Today, author Chinadu Enechi stops by my blog. His debut novel, Ifechidere, came out in November.
Interview
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a social person, very determined and ambitious.
Where were you born and where do you call home?
I was born in Nsukka and I grew up in Onitsha. They’re both in Nigeria. Anywhere I have family, including my brothers and sister, is home to me.
What or who inspired you to start writing?
My late mother Mrs Josephine Nebechi Enechi was my inspiration.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
After I wrote my first novel titled “Wise ones never Loose”, my father then gave it to a friend who was then an English Lecturer in their school to edit but then said man disappeared with the book because of that, my mum swore to promote my writing career and she was there till she died.
How much of yourself, your personality or experience, is in your books.
A couple of the characters in my books have my personality. What I write mostly contains my experiences of experiences of those around me. In fact, the story of “Ifechidere” is mainly based on my mother’s life.
Have you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit about your next book?
Yes, I actually have two projects I am currently working on.
One is about a young man who married an older woman and how he was antagonized for it, by his father, his family and even her family. A man marrying an older woman is frowned upon in Nigeria and this story offers view points of why it is so, and how some people navigate that problem.
The second story is about a young man whose love turned sour, after his poor parents visited his girlfriend’s family. The girlfriend was pregnant …
What is the best thing about being a writer? The worst?
The best is that I can let people know my thoughts and feelings on some things, as well as inform them about some current events or facts.
The worst is the criticism from people who get upset that I am writing a particular thing, because of their bias.
What fuels you as an author to continue to write?
My family, friends and my dream of being a successful writer whose work is enjoyed by fans.
How do you conceive your plot ideas?
My plot ideas are a combination of my experiences, experiences of people around me, stories heard and sometimes figment of my imagination.
Do you outline your books or just start writing?
Sometimes, I do; sometimes, I don’t.
Book Blurb
The loss of both her parents, even before she is old enough to speak, appears to pre-determine Ifechidere’s life. She is made to toil from dusk to dawn.
Yet, Ifechidere is no modern-day Cinderella, as she finds that faith in the will to survive, which is stronger than any absentee fairy godmother, will propel her to find herself. And it’ll lead her to the thing that was always meant to be …
About the Author
Chinedu Enechi is a Philosophy graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and an MA student of Political and Social Philosophy at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. His hobbies include cooking, reading, watching movies and hanging out with friends.
You can purchase Ifechidere on Amazon US, Amazon UK (and all other Amazon affiliates – simply search by author name or book), Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, ITunes, Kobo and Okadabooks.
Into Another World 