First Draft

‘I am only interested in writing that thrills and challenges me.’ TJ Benson’s First Draft

TJ BensonOctober 9, 2020

When it comes to writing, writer and visual artist, TJ Benson, is unsure about the meaning of talent. ‘I have met terrible writers who are said to be extremely talented,’ Benson says. Read our interview.

First DraftInterviewsOctober/November 2020

‘The Characters are Everything.’ Chidinma Irene Nwoye’s First Draft

Chidinma Irene NwoyeOctober 2, 2020

The Fire Next Time taught journalist and author of ‘A Day Without Women’, Chidinma Irene Nwoye, something new about love. Read our interview.

First DraftInterviews

‘Writing Comes in Layers.’ Chukwudi Ukonne’s First Draft

Chukwudi UkonneSeptember 25, 2020

Author of ‘An Irony of History’, Chukwudi Ukonne, believes in minimalist writing. Read our interview.

August/September 2020First DraftInterviews

‘The Poem is a Gun Too’ Dami Ajayi’s First Draft

Dami AjayiSeptember 18, 2020

Nigerian poet and author of A Woman’s Body is a Country, Dami Ajayi, wants you to keep writing. Read our interview.

August/September 2020First DraftInterviews

‘Some Stories are Kind to Me’ Innocent Chizaram Ilo’s First Draft

Innocent IloSeptember 9, 2020

Nigerian writer and Africa winner of the 2020 Commonwealth Short Story Prize, Innocent Chizaram Ilo, is a perfectionist. Read our interview.

August/September 2020First DraftInterviews

‘I Don’t Write Without Looking Back’ Wardah Abbas’ First Draft

Wardah AbbasAugust 26, 2020

Nigerian lawyer, writer and author, Wardah Abbas’ writing process is not linear. She also does not follow writing rules. Read our interview.

August/September 2020First DraftInterviews

‘Bad Writing is Better Than No Writing.’ Kiki Mordi’s First Draft

Kiki MordiAugust 21, 2020

The most meaningful writing advice journalist, filmmaker and writer, Kiki Mordi, ever received was to write even if such writing is bad. Read our interview.

August/September 2020First DraftInterviews

‘Anger is Great for Writing’ Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu’s First Draft

Hauwa Shaffii NuhuAugust 12, 2020

Nigerian poet, essayist and author, Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu, believes anger is great for writing. She finds that anger ‘makes the futile exercise of trying to be careful while writing, fall away.’ Read our interview.

August/September 2020First DraftInterviews

This photo is for Molara Wood's Interview

‘Let it Marinate.’ Molara Wood’s First Draft

Molara WoodAugust 5, 2020

Nigerian author and Chief Editor at Ouida Books, Molara Wood, believes good writing, ‘is not just about stringing words together.’ For Wood, ‘it’s about the imagination, a sensibility, a way of seeing the world.’

August/September 2020First DraftInterviews