UO Interviews: Caleb Azumah Nelson, Author of Open Water
Introducing the debut novel, Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson @caleb_anelson. Following the story of a powerful relationship between a dancer and photographer, the book explores key themes of race, vulnerability, masculinity and celebrates Black creativity. We caught up with Caleb to discover his inspiration for the book, career journey and advice to emerging writers.
Tell us about your career journey as a writer… I’ve been writing for years. When I was younger, I’d read everything I could get my hands on, then started telling my own stories. I was around 16 when I decided that being a writer was something I wanted to do. Since then, it’s been a continuous process of trying to workout what I’ve been interested in, what I’m feeling, and how I want to express it. I feel like Open Water was a book I had been trying to write for a while - I wrote it in the summer 2019, after quitting my job to concentrate on writing. Then in October 2019, I signed my publishing contract. It all happened very quickly!
What was the inspiration for Open Water?
In the year before I wrote Open Water I lost my three remaining grandparents, my godfather, an auntie. I was grieving and I was thinking about mourning a lot. I started writing a set of personal essays which helped me to process my grief – in a way, I felt I had to write. The ideas in these essays formed the basis for the fictional narrative which became Open Water. I wanted to explore the daily sensuality of our lives, from the lens of a young black man in London. I was reading a lot of Baldwin and thinking about what it means to love in this world, when you look like me.
Who are your favourite authors?
Zadie Smith, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison.
What was your most recent read you couldn’t put down?
The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans!
Where do you write?
I tend to write on my desk at home, or a library if I can get to one. There’s usually an assortment of books and notebooks on the desk, maybe photos too. I’ll always have music playing, either through headphones or a speaker.
How do you stay motivated and keep focused?
Routine and discipline really help with this. I’m an early riser, so I will try and get to my desk at the same time each morning and spend my morning working, so the rest of the day is mine. I will always try to keep my phone elsewhere and my internet off, to avoid distractions.
What are your other creative outlets?
I’m also a photographer - I shoot portraits on film. I produce music too, and recently bought a saxophone to learn!
Top tips for new writers… Read as much as possible, to get a sense of what you do and don’t want to be writing. And believe in the story you need to tell.
Best advice you’ve been given… Take your time, trust in the process.
3 emerging creatives you’d like to spotlight:
1. Belinda Zhawi, who is an incredible poet and sound artist.
2. Myah Jeffers, a photographer with distinct visual language.
3. Abraham Adeyemi, whose short film ‘No More Wings’ is fantastic.
What are you working on at the moment?
I’ve got a couple of photography projects on the go, which I’m excited about. There will be another novel but for now, I’m trying to enjoy this moment!
What was the inspiration for Open Water?
In the year before I wrote Open Water I lost my three remaining grandparents, my godfather, an auntie. I was grieving and I was thinking about mourning a lot. I started writing a set of personal essays which helped me to process my grief – in a way, I felt I had to write. The ideas in these essays formed the basis for the fictional narrative which became Open Water. I wanted to explore the daily sensuality of our lives, from the lens of a young black man in London. I was reading a lot of Baldwin and thinking about what it means to love in this world, when you look like me.
Who are your favourite authors?
Zadie Smith, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison.
What was your most recent read you couldn’t put down?
The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans!
Where do you write?
I tend to write on my desk at home, or a library if I can get to one. There’s usually an assortment of books and notebooks on the desk, maybe photos too. I’ll always have music playing, either through headphones or a speaker.
How do you stay motivated and keep focused?
Routine and discipline really help with this. I’m an early riser, so I will try and get to my desk at the same time each morning and spend my morning working, so the rest of the day is mine. I will always try to keep my phone elsewhere and my internet off, to avoid distractions.
What are your other creative outlets?
I’m also a photographer - I shoot portraits on film. I produce music too, and recently bought a saxophone to learn!
Top tips for new writers… Read as much as possible, to get a sense of what you do and don’t want to be writing. And believe in the story you need to tell.
Best advice you’ve been given… Take your time, trust in the process.
3 emerging creatives you’d like to spotlight:
1. Belinda Zhawi, who is an incredible poet and sound artist.
2. Myah Jeffers, a photographer with distinct visual language.
3. Abraham Adeyemi, whose short film ‘No More Wings’ is fantastic.
What are you working on at the moment?
I’ve got a couple of photography projects on the go, which I’m excited about. There will be another novel but for now, I’m trying to enjoy this moment!