Interviews Archives

‘I Believe in a “Supranatural” Writing Process.’ Edwin Chege’s First Draft

Edwin Chege·February 19, 2021

Author of ‘The Case for Colonial Reparations’, Edwin Chege, believes in a ‘supranatural’ writing process, ‘that ideas should flow easily and freely.’ ‘Writing often involves an ethereal, otherworldly process of tapping into some consciousness that is greater than the self.’ Read our interview. Read More...

February/March 2021 First Draft Interviews Kenya Zimbabwe

‘Every Word Has a Function.’ Chinonye Otuonye’s First Draft

Chinonye Otuonye·February 12, 2021

Associate editor at The Republic and author of ‘Anti-Racism Beyond the West’, Chinonye Otuonye, believes ‘Editing isn’t simply about taking away words or sentences and adding new ones.’ ‘It’s ultimately about structure and clarity.’ Read our interview. Read More...

February/March 2021 First Draft Interviews

Christopher Olaoluwa Ogunmodede's illustration

‘Great Writers Develop Themselves.’ Christopher Olaoluwa Ogunmodede's First Draft

Christopher Olaoluwa Ogunmodede·February 5, 2021

Editor at The Republic and author of ‘John Mugufuli’s Baby Fever’, Christopher Olaoluwa Ogunmodede, believes great writing emerges from practice. ‘Just like leaders are made, not born, great writers develop themselves. Or at least, great writing is a skill that can be taught.’ Read our interview. Read More...

Best of 2021 February/March 2021 First Draft Interviews Nigeria

‘People Die in Nigeria Because They Lack Political Representation’ Dafe Oputu's First Draft

Dafe Oputu·January 29, 2021

Author of ‘Zombiescapes’ and ‘For the People Without the People’, Dafe Oputu, believes the importance of political representation is understated. ‘It’s literally a matter of life and death—people die in Nigeria every day because of lack of political representation.’ Read More...

December 20/January 21 First Draft Interviews Nigeria Decided 2023: First Draft Nigeria Decides 2023

‘Writers are Guardians of Truth.’ Tunrie Bisi-Afolabi’s First Draft.

Motunrola Bisi-Afolabi·January 22, 2021

Lawyer, editor at The Republic and author of ‘Fela’s Republic and the #EndSARS Protests’, Tunrie Bisi-Afolabi, believes we need writers now more than ever. ‘Writers are guardians of truth,’ she says, ‘and in this climate of erasure and obliteration by the powers that be, writers have never had a more important mandate.’ Read More...

December 20/January 21 First Draft Interviews

‘I Edit as I Write, Unfortunately.’ Sa’eed Husaini’s First Draft.

Sa'eed Husaini·December 18, 2020

Politics scholar and author of How to Write about Boko Haram, Sa’eed Husaini, thinks it’s important to know how to write a ‘shit draft’. ‘Finish the full writing task first,’ he says, ‘no matter how unpleasant the initial output may seem, and then return to tidy up the mess.’ Read More...

December 20/January 21 First Draft Interviews

‘How Do You Distinguish between History and Memory?’ Emmanuel Iduma’s First Draft

Emmanuel Iduma·December 11, 2020

Author of A Stranger’s Pose, Emmanuel Iduma, is ‘often working towards a first, near-final draft… I want any piece of my writing to be written with the intensity and personableness of addressing an imagined reader.’ Read More...

December 20/January 21 First Draft Interviews

‘Music Has Always Been a Part of My Process.’ Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀’s First Draft

Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀·December 4, 2020

The last book author of Stay with Me, Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀, disagreed with is, ‘one I am working on now. Ah, why? A scene I was precious about had to be discarded but it would not leave without a fight.’ Read More...

December 20/January 21 First Draft Interviews

‘The Impetus of My Life and Work is Love.’ OluTimehin Adegbeye's First Draft

Olutimehin Adegbeye·November 27, 2020

Writer and social justice advocate, OluTimehin Adegbeye, says her biggest motivation is love. Love, she explains, 'is exponentially more demanding and more transformative than what it has been reduced to in the popular imagination. It sits at the centre of what I consider the greatest intellectual and literary enquiries.' Read More...

First Draft Interviews October/November 2020

‘No One Sees the World the Way You Do.’ Kemi Falodun’s First Draft

Kemi Falodun·November 13, 2020

Writer, journalist and author of ‘Soundbender: The Many Lives of Beautiful Nubia’, Kemi Falodun, believes good writing requires practice. ‘One must make an effort to improve. Although there are factors—social, financial, environmental—that may facilitate or impede one’s capacity to develop the skill.’ Read More...

First Draft Interviews October/November 2020

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