Nigerian novelist and author of The Girl with the Louding Voice, Abi Daré, reveals that writing her latest novel, And So I Roar, demanded a different approach: ‘This time, I allowed myself to embrace the unknown and let ideas simmer between drafts. It was a journey of letting go of immediate expectations and growing comfortable with exploration.’
First Draft is our interview column, featuring authors and other prominent figures on books, reading, and writing.
Our questions are italicized.
What books or kinds of books did you read growing up?
Growing up, I devoured books written by Enid Blyton, convinced that I was the yet-undiscovered member of the Famous Five or that I would eventually find myself at a boarding school just like Malory Towers. Those stories stirred my sense of adventure. I also discovered John Grisham at a young age, which broadened my interest in thrillers and mysteries. Over time, I found books that ignited a love for storytelling itself—one of the earliest I can remember is Second Chance by Nyengi Koin, which planted seeds that grew into my passion for writing.
What’s the last thing you read that changed your mind about something?
The last book that truly made me pause and reexamine my views was A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. It reshaped my perspective on resilience and the sacrifices people make for love, challenging me to think deeply about the strength required to endure and maintain hope.
What is your writing process: edit as you write or draft first, then edit?
My writing process is a blend. I draft with an eye for fluidity, trying to capture the raw energy of my ideas, but I often find myself polishing sentences as I go. This keeps me anchored in the voice and rhythm of the narrative. Once the draft is complete, I take a step back, reread with a critical eye, and add depth, refining each layer to bring out the heart of the story...
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