Adebola Rayo

Novel: the Scent of Water

Adebola Rayo is a writer and editor living in the United Kingdom. Her work has been published in short story anthologies and magazines. She was a 2021 writer-in-residence at the Mas Palou Residency in Penedes, Spain, and is an alumna of Chimamanda’s creative writing workshop. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of San Francisco, USA.

What made you enter the Cheshire Novel Prize?

I jump at every opportunity to get feedback on my work, and with this prize, it was clear that whether I went far in the competition or not, I’d get valuable feedback. Another thing that appealed to me was the industry experts judging the prize. I wanted to know if they’d find something universally resonant about a book I’ve put so much of myself into. I’m so glad that’s proved true. 


What did it feel like when you were LL and SL?

Making the longlist felt like waking up to a gift I hadn’t realised I wanted very much. To come so far out of over 1,900 entries. Wow. After that, of course, I wanted to cross the next milestone. During the weeks between the longlist and shortlist announcements, my thoughts swung between, “I’ve already gotten a lot out of this, so I’ll be happy regardless of the outcome” and “Oh my, I want this badly.” I floated about the whole day after Sara called to congratulate me on making the shortlist.

What was the reaction like from those around you? Family? Friends?

My loved ones had more faith in how far I’d go (even though most haven’t read my book yet). When I told them the news, they were thrilled and are now more eager to see my book out in the world someday soon.

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

I wrote the earliest surviving parts of The Scent of Water while hospitalised in the aftermath of a suicide attempt. The rest of the story came together around those parts. I didn’t want to write a memoir; I wanted to write in a way that would do the subject more justice than my personal story could. So, I made up entire lives for these characters to broadly explore mental illness and family life in contemporary Nigeria. 

How long did it take you to write it?

I have been working on it for at least 12 years (alongside other writing projects, of course). Because the subject matter is so close to my heart, I always knew I’d take my time with this manuscript. I dare say it has grown with me over the years.

What advice would you have for anyone thinking of entering?

Give it your best shot and trust your work to do the rest. Regardless of how far you go, you’ll get something valuable.

What’s changed for you since entering?

First of all, I’ve become ridiculously—and I mean ridiculously—excited about the future of my novel. I’ve always loved my characters and story, but now I have more confidence in my work’s commercial viability.

What’s your novel about?

Family drama! In Nigeria, where mental illness is taboo, a neurodivergent daughter and her estranged mother must each choose between saving herself and keeping the fragile peace in their family. The Scent of Water is an adult literary novel that tackles mental illness, cultural expectations, and the unseen pressures that shape our lives.

What’s your writing routine?

My writing routine constantly changes depending on my life circumstances. Right now, as a new and first-time mum, I often type ideas and short lines with one hand at semi-free moments. I try to make Saturdays my core writing days. That’s when I collate a week of notes and lean into whatever is viable. Then, I get on Zoom with my writing partner to review what we’re each working on and to discuss ideas. People often say writing is solitary, but this partnership is one of the most essential parts of my routine.

What’s next for you?

I am working on my second book, a collection of short stories, while tweaking The Scent of Water more often than I care to admit. It feels like rewrites are never quite done.

Have you done any writing courses?

Yes, I love writing courses, especially when they include workshops. I’ve taken a few over the years, and I did a two-and-a-half-year MFA at the University of San Francisco because the programme was intensely focused on generative writing and workshopping.

What are your two favourite books and why?

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. It’s an evocative, unflinching look at a country, culture, and people. The way Roy teases out details of the story fills me with writer-envy, regardless of how many times I read it.

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Adichie — I read it in my teens and thought, I want to be able to tell stories like this someday.

What advice do you have for any aspiring writers?

Keep the writing the main thing, and it’ll always be worth it.