‘Sound of footsteps at night birthed my crime novella’

  Bookshelf: ‘Murder at Midnight’ is your debut book. How did you meet your ex-cop central character, Alex Simpson?   John Ukah: Alex is an ex-policeman. It was only natural to have him as the central character. He assumed responsibility in resolving the murder at the lodge, almost instinctively. The other guests are keen to […]

 

Bookshelf: ‘Murder at Midnight’ is your debut book. How did you meet your ex-cop central character, Alex Simpson?

 

John Ukah: Alex is an ex-policeman. It was only natural to have him as the central character. He assumed responsibility in resolving the murder at the lodge, almost instinctively. The other guests are keen to talk with him about their concerns without him even probing. He is an entirely fictitious character. The story took shape after I was awakened at night by unusual footsteps outside my door. My imagination took flight. That was the birth of ‘Murder at Midnight.’

 

Bookshelf: In Nigeria, policemen are treated with a certain degree of suspicion, even contempt. Were you prompted to paint Alex a certain way?

 

Ukah: That’s true. But Alex, by his actions, isn’t the typical Nigerian policeman. Perhaps this is because he retired early. Even his colleagues treated him with suspicion in the book and kept him at arm’s length. He often disagreed with their modus operandi in resolving murders.

 

But at the resort, the other guests were comfortable unburdening themselves to him. He, on the other hand, was motivated by a sense of duty.

 

Bookshelf: You are a banker with an MBA in Business Administration. What triggered you into writing such a story?

 

Ukah: I have always kept a personal journal growing up. Writing is therapeutic. The books I read while growing up also influenced my writing, a typical example are books written by Agatha Christie. So, writing has always been a part of me.

 

Bookshelf: It has been said sometimes writers write what they wish they can do in real life. What drew you to crime fiction?

 

Ukah: My favourite author is Stephen King who writes horror novels. I love horror, crime fiction and detective thrillers. The genres have nothing to do with what I wish to do as a person in real life. I enjoy working in a bank. That was a childhood dream. I also love creative writing, creating fictional characters and dialogues.

 

Bookshelf: How well do you think Nigerian writers explore these genres you have mentioned?

 

Ukah: We don’t have many writers exploring these genres. It is not the typical Nigerian style. Our writers dwell more on politics and romance. But any aspect of life can be turned into beautiful writing or art.

 

Bookshelf: How did you start writing?

 

Ukah: I have always kept a personal journal and I grew up in a house full of books. Writing is exhilarating and therapeutic. The books I grew up reading influenced my writing. I began to consider myself a writer when friends would ask me to write stories, letters or essays for them and were willing to pay for it.

 

Bookshelf: Many people are of the view writing doesn’t put food on the table. What do you have to say about this?

 

Ukah: It is sadly true. It is rare to find a Nigerian who strictly writes for a living without augmenting their income from some other source. Most writers earn income from other sources to support their writing craft.

 

Bookshelf: How do you think this can change?

 

Ukah: We need more publishers to fill the void in the business and better book deals for writers. Content also matters. Writers need to churn out books which resonate with readers. The emergence of social media is also pushing the boundaries and provides alternative platforms to traditional publishing and audiences. The future looks bright.

 

Bookshelf: What was the most challenging while writing ‘Murder at Midnight’?

 

Ukah: Writing requires discipline and doggedness because so many other things demand your time and attention. Making the time to write is a challenge.

 

Bookshelf: What are you working on at the moment?

 

Ukah: I am working on a detective thriller, a testimony on the bogey of love-life amidst confusion and value misjudgements. It affirms the point of duty on young men and women to make the right choices with their eyes open. The story is a saga of love, investigations, assumptions and deceits.