Lizzie Damilola Blackburn: On Faith, Love, Identity, and Rewriting the Modern Black Woman’s Story.

Few contemporary authors blend humour, vulnerability, faith, and cultural nuance as seamlessly as Lizzie Damilola Blackburn. Since the release of her acclaimed debut, Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband?, she has become one of the most compelling voices in Black British fiction. Through characters who are funny, flawed, and deeply human, Lizzie continues to reshape how stories about Black women are told and who they are told for.

In this exclusive Interview , she speaks with clarity and warmth about her inspirations, the power of representation, and the journey behind her new novel, The Re-Write.

The Origins of Yinka: A Story Rooted in Real Life

Lizzie’s first novel was born from a familiar Nigerian experience: a mother’s loving but persistent worry about marriage.

“In my twenties, my mum God rest her soul would ask when I’d settle down,” she shares. “That moment inspired a short story, which another writer encouraged me to expand into a novel.”

While readers often assume the character is based on her, Lizzie says Yinka grew into her own person. Still, they share the same frustrations of navigating single life and the grounding influence of Christian faith.

She adds, “I wanted to normalize having Christian protagonists in romance. You rarely see that.”

Crafting Characters With Humour and Depth

A signature of Lizzie’s storytelling is her ability to let humour and vulnerability coexist.

“I write in the protagonist’s present-tense voice,” she explains. “Readers hear their unfiltered thoughts—where the humour naturally comes in. But that closeness also reveals their vulnerability.”

It’s a balance that gives her books their emotional resonance: witty on the surface, deeply human underneath.

A Vivid Lens Into Black British Life

Representation is not a box she tries to check—it’s the world she inhabits.

“I write what I know,” Lizzie says. “My experiences and those of the Black British community naturally flow into my work.”

From the food to the language to the subtle cultural moments, her stories capture the richness of Black British identity without over-explaining or diluting for external approval.

In The Re-Write, she even spotlights Black-owned businesses across food, fashion, and creative industries, encouraging readers to engage with them beyond fiction.

Lizzie is candid about the doubts that sometimes surface as a Nigerian-British writer operating on a global stage.

“There are days I wonder if my writing is too lighthearted or not ‘deep’ enough,” she admits. “But the messages I get from readers remind me there is space for my style.”

Part of her growth has been accepting that cultural nuances will not land with everyone—and they don’t have to.

“I’ve seen reviews saying things like, ‘They kiss their teeth too much.’ But in our community, you can never kiss your teeth too much! I’m okay with not being understood by everyone. The people I’m writing for will get it.”

Themes Shaped by Personal Experience

Faith, friendship, and self-discovery form the core of her books—and each is deeply personal.

“As a Christian, I wanted to portray someone embodying true values of faith: love, kindness, acceptance,” she says.

Her strong friendships also influence her work: “When you meet someone new, your friends are the first people you run to. That intimacy deserved space in the story.”

Writing The Re-Write mirrored her own journey of reevaluating purpose and rediscovering joy, especially after the pressure of a successful debut.

What Lizzie Hopes Readers Carry With Them

With a steadier creative rhythm and healthier mental space, Lizzie embraces the challenges of writing with renewed confidence.

“I hope readers feel joy, excitement, a touch of sadness when the story ends—and the urge to share it with someone else,” she says.

Beyond entertainment, she wants her books to spark something meaningful.

“Whether it’s recognizing your worth like Yinka, or pursuing your dreams like Temi in The Re-Write, I want readers to leave with both laughter and something they can hold on to.”

A Voice Redefining Contemporary Black Womanhood

Lizzie Damilola Blackburn writes with intention celebrating culture, honouring faith, and portraying Black women with dimension and grace. Her stories remind us that love, identity, and self-discovery are journeys made richer by honesty and community.

And with each book, she continues to carve an enduring space for Black British narratives—joyful, nuanced, and deeply resonant.