In Conversation

This week we spoke to Abi Daré about making career transitions, layering complex narratives and telling stories for those who are unheard.

Interviewed by Zulaikhah Agoro.

ZA: I would love to start from the very beginning. When did this whole writing thing start? When was the seed planted? What was the special thing about writing that captured you at that stage?

AD: My love for writing started when I was just a kid, surrounded by stories in Lagos, Nigeria. The idea that you could create entire worlds with just words absolutely fascinated me. It all began with writing letters to my mother—probably long, dramatic essays about why I needed more pocket money! Eventually, I moved on to journaling, where I’d write about everything from school crushes to gossiping about my neighbourhood. Writing became my way of making sense of the world, a sort of therapy before I even knew what therapy was.

In secondary school, I joined the drama club, quickly rising to president—a role I took perhaps a bit too seriously. I absolutely loved the storytelling aspect of it all. Then came my teenage years, where I devoured Famous Five novels. Those books transported me to new worlds, letting me live vicariously through the characters. Looking back, it’s clear those early experiences were the seeds that eventually grew into my desire to become a writer.

ZA: Haha, I can totally relate to those pocket money essays! Your first degree is in Law from the University of Wolverhampton, so I am curious about how you made the transition from the legal path to storytelling. Why did you want to write books? How did the transition from lawyer to author happen?

AD: Studying law was an important part of my journey, and I don’t regret it at all. However, I never actually practiced law. After completing my degree, I transitioned into a career in technology as a project manager, which always felt like wearing shoes that didn’t quite fit. Despite having a successful career, I realized that my heart was drawn more to the stories I wanted to tell. I spent 15 years working in technology while trying to learn how to write better. Eventually, I pursued a Master’s in Creative Writing at Birkbeck, University of London, where I truly began to hone my craft.

ZA: After your masters, your debut novel The Girl with the Louding Voice was released in 2020 and quickly became a New York Times Bestseller with 20 language translations! What did its success mean to you? Were you expecting it? And how has it informed Book Two and how you approached publishing the sequel?

AD: The success of The Girl with the Louding Voice was both overwhelming and deeply humbling. I never expected it to resonate with so many people around the world, and the love it has received has been beyond my wildest dreams. I am grateful to God and to everyone who supported my journey. It was important to me to write a story that could give a voice to those who are often unheard, and seeing that message resonate globally has been incredibly rewarding. The success of my debut has certainly informed my approach to the second book. There was a lot of pressure to meet expectations, but I had to remind myself to stay true to the story I wanted to tell. With And So I Roar, I focused on continuing the journey of the characters in a way that felt authentic and meaningful, while also exploring new themes and ideas that have been on my mind.

ZA: That leads me to the next question. About this book, And So I Roar, what is the inspiration behind the story, and in your own words, what is the book about?

AD: When people ask why I decided to continue Adunni’s story, I often want to tell them it’s because I am Nigerian—our stories rarely end at part one. Or I might say it’s because I am British, and I’ve lost count of how many James Bond movies I have seen. Or perhaps I’d mention my mother, a professor of taxation who hadn’t read fiction in 30 years until she read my book and then demanded more, subtly suggesting that it must include Adunni's twenty-year plan for conquering the world. But the heart-breaking reality is this: there are millions of girls in rural Nigeria today whose lives mirror Adunni’s, this feisty, sharp-mouthed fourteen-year-old—girls whose stories of resilience and courage in the face of oppression must be told. And So I Roar begins when a sudden knock at the gate threatens to unravel everything Adunni has worked for on the night before she is set to restart her much-desired education. Meanwhile, Tia, Adunni’s older and more educated friend, discovers a life-altering secret and must choose between helping Adunni and the girls in her village or confronting her own past. Set mainly in Adunni's village, Ikati, And So I Roar captures the same spirit as my debut, The Girl with the Louding Voice, while introducing compelling new characters and showcasing the devastating effects of climate change, particularly its disproportionate impact on poor rural women. The novel features a witty "Very Important Small Book of Life’s Little Wisdoms," an enchanting yet somewhat tear-jerking talk show set in a deforested area in the middle of a forest, and many moments of heartbreak and joy.

ZA: Digging a bit more into how you continue the story of Adunni, the protagonist from your first book, in tandem with that of Tia, a new central character in And So I Roar, why did you choose to do a sequel instead of an entirely new book? Was there more you wanted to explore in Adunni’s story through Tia’s perspective?

AD: The first book, The Girl with the Louding Voice, ended with Adunni taking a significant step toward her dream of getting an education, but her story was far from complete. I felt that there were unresolved themes and additional layers to her character that I wanted to delve into. Introducing Tia as a central character in the sequel allowed me to explore Adunni’s world from a different perspective. Tia's narrative brings in new challenges and societal issues, enriching the overall story. By intertwining their stories, I was able to highlight the contrast and connections between different social classes. This dual narrative deepens the exploration of themes like education, identity, and women’s rights, which are central to both books. And So I Roar is a continuation that broadens the narrative scope, adding complexity and depth to Adunni’s story while also giving voice to new characters and perspectives.

ZA: Moving over to the technical part of the craft, can you talk us through your writing process? What does it look like in a practical sense, and how do you balance it with your daily life?

AD: My writing process is a blend of structure and spontaneity, shaped by rituals that help me immerse deeply into the creative flow. Before diving into writing, I spend time praying for direction, and then getting to know my characters—who they are, and what they want—before researching and outlining my ideas. This helps me establish a foundation from which to build the narrative. I often sit in a local café to write. I love being surrounded by the chatter of other humans and the smell of coffee. Once the kids and family are out of the door (school, work, whatever else), I head to the cafe to write for a number of hours before heading back home.

ZA: Looks like you have a system that works, I am definitely envious. Two more questions, first, what does the future look like for you as it relates to further books down the line? What are you working on now, if you can talk about it?

AD: I’m definitely excited about the future and where my writing journey will take me. I’m always thinking about new stories and characters, and I’m looking forward to diving into whatever comes next. The important thing for me is to stay true to my voice and to continue writing stories that matter.

ZA: Finally, if you could give one piece of advice to aspiring authors, what would it be?

AD: Write what your heart wants to write—the story that grips you and won’t let go until it is told. Write that story with respect, empathy, and passion.

Abi Daré is the author of The Girl with the Louding Voice, which was a New York Times bestseller, a #ReadWithJenna Today Show book club pick, a BBC Radio 4 Bookclub Pick,and an Indie Next Pick. Translated into 20 languages (till date) and studied on curriculums across the world, the Girl With The Louding Voice tells the story of Adunni, a 14 year old girl who is desperate for an education.  The novel has received critical acclaim and has been shortlisted for several awards including The British Book Awards Best Book of The Year , The Nigeria Prize for Literature (Africa’s largest literary Prize), and in 2020 was named as the legendary Dolly Parton’s favourite of 2020 as well as selected as an Amazon Best Book of The Year for July 2020. 

Abi grew up in Lagos, Nigeria and went on to study law at the University of Wolverhampton. She graduated as Best Performing Student in her MSc in International Project Management from Glasgow Caledonian University,  and acquired an MA (with distinction) in Creative Writing from Birkbeck, University of London.  A well-sought after speaker and teacher , Abi is passionate about storytelling and recently delivered a storytelling masterclass at Harvard Business School. In 2022, Abi was appointed as Board Member for the BIC Corporate Foundation. Abi lives in Essex, UK with her family.

You can read an excerpt of Abi’s latest novel, And So I Roar here.