Chimamanda speaks on how terrifying and exciting motherhood is

The author of Americanah and Half of a Yellow Sun, Chimamanda Adichie, joined The Guardian UK  to answer questions from her fans – and opened up about her creative process, female sexuality and early failures.

One of her fans, asked,

"What excites you the most about being a new mom? What terrifies you the most about being a mom?

ANSWER:

"Most exciting – a new and unique kind of love has come into my life, glorious and joyful and encompassing and full of discovery.

"Most terrifying – the anxiety-filled desire to protect her from everything and the terror-filled sense that I cannot."

Another fan, Oyelola asked:

"In your novel Half of a Yellow Sun which I read about my country’s history, I realised you didn’t mention the two women who were murdered during Nigeria’s first military coup January 15 1966, Latifat Ademulegun and Ahmadu Bello’s first wife, why? Also, during the first coup, civilians were shot in Lagos and none of this was talked about in the novel."

ANSWER

"Many things were not talked about in the novel. I told the story I wanted to tell. There are still many stories untold (although there is mention of the attacks in Lagos). And thank you for mentioning the women who were murdered."

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