Introducing Eniola Prentice a new writer on the scene. She was born in Lagos, Nigeria where she began to pen her stories as early as nine years old, inspired by an eclectic group of writers. Still is her debut novel and the first in a series of book. It was in her third year of medical school that she was inspired by God and the unique and inspiring stories of friends that later became her family, to start writing this novel. Check out her author interview below and make sure to purchase Still on Amazon or on iBooks.
Eniola Prentice: Inspired by God and Medicine
Q: What is your story?
Eniola Prentice: Lol. I really do love that question because everybody has a story. How long do you have? I am someone who has beat incredible odds to get to where I am today by the grace of God. Getting and staying in medical school was [a] struggle, publishing this novel was a struggle but I did it by the grace of God. I have many definitions, doctor, Nigerian, female etc. but I don’t think those categories adequately tell my story. The recurring theme of my life story is never giving up and God dragging me to the finish line with the helm of his garment. I hope my life one day inspires others to chase their dreams in education, music writing, in whatever with an unparalleled tenacity. With God [and] with you, there really is nothing that is impossible.
Q: What is Still (and the Still series) about?
EP: At its core, Still is about God’s love for four flawed characters. It includes a fifth character of medical school which is an essential component of my plot. The novel is about their intertwining relationships between each other and their friends against the backdrop of medical school. The main character, Sola starts medical school with the hope that it’s a new beginning for her but as life never turns out how we plan she meets an unlikely character, Tayo who she had encountered in a past life. She also develops and ignores feelings for Ladi, another classmate while she is trying to convince Nikky, another classmate that she should steer clear of Tayo. Yes, she does have her hands full.
Q: Is Still based on personal experiences?
EP: Yes, it is a tongue in cheek memorial of my experience in medical school. When I graduated I realized just how self-absorbed we were. Our whole lives revolved around being in medical school, the gossip, [and] what we wanted to do in the future. We were aware that we were going through an exciting process and enjoyed every minute of it. Yes it was hard work but it was also fun.
Q: Tell me about your journey as a writer
EP: My journey as a writer actually started when I was younger. I wrote my first official novel or novella when I was twelve years [old]. It was called Dark Shadows. Before that, I would use stories from the Sweet Valley High series and Babysitters Club as ‘inspiration’ for my novels. I put inspiration in quotes because my sister always accused me of copying the stories and I would get upset. It led to a lot of sibling squabbling. Anyway these novels inspired me and tickled my imagination. I never took writing seriously as a medium for reaching people until a light bulb went off in my head in medical school and I began writing again. I realized the imagination I had should not be dismissed as childish but that it was a gift from God.
Q: Why was writing this book so important to you?
EP: It was important because I believe God placed it in my heart to write it. I felt He has a plan and purpose for the series so I am going to obey him to the best of my abilities.
Q: Tell us a little about your life now?
EP: My life now is in transition. I just published my novel and now I am starting medical residency in Virginia so I also have to move to a new city. I am excited about all the changes in my life and I am looking forward to starting a new chapter of life.
Check out the synopsis for Still below and buy it today.
A broken soul,
an alcoholic,
a certifiable genius,
a Christian man
and a secret that will destroy the bonds of their friendship.
When self-proclaimed atheist Fadesola, gets into medical school she believes that it’s a fresh start of sorts for her. Until she discovers her class mate is charming and handsome Tayo Smith, a man she encountered in a violent moment years ago. This revelation shatters Fadesola’s already fragile emotional state but hope comes where she least expects it. A seemingly innocent friendship with Tayo’s friend, Ladi, slowly develops into a smoldering relationship with both afraid to acknowledge their mutual feelings. Things get even more complicated when Nikky, Fadesola’s classmate and friend, ignores her desperate warnings and decides that Tayo is the man she is meant to be with. However, within the complexities of this friendship these flawed individuals will experience God’s redemptive grace in a setting each believed his love would never find them. Still, the first book of a four part series is a coming of age story about navigating through medical school in the first year, complete with hilarious hook ups and breaks ups, legendary parties and incessant studying, and experiencing the triumph of success and disappointment of failure.
Also to celebrate the release of her novel, Eniola is hosting a raffle. You can win a signed copy of the novel, a mystery gift, and a $40 Amazon Gift Card. Click here to enter.
Zakiya N. Jamal 