Dazzling by Chikọdịlị Emelụmadụ was published by Wildfire on 16 February 2023.
Chikọdịlị kindly answered a few of my questions.
1. Tell us a little about Dazzling.
Dazzling tells the story of two young protagonists; Treasure, whose father has died, leading to a reversal of fortunes, and Ozoemena, the latest and possibly first female in a supernatural leopard lineage, whose duty is to guard against spiritual warfare. It is about what happens when these girls make deals (in Treasure's case, betrothing herself to a spirit in exchange for her father coming back to life) and take on roles that lead them on a collision course with one another.
2. What inspired the book?
I think Dazzling is made up of a myriad of experiences. It is hard to pinpoint any one thing. I grew up in Nigeria so the setting is greatly influenced by this as well as the first boarding school I attended which inspires the boarding school in Dazzling. I also developed a fascination in childhood of leopard (and other secret) societies after reading 'The Bottled Leopard' by Vincent Chukwuemeka Ike.
3. Do you plan before you start writing or do you sit down and see where the words take you?
Planning or 'pantsing' as it is called, very much depends on the story I am telling. I think there is a little bit of both in my process in that the story percolates for a long time in my mind and in so doing, might be organised into mental categories. For Dazzling I tried planning because I was afraid to trust the process and the first few drafts were bloated as a result. It all came together when I let go. I knew what I was doing. I just had to trust myself.
4. Is there anything about the process of publishing a book that surprised you?
I was surprised by just how many edits go into a book. I was prepared for some but even right now, I am combing through my proofs for the 4th time. It can get monotonous but diamonds only shine when they are cut and polished. Otherwise, they are…what was that thing Naomi Campbell said again? 'There were a handful of dirty rocks'.
5. What do you do when you aren't writing? What do you do to relax and get away from it all?
These days I find myself watching a lot of TV, and falling asleep, lulled by the sights and sounds a lot of the time. Before now, walks and painting used to help me relax. Or word games.
6. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life which book would it be?
This sounds hellish. I don't think I can answer this.
7. I like to end my Q&As with the same question so here we go. During all the Q&As and interviews you've done what question have you not been asked that you wish had been asked – and what's the answer?
I'm just happy when people read my work and want to interact with me. I've had interviews where it is obvious that the interviewer is making general statements, or relying on my enthusiasm to push the segment forward. I find that deflates my euphoria.
Just ask me absurd questions. Anything that seems to come out of nowhere. I love those!
About the Book
Soon you will become the thing all other beasts fear.
Treasure and her mother lost everything when Treasure's daddy died. Haggling for scraps in the market, Treasure meets a spirit who promises to bring her father back - but she has to do something for him first.
Ozoemena has an itch in the middle of her back that can't be scratched. An itch that speaks to her patrilineal destiny, to defend her people by becoming a leopard. Her father impressed upon her what an honour this was before he vanished, but it's one she couldn't want less.
But as the two girls reckon with their burgeoning wildness and the legacy of their fathers' decisions, Ozoemena's fellow students at her new boarding school start to vanish. Treasure and Ozoemena will face terrible choices as each must ask herself: in a world that always says 'no' to women, what must two young girls sacrifice to get what is theirs?
You can buy a copy of the book here.
(This is an affiliate link so I may earn a small amount should you purchase through it. You can also buy Dazzling from your local independent bookshop.)
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