Sophia Acheampong is the writer of ‘Growing Yams in London’, recently published in the UK by Piccadilly Press.

ReConnect Africa speaks to the young author about her Ghanaian heritage, her influences and the conflict of cultures that she reflects in her debut novel.

RCA: First of all, congratulations on the publication of ‘Growing Yams in London’. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

SA: I’m in my twenties, slightly obsessed with watching Doctor Who (yes, I am waiting for the Christmas special!) and I am currently working on a sequel to ‘Growing Yams in London’.

I studied English at Brunel University where I eventually completed an MA course a few years ago. ‘Growing Yams in London’ first formed part of my MA dissertation; however it took a further year to complete the manuscript and it has altered considerably since then.

SA: I see myself as occupying a similar cultural identity to Makeeda.

I was born and raised in England but my parents were born and raised in Ghana I’ve been lucky enough to have parents who fully appreciated that cultural clashes would occur whilst I was growing up. I am aware of the gaps in my knowledge of Ghanaian culture and history and hope to spend the rest of my life filling those gaps.

As I am fortunate enough to have access to many relatives who are willing to pass on their knowledge, I too would like to be able to do the same.

SA: The key challenge would be forging or maintaining a relationship with your cultural heritage, whilst finding a place for it within the wider culture that you live in. I believe many young Africans in this position are perceived to have an allegiance to the culture they grew up in. The challenge then becomes to be seen as an individual with a respect and appreciation of both cultures. This duality is explored in ‘Growing Yams in London’ using the teenage arena.

‘The challenge … (is)... to be seen as an individual with a respect and appreciation of both cultures. This duality is explored in ‘Growing Yams in London’ using the teenage arena.’

SA: I’m not sure that literary novelists alone have influenced me. I love Jane Austen’s use of characterisation and books like ‘Head above Water’ by Buchi Emecheta, Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’. Then there are children’s authors like Malorie Blackman, Philip Pullman, J.K Rowling and Meg Cabot. However, hearing a good script or plot on TV or film helps too.

My style is fairly descriptive. However within ‘Growing Yams in London’ I incorporate the use of text message and instant messenger as apposed to writing entirely in prose. I did this to reflect the use of technology by teenagers. This aspect of my novel’s structure is not commonplace within its genre, as many authors prefer to write entirely in text message, email, or prose. As we do hear a beep from a mobile phone in films and TV programmes, I think that there is a place for them in novels.

SA: In terms of obstacles, the biggest one for me was not having any knowledge of the publishing industry. It meant that I couldn’t appreciate the time scale involved, and the decisions that are made, prior to an offer being made on a book.

After I made contact with my publisher, I had to rewrite my manuscript for them several times before they accepted it. My work had to be in keeping with their house style. That was difficult, as I thought the process would be a lot quicker. In reality, it took two years for them to make an offer, then another year for the book to be published! Even in that final year, I was still writing and correcting a few months before ‘Growing Yams in London’ was released. I stayed focused because I had support from fabulous friends and family, who encouraged me when it got difficult by telling me to get on with it!

I have great parents who supported me throughout this process - without them I doubt I would have had the courage to pursue this dream.

‘I’ve been lucky enough to have parents who fully appreciated that cultural clashes would occur whilst I was growing up.’

SA: I would definitely get feedback on your writing. Also:

My last piece of advice is to just keep going. If you believe in your work and are willing to work on any flaws, it will happen.

‘Growing Yams in London’ is available through Amazon.co.uk, Waterstones, WH Smith, Borders and Foyles.