Dr. Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu is the Chicago-based writer of Zahrah the Windseeker, a children's novel that takes place in a highly technological world based on Nigerian myths and culture.
Her recently released The Shadow Speaker (Hyperion Books, 2007) is set in the countries of Niger and Nigeria. It was a finalist for the Essence Magazine Literary Award and a nominee for an NAACP Image Award. The Shadow Speaker was also a Booksense Pick for Winter 2007/08.
She is the winner of the 2007/08 Macmillan Writer's Prize for Africa. Her winning unpublished children's book, Long Juju Man, a story about a Nigerian girl's encounters with an irritating crafty ghost, will be published by Macmillan in 2008.
She will be a special guest at this year's Diversicon in Minnesota and is an active voice in the Carl Brandon Society among others. A warm and engaging writer with a great imagination and lively sense of humor, I've met her on a several occasions and had a chance to ask her a few questions:
What are you working on these days, artistically?
Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu: I'm always working on something. :-). But for the last month, I've suddenly started writing a part two to The Shadow Speaker. I didn't intend to; sequels are not my thing. But my sister Ifeoma kept bothering me about it. She pointed out some interesting loose ends and points of possibility at the end of The Shadow Speaker that really got my mind churning. Soon things started to germinate and I just started knocking it out. Right now, I've got over two hundred very messy pages with holes, gaps, typos, inconsistencies, etc. But the story is here; it's ALIVE! I'm not sure if it's YA or adult, though. I'll worry about that when I finish.
I'm also working on an adult fantasy novel called Black Locusts. Its set in Nigeria's oil-rich but troubled Niger Delta. That one is far more polished.
What's been the biggest challenge for you, as a writer?
NOM: Finding time to write as my daughter's naps shrink and disappear. I used to get a lot of my writing done when she was asleep. I'd do all other work when she was awake, since it didn't require such deep concentration. Now that she's 4, her naps are almost gone and I've had to adjust. I teach four classes at two universities, too, and have some other things going on in my life that take up time. It's a grand juggling act. But I'm surprised to say that I'm managing.
How did you first get into writing?
NOM: I took a creative writing class in my sophomore year in college. Prior, I had never even thought to write fiction. But I was a heavy reader and I liked to write long colorful letters to friends.
What are some of your favorite themes and ideas to work with?
NOM: Identity, the environment, gender issues, the hero/heroine's journey, self-sacrifice and Africa-ness.
Who's on your reading list these days?
NOM: Alice and Wonderland (since people keep comparing my books to it. I've seen the Disney movie a thousand times but read the book a long long time ago)
The Art of War (another reread)
Acacia
The Name of the Wind (I've read Pat's earlier draft but not the finished polished perfect end product yet)
A Long Way Gone
Do you have any advice for emerging writers?
NOM: Keep writing and reading. I had to write about three novels (one that was 500 pages…and this novel introduced me to the world you'll find in both of my published novels) before I wrote something publishable.
When I was writing these, I didn't care about getting published. I was doing it for the love. This allowed me to really hone and develop my skills without the rejection process, editors, outside opinion and deadlines breathing down my back. Take your time.
I've loved reading since I was very young. I feel like much of what I leaned happened by osmosis, as I consumed book after book after book. You must read to be a writer. Also if you don't like to read, why should other people like to read your work?
Lastly, don't give up. Writing is much more challenging and time consuming than people think. There are sacrifices you have to make to produce written work. When you face those sacrifices, it helps to know this.
Bunraku is Japan's professional puppet theater. Developed primarily in the 17th and 18th centuries, it is one of the four forms of Japanese classical theater, the others being kabuki, noh, and kyogen.
The term bunraku comes from Bunraku-za, the name of the only commercial bunraku theater to survive into the modern era.
Bunraku is also called ningyo joruri, a name that points to its origins and essence. Ningyo means "doll" or "puppet," and joruri is the name of a style of dramatic narrative chanting accompanied by the three-stringed shamisen. This exhibition from a show in Kyoto found on Youtube.
From Naomi Chu, Executive Director of the APCC effort in Minnesota (612-282-1915), nchu@apccmn.org:
The Asian Pacific Cultural Center is pleased to announce that two generous donors have issued a challenge to the community to match their $50,000 commitment to the Asian Pacific Cultural Center (APCC) by the end of 2008. APCC is now looking for contributions from the community to reach the $50,000 match.
A total of $100,000 in commitments to APCC will provide adequate funding and ensure stable operations through the 2009 legislative session, during which APCC will re-submit its request for state bonding. APCC was awarded $5 million from the Minnesota State Legislature for the re-development of a portion of the former Hamm’s Brewery in St. Paul during the 2008 session, but the award was line-item vetoed by Governor Pawlenty in May 2008.
Your contribution now will double the impact and support for APCC. To make a contribution, go to the APCC web site, http://www.apccmn.org/ and click on “contribute”, or you can send a gift to the Asian Pacific Cultural Center, P.O. Box 4097, St. Paul, MN 55104.
Over the past two months, the APCC Board of Directors and staff have weighed the organization’s options following the line-item veto. Through discussions with legislative leaders, community leaders, and APCC’s foundation and corporate partners, it was determined APCC will continue to focus on developing the former Hamm’s Brewery, and will pursue state support during the 2009 legislative session.
The Asian Pacific Cultural Center mission is to celebrate, promote, and foster understanding of Asian Pacific cultural heritage. APCC is a nonprofit organization engaged in providing all Minnesotans the opportunity to further their understanding of Minnesota’s Asian Pacific communities and their cultures. APCC will provide space to Asian Pacific community organizations, and serve all Minnesotans through art, music, dance, education, and language studies; while creating bridges for inter-generational and inter-ethnic understanding.
APCC’s efforts are currently directed toward funding and building a new destination place for Minnesotans: a 55,000 square foot Asian Pacific Cultural Center facility. Proposed as part of a mixed-use re-development of the former Hamm’s Brewery on Minnehaha Avenue in St. Paul, the facility will include a theater/cinema, a large banquet hall and kitchen, a multimedia/resource library, and multiple classrooms and offices.
The Center for Lao Studies is initiating a Lao Oral History Archive project in 2009.
Program Dates: June 15 - August 10, 2009
As part of the Loft Literary Center's day-long celebration of poetry in Minneapolis on Saturday, September 13th, I'll be on a special panel, "Promoting Your Poetry, Promoting Yourself." 
