Celebrated Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has offered rare insight into the deeply personal and instinctive process behind her novel ‘Dream Count’, revealing that it will focus on women’s intimate experiences, struggles, and dreams.
Speaking on Newscentral TV’s Literati, the award-winning writer of ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ and ‘Americanah’ disclosed that the idea for her new book has lingered within her for years, long before she could give it form or structure.
“When I finished ‘Americanah’, I knew I wanted to write a book about women,” Adichie said. “It’s kind of been in my — not just my consciousness, not just my subconscious — and I call it when the spirits call me. When they start to call me, which is when the story starts to form.”
Adichie, known for her evocative storytelling and unapologetic narratives on identity, gender, and power, admitted that, unlike some authors who meticulously plot their novels, her writing is led by instinct, mood, and a spark of inspiration.
“I never plan my novels. I have a vague idea, a feeling, a mood, but I don’t actually know what will happen,” she confessed.
According to Adichie, the initial plan was to tell the stories of three women, but as the idea matured, it evolved into something larger — a chorus of women’s voices exploring contemporary life, bodies, dreams, and desires.
Despite having the concept for years, Adichie admitted to battling the creative paralysis of writer’s block until one decisive moment of clarity arrived.
“I could not write, because I had that horrible thing called writer’s block,” she said. “And then when I finally started writing — really — it was the first sentence… if you ask me what was the first thing that came to you, it was the first sentence. And everything came from there.”
With this new work, Adichie continues to assert her place as one of the most vital voices in contemporary literature, offering nuanced explorations of womanhood and identity through stories that speak to the heart of a changing world.
