Interview: Dayo Forster
Molara Wood interviews Gambian writer Dayo Forster whose novel, Reading the Ceiling, is shortlisted for Best First Book in the 2008 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize.
What led you into writing?
I’ve always been a reader. I read a lot as a child, but found that people like myself – young African women – were not in books in the quantities that I wanted. So this sort of pushed me into it. I did not grow up thinking I’d be a writer, so it was a complete surprise for me to learn that I could write.
I understand you joined a writing group early on.
I wanted to write long narrative essays and so I looked for writing groups; I was in the US then. I found one, ‘Character’, and got a lot of encouragement there. I didn’t realise I could create character - see the world through someone else’s eyes. When I found I could do that, it was incredible, and that was how I got started.
How did you get the novel published?
In Kenya where I’m based, I went along to monthly meetings organised by Kwani? I read the first chapter of my manuscript and got lots of helpful feedback. Binyavanga Wainaina (2002 Caine winner and Kwani? founder) recommended some agents; the first one I contacted, signed me. I wrote the first draft while in the US, in 4 months; the whole process was wonderful and quick. If I hadn’t been living in Kenya, it would have been difficult to complete this book. I do thank Kenya for that. There were a few people who were selfless.
Did luck play a part?
From what I hear, I was lucky. But I also believe that you make your own luck, because I made the conscious decision to go to Kwani? And the conscious decision to finish the novel. I got the preparation done to make use of the luck.
Why this story, ‘Reading the Ceiling’?
The compulsion was a chance remark by a friend: “Oh, could you imagine what other lives you could have lived?” There was just enough of an impetus there to start and keep writing to the end.
Were you trying to convey a message through Ayodele, the main character?
The first goal in writing is a readable story that the reader can be immersed in. That’s what I like about a book: you can lose yourself in it. I also wanted to experiment – that’s why I pursued the three lives idea for Ayodele. I wanted to convey the idea that in life, there are choices. The experiment kept me going. What will filter through is a very Krio way of growing up. It was written out of nostalgia – I hadn’t been to The Gambia since the age of 18. As for messages, I didn’t think it was my role to do that. My role was to explore a world, in the hope that the mystery would be transmitted to the reader.
What do you hope for the novel?
It would be nice if it was widely read. It would be great if it stimulated a whole bunch of African women to start writing their own stories.
What role do you see for yourself in Gambian writing?
I would like to help if I can. But I live on the other side of the continent, which makes it difficult to do much. If it’s about practical things like helping to build libraries, writing articles, helping new writers – then I would like to be involved. If ‘Reading the Ceiling’ can help increase interest in reading and creative writing in The Gambia, that would be a great bonus.
Like Ayodele, you have a Yoruba first name, although you are Aku. Do you get cultural recognition elsewhere, particularly among the Yorubas of Nigeria?
I’m just very pleased that I have a Yoruba tradition in The Gambia. My mother was born in Sierra Leone, so it’s a mixed heritage in that sense. The Aku of The Gambia were liberated Africans at the abolition of slavery. Some came to The Gambia and others arrived later from Sierra Leone via places like Nova Scotia. The dominant group were the Yoruba, and that’s how we all got our names. What’s great is that, not only do I speak Wolof which connects me with Senegal, Krio connects me to Sierra Leone, and my Yoruba name connects me to the Rock of Abeokuta which my grandmother told me about. So it’s a great privilege to be of all these places; and then to be flung into East Africa where I learned to speak Kiswahili. It just gives you this appreciation of the ability to fit in, to go to all kinds of different places and feel a connection.
What are you doing next?
Readings, and promoting this first book. It takes a lot of energy and time, which is all very necessary, but it does mean the second book takes longer. All I know is, I need to write, and I like writing novels, so I’ll continue doing just that.
Regional winners of the 2008 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize will be announced on 13 March.