Archive:

‘When the typed draft is ready I print it out onto long sheets (2 m) and hang the whole novel on a wall.’ Wasafiri Wonders with Hamid Ismailov.

‘I suspect that we, as a species, have a drive to make sense and to make beauty, optimally at the same time.’ Wasafiri Wonders with Tabish Khair.

‘I feel as if my first drafts are almost like codes waiting to be configured into an understandable algorithm.’

‘A large breakfast before writing and peppermint tea throughout. I like to write most of all at my desk in the corner at the top of the house, surrounded by particular objects of special meaning or memory. The computer I write on has no internet connection.’

‘I believe a queer world has the potential to be a free world, but whilst people are still discriminated against on the basis of gender identity or sexuality we are so far from being free.’ Wasafiri Wonders with Dean Atta.

‘My books explore the African diaspora: past, present, real, imagined. I’m always surprised when some people find the idea of this limiting.’ Wasafiri Wonders with Bernardine Evaristo

‘I try not to romanticise the writing process too much. Life is busy. Inspiration strikes at odd times. If I have to have crystals on my desk and write with a pencil in a notebook forged by the ancient Greeks between 7am and 8.45am while listening to pink noise… seriously who has the bloody time. Just write.’ Wasafiri Wonders with Nikesh Shukla

‘First drafts are a pie where all the components have been cooked most of the way through, but you’ve gotta put it in the oven for it to become worthy of your guests.’ Wasafiri Wonders with KUCHENGA.

‘When I am writing I need to feel removed from my body and myself and what I think it knows. I want to enter what I call “the poetic mind”. When I am in that space, time moves differently.’  Wasafiri Wonders with Nick Makoha.