I attempted my first novel at 10, says Chibundu Onuzo

Could you tell us a bit about yourself? I’m the youngest of four. I was born in Ikoyi, Lagos and I’ve lived in Ikeja all my life. What were your aspirations as a child? I wanted to be a concert pianist and both a doctor and a lawyer at the same time. Writing came later. […]

Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m the youngest of four. I was born in Ikoyi, Lagos and I’ve lived in Ikeja all my life.

What were your aspirations as a child?

I wanted to be a concert pianist and both a doctor and a lawyer at the same time. Writing came later. I was 10 when I attempted my first novel.

Tell us about your book, ‘The Spider King’s Daughter’

In brief, a rich girl called Abike Johnson meets a hawker on the side of the road in Lagos. He speaks good English and she’s intrigued by this. He’s also very handsome. She decides to stop and buy ice cream from him every day and they strike up a sort of friendship.

What was the motivation behind it?

Motivation is an odd word to use for writing. It’s like asking someone what’s your motivation for dancing at a party. I just love writing, so I do it.

How did you get to be enlisted as a speaker at the Edinburgh festival?

They sent a letter to my publicist inviting me and I accepted.

How was the experience for you?

Fantastic. I met people whose names I’ve only ever seen on the spines of books. I was completely star-struck while I was there.

Are you considering this as a career path?

Career is a word more fitting for doctors, lawyers and engineers. There is no accepted standard for gauging progress for writers. There are no professional exams to sit for writers, no midterm assessments, no end of year bonuses sadly. Asking if I want to write full time is a different question. Yes I do but not in the immediate future.

What other things are you interested in?

I play the piano and I sing. I’m also very interested in government and its inner workings. I’m starting a Masters in Public Policy at UCL this September.

Did you imagine ‘The Spider King’s Daughter’ would get this kind of attention?

The book has gotten a lot of positive media coverage and I am definitely pleasantly surprised by this.

What do your characters in the book represent?

Whatever the reader wants them to represent. I did not set out to make them symbols but a reader may perceive them as such.

What was it about growing up that has influenced your work?

I grew up in Lagos and I’m drawn to the city in my fiction.

Who are your role models?

I am follower of Christ so he’s definitely number one. I admire Jeremiah for daring to speak out against the rotten establishment in Israel despite his youth. Outside history, I really respect my parents for being honest, hardworking and humorous people despite the challenges in Nigeria during my childhood.

Who is your favourite author?

That’s like asking who is your favourite sibling. You like each one for different things. Dickens, Achebe and Soyinka (especially his Ake) are authors I return to frequently.

What projects are you working on at the moment?

My second book.