PHOTO: Patricia Asedegbega Nieto captivates readers with her dynamic storytelling, poignant themes, vibrant characters, and a masterful blend of humour and depth.
A World Of Suspense And Wit
Patricia Asedegbega Nieto discusses her journey as a writer, crafting emotional and humorous tales, creating unforgettable characters, and offering readers relatable, suspenseful stories filled with hope and second chances.
Patricia Asedegbega Nieto stands as a remarkable voice in contemporary literature, weaving tales that effortlessly captivate readers with their depth, emotional resonance, and a generous touch of humour. Born to a Spanish mother and Nigerian father in Madrid, Patricia’s rich cultural heritage and diverse life experiences have given her storytelling a unique and compelling perspective. Her talent is evident across a wide array of works, spanning genres and themes, from the heartfelt and poignant to the light-hearted and laugh-out-loud funny.
Her novel “…To the Moon and Back” reveals her extraordinary ability to delve into the complexities of human experiences, tackling sensitive and relatable issues with authenticity and grace. Meanwhile, Patricia’s lighter and thoroughly delightful works, such as “Balou Uncensored”, showcase her playful side, bringing to life the unforgettable character of Balou, who continues to earn a cherished place in readers’ hearts.
As both an author and a producer, Patricia’s creative breadth is inspiring. She seamlessly balances compelling suspenseful novels, such as “I Stand Corrected”, with her work in audio and web series, catering to audiences in both English and Spanish. The intricacy of her character-building—whether it be the strength and resilience of Anne or the clever, commanding presence of Balou—reflects her deep understanding of human (and feline) nature. Her work constantly reminds us that it is always possible to turn the page and begin anew, no matter how challenging life may seem.
In this issue, we are delighted to feature an exclusive interview with Patricia, where she shares insights into her creative process, the inspiration behind her beloved characters, and her vision for future projects. Patricia Asedegbega Nieto is undoubtedly a storyteller for our times, and her work continues to enrich and entertain readers across the globe.
“In my books, I touch on serious issues under the guise of fiction that are relatable to my readers.” – Patricia Asedegbega Nieto
What inspired you to write “…To the moon and back?” and how did you develop Anne’s character?
The inspiration for my novels comes from basically anything and everything, Sometimes, from a memory, a phrase, a glance, a word, a story that I´ve been told, or simply from people that I come across on the street. Once the idea is planted in my mind, I start developing the plot and my ever active imagination takes over. In my books, I touch on serious issues under the guise of fiction that are relatable to my readers. “…To the moon and back” deals with several situations that are sadly common to a lot of people and one can´t help but understand the different characters and their complexities. It´s a series and I´m currently working on volume II of it.
Anne is a very special character for me, all my characters are and I wouldn´t know which one is my favourite if I was asked to pick one. She´s faced with too many difficult decisions and changes in her life, I enjoyed creating her and bringing her to life, unconsciously trying to put myself in her place as I did so. Anne is surprisingly a very strong woman, though she comes close to doing so, she doesn´t break under pressure.
How do you balance writing emotional and complex stories like Anne’s with lighter, humorous works like “Balou Uncensored”?
Balou is a very beloved character that came to life in the novel, “I stand corrected.” This novel also deals with a very serious and sensitive topic and Balou was the comic relief in a plot that is quite dark and intense. In his usual fashion, he just had to educate his readers in “Balou Uncensored,” on how he believes that he deserves be treated, he couldn´t help it and so, it felt natural to write that small guide on his behalf. He will soon be returning in the third book of The Rosary and Balou Mystery series.
What message or themes do you hope readers take away from your books?
Aside from entertaining my readers, I try to inject a sense of hope with my work, for people to know that it´s never too late to start again or to follow their dreams. As long as we are alive, there´s always the opportunity to turn the page and write a new chapter, I believe that we all deserve countless opportunities. My genre is mainly suspense, so I do enjoy creating a web of intrigue, for people after reading one of my books to tell me that I surprised them and that they found the ending quite unexpected.
Can you share your creative process when developing unique characters like Balou?
I´ve had cats for a number of years and so, Balou was quite easy and natural to create and develop. One can´t help but observe the very unique character of a cat. Balou´s thoughts and points of view make me laugh as I write, the reader can picture the looks of disdain that he constantly throws in the direction of the people he doesn´t care for, which to be honest, are quite a lot. Balou is never wrong; he knows everything and always solves the crime before anyone else, there´s no convincing him otherwise.
What challenges have you faced as an author, and how have they influenced your writing?
I hate the marketing aspect of it all. I´d be happy just writing and writing and not having to do anything for my work to get to my readers, listeners and viewers as I also produce Web and Audio Series for my channel. My dislike for promoting myself hasn´t affected my writing because I really enjoy seeing how an initial idea is slowly transformed into a finished novel. I´m involved in the creative process; from the first letter that´s written up until to the cover design. I wish I had more time to write and that the rest would just miraculously sort itself out, preferably without any involvement from me.
Are there any upcoming projects or books you are currently working on that readers can look forward to?
I´m constantly developing plots and writing and so, a few sequels are in the works. I combine my publishing of novels with the writing and production of Audio Series both in English and in Spanish and I´m about to release my second Web Series for my YouTube channel. I have a lot planned for 2025 that I hope and pray that I can achieve. I´m constantly feeling like I´m about to find out the results of a particularly difficult exam when people are about to read, listen or view my work, but it´s all worth it.
