Okechukwu Nzelu explains his process for crafting the plot for his debut novel The Private Joys of Nnenna Maloney, which was shortlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize 2020, longlisted for the Polari First Book Prize and won a Betty Trask Award.

Okechukwu is a writer and teacher and has been published in Agenda, PN Review, E-magazine and The Literateur. His essay ‘Troubles with God’ was published in the anthology Safe: On Black British Men Reclaiming Space (Trapeze, 2019). In 2013 his radio play, Me and Alan, was broadcast on Roundhouse Radio.

This video is part of our Early Career Writers’ Resources. Discover our free pack focussing on plot, with more advice from Inua Ellams and Nicola Upson →

Supported by Arts Council England.