Lara Daniels is a Nigerian American author who pens romance suspense novels that tackle deep issues and is set in exotic locations in Africa. I got a chance to have a 2 hours chat interview with this fun and lively author. Enjoy the interview - it is in its unadulterated form.

Pamela: so let's start from the beginning...when did you know that writing was one of your calling?

Lara Daniels: I didn't exactly think of writing as a calling. My first novel (or story) was back in secondary school, form one and I just went from there. But in 2009, I completed a novel that everyone told me to publish. It was in 2009 that I took my writing more seriously.

Pamela: so how was that novel received?

Lara Daniels: It received favorable reviews, especially from family and my colleagues back in secondary school and university who had been on my case to publish a novel. I get positive feedback from it still ....that makes me quite happy especially since the readers are total strangers who are not required to read my book because they know me on a personal level.

Pamela: hmm I see....

Pamela: Most of the books I have seen that you've written are romance novels....

Lara Daniels: All of them are romance novels

Pamela: what is it about romance novels that gets you going compared to other genres of literature/fiction?

Lara Daniels: That was all I ever really truly enjoyed. You know, there's something about romance novels...it's the happily ever after that gets to me; you can predict that once you put the book down, you won't be plagued with depressing thoughts. I like that kind of feel-good novel. I've also found that through romance novels, many young women can be encouraged to become all they are meant to be: you know, strong, assertive, independent women who are not waiting on some man to validate their identity; their right to be. This message is more easily passed across to young women through romance novels,which is why I'm a romance writer: fulfilling two goals - making my readers happy while at the same time, passing a message across that a woman ought to be secure in who she is.

Pamela: hmmm true and deep , but a lot of people complain that romance novels are escapist by nature and it ensures that many women aren't able to separate fiction and reality...?

Lara Daniels: I've heard that complaint. And in my books, especially my second book, I addressed that through my heroine, Tory Da-Silva who's one big obsession was romance novels, I think that new generation romance writers have a responsibility, and our duty is to write a book that women can relate to, in terms of the heroine. While at the same time, ensure that we do not leave our readers with the idea that love happens without some work being put to it. In my short stories, I don't know if you've read any of them those posted online on my blog and in other online magazines, the love stories carry pain, conflict, and other unpalatable issues like pedophilia, for example. In other words, my heroines are people with real life problems who eventually find love and come to continue their lives in spite of all the pain that they've encountered in the past. My romance books are not escapist...they are books with a goal to make the reader believe that all obstacles can be overcome while at the same time validating the female reader's sense of being...to be true to herself because love happens to those who remain true to who they are.

Pamela: I like...I like okay I got the chance to read love at dawn - the Tory story and I LOVED it but I just had to ask Zamuda? How did you come across that name? What were you doing when that name came to you?

Lara Daniels: I initially wrote my first book Love in Paradise with a Nigerian setting. I sent the MS to an agent who said that the setting didn't seem real to Nigeria and that it wouldn't sell. It hurt when she said that; so I had to change the setting to a fictional place in Africa, with the hope that it could get the attention of agents/publishers...you know.

Pamela: hmmm

Lara Daniels: When I was writing the book, I wasn't exactly thinking of a Nigerian audience at first. I was thinking more of an American audience and when the agent said what she said, and since I've lived in this country for a while now. I know the perception of Americans about Nigeria and even Africa in general, so I changed my setting to Zamzuda which was a fictional country based loosely on Uganda where my sister in law is from. You know, many Americans tend to see Africa from an Eastern African Point of view. You know, like "coming to America" movie.

Pamela: loool. That came to me too...the east african setting. There comes the king to beeeeeeeee :p

Lara Daniels: :-D, Sooo funny. Anyway, I'm supposed to have three more books in the "Da-silva series to complete. I've put them on hold for now, to concentrate on my 'more' realistic settings...all based in Nigeria of course. Right now, I'm not writing for Agents any more.
I'm writing only what is true to my heart....and if people don't see my Nigerian setting as realistic for a romantic setting, then there's really nothing I can do about it.

Pamela: yes.so far i have seen Nigerian settings doing quite well....but I guess it depends on the exposure of the agents...

Lara Daniels: I recently completed a novel titled "The officer's Bride' which is set in Jos. I had one reviewer read it who said that he'd been to Nigeria several times and that the love story I was describing in Jos could never happen because the people were known to be violent and volatile

Pamela: what? LOOOL . When did this agent go to Nigeria?

Lara Daniels: He said in the nineties. In other words, what he was saying was that romance stories could never happen in Nigeria. Hence my reason for no longer pitching my books to agents or publishers anymore. Perhaps, if I write a historical romance novel set in Nigeria, i'm thinking it would fly because the story would be more consistent with what they know about Africa...you know, with the characters jumping on trees and walking around naked or better yet, wearing animal hide etcetera. Lol

Pamela: LOOOOL. You might have something there. But there are African authors who are writing stories involving a modern Africa - or Nigeria and they are doing quite well...it takes time..but we will get there

Lara Daniels: I believe so too.

Pamela: okay, now let's talk about love at dawn. How long did it take you to write this story?

Lara Daniels: Okay...Love at Dawn took me approximately a month to write and several months to edit. I had familly members do the editing. So final edit, I think, happened in April. So I'll say it took me a whole 6 months to complete the book in its entirety.

Pamela: wow... hmmm this book had so many elements in it, it was more than just a romance novel. One of the elements I saw was the element of Religion in a positive and negative light
was that your original intention when you started writing this book? How did that element come about?

Lara Daniels: When I initially wrote the book, I wanted to avoid writing a 'Christian' book.
But a family member read the first draft and said, 'This is a christian book'. So I found myself tweaking and tweaking and tweaking.... I've come to realize that a writer (at the early phase of one's writing career) will write what they are thinking of. In other words, they are not exactly thinking of the audience but of themselves... And that's what I was doing...trying not to write a Christian novel even though what was at the center of my heart was 'Christianity'. I'd like to think that I've matured in so many ways from my writing of 'love at dawn.' At the same time, I think my books will always carry a hint of religion...but I hope to write in such a way that even people who don't agree with my views can still read and enjoy my books.And the reason why I say that my books will always carry a hint of religion is because one of my major goals in writing romance is to inspire hope and to inspire a sense of being while at the same time leaving the reader with a feel good vibe.

Pamela: hmm I like that....

Lara Daniels:

Pamela: Your book also dealt with a very controversial issue in African society which is abortion? childlessness?

Lara Daniels: yes

Pamela: why did you choose to tell this story?

Lara Daniels: When I started writing Love at dawn, I never knew in my wildest dreams that I'd be discussing those issues in my book. But once I got into it, I discovered that I couldn't drop the topic either.I can only hope that the issue I addressed in the book will be the encouragement that somebody else will need to make the right decision.

Pamela: hmm true. But how realistic is it that an African man will intentionally decide to marry a woman who won't be able to give birth to any children. That's a tough sell you must admit Lara.
Lara Daniels: I admit it. But you know what?

Pamela: what?

Lara Daniels: Strange things happen everyday.

Pamela: loool

Lara Daniels: And with enlightment allowed by cultures influencing other cultures, strange things are still bound to happen in the name of love. Pam...I'm an optimist....It may not be realistic.And it could be realistic. But I choose to end every story, every impossibility with the hope that the story could change to an hapily ever after...

Pamela: loool I see... okay...your story definitely had all elements of a romance novel, rags to riches, being saved by the 'prince', a story of redemption, all within an African setting, I loved it...

Lara Daniels: THANK YOU!

Pamela: so what next Lara?

Lara Daniels: I've finished two books - Love's prescription (due to be published by Ankara Press) and 'An officer's bride). And I'm currently working on a story that going to be part of an anthology for the Romance Writers of West Africa - will be published next year. Also, the little league publishing was reecently given the rights to publish my 'For Wale Taylor, my first love" and that's also going to be coming out next year as part of an anthology titled "New Beginnings"

Pamela: wow , great things, big things

Lara Daniels: Thank you. I'm optimistic. Looking foward to more good things

Pamela: yes so how are you marketing your book? what are you doing to get the word out there about your books? Also how has your book been received in the Nigerian market.

Lara Daniels: Facebooking and twitter and blogging and writing stories for other online magazines that will get my name out there.It's tough to be a writer and a marketer
I'm not very good on the marketing side, but I keep remembering the 'writing is a love, and publishing is a business,' so if I'm going to be successful, I'd better pull up my pants and learn the ropes. It's a slow process of learning, but I'd like to think that I'm getting there, as my people say, "small by small" As par Nigerian market, it's been slow to get to Nigeria but the first batch of books is already in Nigeria as we speak...what is left now is to start announcing that the book is ready for purchase.

Pamela: okay. I've heard complaints that Nigeria is slowly loosing its reading culture
because of the economy...

Lara Daniels: Hmmm

Pamela: people rather spend on neccesities than reading. Have you found that to be true?


Lara Daniels: It's nothing new that people would rather spend money on necessities than books in Nigeria. But readers will always find a way to buy their books. I remember back in Nigeria that I'd spend the money meant for my provisions to buy books. If anyone gave me money, i'd save it... while my friends were buying all sorts of things, my one big obsession was books. So, a reader will always find a way to get his/her books..it doesn't matter what the economy is. I think publishers can also do something about it as well.And that's to keep the prices at a very realistic amount so that people can afford the books. You know, that way everyone wins.

Pamela: hmm I agree. Now we have to talk about this - e books vs non electronic books
your thoughts?

Lara Daniels: Ever since I got my kindle, I've been an e-book lover ALL THE WAY. It's cheaper. And the books are easily delivered. I'm thinking that ebooks will be pivotal in converting people to become lovers of literature... I mean, because it just makes reading so darned convenient not to talk of 'cheap'. I like that word, "cheap" Another word I like is 'free'

Pamela: loool

Lara Daniels: With ebooks, publishers will find it easier to give way free books with little or no hurt to their pockets because they've avoiding printing costs with the books. E book is definitely the way to go.

Pamela: but what about authors. Doesn't this affect authors too as well.

Lara Daniels: if the authors are selfpublishers, I don't see how it will affect them because when they donate free books, it's a means of publicizing/marketing their books. Also making the books cheaper means that many more people can afford the books. When you look at the bigger picture, you'll find that the writer/the publisher makes more money in the long run because many people are buying the book. Lara Daniels: For example, what's the use of 5 people buying a bestseller that costs upwards of $20, when I could have 100 people buy the best seller because it coss $0.99?

Pamela: hmm ok

Lara Daniels: I also think the issue of ebooks will help with the nigerian situation where people would rather spend money on necessities that buy books. Make the price lower via ebooks and you'll see a socieity taht loves reading again.

Pamela: true, now I know that in your other life...you work within the health care sector

Lara Daniels: yes

Pamela: do you find that influences how you view your characters and the stories that you tell
?
Lara Daniels: I do so, Very very much.

Pamela: how?

Lara Daniels: As a nurse, I tend to see a person holisticallly. It's important for me to discuss my character's flaws, their fears, thier emotions and all that neat stuff.
and that is where it gets tricky, because I then find myself writing from an omniscient point of view rather than from a His/her point of view in my books. I also can't seem to escape writing about sicknesses/or some certain types of diseases in my books, I guess it's because I closely work with people who are going through this kind of challenges.


Pamela: hmmm. Yes... I could see that... wow...we've been chatting for almost two hours.
Anything you want readers to knwo about lara daniels?

Lara Daniels: I know...lol. Okay...about lara daniels..hmmm. Lara Daniels is an African romance author who writes about 'issues' lol. sorry...okay, I'll be serious. I'm trying not to repeat anything that I've stated on my blog or my face book page but I guess i won't be able to help it. Lara Daniels is an African romance author whose novels are sure to warm the hearts of her readers. You can catch up with her at www.laradanielswrites.com for upcoming books, excerpts from published books and so much more :)

Pamela: yipee

Lara Daniels: Thanks Pamela for this opportunity. I really appreciate it.

Pamela: and where can we get your books, e books etc?

Lara Daniels: On Amazon, on Lulu. com and in Nigeria at the Naija Sistas Book store. On barnes and Noble too...

Pamela: thank you...byeeeeeee....

Lara Daniels: Bye Pam

Pamela: byeeee