Born in the great city of London, England, Anikka Forbes always knew that she was different. Even down to her last name not belonging to either of her parents, its not a story you come across every day! 

Throughout her life this puzzled her in spite of her mothers’ reason as to why it was done, blaming it on her father when both are responsible.  It wasn’t until her mid-thirties that she discovered her father’s bloodline and that she was a descendant of Nigerian Royalty, whose throne traces back 900 years and her history was hidden to keep her Nigerian ancestry a secret while growing up in Britain.

Although technically a princess, Anikka has experienced the ups and downs of life like most.  In her debut book, you will enjoy Anikka’s journey as she allows you to glimpse into a few years of her eighteen years of recording (every day to some days) life events in the diaries she kept.

Her book will have you laughing, crying, intrigued and captivated as a ‘Lady of Colour’ whose ancestry traces back to royalty takes you into her most intimate thoughts and experiences.  In reading the book, The Journey of a Hidden Princess: A British Lady’s Path to Discovery of Her African Royal Bloodline, not since Princess Diana will a reader come up close and personal with a lady who in spite of her royalty is genuine, truthful and humble.

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
London, United Kingdom

WHY DO YOU WRITE?
I wrote more back in my teens and twenties because it was a mixture of having a lot going on around me, so I was able to off-load my thoughts, feelings, ideas etc in writing a bit like a counselling session. I do not write as much as I did back then but still do, maybe because my life since my 30s plus has mainly been me on my own, not around many people.

WHAT DO YOU WRITE ABOUT?
I write about any and everything from my own life experiences, what family friends are doing orgoing through, work, relationships… nothing is off limits. I am an Open Book!

https://www.anikkaforbes.com/author

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC WRITING STYLE?
My style of writing is real, to the point and with no filter. It is like I am talking to you with my writing. You are drawn in and left wanting more.

WHAT ARE THE OBSTACLES THAT COME IN THE WAY OF MY WRITING?
None that I know of, as I just write what I think. The only obstacle that I have had was writing this first book, due to having to unlock events from my past which are still sensitive and difficult to think about at times. Plus I was sharing parts of my life that I have never shared with anyone before, so to relive it in my mind was differently challenging, draining and emotional at times which is why it took me longer than expected to write. I kept stopping, starting and even considered not completing it
because it was more difficult than I could ever imagine. #NoRegrets

WHATS THE MOST MEMORABLE THING ASKED/SAID BY A READER ABOUT YOUR
WORK?

Having read the few reviews via my Amazon, there is one that had me thinking ‘wow’ written by Lauryn which read;
“The author holds you in a spell as she speaks her truth” That for me means that person was able to feel my words as I shared my experiences in detail. That is amazing.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING?
I wrote my first diary/journal back in 1997/98 when I was between the ages of 16-18

WHEN DID YOU FIRST REALIZE YOU WANTED TO BECOME A WRITER
Since the age of 16, I have always known I would write a book! I just didn’t know what about but one day the thought and vision would become a reality.

WHAT IS YOUR WORK SCHEDULE LIKE WHEN YOU ARE WRITING?
There is no schedule for my writing, I write whenever. 95% of my material is already written due to them being in my diaries.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR INTERESTING WRITING QUIRK?
I am not sure what my interesting quirk would be as I have never thought about it, would leave that question to the readers to decide, if there is any or not!

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO WRITE A BOOK?
I would say it all depends on the individual and what they are writing about. I think when writing non-fiction is more challenging because it’s real-life experiences that you are writing about! Whereas fiction is made-up (though I am sure still challenging) but doesn’t come close to speaking your truth.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO BECOME A BETTER WRITER?
From my first experience of writing and publishing, though I did have a ghost-writer who proofread and added parts that she’d researched. Sabrina was American and obviously, theirwords, sayings etc. are different to the UK so I still went through and amended parts. She was a superb part of this book journey, she choose the Cover and the Title and will forever be grateful for all her help in making can confess there are typos and it’s not perfect English (nor did I want it to be) it expressed how I speak (which may not be for everyone, but I am not trying to be like any other author. I would certainly say when it is your first book don’t compromise on how you write it, do it your way. Because it can always be rewritten should a publisher be interested in it but make your first original the way you want. Make sure you still do get someone to proofread too

WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU COME ACROSS WHEN WRITING/CREATING YOUR STORY?

The only challenge I have come across so far from writing my first memoir was having to remember past bad experiences and relive the emotions that resurfaced.

WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES A GOOD STORY?
True stories where the Author isn’t holding back are what make a great story. But though I love to write, I am terrible are reading but trying to improve on this (working progress).

WHAT DOES YOUR FAMILY THINK OF YOUR WRITING?
I only know about 1 family member who has read my book and she was shocked by my life experiences, more so by my childhood with the abuse I experienced and being attacked by a family member. While also amazed by my truth and overcoming it all though still a healing process

DO YOU SEE WRITING AS A CAREER?
It most certainly can be if you’re consistent with it and promote it well. Having bookstores sell it in their shops too is definitely, an added bonus.

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING SPECIFIC YOU’D LIKE TO TELL THE READERS?
Firstly I would like to say a big Thank You to anyone that does decide to buy and read my book, I appreciate the love and support. I am a ‘Lady of Variety’ and my book certainly is full of that. Think Prince Harry’s Spare Book (yet to read) though I don’t need to as I know (like myself) he is sharing his truth which many have an issue with, but why should any stay silent about what they have experienced? I know there are family members who will never read (or will read) but never admit to reading it because I have always expressed myself and some of what I have written they may have expected me to have kept private. But the way I see it if you’re mentioned in this book you should feel honoured because you were part of my life journey during that time (regardless of good or bad). Because what happens in the dark, will always come to light! And I would rather keep it real than be fake and hide behind lies or pretense! #YerISaidIt I also love Blogging so check out my blogs; https://www.anikkaforbes.com/blog
Watch this space for more books, currently working on my book sharing my (first and last) experience of being involved with a narcissist, for more check out this blog direct link; https://www.anikkaforbes.com/post/narcissist

WHEN DID YOU FIRST CONSIDER YOURSELF AS A WRITER?
When I pressed PUBLISH on amazon, back on the 12th Dec ‘2019 and they confirmed my book was available to the world. #WellDoneMe