Author Interview: Ayo Deforge

Hello everyone,

Welcome to our first author interview of the year.

We will be starting this year’s interviews with Ayo Deforge, author of ‘Tearless’ her debut novel. I have read and reviewed her book on this website, and you can check out my reviews (in “Book Reviews”) to see if you may be interested to read it.

Today’s interview will give us a sneak-peek into Ayo’s life as a published author. I hope you enjoy reading her answers to these ten questions but first let’s begin with an introduction of the author.

So here we go…..

The Author:

Ayo Deforge is a Nigerian writer who resides in the South of France. An alumna of the Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Creative Writing Workshop (2007) and the Faber Academy Writing Course (2022), she has worked as a freelance writer for the Nigerian Daily Independent Newspaper and NGEX.com, and her writing has appeared in Litro Magazine, Brittle Paper, Ayo Magazine, Kalahari Review and Lucy Writers Platform (an online writing forum established by Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge). She was a reader for the Inaugural Oxbelly Writers Retreat, and she teaches Read Like A Writer classes to budding writers like herself.

The Interview:

WHEN DID YOU START WRITING?

Ayo: Before turning thirteen, I was content with just being a reader. simply being an avid reader. However, after enduring a profound loss, I turned to poetry as an outlet for my grief. Yet, poetry couldn’t convey all my emotions in a single piece, and short stories fell short as well with its brevity. So, I set off on the journey to write my first novel and was satisfied.

WHAT IS THE MOST SURPRISING THING YOU DISCOVERED WHILE WRITING?

Ayo: While writing, I discovered that it was easier for me to express myself through words than through verbal communication.

IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF GOOD WRITING?

Ayo: In my opinion, the most important elements of good writing include having a strong central idea, well-developed settings, a consistent tone and style, clarity in descriptive language, vivid imagery, coherence in the storyline, and a compelling plot with well-rounded character development.

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOK – TEARLESS?

Ayo: The inspiration stems from my personal experiences with loss, grief, and fatherlessness. These were challenging emotions that I struggled with on my own while growing up and that I decided to explore in the story.

DO ANY OF THE CHARACTERS HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN YOUR HEART? IF YES, WHO?

Ayo: Yes, Lami, the protagonist, holds a special place in my heart. I often find myself reflecting on her journey and wishing for a happily ever after for her.

WHO IS YOUR IDEAL READER? WHO DO YOU WRITE FOR?

Ayo: My ideal reader is anyone who is struggling with grief, particularly those who have experienced childhood grief or know children who are grieving. I wrote this book with the hope of providing insight into the complexities of grief and its impact on both children and adults. By helping children navigate their grief, I believe we can contribute to creating a more compassionate and understanding society. Like they say, hurt people hurt people, and addressing grief can prevent the cycle of hurt from perpetuating.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE PART AND LEAST FAVOURITE PART OF THE PUBLISHING PROCESS?

Ayo: My favorite part of the publishing process was seeing my work come to life and sharing it with readers. However, my least favorite part was realizing the compromises a debut writer has to secure a deal with a traditional publisher.

WHAT ONE THING WILL YOU GIVE UP TO BECOME A BETTER WRITER?

Ayo: To become a better writer, I am willing to give up to routine of a nine-to-five job to dedicate more time and focus to honing my craft.

HOW DO YOU HANDLE LITERARY CRITICISM?

Ayo: Handling literary criticism can be a delicate balance. I approach it by considering any feedback that I believe will improve the story, incorporating constructive suggestions while staying true to my vision as a writer. Ultimately, I believe the writer should have the final say in how the story is told, while still being open to valuable insights from others.

ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOUR READERS?

Ayo: While I have numerous completed and ongoing stories in my repertoire, I’m currently dedicating my efforts to a non-fiction project that fuses various genres, focusing on the theme of grief. It’s a work in progress that I’m eager to share with my readers in the future.

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So, this is it and I hope you enjoyed reading Ayo’s responses as much as I did. If you have any more questions for her, ask away in the comments and she will answer all your questions.

Have a blessed day!

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