Globally acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has revealed that, despite receiving as many as 25 rejections for her debut novel, Purple Hibiscus, she never considered giving up on writing.
Adichie made the disclosure during an exclusive interview on Channels Television’s Amazing Africans, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025. She emphasized that she would have continued writing even if she had never been published.
According to her, writing is a divine gift, something she considers spiritual and believes to be her primary purpose on earth.
“The thought of quitting writing is never an option for me because writing is my vocation. Writing is really what I believe I am here to do, it’s a bit spiritual.
“I feel that is a gift that I am given and so even if I hadn’t been published I will still be writing today. So, the idea of giving up writing was never an option. But it (the rejection) was demoralising,” Chimamanda said.
