I don't believe in the art-for-art's-sake philosophy. With the raw material before me and the gifts within me, I did my best to celebrate the voices and intelligence and sweetness and dreams of the children in spite of their chaotic,… — Uwem Akpan Copy Share Image
I believe artists should be able to step into other people's situations, contexts and cultures and work from there. If artists don't have that freedom, then, as someone has said, are we all writing our autobiographies? — Uwem Akpan Copy Share Image
For me, as I've said many times, the story is not research. The story is how the characters relate with each other and with… — Uwem Akpan Copy Share Image
I think fiction allows us to sit for a while with people we would rather not meet. — Uwem Akpan Copy Share Image
I'd say my religious life has shaped my worldview; my writing, I'd say too, is an extension of the pulpit...it reaches folks who don't… — Uwem Akpan Copy Share Image
I always felt my writing could benefit from the attention of established writers. I knew my work could grow and be better. — Uwem Akpan Copy Share Image
I believe that Jesus was both priest and poet. Imagine those powerful parables! My experience as a priest tells me it's not possible to… — Uwem Akpan Copy Share Image
I'm happy if my book makes you want to kiss your family... if we can reconcile with each other no matter where we are… — Uwem Akpan Copy Share Image
I don't believe in the art-for-art's-sake philosophy. With the raw material before me and the gifts within me, I did my best to celebrate… — Uwem Akpan Copy Share Image
Maybe if we can find time to hug and cherish our families and the people around us, child suicide or college suicide wouldn't be… — Uwem Akpan Copy Share Image
After the phone call from The New Yorker, I walked more than a mile to church to thank God. But then I told God… — Uwem Akpan Copy Share Image
I have been very afraid of writing about other cultures and countries. I've been worried about getting the research wrong. I ask a lot… — Uwem Akpan Copy Share Image
I believe artists should be able to step into other people's situations, contexts and cultures and work from there. If artists don't have that… — Uwem Akpan Copy Share Image
Though people are more important than money, I'm not convinced these large sums of money paid out to victims is the best. Listening to… — Uwem Akpan Copy Share Image
