This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Welcome to the second week of our exclusive six-part series, which will see us chatting to the shortlisted authors of the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction 2014 every Friday. Last week, Burial Rites author Hannah Kent stopped by to talk about how Iceland’s last execution inspired her literary debut. Today, we're joined by Americanah author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
What inspired you to write your novel?
I wanted to write an old fashioned love story with a new fashioned twist. A love story that is also a contemporary social commentary about gender, race, class and globalization from the Nigerian point of view. African immigration as a result of war and poverty is a story that has been told often, but it isn't the African immigration story that I know personally. I wanted to write about the Africa I know well, the story of middle class Nigerians who are not starving or poor, but choose to leave home because they are propelled by their dreams.
How does it feel to be shortlisted for the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction?
It's like getting an exquisite present when it's not your birthday or Christmas.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given as a writer?
Speak the truth.Which female authors inspire you?
Ama Ata Aidoo, Muthoni Likimani,
If you could recommend one book to a friend what would it be and why?
Derek Walcott's Collected Poems because his poetry is so beautiful