An interview with author Chinedu Enechi.
Hi!
Welcome to Zigzag Timeline. Can you tell us about your background as an author?
My name is Chinedu Enechi, a graduate of Philosophy
from University of Nigeria Nsukka. I was born into the family of Mr. and Late
Mrs. Joseph Nwabueze Enechi. I’m the third son from the family of five, four
boys and a girl. I started writing when I was in secondary school. It something
I love doing. I see writing as a way of expressing my feelings and reaching out
to people. There are things I can’t express through speech but I do that
through writing. If am annoyed or happy, you will know that from my writing.
What
got you into writing?
I find that I am happy when I write. My friends and
family encouraged me.
What
was the first idea you had for your book, and how did the story grow from
there?
Well my first idea was to write about my late
mother, her early life and how she suffered to get where she was. Then I was in
my first year at university and she was still alive. Then, I started talking to
friends about the osu/olu caste system because it’s something I saw
after school.
Among
your characters, who’s your favorite? Could you please describe him/her?
My favorite character is Ifechidere. She is dark in
complexion, has an oval-shaped face, and has long legs.
What’s your favorite scene from your novel?
Could you please describe it?
My favorite scene was when Ifechidere and Uba got
the go-ahead for their marriage. They had previously been prevented from doing
so because of the osu/olu tradition.
What’s
your favorite part of writing? Plotting? Describing? Scene? Dialogue?
Describing.
How
long does it take you to write a book? Do you have a writing process, or do you
wing it?
Hmm… I don’t have a particular time-frame, but I
started writing Ifechidere when I was in my first year in university.
That was in 2008 and it was published in 2016. I’m not always in a hurry to
publish cos one things can change within the plot.
What is
it about the genre you chose that appeals to you?
Well I chose to write romance and include social
issues, because of ill practices I have witnessed or heard about. It is a way
of speaking against some ill-treatment on my follow human beings. I believe we
should treat others the way we want them to treat us.
Are
there any books or writers that have had particular influence on you?
Yes, late Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Adichie, Chioma
Nnani, and the late Buchi Emecheta.
Did you
ever surprise yourself when you were writing your book? Characters who took on
lives of their own? Plot elements that took unexpected turns?
Thanks
for stopping by!
Ifechidere tells the story of a young, Nigerian woman who finds herself orphaned by the time she is six years old. The determination of the titular character, Ifechidere - which means 'destiny' - to thrive despite the absence of a fairy godmother, is based on the real life story of the author's mother, and will appeal to lovers of Young Adult fiction.
The Fearless Storyteller House Emporium Ltd (www.chiomannani.com/company)
ISBN: 978-978-54707-41 (Kindle)
ISBN: 978-978-54707-58 (EPUB)
Publication date: November 30, 2016
74 pages
Ifechidere is available on Amazon, Smashwords, Apple,
This is the Goodreads page.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chinedu Enechi is a Philosophy graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is also undertaking his MA studies in Political and Social Philosophy at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. This is his first book.
He can be found on Amazon, Twitter and Facebook. 
Awesome interview!
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