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On The Table Read, “the best book magazine in the UK“, romance author Camaa Pearl talks about what inspired her new book, Call Me Jemila.
Written by JJ Barnes
I interviewed Camaa Pearl about her life and career, what inspires her writing, and the story of her latest romance novel, Call Me Jemila.
Tell me a bit about who you are.
I am a Nigerian-born writer living in the United States of America, a project manager and an author of 10+ books who enjoys good food, dancing, sex education, and behavioral research. You find a bit of things I enjoy in my books and readers praise my books to be relatable, refreshingly unique and an antidote to reading slumps.
When did you first WANT to write a book?
At nine years old. They usually send me home from school because of late payment of school fees, and grumpy-sad me who wanted to be in school with friends will head to her dad’s library to bury her head in many books—encyclopedias, non-fiction, fiction—and she realized she enjoyed books with happily ever after endings and wanted to write that. “I can give people happy endings in books!” But it took me a while before I acted on that thought.
When did you take a step to start writing?
The nine years old me had moved with her family to a new neighborhood around that time too, so everything changed, from neighborhood, to school, to church. I wanted to make new friends but we all know how hard that could be for some kids, I’m not excluded. It happened that my brother would write short stories and I’ll take them to school to read. My classmates took interest in what I was reading and would take numbers so they could take turns to read my brother’s story. They even offered to pay to read his stories, and it got to the point where he wasn’t writing fast enough. That was the wow moment for me. “Camaa, you can write short stories and share with others… you already know whose story you want to write.”
How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?
I’ve always known I wanted to write a book but didn’t know where to start. At fourteen or so, I had planned to publish a book at twenty-one, but life kept happening until I turned twenty-five and I knew if I wanted to do it, it had to be then. Using a journal of ideas I filled up from 2017, I started writing from November 2018 and after losing my 80% completed 50,000 words draft because of some computer virus or so, I published my first book in May 2019.
How long did it take you to complete your latest book from the first idea to release?
I’ve learnt the art of writing and publishing remarkable stories involves leaving the ideas and first drafts to marinate for a while before writing the book. It took me 13 months thereabouts to think through the idea and two months to write Call Me Jemila.
Focusing on your latest release. What made you want to write Call Me Jemila?
Writing Call Me Jemila, I explored the journey of an international student finding love and their blossoming sexuality (capacity for sexual feelings) and how the community has groomed individuals to react and respond to issues related to sexual reproductive health.
What were your biggest challenges with writing Call Me Jemila?
Doing justice to sexual themes within the book and ending the story. I needed to make the Happy Ever After ending (as expected from romance books) to be worth it.
Who or what inspired you when creating your Protagonist?
My experience and the experience of fellow African international students in the United States.
Who or what inspired you when creating your Antagonist?
Men who have experienced emotional trauma from their dealings with women.
What is the inciting incident of Call Me Jemila?
An introverted people pleaser steps out of her apartment weeks after deciding not to take people’s BS at her detriment, only to meet a recovering addict whom she falls in love with.
What is the main conflict of Call Me Jemila?
The FMC’s past gets revealed to the MMC and it is a deal breaker for him.
Did you plot Call Me Jemila in advance, or fly by the seat of your pants and write freely?
I plot in advance so when I’m stuck, I can skip chapters then return to writing the skipped parts.
Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did Call Me Jemila need?
A lot! Critiques, Beta readers, my trusty editor, and a proofreader. It’s a process I follow with all my books.
What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a story?
Outline the story idea with the established beats in that genre, then tell yourself/spouse/friend the story repeatedly, until you believe major plot holes are covered, then write.
Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?
I have a series titled Lagos Lovin’, the second book, Bottom Belle, an interracial age-gap romance releases in November and is set for preorder https://books2read.com/bottombelle
And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
I am!!!!! They are my babies. All the sleepless nights and migraines were worth it. Holding my books, hearing from readers from different parts of the world I have never seen or will never meet, ALL WORTH IT.
Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:
Website: camaapearl.com/link
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3v3Qt0p
All books stores: https://books2read.com/ap/8N5mBr/Camaa-Pearl
Instagram: www.instagram.com/camaa_pearl
Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/camaa_pearl
Youtube: www.youtube.com/camaapearl
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