Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a twenty-something year old avid reader, born and raised in Nigeria. I studied Law at undergraduate and postgraduate level at the University of Sheffield, UK. But… I have always had a passion for creative writing.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The first and only book I have published (so far) is ‘A Prophecy of Dawn’. Which is part of a 6 book series (tentatively, the number of books in the series may change), the Dawn Saga. The names of the sequels are on my blog website.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Certainly! I tend to write some chapters of my book in a free manner of narration that explores multiple points of view in the same chapter. This is apparent in the first chapter where I narrated the scene from the perspective of the Emperor, the Emperor’s brother Prince Zeirick, and the Emperor’s natural son Trevelyn. I used this unconventional style in the that particular chapter because I felt it was necessary to give the reader an insight into their complex familial relationship and their inner feelings toward each other.
The overall book is narrated in the third-person, strictly from the point of view of one individual character at a time. But I realised that some scenes require further clarity by exposing the perspectives of other characters in the scene.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Derek Landy’s Skulduggery Pleasant Series was my first obsession with fantasy. It created this love for the world of magic and magical creatures that will never leave me for the rest of my life.
Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time Series changed my life! This series was my first introduction into the realm of Fantasy Epic that completely transported to a new and exciting world! That was when I knew I wanted to create a world of my own.
Robin Hobb’s Farseer Trilogy however sparked the idea of complex family relationships where I had previously envisioned everything to be ideal and simple. Hobb’s story opened my mind to complex emotions about a character that stayed with me years after I had put the books down.
What are you working on now?
Book 2 of the Dawn Saga ‘A Whisper of Dawn’.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Goodreads has certainly been the most accessible means of promoting my book. But… I’m exploring other options.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write! Don’t allow doubts to hinder your progress at the initial stages. As long as you have written with love and care, there will always be an audience that will appreciate your hard work and creativity.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“You cannot call yourself a writer until you actually write.” This is the best advice I have received because I am a major procrastinator. I had been putting off writing for such a long time, giving myself the excuse that I needed to plan so more and build the stories just a little more. But when my friend said this (the quote) to me, I realised that I could not continue to micro-plan every scenario of the story without actually writing. And so, that is the reason the best advice I have ever received was ‘to write’.
What are you reading now?
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Promoting and more writing.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
Poison Study by Marie V. Snyder
Lord of the Fading Lands by C. L. Wilson
Author Websites and Profiles
Rabiatu Abba Ruma Website
Rabiatu Abba Ruma Amazon Profile
Rabiatu Abba Ruma’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
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