I LOVE FOOD AND CULTURE
My love of food stemmed from a childhood spent with my grandmother in Nigeria. She liked to visit her favourite half-sister in the heart of Lagos and dragged my brother and me along. Before I was plucked into middle-class obscurity at age 11, this was my life. I got to know the innards of Lagos - the twilight fish markets, street foods and the night markets were particularly fascinating. I also enjoy food from other cultures and watch a lot of food shows. I mourned the late Chef, Anthony Bourdain's death, because he travelled to incredible places. My dream is to eat my way around the world!
Deadly Sacrifice
I HARDLY WATCH THE NEWS
I am a crime author and write about dark things. The news is always scary and depressing, so I switch off and watch happy frivolous reality shows like Real Housewives which I love, love, love.
I AM OBSESSED WITH READING
I love reading and have several books on the go - print, ebook and audio. I am currently reading a thriller, a detective series set in Jamaica and listening to Deadly Sacrifice on Audible. The actress Weruche Opia of I May Destroy You did an excellent job, and I am pretending I didn't write it!
I DECORATE CAKES
Deadly Sacrifice took me a year or so to write and 15 years altogether in the rejection dance between me, agents and publishers! One day, I read an article that said writers should take on other hobbies to help cope with rejection or the long wait for agent\publishers' decision. I took it to heart and decided to learn how to decorate cakes. It was the best idea ever! It is hard work but worth it for the instant satisfaction of creating something beautiful. I also love to see the joy of friends and family when I present their lovely present.
I LISTEN TO THE SAME SONGS WHEN WRITING
I listen to the same music artists over and over again when writing. I love Asa's classics, especially Eye Adaba and Awe, Simisola's Joromi, all of Sade Adu and put then on replay.
I LOVE COLOURFUL AND SHINY THINGS
I am like a Magpie and love glitzy shiny things. I own a lot of costume jewellery and still buy more. I have a tailor that sews me beautiful outfits out of Ankara material, which has a lot of bold prints and colour. My blog AfricanBritishness was a media partner with African Fashion Week London in 2019. I had a great time and took lots of photos with the fashion designers and fed my eyes on the pomp and glitz.
I WAS A TREKKIE AND LOVE HERO CHARACTERS
I love the way my comic heroes have been brought to life in movies and look forward to things going back to normal post-COVID. There is still nothing that beats larger than life heroes bursting onto our large screens with me as one of the rapt audience. I was crushed at the death of Chadwick Boseman.
Deadly Sacrifice by Stella Oni is published by Jacaranda Books, and is available in audio exclusively on Audible.
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