Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Tiny Sunbirds, Far Away written from Blessing's point of view?

I began writing Tiny Sunbirds from the point of view of a white oil worker, and at first I wrote the entire novel in the third person. Sometimes it's only when I finish that I know where to begin... it simply wasn't working. The voice was all wrong and I felt distant from the characters. I thought of my own daughters and how they see the world, particularly how they use language in sometimes non-sensical ways and I stepped behind their eyes. Suddenly Blessing was born.

Was it difficult to write her experience?

Once I found Blessing's voice it wasn't difficult at all. I draw on all my experiences to inform my fiction, and luckily with my interesting families full of colourful characters I don't have to look far to find inspiration. I did however have difficulty living in the real world at times as the characters that I'd made up became so real to me they felt alive. I heard their voices and even dreamed in the world I'd created which was strange and wonderful at the same time. I called my own daughters Blessing often, for which they've forgiven me.

Did you do a lot of research into the oil business?

I made the classic mistake that debut authors make and got generally bogged down with research. I must have spent the best part of a year learning about the politics of oil and really at times I feel like I still know very little. It took me some years to realise that fiction writers are not necessarily experts. There are plenty of very clever people who understand politics of oil in Nigeria far better than I ever could, and I know now that as long as the book is checked by experts such as these then the research need not take so long. I also wanted to write a political novel but primarily a story. I've read so many books that feel too much as if they're preaching or giving so much information the story is lost. We have non-fiction for fact, and although I do believe that fiction has to be truthful, there is a difference.

You were a nurse – did that help when you were writing about Grandma?

I loved being a nurse. It was a privilege to work on children's intensive care units with children and families who were going through the most stressful time of their lives. There is nothing more humbling than being there for a family when a child dies. There is nothing more wonderful than being part of a team who managed to save a child's life. I worked with some truly amazing people. Grandma was inspired by some of the older women I worked with, who were wise, practical, intelligent, and just a little bit scary. My time as nurse helped me to write about Grandma because it gave me an understanding of grief, and life and death.

How long did it take to write the book?

Tiny Sunbirds began life as a short story, which was the first story I'd ever written. It won me a bursary to UEA and was published in Wasafiri, so I knew the characters must have been good. I wrote a rough draft in three months and then spent three years – yes three years – revising it. The editing was painful. I re-wrote the entire book from third person into multiple points of view and finally in first. In a way it had to take me that long to write in order for me to get to know the characters so well.

Will your next book be set in Nigeria?

I'm working hard on my next book and very excited to be writing it. It will be set between London and Nigeria, and will have similar themes as Tiny Sunbirds but with a very different story and characters.

I see you did the course at UEA. How much did that help you?

I really enjoyed being at UEA and found it very helpful. I often wondered if creative writing is something that can be taught, and I still believe that as with any of the arts there has to be an element of natural talent, whatever that is. UEA was not a place for teaching how to write. The course is designed for writers with talent to learn their craft, and the skills and theory that enable their writing to develop. The staff were extremely knowledgable and the other students intelligent and passionate about reading and writing. At first I was so intimidated to be surrounded by so many talented people, but everyone was lovely, friendly and supportive. And in terms of my writing I had the biggest learning curve of my life. It was a fantastic year.

Which authors have inspired you?

There are too many to list. I read widely, anything and everything I can get my hands on, but mainly I love stories. Andrea Levy, Chris Abani, Dave Eggers, Khaled Hosseini write political fiction and are all great storytellers. I also love short stories, Jhumpa Lahiri, Junot Diaz and Nella Larsen are some of my favourites.

Do you have a favourite book?

It's hard to chose a favourite, but I never get tired of reading The Colour Purple, by Alice Walker.

Did you always want to be a writer?

Always, for as long as I can remember. But I didn't have any confidence in myself. I thought that because I went to a bad school and left at sixteen with no A-levels there was no chance that I could. It was only when my daughter was born and I could see how precious life is, and how quickly time passes, that I found the courage. And once I began writing I simply couldn't stop – it was as if a tap had been turned on. Now I'm writing full time (though still part-time nursing), I still have to pinch myself. I feel very lucky and blessed to be able to do a job that I love every day.

I have written a book. Will you read it, please?

No. I am in competition with you and you mustn't share your ideas with me! For advice on how to find an agent and publisher, see The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook and the book From Pitch to Publication by Carole Blake (ISBN 333714350).