Sefi Atta Quotes & Sayings

I had stopped writing plays set in villages because they were not relevant to my experiences and I knew my English classmates wouldn't appreciate them. — Sefi Atta

I don't write non-fiction because I get bored. Some of my writing is autobiographical, but not the way readers imagine. I use my memory of settings, events and people. I weave history into my stories, but my narratives are made up. — Sefi Atta

I don't remember being a keen reader, but apparently I was. My aunt told me that whenever I was teased for reading, I would say, "To each his own." — Sefi Atta

I don't have a schedule, but I can write for hours non-stop. If I'm drafting a book, I try and do a chapter a day. I dislike first drafts. Revision is a lot more fun, but it takes years. — Sefi Atta

As a student in England, I studied French and English literature. I read L'Etranger and the rhythm of the novel felt familiar to me - very African. — Sefi Atta

I get stage fright with short stories. For me it feels like standup comedy: kill or die. I'm more confident when I begin a novel because I know I have space to fail. — Sefi Atta

I was my class playwright and I wrote plays set in villages with kings and chiefs.My plays were about treason and betrayals. If they were influenced by Macbeth, they were also influenced by Nigerian plays I had seen and Village Headmaster, a television drama series I had watched as a child. — Sefi Atta

I never wanted to be a writer; I just had stories I needed to tell. — Sefi Atta

I don't have much of an imagination, but I have a mind bank of details, which I play with. It's how I daydream, so writing like that is natural for me. — Sefi Atta

People don't fear the wind until it fells a tree. Then, they say it's too much. — Sefi Atta

My accountancy experience could come in handy if ever I find myself in the right position. For now, I'm very happy to write. — Sefi Atta

What works for me is that I read widely and stay focused on my writing. I'm no longer concerned about what happens in the literary marketplace. It is distracting and can lead to discontent. — Sefi Atta

You don't need attention to write. All you need is passion for your work and an overwhelming desire to tell a story you genuinely care about. Readers can sense your sincerity and it separates you from pretenders. — Sefi Atta

I'm always working on something new and while I'm working, I'm absorbed with my characters, their conflicts,my language and settings. I'm in another place and it is a shock to come out and consider my previous works. — Sefi Atta

I read Macbeth as a secondary student in Nigeria and it was like an African play to me. It had all the right elements - witches, kings and assassinations. — Sefi Atta

I can't say L'Etranger influenced me to write, but for the first time I considered the possibility of telling a story that resembled my own experiences in my own voice. — Sefi Atta

For all forms, writing dialogue is almost like writing music. I pay close attention to rhythms and tones. — Sefi Atta

've had notebooks, but they are nondescript. All I care about is that they fit in my hand. I scribble down ideas. The problem is my best ideas come while I'm driving or showering. — Sefi Atta

At some point, practicality requires that you reach out to people in the business. You have to take care of business if you value your work. — Sefi Atta

I enjoy writing plays most. I haven't written a radio play in a while and I don't write short stories anymore because the process of submitting them depressed me. I really enjoy revising novels, but drafting them can be a pain. — Sefi Atta

I always begin [a novel] with outlines, but they change and so do my endings and beginnings. — Sefi Atta

I couldn't decide on a title for my first novel and my editor came up with Everything Good Will Come. After that, I thought I should name my own books.A Bit of Difference seems just right. — Sefi Atta

I'm addicted to writing. — Sefi Atta

She says the lesson to learn is that the world is round, which means that if I run too fast I might end up chasing the very homeland I am running from. — Sefi Atta

I have to say that writing about my writing process is more daunting than writing non-fiction. — Sefi Atta

I'm disciplined about writing. I get up every day knowing I have to produce work. I'm less concerned about other aspects of the job, such as the prizes and promotions. Promoting my work can be awkward, unless I feel sociable enough. Prizes encourage me to work harder on my next project. — Sefi Atta