TBR [to be read], a semi-regular, invitation-only interview series with authors of newly released/forthcoming, interesting books.
Give us your elevator pitch: what’s your book about in 2-3 sentences?
Akosua,
a young Ghanaian American woman, struggles to confront the challenges in her
life, including a head injury, a breakup, and the reappearance of her absentee
father. She deals with her problems the best way she knows how—by rushing
headlong into new ones—until the accumulation of unresolved trauma finally
catches up to her.
Which
character did you most enjoy creating? Why? And, which character gave you the
most trouble, and why?
Akosua
and I have demographics in common—Ghanaian heritage, Detroit origins, suburban
upbringing, coming of age in New York City. But most of the decisions Akosua
makes are the opposite of what I’d do, for better or worse. She’s outspoken and
impulsive; I’m shy and make way too many lists. It was fun to create an alter
ego.
Akosua's
mother challenged me (just as she did Akosua). For a while, all I had was her
laugh, "a spooked flock of birds, a flutter of wings escaping to the
sky." I had a sense of who she was, but it was hard to translate that onto
the page.
Tell
us a bit about the highs and lows of your book’s road to publication.
The
novel had been my MFA thesis, and after graduation, I got some encouraging
responses from agents but didn't land one. Imposter syndrome plus anxiety about
getting a "real" job and paying back my student loans led me away
from writing. I gained a truly rewarding career as a teacher and educational
writer, but I lost my confidence as a writer.
But
then (~15 years post-MFA) the pandemic happened. Of course it was terrible and
scary and felt like the end of the world; at the same time, during that period,
I found my way back to writing. My husband convinced me to revise Blood on the Brain and submit it to Red
Hen's Ann Petry Prize, and shockingly, I won the prize, which included
publication.
What’s
your favorite piece of writing advice?
To
help me combat my anxiety about whether my writing was “good enough” for
publication, my therapist said, “Remember the little girl inside you who just
loves a good story? Write for her.'"
My
favorite writing advice is “write until something surprises you.” What
surprised you in the writing of this book?
This
is a story about identity, but initially, I also saw it as a story about a
broken father/daughter relationship. As I wrote, I realized that it’s less
about Akosua’s father and more about her dynamic with her mother. The final
pages surprised me, too—but once I realized what the story is and isn’t about,
the end made perfect sense.
How
do you approach revision?
Teaching high school English helped me appreciate revision as an opportunity to
re-see my work through fresh eyes. When students came for one-on-one help, I’d
guide them to really dismantle their drafts and put them back together. Then I
realized, “Ahh, I don’t take my own advice!” The new novel I'm working on has
undergone radical transformations, which is a good thing.
Inquiring foodies and hungry book clubs want to know: Any food/s associated with your book? (Any recipes I might share?)
*****
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MORE ABOUT THIS AUTHOR: www.esinambediako.com
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