Best Nwachinemere

Best Nwachinemere recently published her first novel. I haven’t had the pleasure of reading her book yet, but the storyline sounds compelling and I have it on my list of books to read.  

Let’s get to know Best Nwachinemere:

Q: What or who inspired you to start writing and how long have you been writing?
A: The stories I was told as a child by my parents. I was about eight when I began retelling the stories to other children. I  found that each time I retold a story, something changed about it. So I wrote them down to keep them consistent. Before long, I began modifying them and in no time, I began creating new stories. 

Q: Please tell us a little about your book, “A Touch of Reality” and how you came up with the idea/plot for it? What genre is your book?
A:  “A Touch of Reality”  actually isn’t in my usual genre. It’s a suspense thriller while I’m a horror, fantasy, paranormal kind of writer.
     ATOR (A Touch of Reality) came to me while I was listening to a song. The song was a testimony of how God saved a woman and her child from an accident. Oddly it brought tears to my eyes, and that had nothing to do with the actual story told in the song, my thought was of people in situations that’d really need that kind of miracle.
    While the song played, I saw myself being kidnaped and hopeless. The intensity of it – never mind that it was all in my head– fueled by all the kidnap stories trending in my country made me cry every time. I just had to tell that story.  

Q: Do you ever write under a pen name? 
A: No, I do not write under a pen name and I likely will not. 

Q: Even though your book is fiction, did you base the story on real events or are any of the characters loosely based on people you know?
A: ATOR is primarily based on real events, though it is not a story of one person’s life.

Q: How was your book published and when was it released?
A: ATOR was published on December 1, 2019, by The Zuma Publishing.

Q: Do you do any other types of writing besides fiction novels?
A: No. Kinda. Sometimes, rarely, I write newspaper articles and educational essays. I also write short stories and children stories, but majorly, I write fiction novels.

 Q: Do you have a writing routine? Where/when do you usually write?
A: Nope. I write whenever and wherever. I write in the toilet, on my phone, with pen and paper, laptop, in school, anywhere and with anything.
     I just like to keep each story consistent. Like, if I begin a story on paper, then it’ll get finished on paper.

Q: What do you enjoy the most about writing?
A: Playing god. Watching lives lived and stories unfold. But mostly, living the way, and doing things I wouldn’t have done in reality. Going to places that I
would never have gone. Taking you to that place with me.

 Q: What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
A: Writing the blurb. Duh. I’m terrible at it. 

Q: What advice do you have for those who are thinking about writing a book and getting it published?
A: Hey, you got this! Doesn’t matter that the first draft is bad. No worries. You can only actually begin to polish a bad draft, not an empty one.
     Furthermore, know that you are not writing for everyone. So it doesn’t matter what one person says, but do listen to criticism.

Q: What are the most difficult topics for you to write about?
A: Inspirational topics, religious topics (unless I create the religion myself), and child molestation.

Q: What do you think makes a good story?

A: A good plot! Good characters (not necessarily nice. Kelechi in ATOR is anything but nice. In fact, I guarantee you’ll hate her within the first four chapters!)    that will bring out emotions.

Q: What are some of your favorite books/authors to read?
A: This feels like I’m about to cheat on the books I’ve read (insert a sad face). Sherrilyn Kenyon (esp. Achron) Andy McDermott, Chinua Achebe, Nora Robert.
Basically, I do not do genres. I just read.

 Q: What other interests do you have besides writing?
A: Reading, naturally. But yeah, I know what you mean, so teaching it is. I’m also a teacher. 

Q: Do you have any books currently in the works? If so, do you have an estimated publication date?
A: Yes! It’s actually a story I’m very excited about. The title is Anụ Ọkpọọ: Shades of Strange. The Zuma Publishing will also be publishing it, and I estimate it’ll  be out in July. 

Get in touch with the Author: 

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/authorbestnwachinemere/ 

Blog: https://www.bestnwachinemere.wordpress.com

Best Nwachinemere is also a member of the Write Askew author’s group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rhetoricaskew/

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