
I recently learnt that and I’m happy I get to share it. When I started writing, no one taught me or anything. Even when I started applying for writing competitions, I didn’t know what made a good story. Same thing with when I wrote my first book. I hadn’t taken any classes or gone for any workshops or even researched on how to make my stories better, I just wrote and wrote. It’s safe to say that despite that, I was on the right path. I attended a creative writing workshop last year at the African film international festival which was moderated by Chris Ihidero. I learnt that what makes a good story are, a good premise, a strong hero, a strong villain, a worthy goal which the hero wants to achieve, obstacles, high stakes when it comes to the hero’s goal, a strong character world, a good ending that is, the conflict should be resolved.
This is a summary of what makes a good story and I’d love to elaborate on it. I might have left some things out.
5. How long does it take to write a book?
I think it varies for different people. For me, I can write my first draft in a month or less, or more. It depends on how determined I am. If we’re talking about the whole process, it could be about six months or less because we’re talking about revisions, editing, second draft, third draft, it could even extend to the fifth draft. Then printing. It takes years for people to finish their first draft but it’s not how long that counts. What matters is that one finishes the book.
6. We heard you are currently working on a novella titled ”In A Fortnight,” what is it all about and when would it be available for readers?
Yess and I can’t wait for people to read it. In A Fortnight was initially going to be a short romance story but sometimes you have to leave the stories to write themselves. In A Fortnight is a story about three strangers whose lives get entwined at a resort in Lekki, Lagos. Zelu needs a break from work after she slumped because she was burnt out, Lanre needs a break from his marriage. He’s on the verge of getting a divorce but he thinks that staying away from his wife and kids would help him hold on especially since he has something to lose if he leaves the marriage. Damiano is the co owner of the resort, Itanig resort. He’s trying to heal from the death of his brother and find love. These three characters' past and present decisions change their lives foreverrr.
”In A Fortnight” would be available for readers in June.
7. As a writer, what are the challenges you face in publishing?
My problem now with publishing is that I wish getting agents and publishing deals weren’t so hard. It’s one of the reasons I didn’t bother with all of that. I just went straight to self publish my first book and let me tell you, it was stressful especially considering the fact that I’m a shy person. I took a one year break after that though. I’ve heard stories of manuscripts being turned down hundreds of times before someone scores a book deal. It’s discouraging and not for the impatient. I wish the literary space in Nigeria was better but I can see changes and I’m happy.
8. What do you do apart from writing?
I watch movies, read, sleep, eat and admire myself.
9. How has the writing industry and the literacy world helped our present society?
The writing industry and literary world has helped our present society by highlighting the ills and I love it. It helps with awareness on certain topics. It’s educating and it’s giving voiceless people a voice. It’s also being helpful during this pandemic. People are turning to books as a distraction from the problems of the world and to help keep themselves sane.
10. What is the next big thing for writers?
I think the next big thing for writers is that we don’t have to go through the pain of waiting to be financially stable to publish a book or for a publishing company or agency to take us on. We have social media and apps where we can write and publish our books, grow our fan base while we pursue our other writing dreams. Also the next big thing for writers especially in Nigeria is that more of our books should be adapted into movies. I would love to see it.
