In Conversation with: Annemarie Anang, author of 'I am Nefertiti'
I thought I’d start my writing career in retirement
Today’s letter features an interview with Annemarie Anang, author of the picture book, I am Nefertiti. It also addresses the question: “how do you write a first draft?” This is a 10-minute read.
Hello and Salam alaykum (peace be upon you) 👋🏾
I hope you’re doing well and looking forward to the long weekend (if you’re based in the UK). In the past weeks I’ve been reminded, time and time again, how hard writing can be and the necessity to step away from a story and go back to the drawing board (or simply take a break) when things aren’t going smoothly.
I’ve been battling or toying with the idea of putting away the draft of the novel I started working on a few weeks ago. The writing process has felt forced, and I’ve come to accept that it requires more than simply tweaking a few things here and there in the plot. My writing goal this week was to figure out why I feel stuck and what my next steps will be, and the decision to abandon this story for the time being has felt somewhat freeing. I feel like I’m headed in the right direction, and I’ll keep you posted over time as I continue on this journey.
Each month, we share an interview with a Black and/or Muslim woman writer or creative. This month, we have Annemarie Anang, the author of the picture book, I am Nefertiti.
About Annemarie:
Annemarie Anang is an actress and former primary school teacher. She began writing for children after struggling to find books for her daughter that featured main characters who reflected the diversity of children in our world. She campaigns for better mental health and well-being in early years. Annemarie was awarded the 2021 SCBWI/BIPOC writer’s scholarship. A Londoner, born to Ghanaian parents, she lives in Sweden with her young daughter, husband and two adopted cats.
Name: Annemarie Anang
Literary agent: Unrepresented
Book title: I am Nefertiti
Publisher: Five Quills
Release date: June 2022
Genre/category: Children’s Picture Book
Where do you get inspiration from?
I am an observer of life learning so much from what I see and hear around me. This is my inspiration when writing, as well as my passion to make a difference in the lives of young readers.
What’s your writing routine?
My ideal writing routine is to write while the sun comes up with a good cup of tea. During the summer I like to write in my greenhouse - it’s wonderful and cosy in there. Writing daily is something that I try to do. I’m not a full time writer, I also work as an actress and musician, so sometimes my writing routine has to change.
How do you balance writing with your other creative pursuits (acting and singing)?
I am still working on this!
What’s your favourite part about the writing process?
When I’ve finished writing and know I’ve produced the best piece of work I can.
Have you always known you were going to be a writer? When did it become a dream for you?
I thought I’d start my writing career in retirement, but the lack of diversity in children’s books made me pick up my pen a couple of years ago, when my daughter was four. When I discovered that less than 6% of children’s book creators are people of colour, and that in 2019, only 5% of children’s books had an ethnic minority main character, I decided that it was necessary to contribute to increasing those percentages now.
What if children who looked like my daughter could grow up seeing themselves reflected as the clever, funny or adventurous main character in books, television and other media forms? This would encourage self-love, self-confidence, acceptance and feeling like they belonged: crucial for healthy wellbeing and development. What if all children were exposed to main characters from every sort of background? Wouldn’t they have considerably more empathy for others if they grew up believing that everyone belonged? How much more peaceful would the world be then?
As a former primary school teacher, I decided that I could not allow my daughter to grow up as I did, without seeing myself reflected in books and other media. So, I set out to become a children’s book author and write books in which the main character is either black or brown, like my daughter and me.
I Am Nefertiti features a main black character, alongside a group of very diverse children in the band. It is a story for everyone, regardless of their heritage or background. Every child should be reading books about different kinds of children so empathy can be nurtured.
How did the idea for I am Nefertiti come about?
The message of I Am Nefertiti was one that was urgent for children to hear – love yourself. Nefertiti was named by her grandma after the great Egyptian queen Nefertiti and the name means ‘a beautiful woman has come’.
Names are part of our identity, usually associated with a meaning, history or an interesting story. Carelessly mispronouncing, Westernising or shortening people’s names can lower self-esteem and feel like they don’t belong. I want children to love their names, who they are and to be proud of their identity. I wanted each child to celebrate the joy of being themselves.
I chose a musical setting, because I’m a musician and a rehearsal room can be a fun and creative place to be in. So Nefertiti is in a band and plays the drums like my daughter does.
What was the most difficult part of the writing process for you?
For I am Nefertiti, we wanted to create a diverse cast of characters, so agreeing on the right character names that had the assonance and alliteration to go with our choice of instruments, and for everything to fit together seamlessly, took many re-readings.
Choosing the sounds the instruments make when they are harmonious and discordant was another challenge as this was about finding the rhythm and read-aloud quality of the book.
Can you tell us a bit about your path to publication? How long did it take to get from idea to publication?
I wrote the story in a few weeks and then wanted to submit my work to a couple of publishers that had opened their submissions for writers of colour for a very limited time. I didn't have time to get feedback from a critique group, which I highly recommend, so had a professional editor read my work and she happened to also be the Senior Editor at Five Quills, who made me an offer soon after. It took about 16 months from when I wrote it, to being published.
They found Natelle Quek, a fantastic illustrator who brought my work to life and it was published in June 2022. During this time I immersed myself in learning about writing for children and the publishing industry by attending numerous SCBWI and Megaphone workshops.
What do you hope readers would get out of your book?
I am Nefertiti is a heartwarming, joyful story for everyone about identity, being proud of who you are, belonging and about recognising the importance each player has in the bigger team. It is an ideal story for classroom discussions, book group settings and at home around the themes of identity, self-confidence and peer support.
Where can readers find your work?
You can find it everywhere: www.bookshop.org, Waterstones, Amazon, independent book stores and more.
What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
To write about what you are genuinely interested in and not follow trends which come and go.
If you could share one piece of advice with an aspiring writer, what would it be?
After polishing your masterpiece, be brave in submitting your work to a publisher or agent. Don’t be disheartened when you receive criticism. Be kind to yourself. Listen and take their advice, if necessary, and try again.
How can readers connect with you?
www.annemarieanang.com | Instagram: @AnnemarieAuthor | Twitter: @AnnemarieAnang
✍🏾 Writing Prompt
How well do you know your character? Can you tap into their evil side while staying true to them?
Your favourite character from the last movie you enjoyed has to frame their lover or best friend for a crime they didn’t commit in exchange for something precious, but not without their consent. Write a scene where your character convinces the lover/best friend that this is the only way out.
You have creative freedom to play around with the details of the story!
📚 What I’m currently reading + have enjoyed
Friends, my reading has stalled big time. I generally carve out at least 30 minutes to an hour before bed to read, and this always works out because I don’t fall asleep easily. But in the past weeks, life has been so busy that when I hit my bed, I’m asleep within five minutes. I plan to take things slow this weekend, and I’ll be reading (or at least starting):
Minor Detail by Adania Shibli
When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo
A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen: This is assigned reading, so I can’t escape this but I’m quite enthusiastic about it.
🎁 Giveaway
Fill in this form for a chance to win a copy of the Annemarie’s picture book, I am Nefertiti
P.S. I’ll be doing more of these over time, particularly for craft books I’ve found beneficial, so watch this space!
And that’s it, folks! If you enjoyed reading this and found it beneficial, why not spread the word?
Wishing you a blessed and splendid weekend! I’ll be back in your inbox next Friday :)
Till next time,
Suad x