Bunmi Fash, Nigerian novelist.

Abeni Ademola-Fasina, aka “Bunmi Fash”, is the author of the new drama thriller “In Her Eyes”. The second child in a family of six is a self-described “trained educationist”. Rather than settling for a classroom gig — in line with her training, she towed the entrepreneurial line, running a fleet of businesses: Vivid Statements, a writing/publishing; a bakery; event planning outfit; and an interior décor establishment. Bunmi talks about her first book, and business of being a novelist. Enjoy!

Hi, Bunmi, congratulations on your new book and thank you so much for talking to us. How are you?
Fine, thank you. Thank you for having me.

They say writers are born with a pen in their hands. So were you born with a pen in your hand…When and how did you first find out you could write?
Ah ah. You can almost say that. I started scribbling in my notebook way back in primary school, I would write short plays and later stumble on them in the storeroom. In a nutshell, it started really early for me. I also used to love drawing cartoons with clouds above the characters’ head to show what they were saying. I also wrote nursery rhymes for my class back then. I always had the flair for writing but I didn’t develop till recently and it was then I decided to turn it into a profession.

From what I have read in other authors’ biography and interviews is that most of their ideas are gotten from life experiences or events. Can you share where the idea for your book came from?
I have had some interesting personal experiences and friends. And I just turn it over in my mind and viola! I have something credible to write about. I had a friend that battled HIV for a while and didn’t tell anyone about it. One minute she stopped attending lectures and the next she was dead. Her death from HIV shook me because she was the last person on earth I would have expected to be infected by the virus. I say that because we often have a picture that only those who live a reckless life get infected. The silliest things they do sometimes can turn to a major disaster. My intent behind “In Her Eyes” was to enlighten the society about HIV AIDS and also stop the stigmatizing those infected by HIV. And to erase the unrealistic idea that only reckless people can get infected. Nobody should hide behind being steadfast and think themselves home free. Anyway, stigmatizing is old and we should be tired of it by now. I also wanted to tackle the problems associated with teenage prostitution, unwanted pregnancies and human trafficking. I wanted to give my opinion on these issues and writing a book was the best medium to do so. Many women who prostitute claim their desire for money drove them to prostitution. Who are they fooling? It is not money; it is pure undiluted greed and laziness. Our young girls, undergraduates especially, see selling themselves for money as their only way out of poverty but it is not.

I heard writing a book can take anywhere between 10 hours to 10 years. So how long did it take you to write “In Her Eyes”?
5 long thought provoking years. I just realized that I had a lot to say and what better way to do that but through “In Her Eyes”.

Not to give anything away, can you give us a snippet of your book?
It’s the story based on the struggle to be accepted within a society that is not interested in the person’s well being. Brenda was HIV and she lost all hope until she met Seyi and a new life began. Julia, on the other hand, lived in the fast lane. She messed up her life and at the end of the day Seyi’s tragedy gave her a second chance.

What is your typical writing day?
Any day is typical for me. Monday, Saturday, morning, afternoon, sunny or rainy alike. For example, right now it has just finished raining and even though I am very tired and I have written three lines of a poem – “It Rains And Pours”. So I write randomly.

Writer’s block is a condition, associated with writing as a profession, in which an author loses the ability to produce new work. While writing the book, did you ever experience “Writer’s Block”?Oh yes! Quite often in fact.

Do you have a favorite place to write? And do you use a computer or pen and paper to write?
No favorite writing place. I wrote one of the chapters of “In Her Eyes” in a taxi on my way home. It was real there and then and I just saw one of my characters in the same situation as I was. That made it very real. I like pen and paper. It is faster than my typing. There are times I have this rush of sentences or phrases and I just have to put them down quickly and my scribbling is faster than my typing, also my thoughts flow better with pen and paper.

Who or what inspires you?
God.

How does your family feel about your writing? Are they supportive of it?
My father is extremely supportive and always encouraging me to write. He always told me he had great faith in me so who am I not to be the best in what I do. Yes, my family is very supportive. I completed the book because they cheered me on.

How do you joggle your life as a writer and a business owner?
It has not been easy. In my kind of business, the competition is huge and I have to be on top of my game or I will see myself being left stagnant and way behind. But as hectic as business has been, the time to write always come out of nowhere. My event venues at times create an idea for a plot in my book and I jot every detail of the place down so i can write about it later. I let myself think about things I can write about than the struggle of a day meeting target and expectations.

What tip do you have for aspiring writers?
Make sure it is what you really want to do. I always advice against doing things simply because other people doing it. Get your facts together, get your plot right and relate it well. Do it with passion and with focus and it will take you places. Be original because that is what will make you.

How can people buy a copy of book?
It is available in bookshops around Nigeria. In Lagos, you can contact Osi 07030613171. It will be on eBay soon or you can order via email to order at vividstatements@yahoo.com.

Some of Bunmi’s other works include “When Bad Becomes Worse”, a play on pre-marital sex and parental neglect targeted for the secondary schools. “The Old Professions”, a story book for kids on life, living and what makes a typical Nigerian village tick. She also has a series of poems some of which include “The Basket of Wishes”. To read more of Bunmi’s short stories and poems visit the Community page on AfricanLoft.com.

Grab your copy now!