‘I want women to know they’re not alone’
Krystle Zara Appiah TELLS ELLA DOVE ABOUT THE INSPIRATION FOR HER DEBUT NOVEL ROOTLESS, OUT THIS MONTH
Rootless explores the relationship between Efe and Sam, whose marriage is in crisis owing to differing views on parenthood. How did the story come about?
I’d been working on an idea that I was falling out of love with when an image for a new character popped into my mind – standing on a train platform, hysterical because her baby is still on the train. The raw emotion of it was compelling and I knew it was a story I wanted to explore. She became Efe.
Why did you feel driven to delve into the themes of motherhood and sacrifice?
I knew from the age of 18 that I didn’t want children. In Rootless, I wanted to explore what would happen if you give into the pressure to start a family. Motherhood devours Efe’s life and even though she’s trying, she struggles. It’s a hard story, but also one a lot of women will relate to.
Tell us about the writing process.
The book took about two years to write. I was working in children’s publishing when I first had the idea, but I left during the pandemic to focus on writing. After securing an agent, I got another publishing job and became an editor at The Novelry. I was working crazy hours to fit writing Rootless around my day job, but I loved the process.
What’s first – characters or plot?
They worked in tandem – I was still figuring out some plot elements until fairly late in the story, but working out the defining elements of the characters and their early lives helped me to inform who they would become.
Are you a morning lark or a night owl when writing?
I tend to write first thing – I’ll get a cup of tea and go back to bed to write, which is such a luxury! I also like writing in The London Library or in cafes, but I struggle towards the end of the day – it’s like my brain slowly shuts down.
Did you always want to be a published author?
I loved writing when I was little, but I learned to read quite late and struggled with it growing up. I was about 13 when my sister recommended Garth Nix’s fantasy series The Old Kingdom. She told me if I read them, she’d give me £50! It took me a long time, but I kept going and loved them, so I have my sister to thank. For a long time, I didn’t think I’d have the capacity to be a writer or have a story worth telling, but I worked very hard. I’m so happy it paid off.
What do you hope readers who identify with Rootless may take from the novel?
I’d like people to empathise with Efe’s struggles and know that her desire not to have children is a relatable one. Hopefully, anyone who feels the same knows they’re not alone and they don’t have to go through what she goes through. I also really hope that people learn to stand in their truth and their convictions. There is a life outside of parenthood – deciding not to have children or reconciling with being unable to have children does not make you any less of a woman.