Happy New Year, loves!
How are you? December was such a packed month. I spent most of it in Accra and then Volta region. We got in on the night of the 12th, then cover reveal day was the 13th, the next day was my birthday, and the day after that, we moved to another airbnb for three nights. A few days later, we were off again. I got to see a waterfall I stood under as it beat my head to stillness (one of my birthday wishes), then we went to Volta for some days, and got a long overdue massage overlooking the water, had fufu and light soup for lunch almost every day, I collected new rocks, drank tequila at odd hours, slept without a care, looked out of windows, stayed close to the pool and counted as many stars as I could find. Waking up to a river and birdsong every day was so healing. I wanted that, I planned it, I booked it in, but even I didn’t know how much I needed it all. Between the responses to the announcement (thank you so much!!!), the gifts I received and how hard my chosen family showed up so hard for me, I felt baptized by grace. There was such a lightness in my body that flying didn’t feel far. In those December weeks, I cried happy tears, sad tears, grieving tears, tears of release. I ate a startling amount of oysters, devoured many a sushi boat. Zero regrets. I wished, hoped, washed, prayed, journaled, read, wrote. Christmas Day was joyful and complicated. Many reasons for that. We flew out shortly after. Being back home has felt good. It’s a reminder that I live somewhere I love, that I really made myself a haven in this place. I remember when that was a dream. In the final days in 2024, I wanted to be as quiet as possible. I was a snail lost in those liminal hours. I crossed into this new year on the wings of a prayer. It was simple and glorious. I remember thinking of 2025 as far away, just some weeks ago. But we’re halfway through the first month already, and my goodness, so much has happened. I hope you’re safe wherever you are in the world. This is a year many of us have been waiting on. I pray it is kind in all the ways we have dreamt of, even as some frightening things are going on. For me, it’s a year in which I want to live out my dreams; and it’s also a year in which I will resist the urge to rush. I’m paying closer attention to my health, moving my body and feeding it well, reading more, spending less time on social media, making more lists by hand. Necessary Fiction drops in a few months. My faith in its place in the world cannot be shaken. I look forward to everything that is coming. Thank you for supporting me, believing in my stories, amplifying my work and preordering this book so far. Thank you thank you thank you! I pray all your dreams come true this year, too. Big and small.
AN UPDATE
Below is the Nigerian cover of Necessary Fiction, which I adore! It will be published by Masobe Books on July 22nd in a coordinated drop with Riverhead. It has always been a dream of mine to have a book published in Nigeria on the same day it comes out anywhere else in the world and this time, it’s happening! As you’ll see, the cover features a blurb by the amazing Yrsa Daley-Ward, whose novel The Catch also drops this year! I’ve read it, and it so brilliant.
I asked for some questions on both Twitter and Instagram at the end of 2024, and selected some I found fascinating. Here are my answers below:
1) What do you love?
Right now: Sleep. Myself. Sushi. My people, the ones who I do life with. Silence. Seafood. Eggs (in any form: fried, soft boiled, poached, scrambled etc etc). Night wind. The moon. Looking at a specific photo of my grandmothers (both gone from this plane) smiling simply. Hearing from my core. Talking to my head. A solid seafood boil. All the books I’ve been reading that make the world recede. Oblivion.
2) What is your dream music collaboration?
Victony x Billie Eilish? Willow x Ayra? Kendrick x Bloody Civilian or Ojerime? Sarz x Moses Sumney? James Blake x Juls? Fast track me to that asap.
Personally, I want to work someday (as a songwriter, vocalist, director, witness or creative collaborator) with: Stormzy. Sampha. The Cinematic Orchestra. Little Simz. Jon Batiste. Oh, and Rema.
3) Would you ever consider making a film version of Vagabonds?
I made a short film a few years ago already actually, though we never released it publicly. What I really want is a limited/anthology series. And I know it will happen. Just a matter of time, really. So please keep calling that in with me.
4) Do you have a favourite drug? Or what’s the most interesting drug you’ve ever tried? (If you do/have done any..respectfully)
I… don’t know what that means. Jk, jk. Good question. Um, about five years ago, my answer to this was X. Then I tried shrooms (each time an altering experience) so you know, that definitely changed.
5) What do you know/have you learnt/are you learning about dream weaving?
I know that my freedom started/continues from there. I know that dreamweaving is (literally) why I could go on living beyond the unnameable. I know that if I have seen miracles before, I have reason to believe that more miracles can occur. I am learning that I can be patient with it.
6) What makes living and loving easier?
Time. Trust. Patience. Courage. And a generous, creative imagination.
7) If there was nothing to keep us in check: the law or hell. What do you think would be different?
For me, nothing. I don’t experience either of those pressures thankfully. At least not anymore. My checks are internal, and not tethered to either the law or hell.
For the world, top of mind, I think it would mean: less fear (for good and bad) and more chaos (for good and bad).
8) How impactful is faith in navigation of life?
Faith, for me, has been crucial. It has mattered in my life to believe in something. Something sturdy. Something that endures. What I believe in a buoy for me most days. Because I believe, even when I reach the end of my strength, I know there is forward still. Devotion has been my propeller in many ways. I trust. I trust. I trust my maker and my maker trusts me. No matter what is happening, my faith in God, in love, in community, and finally in the power of my work - which I do from a place of radical belief and a spiritual knowing that what I have to say is singular - remain unshakeable. Without faith, I’m not sure that I would see the point.
9) When will you share Tatafo the film with the world?
(Daniel, please!) I’m not sure, you know? I don’t know. Maybe one day, or maybe not. Who knows. I know the way we planned to release it before isn’t the way it wants to come out. So let’s see.
10) What’s your relationship with pancakes like? Have you always loved/hated them? If yes, do you enjoy making them? If yes also what’s your favourite milk to egg ratio? I am really curious about what pancakes mean to you
I liked this question! I used to love pancakes as a kid. Now, I don’t really eat them anymore. They’re a bit…much in the mouth for me. They feel heavy. Also, this question made me realize that the last time I made pancakes was about seven years ago. I want to change that.
11) What’s your favourite thing to do while you write? Do you like to use a specific colour of ink when/if you handwrite? What does your handwriting look like? What’s your favorite word to write? Do you laugh mid writing? Or chuckle? Or smile?
Black ink over everything. I might share my handwriting in a newsletter at some point this year. My current favorite words to write are: 1) trust and 2) momentum. I write in the dark, usually under my duvet. I’m pretty still. Unless of course I’ve written something I know has made the work more solid. At which point, I do a stank face, set my laptop aside and make a sound my people know means: how dare I?!? My stomach turns sweet when that happens. And then I will almost always follow up by blasting a song I love.
12) Ehem pls when is your London event because how many times will I be weeping and wailing? Please and thank you (also pls bring your merchandise with you pls)
Lmfao, drag me! Short answer: this year. We’re touring baby!
13) How soon do you see yourself surrendering yourself to another book of work? Do you have a writing ritual? Favourite moment when writing necessary fiction? What made you so sure of the book?
I wrote book three last year, and started book four. I’m somewhere in that process now. I don’t have a ritual, not really. I give myself what I need per session. But I’m not precious about it. I will write anywhere and under any condition when I really mean to.
Favorite moment writing Necessary Fiction was when I realized the protagonist of Good Boy had so much more to say. Suddenly, there was a world around the story, which meant there was more to see and show and share. The thrill of that moment imprinted on me.
What made me so sure of the book? It helped me first. It saved me first. It held me first. And with each chapter I wrote, the quality of my life improved, because my audacity increased. I’m my favorite iteration of myself today because of this work.
14) Best advice to young writers so far?
I encourage you to be as relentless as you can afford. Don’t surrender unless something inside you calls for that.
14) It’s been a year, I still don’t know what I want. Should I be worried?
No. There is time. There is time. Don’t forget that. There is time.
15) Write to us in Tatafo’s voice, please
…
16) Will this new book be a collection of shorts, or a single story?
Good question. You should read Necessary Fiction. It’s unlike anything I’ve read or written. It’s a journey, and you won’t get lost.
17) What’s something you want to get back into?
video games
CURRENTLY LOVING:
Eusexua FKA Twigs. The entire concept and rollout? Genius. And the choreo in the music video? Chef’s kiss.
Jon Batiste’s Beethoven Blues album but especially Für Elise Batiste. A wonder!
Model Home by Rivers Solomon. No words.
All Fours by Miranda July
Anaïs Cardot’s Pink Magnolia Deluxe album
Paintings by Peter Uka and Matthew Eguavoen
Reminder:
You can PREORDER NECESSARY FICTION HERE to get it the day it drops! Please tell someone you know to do the same!
A THOUGHT
Over the next few months on The Trove, I want to build an inner space to share short personal essays, detailed recommendations and/or reviews, journal entries on the process/journey to publication in July and regular curated playlists as well as candid conversations with friends. All of the above being pretty close to heart, it hasn’t felt right to do that here just yet, in a way that is accessible just by clicking a link or forwarding an email. A friend suggested, in addition to all of the above, an advice column since questions are a way I enjoy connecting with you. At first I said no to that because I don’t really enjoy giving advice in that sense, but I’ve been thinking instead of a (let’s call it) “thinking corner,” where readers can drop a detailed question/concern/thought/conversation starter/communal thought and I’ll respond with as much information as I have, and other community members can chime in too. These new features will be in a paid tier, and will of course be optional. The free posts will remain for broader life and work updates + lists so that the core parts of The Trove stay the same. I’m still figuring out how the additions will work, but I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, please let me know: does any of the above sound like a yes for you? What would you be interested in seeing from me in this space, twice every month, as a paying subscriber? What would you find thrilling?
Will appreciate any ideas or feedback you have.
Thank you for being here.
Speak soon,
Eloghosa xxx
I love u so much. Thank u. Thank u.
Even if heaven and hell was just a myth. I am glad that it's a concept, because it checks insanity.
I still live as though heaven and hell doesn't exist. I obey moral codes that are against actions that inflict pain or hurt on others, the moral codes that are entwined with religion, I question. I think but why though? Why Should I have to frown at something, that I don't see as wrong. What are the basis of these rules? I ignore the answer to my question..
If heaven and hell as a concept didn't exist, I will be happy because now I don't have to hide certain choices I make, that I know I will continue to make. I don't have to hide because others will now think the way I think.