Love can never be overrated. Love is the greatest gift of all. It is needed for happiness. If there is more love in the world, half the problems destroying the globe would disappear…
~ Amaka Azie ~
MAKING MONDAY MILD INTERVIEWER
You’re Welcome to MAKING MONDAY MILD.
Kindly Introduce yourself.
AMAKA AZIE
I am Amaka Azie, an author of romance fiction set in tropical Africa and a part-time family doctor. I come from a large family and have four other siblings. An interesting fact about me is that I have a twin brother.
Because I have lived in various regions of Nigeria, I consider myself a Wazobia Nigerian. I was born in Lagos, attended a boarding secondary school at FGGC Onitsha, and then University of Benin where I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery. I also lived in Abuja, the FCT of Nigeria for a few years.
Now, I reside in England with my husband and daughters.
MAKING MONDAY MILD INTERVIEWER
Kindly give a list of the books you’ve written and links to them on Amazon or any other platform.
AMAKA AZIE
Amazon page: http://bit.ly/AmakaAzie
Okadabooks: http://bit.ly/AmakaAzieOkadabooks
Goodreads: https: : www.goodreads.com/amakaazie
Facebook: http://bit.ly/AmakaAzieFacebook
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmakaAzie
MAKING MONDAY MILD INTERVIEWER
As a romance writer, that has authored quite a number of romance novels, what inspires your novels?
AMAKA AZIE
Life events and stories stimulate my imagination. I’m inspired by the daily challenges of the African. I’ve found that because I listen without judging, people–strangers even–feel inclined to share their stories with me. I draw inspiration from emotional recounts of everyday encounters.
An event as simple as someone slipping on a sidewalk in public can stir a writing idea. Others may find it amusing or distressing, but my head floods with how I can incorporate that in a novel.
My mind is a crazy traffic of ideas.
Because my mother is a huge fan of the late Elvis Presley, I became fascinated by him. From research into his life, I discovered that he had a hard time controlling how fans–especially female–responded to him.
This gave rise to the idea of Ikenna’s character in Melodies of Love. I wanted him to be the Nigerian Elvis who had to struggle with combining his fame and his personal life. I think the world around us is enough inspiration for any author who pays attention.
As an avid reader, I’m also inspired by books. I always say to be a better author, one should read as many books as possible and keep writing.
MAKING MONDAY MILD INTERVIEWER
You won two outstanding awards last year, Number 7 okadabooks best seller and One of the most influential under 40 Nigerian writers, what would you ascribe these to?
AMAKA AZIE
It’s a difficult question to answer. In my opinion, success as an author usually comes from faith, hard work and marketing. You not only have to write a good book, you’ve got to push it out there, receive many rejections, dust yourself up and keep pushing. Most successful authors don’t get where they are overnight. There is a lot of hard work and perseverance involved.
MAKING MONDAY MILD
What’s that outstanding feature that makes you shine out among other romance writers?
AMAKA AZIE
I think it’s authenticity. Most of the positive feedback I get from my readers, is that the storylines are realistic and the characters in my books are relatable.
Nigeria is a beautiful country populated with hardworking people. However, there are challenges we face that are unique to the country.
The media often continues to highlight the negativity in Africa. It’s usually a biased story. I am inspired to give a clearer picture of the Nigeria I grew up in. A country where apart from the negative issues plaguing the nation like political corruption, economic instability, ETC, there is also love, family, education and community. I try to showcase those realities and intricacies in my books and I guess people are drawn to that.
MAKING MONDAY MILD INTERVIEWER
Is there enough that has been done to improve the quality of romance content by writers in the Nigerian industry?
AMAKA AZIE
I’m not sure how to answer this question. My problem is with bookshops in Nigeria. As a teenager, I faced the continuous disappointment of looking for romance novels with African main characters and finding none in bookshops. Instead, they were filled with Mills and Boons and harlequin novels with non-African characters. It always left me feeling unhappy.
When I came across Helen Ovbiagele’s romance novels, part of “Pacesetters” books popular in the 90s, I went crazy. I bought almost all of them with my pocket money. I think there should be more African romance stories in our bookshops.
MAKING MONDAY MILD
Romance seems to be incorporated in virtually every genre, how do you engage creativity that ensures that you stay far away as possible from cliche?
AMAKA AZIE
Everyone likes the idea of Love. It’s no surprise that it is incorporated in almost every book genre.
Cliché happens when an author writes a book for writing sake. Or so they can have many books in the market.
I think to avoid cliché; an author should pay attention to the world around.
There are so many real occurrences that can be the background theme of a good love story. Although my novel, Starting Over Again is predominantly romance fiction, there is a character with sickle cell disease. That is a real-life situation that has been interwoven into a romance novel.
MAKING MONDAY MILD INTERVIEWER
Briefly, how do you maintain work- life balance?
AMAKA AZIE
I have a supportive family. And I work part time as a family doctor. I write when I’m off or when the children are in Bed and my husband is watching the news.
MAKING MONDAY MILD INTERVIEWER
Is love and romance overrated/underrated or both?
No. Love can never be overrated. Love is the greatest gift of all. It is needed for happiness. If there is more love in the world, half the problems destroying the globe would disappear. There should be love for children, the young, the old, even love for animals. Everyone needs love. It doesn’t always have to do with spouses and romantic relationships.
However, if one does have a spouse, make time for romance. These memories are more important than material wealth.
MAKING MONDAY MILD INTERVIEWER
Does one have to be a romantic to cook up romance stories?
AMAKA AZIE
Nope. It’s like saying one has to be a murderer or thief to be a good suspense/thriller writer. A good romance author pays attention to the world around, and draws inspiration for love stories. I love romance but I’m not a hopeless romantic. I’m realistic in many aspects of my life, including my love life.
MAKING MONDAY MILD INTERVIEWER
The romance novels market seems crowded. How can an upcoming romance writer/author stand out in the crowd?
AMAKA AZIE
By being true to themselves. Don’t write what others are writing. Write a story that touches you. I’ve heard somewhere, write what you want to read. I think that is true.
MAKING MONDAY MILD INTERVIEWER
What exercises or books or sites must a writer visit to write better romance novels?
AMAKA AZIE
I’m not sure how to answer that. I love to read, so I’m always on my kindle and okadabooks app. I also visit bookshops regularly. I watch all genres of movies and TV series too. Ideas can crop up from anywhere. It doesn’t always have to be from a romance genre book or movie.
MAKING MONDAY MILD
Was there ever a time you fell in love with a fictional romance character? Who was the character and in what novel?
AMAKA AZIE
Yes, Osifo Egie in a “Fresh Start” by Helen Ovbiagele. His broody exterior, yet inner gentleness was sexy.
MAKING MONDAY MILD INTERVIEWER
When love-sick, which of your romance books would you recommend? And why?
AMAKA AZIE
Melodies of Love or Starting Over Again. I have a soft spot for Ikenna’s character. He went from rags to riches but remained humble.
In Starting Over again, the chemistry between Onome and Nnamdi was intense. Even if I say so myself.
MAKING MONDAY MILD INTERVIEWER
Who are your favourite romance writers of all time?
AMAKA AZIE
Delaney Diamond. She writes African American and inter-racial romance stories.
Kiru Taye: I call her the queen of African romance. I hope to meet her someday.
MAKING MONDAY MILD INTERVIEWER
Final words for first- timers and fans.
AMAKA AZIE
Read a lot of books. Especially romance books.
Thanks for Inspiring us today.