Pepper Soup: Author Interview - Pamela!

It's that time again. Time to give you another look into the heart and mind of another Pepper Soup author. This time, it's Pamela!

The one I call Cho. You can't call her that, because you did not meet her on her on your 10th birthday. I did. Not you. Me.

She's the one who has been my BFF since then.

We've been through high school (Presco/PNHS/Ugbekun), through university (UNIBEN, as roommates then flat mates), through boyfriends (remember the time we almost dated best friends, and then the time we dated best friends?)

No? Weird. Me neither.


We were at each other's weddings (this is a big deal because we hate to leave our houses), and now our kids play together (when we manage to leave our respective houses).

We also used to read and write together. She was a year ahead of me, and she made Shakespeare palatable. We used to write spooky, haunted hostel stories and together we read copious amounts of Mills and Boons (4 a day for about 5 years. Do the math).

She also wrote all the action sequences in my yet to be (never will be) published teenage crime novel 'Crack Case'. And if you ever read 'Crack Case', you'll get to enjoy my favourite thing about Cho's writing, it has movement. When a punch is thrown, your jaw hurts along with the character.

However, chances of you getting your hands on the Standard Exercise book with Crack Case scrawled across the cover are slim to none (more like zero, but there's nothing wrong with a little hope). You can get your hands on Pepper Soup, and read her stories 'A Day for Change' and 'Hot Pepper Soup'.

Anyway, I've said enough (or have I?). Check out her interview - Here's Pamela!

Describe yourself in five words.

Curious, engaging, simple, daring, quiet.

Why those five words?

Those are some words I've heard people use when describing me, and I can see their point.

What do you do for fun?

Watch movies, read or go sight seeing.

Which would you prefer – a quiet evening at home, or a night out on the town? Why?

Night out on the town- for now, because I'm home most of the time these days.

What’s your favourite TV show? Why?

I don't do shows, because I hate waiting for the next season. But I like what I've seen of: Game of Thrones, Hustle, Monk, Orphan Black... a few.

What’s your favourite drink?

Water... Has to be. I'm working on my weight. (Bursts into tears... Oh Coke)

What’s your favourite snack?

Baked... Sorry, nuts and berries.

What’s your favourite dish?

Anything delicious that I didn't have to make. Like starch and banga made by my mom!

Do you like Pepper Soup?

Like is not a strong enough word. Pepper soup is soup-er

What’s your favourite type of Pepper Soup?

Dry fish pepper soup. Works with everything, and can stand alone.

Why did you agree to contribute to this anthology?

I was looking for inspiration, and there was this call with this offer...

What inspired your story (stories)?

A Day for Change was inspired by a desire to see a strong female character. I drew from the tough Niger Delta women I know (egbe-wagers). The second story is just for fun. I wanted something even little children could read from this adult book.

Do you think happy endings are important? Why?

Yes they are, they bring hope. Without hope all would be lost.

What’s your favourite kind of happy ending?

Awww. Everything works out for the good guys. But you know we can't always have that. Even life doesn't work that way. So we take what we can.

What is the best part about writing happy endings?

When you see your characters getting some well deserved positive resolution. Relief.

What is the hardest thing about writing happy endings?

When you can't give them everything they want... Cos that wouldn't be right.

What’s your favourite genre? Why?

I love writing romance and comedies. I looove reading thrillers.

What’s your favourite book? Why?

The Bible. It's the only book I can read over and over again, day after day.

Who are your favourite authors? Why?

George R. R. Martins,  Frank Peretti, Bruce Wilkinson... There are others. I like their writing style. And they're doing what I want to do.

Which books have most influenced your writing?

Hem....Really can't put a finger on one...

  

What are your ambitions for your writing career?

To be a renowned international writer and mentor.

What have you written?

A novel: Weekends are For Loving, short stories for Pepper Soup (of course), articles for various blogs and magazines, and a script.

Where can we buy or see them?

The ebook version of my novel is on Amazon and other book sites. I'm working on making it available on my own site as well. Current stories are on my site as well.

How can readers discover more about you and you work?

They can visit my site, then hook up with me via my Facebook page and other social media channels.

Website: www.pamelaagboga.com
Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/pamelaagboga/
Twitter: @pamagboga

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.

You're welcome!

Pepper Soup is available on Okada Books and Kobo.

What Shall We Say Of These Things?

These once a month posts...I can do better. I should...

That being said, I've got many new things in the air, so please forgive me for not posting more stuff. I'm working on a couple of new TV shows, and a new anthology. All very exciting, and engaging and time consuming work.

The kids were on holiday, and we participated in the Bookworm Cafe's IG Read Aloud Challenge. It's been a lot of fun, and very gratifying to see both kids grow, especially YVC. He no longer feels the need to rip books apart, or the desire to glory in the exultant joy derived from the utter destruction of board books. That's progress, let me tell you!

Pepper Soup is still available on Okada Books and Kobo. We will be up on Amazon very soon. And...

*drum roll*

Pepper Soup will be available in bookshops from July 1st. Hurray! While we do all the things we need to get things ready, let me know where your favourite bookshop is, so we can make sure your favourite anthology (you know I speak the truth) will be there waiting for you.

Why?

We're doing a limited print run, which means when the copies run out. They, well em, run out.

So get in touch with your bookshop, and tell them to expect us, so that there's no crayfish waka.

Ooh, and one more thing - Pepper Soup is now up on Goodreads.

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaas! We made it!

There are a couple of issues with the page - no cover and a couple of misspellings but all that will be fixed in due course. Meanwhile, we need something from you - REVIEWS!!!

Could you stroll over and leave us a review and/or rating? It will help more people know that such literary goodness exits. So whaddaya say? Please!

You can leave a review here: Pepper Soup Review

Gracias!

Pepper Soup: Author Interview - Sifa!

Yes, I hear you yelling at me. I know I disappeared for a bit. But you know this is what I do. Also, today isn't about me.

It's about Sifa!!!

Sifa Asani Gowon.

Isn't that a cool name though? It should be the name of a fictional character. In a Bond movie.

She'll glide into the room wearing something shimmery but classy, and say in an European accent, "I have something you want". Then she'll hand over a box of cupcakes. Because Sifa bakes.

At the Farafina Workshop, where we met, she made all of us some seriously sinful brownies. Years later, and I can still remember the rich chocolatey goodness. But alas, the distance between Lagos and Bauchi will not let my sweet tooth be great. It's okay sha, I still get Sifa's words. I had the honour of editing her Christian romance novel, Playing By Her Rules, which tells the story of interior decorator, Tari, and celebrity footballer, Kay. Yes people, she wrote a frigging Nigerian Sports Romance!!!

Can you tell that I love her?

The sequel to that book is in the works, and by that I mean the editor (*cough cough* me) is taking her sweet time with it. I have reported myself to the world. I encourage you to harass me. Or not. Today is not about me.

It's about Sifa!!!

Describe yourself in five words:

Emotional. Passionate. Articulate. Determined. Faithful.

Why those five words?

Those five words encompass who I am in the best and worst way

What do you do for fun?

I bake, read and watch TV for the most part.

Which would you prefer – a quiet evening at home, or a night out on the town? Why?

I think I am so used to being ‘at home’ that a night out on the town requires rigorous planning. And I can get lazy so…there you go.

What’s your favourite TV show? Why?

I don’t have one, to be honest. I just recently finished watching the first season of ‘Luke Cage’ and I was impressed. Looking forward to Season 2.

What’s your favourite drink?

Arab coffee, black and ground.

What’s your favourite snack?

Fresh fruits, if I can have them.

What’s your favourite dish?

I’m a big fan of roasted chicken.

Do you like Pepper Soup?

I LOVE Pepper Soup!

What’s your favourite type of Pepper Soup?

I love fish pepper soup followed closely by cow leg pepper soup.

Why did you agree to contribute to this anthology?

I was excited to be a part of an anthology of happy endings…happy African endings, especially. It was refreshing to be able to engage with other female writers who also shared my passion for writing and who wanted to portray a different and happier Africa to the world.

What inspired your story (stories)?

My story was actually a compressed version of the first novel I wrote (unpublished, thankfully as it was quite…rough) so I really wanted to be able to tell that coming-of-age love story, set in Nigeria, showing the depth of feeling and growth my characters went through.

Do you think happy endings are important? Why?

To be honest, I think that by and large, Africa has been portrayed as the ‘dark continent’ for far too long: war, famine, pestilence and the like. Perhaps there are aspects of truth to that narrative. However, that is only one of many facets of the ‘story’. It was great to be able to read and write stories that elicited laughter, deep thought and romantic sighs- giving hope to the reader and an inner warmth. It is important to provide readers with an alternative to the daily portions of ‘African tragedy’ so freely offered.

What’s your favourite kind of happy ending?

Anything that involves justice and people not dying!!!

What is the best part about writing happy endings?

I love writing happy endings because of the smile it leaves on my face…the warm feeling of hope…the thought that ‘it gets better’...

What is the hardest thing about writing happy endings?

One of the hardest things I face writing happy endings is facing the reality that many times in life, we don’t get happy endings. Sometimes the guy doesn’t get the girl…justice is not served…and the bad guys get away. I have to come up with a realistic ending that still gives that sense of warmth and happiness in the middle of an unfair, unjust world (of fiction).

What’s your favourite genre? Why?

I love romance…because I am a sentimental sap, is why.

What’s your favourite book? Why?

As Sure as the Dawn by Francine Rivers is my all-time favourite book. I love the characters, the story, the setting, the detail and the fact that it is Christian fiction that isn’t ‘sappy’ or ‘syrupy’ but full of the real-life struggles of human beings, told in a riveting way.

Who are your favourite authors? Why?

I love Francine Rivers, Tessa Afshar, Ginger Garrett. I love their engaging stories, multi-dimensional characters and attention to detail.

Which books have most influenced your writing?

I’d say for the most part, all of Francine Rivers’ books (yes, I’ve read all but one).

What are your ambitions for your writing career?

I’d like to take my scriptwriting skills further and write engaging stories about Africans all over the world. Oh, and I’d really, really like to get paid well for doing that.

Which writers inspire you?

I read a book by Nicole Baart and I was blown away by her prose. I am also inspired by Khaled Hosseini’s haunting style which is almost like slow, wind chimes. I hope to one day be able to write in a way that elicits these emotions and pictures.

What else have you written?

I’ve written two novels: Playing By Her Rules and A Taste of Love.

I also have a story featured in the anthology: A Handful of Dust (Stores from the 2013 Farafina Creative Writing Workshop). I have been featured in a few blogs as well as appeared in The Sun (Nigeria).  

I wrote the screenplay of ‘The Sons of the Caliphate’- a 13-episode series aired on Ebony Life TV on DStv and recently completed the scripts for Season Two.

Where can we buy or see them?

Playing by Her rules is available on Kobo (digital reading app) as well as Amazon and Authorhouse. A Taste of Love is available from all sites where Cassava Republic books are sold. A Handful of Dust is available on Jumia and Konga as well as bookstores.

How can readers discover more about you and you work?

I’m pretty active on social media and have a few ‘handles’:

Facebook: Sifa Asani Gowon

Twitter: @sifushka

Linkedin: Sifa Asani Gowon

Book Links:
Playing By Her Rules available on Kobo and Amazon
A Taste of Love available on Okada Books.
A Handful of Dust available on Konga and Jumia.

Goodreads: Sifa Asani Gowon

Check out Sifa's story Full Circle - A tale of love lost and found, in Pepper Soup. Now available on Okada Books, and Kobo.

How To Buy Pepper Soup

First off, great news!

Pepper Soup was one of the books recommended for the week by Okada Books.

Hurray!

Do you see us?

Do ya? DO YA?

I want to say a big thank you to Okada Books for recommending us, and to all the readers who have bought copies - Thank you! You're awesome!

We're still selling at the Special Release Price but it will be back to business as usual by March 1st. So if you want to get it at N500, you have one day left. After February 28th (yes, February has only 28 days this year), we retail at our regular price of N1000. Why? Because despite what the rumours say, writers do not survive on fairy dust. You keep us alive! You have the power!!!

Okay, I'll stop all that silliness (not really, but feel free to remain hopeful), and move on to the recipe for purchase. That's right! I give you -

HOW TO BUY PEPPER SOUP FROM OKADA BOOKS

1. Go to the Google Play store. Search for the Okada Books app.

2. Install the Okada Books app. Don't worry. It won't take long.

3. Open the Okada Books app.

You'll be taken to the store's featured books page.

Pepper Soup is currently at the top of the page, and so you'll have no trouble finding it. However, if things change and Pepper Soup is no longer the first thing you see (deep breaths, Timi), then you can search for it, easy peasy.

4. Before you try to buy our beloved book, you will need to sign in. Calm down, they've made it easy for you. Just click the menu bar (those parallel lines floating next to Store), and select Sign In.

You'll be taken to this page, where you can sign up with a Username and Password, or sign in with Facebook.

I honestly don't know what happens when you sign up with a Username and Password. I signed in with Facebook. It's pretty painless, and the app won't post updates on your page. Sweet!

4. Now that you're signed in. Refill Your Account.

Click the menu bar (those parallel lines floating next to Store), and select Account/Refill. It will take you to the Account/Refill page. There will be a big yellow REFILL button. Click it, and you get this:

This is where some of us break into a cold sweat. It's okay. You're good. Everything is fine.

*hums soothing whale sounds*

Okada Books has got you covered by providing two ways to refill your account.

a. With your credit/debit card. Pretty basic stuff. Put in your card details. Put in amount you want to refill account with. Done! *dusts hands*

b. When you click for other refill options. You're taken to this page.

Where you can refill your account WITH PHONE CREDIT!!!

I'll be honest. This is the one that I find very exciting. The sheer convenience of it all! People were thinking, abeg!

Anyway get your credit, fill it up and Boom! You're done. You can now buy Pepper Soup. Hurray!

4. Go back to the store. Gaze upon the beauty of our cover, then click it. You will be taken to the About Book page, where you will see a shiny yellow BUY button. 

Click the shiny yellow BUY button. A confirmation pop up will...pop up. Click OK.

5. Congratulations! You are now the owner of an epub copy of Pepper Soup. Well done, you!

PS. If you're still having trouble with any of this, try these links:

What is Okada Books?

How To Refill, on the app, and website.

Or, Call or WhatsApp their Okada Books Customer Care Line: +2348167247508.

Pepper Soup: Author Interview - Joy!

Another Pepper Soup writer and yes, another exclamation mark. Why? Because she is also awesome!

I met Joy when she was...I'm going to say fourteen. She came to visit my then roommate, and forever friend, Cho. They both grew up in the same small town in Delta State, and now they were same University. Obviously, they had a lot to talk about. I hulked around, because this is what I do. Then I cowered because she didn't stop talking. It was a little scary. I mean, here's this tiny girl who's just going on and on and on, and I was like, "Who is this person?"

Well, that was Joy. She also had the *cough cough* annoying habit of saying things like, "You're so mean and sarcastic. I like you. You're going to be my friend". She said that to me. I didn't know how to feel about that but here we are about twenty years later, and we're still friends. Here's Joy!

Describe yourself in five words.

Spiritual, optimistic, cheerful, caring, enthusiastic.

Why those five words?

Because those are the qualities I have deliberately worked at cultivating and preserving, and people around me affirm them.

What do you do for fun?

Hang out with friends over food and drinks, or curl up in bed and read a fun book/magazine – it depends on my mood.

Which would you prefer – a quiet evening at home, or a night out on the town? Why?

A quiet evening at home; I’m a homebody.

What’s your favourite TV show? Why?

Desperate Housewives. I loved the narrative style.

What’s your favourite drink?

Amstel Malta.

What’s your favourite snack?

Cake.

What’s your favourite dish?

Fried plantain and chicken stew.

Do you like Pepper Soup?

I love pepper soup!

What’s your favourite type of Pepper Soup?

Chicken pepper soup.

Why did you agree to contribute to this anthology?

I loved the idea of pepper soup, “comfort with a kick”. I just knew I wanted to be part of it. I had avoided writing fiction for too long. I actually submitted a nonfiction piece at first, and when the editor informed me it had to be fiction, I knew the time had come. I did it afraid, but I did it anyway!

What inspired your story (stories)?

The way people sometimes find a very special, once in a lifetime kind of love, and have to give it up out of a desire to do the right thing, and be at peace.

Do you think happy endings are important? Why?

Happy endings are very important because they aren’t very common in real life. I believe we should at least be able to enjoy them in stories.

What’s your favourite kind of happy ending?

The romantic kind that suggests happily ever after.

What is the best part about writing happy endings?

Sharing in the sheer joy your characters feel.

What is the hardest thing about writing happy endings?

Making it work, especially when there have been daunting challenges and obstacles.

What’s your favourite genre? Why?

Romance. I love love!

What’s your favourite book? Why?

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.“I would do anything for you sir, anything that was right.” Deep love does not mean throwing caution to the wind or ignoring conscience.

Who are your favourite authors? Why?

Francine Rivers, Karen Kingsbury, Mary Higgins Clark.
The first two because their books enrih me spiritually while satisfying my craving for romance, and the last because she is skilled at blending relationships of all kinds with her special brand of suspense.

Which books have most influenced your writing?

The Pacesetters series I read as a teen - especially Helen Ovbiagele’s Evbu My Love-and Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter.

What are your ambitions for your writing career?

To explore epistolary fiction and write an unforgettable novel in that style. I would also love to write and publish a collection of fun, light, enjoyable poetry – the kind I like to read.

Which writers inspire you?

Francine Rivers and CS Lewis.

What have you written?

Most of my writing has been nonfiction articles and reviews published on various online platforms, and I have tried my hand at poetry as well.

Where can we buy or read them?

ConnectNigeria.com, Sabinews.com, Ynaija.com

How can readers discover more about you and you work?

By visiting my blog, www.anafricandiva.wordpress.com, and following @anafricandiva on Twitter.

Blog: www.anafricandiva.wordpress.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/joy.ehonwa

Twitter: @JoyEhonwa 

LinkedIn: Joy Ehonwa

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.

The pleasure is mine!

Pepper Soup is Now Available at Okada Books. Get it now!

Pepper Soup is Live!!!

Pepper Soup went live yesterday, and the night before I couldn't sleep.
Yes, there were some little things to do here and there but excitement, or nerves, or tension just didn't let me sleep. I couldn't even eat, but na work I dey so, so I advised myself to just put small something in my mouth. Hence, oats.

Even then, I was still feeling jumpy, and to be honest, a little sick. So I took a walk, took some pictures and thought about other stories that I'm working on.

Then I calmed down. Because stories.

Have you gotten your copy of Pepper Soup yet? It's available on Okada Books at the special release price of N500 (you know this, ya?)

You're welcome.

Pepper Soup: Author Interview - Kiah!

Yes, I put an exclamation mark after her name because she is AMAZING!!!
I met her on Twitter. Actually, it was one of those situations where someone retweeted a tweet of hers and she was arguing with someone. Passionately.

I wondered, 'Who be this one again?' and went to her profile page, and read some tweets and thought, 'She speaks her mind sha' and then followed a link and read a story, then another, then another , then I went back to Twitter and promptly followed her. She's off Twitter now. Either that or she's blocked me for stalking her and being a creepy fan girl, but she's here now, so please meet Kiah!

Describe yourself in five words. Hepzibah. Beulah. Ammi. Ruhamah. Kiah.

Why those five words? Google is your friend

What do you do for fun? Visit New York Museums all the time, Hike New England, Travel a lot. Write silly mushy stories, read my Bible.

Which would you prefer – a quiet evening at home, or a night out on the town? Why? None of the above

What’s your favourite TV show? Why? I don't watch TV anymore. When I did it was Nashville because I am a black country girl at heart. Loved CSI and Fuji House of Commotion too.

What’s your favourite drink? Starbucks' Gingerbread latte with whipped cream.

What’s your favourite snack? Fried plantains

What’s your favourite dish? Pounded yam and Efo riro - I am Ijesha.

Do you like Pepper Soup? Sometimes

What’s your favourite type of Pepper Soup? Goat meat

Why did you agree to contribute to this anthology? I was asked and I don't know how to say no to writing offers.

What inspired your story (stories)? Trying Faith was inspired by Agege bread. I had a craving one morning. A Time to Fall just came along.

What’s your favourite book? Why? The Bible. It has everything.

Who are your favourite authors? Ann Patchett, John Irving

Which books have most influenced your writing? All of John Irving's. Chimamanda Adichie's The Thing Around Your Neck

What are your ambitions for your writing career? To retire to some Latin American country or Ilesha after being CEO of a F500 and stay there and write.

Which writers inspire you? Moses, Paul, John Irving, Aron Wright

What have you written?
kiahsscript.com

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.