The Audacity of Aspirations with Author, Vanessa Walters

In this engaging episode of the Black Writer Therapy Podcast, host Ella Shawn chats with Vanessa Walters about her experiences as an author and the inspirations behind her book ‘The Niger Wife.‘ Vanessa discusses her journey from her Jamaican heritage to growing up in London and eventually moving to Lagos. She reveals how her life as a ‘Niger wife’ influenced her novel and the support of the Niger Wife Association. Vanessa and Ella delve into themes of patriarchy, familial duty, and the unique struggles of Black women writers, touching on Vanessa’s creative process, the healing nature of writing, and the eventual adaptation of her book into a screenplay by HBO. The conversation highlights Vanessa’s nuanced storytelling and the significant impact of her cultural background on her work.

Vanessa Walters was born and raised in London, UK by Jamaican parents and has traveled extensively living in 5 cities on 4 continents. She now lives in Brooklyn, New York with her family. Vanessa published two YA books in her teens (Rude Girls, Best Things in Life). She has also written poetry, plays and a creative historical collection about Black experience in London (Smoke! Othello!). Vanessa has a bachelors degree in Law and French Law and has worked in a range of media roles over the years including at the BBC, Financial Times, Thomson Reuters, and written for The Guardian, The New Statesman among others. THE NIGERWIFE, was inspired by her time in Nigeria as a Nigerwife. It was a Good Morning America Bookclub Pick and a best books of 2023 (Audible, New York Public Library) and is currently being adapted by HBO spearheaded by Amy Aniobi (Producer of Insecure). Vanessa is working on her second novel which again explores the wonder and tragedy of family, this time in Brooklyn.

Therapeutic Moments

• 07:52 Challenges and Accomplishments in Writing
• 16:17 The Niger Wife: A Personal Connection
• 46:44 Navigating Identity as a Black Writer
• 47:53 Challenges of Audience Perception
• 57:15 Generational Trauma and Healing
• 01:02:13 Motherhood and Parenting Reflections
• 01:17:35 The Complexity of Marriage

01:26:53 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Vanessa’s Facebook group Vanessa’s Facebook page Vanessa’s Website Ella Shawn Listen to Black Writer Therapy Podcast

The More You Know

• Windrush Generation 1945 – 1960 | Haringey Council – This is how Vanessa’s family landed in the UK and she does a wonderful job explaining and sharing her Jamaican roots.
• The Nigerwives Association – [comprehensive history of the Nigerwives-Nigeria association from their official website. This association, formed in 1979 by foreign women married to Nigerian citizens, aimed to address challenges related to residence permits, work permits, employment discrimination, and other issues faced by these women. The association has since grown, with branches across Nigeria, working on various social projects and supporting the integration of foreign wives into Nigerian society .]

Thank you for joining us on the Black Writer Therapy Podcast! We hope you enjoyed today’s episode and found inspiration in the stories and insights shared. If you loved what you heard, please leave us a review and recommend the show to your family and friends. Your support helps us continue to uplift and amplify the voices of Black women writers.

Questions or thoughts? Please email us at blackwritertherapy@gmail.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates and content. And be sure to check out our merch and join our vibrant community.

Until next time, remember writing is an intentional act of healing. Thanks for listening!

If you have a podcast and want some magic in your notes, click below to save time and energy.

This is an affiliate link. Castmagic

#blackwomenwriters

Black Writer Therapy is affiliated with the Authentic Connections Network. This podcasting network was founded to amplify the voices that are missing from the landscape of podcasting.

The goal of the network is 37 by 27—increasing the number of women-hosted podcasts to 37% by 2027.

Over 65% of podcasts launched by the Authentic Connections Network have reached the top 10% of podcasts globally in their first month.

This network provides a community of support and mentoring to ensure that each show within its fold thrives and achieves longevity and success.

The Black Writer Therapy podcast is 100% independent and depends on you, the listeners. If you enjoy the show and would like to be a part of its growth, show your support today and help us keep going:

• Set your preference to automatic download
• Join my Substack newsletter at the paid subscription level and gain access to unedited sessions, behind the scenes footage, first dibs on contest, exclusive contests for members only, Live Q & A, Discount on Merch, and much more than you want to read in my shown notes.
• Subscribe, like, share, and leave a review or rating wherever you listen to Black Writer Therapy
• Tell your people about the podcast
• Email Ella Shawn

#BlackWriterTherapy #Gratitude #IndiePodcast