YNaija recently had a delightful conversation with Nigerian author Daniel Nkado. He opened up about his writing journey and the inspiration behind his latest book, Something Bigger Than Love (SBTL).
Mr. Nkado was pleased to share some of his intriguing stories about being a writer and the creative processes that led to creating such beautiful works.
Here is an insight into the thoughts of Mr. Daniel Nkado, the author of Something Bigger Than Love.
- What is your favourite part of being a writer?
I realised at a young age how powerful stories are and how much I was into them. A great part of my childhood was those periods during the holidays when we’d gather around my grandmother, and she would tell us these stories of the cunning tortoise and the rabbit and the fair maidens that came from the moon. One night, she appointed me to choose one of the stories she’s told before and tell it to the group while she joined as a listener. I remember doing so well and earning applause from both her and the group because I had remembered every detail, including the chants and the songs. It was so easy because each time she told the stories, I got transported into these worlds even though they weren’t real. When it comes to fiction writing, I always like to call myself a storyteller instead of “writer. With stories, we can live in worlds that were imagined, go to places we have never been, feel emotions that are not ours…our first real shot at teleportation, I’d dare say.
- Would you say that your literary works are an expression of your mind and emotions?
No. I can’t say that. My works have always been very separate from me. I’ve written characters I can never be, who have done things I cannot do; thought things I don’t think. True, I get inspired by personal experiences a lot, but usually from an external point of view. I take a special interest in everybody and everything I come in contact with for the first time because no matter how ordinary or simple we think we are, or anything to be, there are layers beyond the first surface of observation.
- Let’s talk about “Something Bigger Than Love,” how long did it take you to complete it? Were there any challenges?
I’d say “Something Bigger Than Love” was a journey that took me about two years to complete, from the first spark of the idea to the final draft. It wasn’t a straight line, though—life has a way of throwing curveballs, and I had to juggle writing with work, school and family, often stealing moments late at night to work on it. The biggest challenge was capturing the emotional depth of the characters without letting the story feel heavy; I wanted it to flow with hope, even in the messy parts. Another challenge was also finding ways to stay motivated without getting too much of myself into the world of the characters. To write memorable and authentic characters, you have to regard them as living beings, as people with histories, fears, secrets, and dreams.
When I write, I don’t just ‘create’ a character; I try to ‘meet’ them. But there can be an emotional cost — when you invest so deeply, their struggles can weigh heavily on you, and saying goodbye can be genuinely painful.
- When & how did you get the inspiration to write your novel?
I’ve always been fascinated by an old Igbo tradition that allows young couples in love to get married or betrothed, sort of, while they go off to pursue their dreams, hoping to come back together someday. SBTL represents the kind of stories I’ve always been interested in telling – stories of ordinary people, living ordinary lives, surviving common life struggles.
- Without giving spoilers, what exciting fact can you tell us in the book?
While the story revolves around Adaku and Obinna as the main characters, I really connected with Ahanna, and when he shared his story – of explosives and burnt shops – I felt that!
- What do you do when you’re not writing?
When I’m not writing, I’m usually soaking in life’s little moments—spending time with my family and friends or just lounging with a good movie, or listening to Winnie Nwagi or Taylor Swift or Ntaate. I also love exploring new places when I can – I approach every work of art with an open mind and this means I like a wide variety of things. Sometimes, I just sit with a cup of tea, watching the world go by, letting my mind wander.
- What is your favourite book, author, and why?
I’d say my favorite book is Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. The author’s way of weaving Igbo culture with a story that’s both universal and deeply personal just hits me every time. Achebe’s ability to capture the beauty and pain of change, with such rich, vivid language, inspires me to dig deeper into my storytelling. It’s a book that taught me the power of voice and heritage—something I try to reflect in works like Something Bigger Than Love. I also really loved Elechi Amadi’s “The Concubine”.
To explore the world of Adaku and Obinna, here is the link to purchase Daniel Nkado’s “Something Bigger Than Love”.
