In many quarters, flash fiction and short stories remain unheralded genres of fiction, wrongly seen by many as "lesser" literary pieces.

With her latest collection of witty and engrossing stories titled the Lagos Flash Fiction Series, Tolulope Popoola, an accountant-turned-writer, shows off not only her impressive penmanship but also reemphasizes the fact that shorter works can be just as impressive as tome-sized novels.

Congratulations on the Lagos Flash Fiction Series! What inspired the idea for this collection?

Thank you! I’ve always been fascinated by Lagos as a city- its madness, vibrancy, rhythm, and the stories it throws at you daily. I wanted to capture slices of everyday life in a way that was quick, relatable, and fun. Flash fiction was the perfect medium for that.

The series includes six books so far. Did you plan it as a series from the start?

Initially, no. I wrote Memoirs of a Lagos Wedding Planner first as a one-off project. But the response was so encouraging, and the characters were so vivid, that I realised there was room to explore more professions and lives in Lagos.

Each book is told from a different narrator’s point of view. Why that structure?

I wanted to show Lagos from multiple angles: through the eyes of a baker, a taxi driver, a junior banker, and more. Everyone in Lagos has a story, and this format allows us to hear from characters we might otherwise overlook.

How would you describe your tone or signature style as a writer?

Witty, conversational, grounded. I like to write stories that feel like gist between friends, authentic, emotional, but not overly sentimental, humorous, but still layered.

You mix drama and comedy really well. How do you find that balance?

Lagos itself is a perfect blend of comedy and chaos. I just try to reflect that. Most of the funny moments come naturally from the situations I put my characters in.

Do you have a favourite character from the series?

That’s a tough one! But I have a soft spot for Dayo, the baker. She’s hardworking, honest, and relatable. Her stories often reflect the tension between passion and survival.

CJ in Memoirs of a Serial Best Man is such a character. Was he inspired by someone you know?

Yes, he’s based on a friend of mine who used to get teased for being a groomsman several times but never a groom. He’s the guy who holds everything together and is there for his friends when they’re getting married. He’s a mix of charisma, bad timing, and hidden depth.

How much of your own experience of Lagos life is in these books?

Quite a bit! While the stories are fictional, they’re all rooted in things I’ve seen, heard, or imagined based on real experiences. Lagos is endlessly inspiring.

You live in the UK now. What made you set this series in Lagos?

I may live abroad, but Lagos will always be home. I wanted to create something specifically for Nigerian readers but also accessible to a global audience. Lagos has its own heartbeat, and I wanted to honour that.

Do you think non-Nigerian readers can connect with these stories?

Absolutely. The settings may be local, but the themes, such as love, ambition, problem solving, frustration, family, meeting different people, etc., are universal. Plus, readers love to be transported to different cultures.

What’s the biggest challenge you face when writing flash fiction?

Telling a full story in a small space. You have to drop readers right into the moment without much setup, and still give them enough to make them care.

And what’s the joy of writing it?

There’s satisfaction in telling a complete story in 1,000 words or less. I like the intensity and often, the twist and unanswered questions. Readers love it because it fits their busy lives and allows them to fill in the gaps after they’ve finished reading.

Why did you choose a fictional memoir format for the series?

I enjoy writing most of my stories in the first person. It allows for intimacy, and readers feel like they’re hearing someone’s diary or voice notes. It’s personal and immersive.

Some of the stories are very funny. Others are quite serious. How do you approach heavy topics in short form?

With sensitivity and subtlety. Sometimes humour can soften the edges, but I never want to make light of pain. I try to let the character’s voice lead the tone.

Which of the five flash fiction collections was the most fun to write?

Memoirs of a Lagos Baker was the most fun! The cake disasters, influencer bride, and last-minute madness were such fun to explore. It was like writing a comedy show with cakes and fondant.

And which one was the most emotionally challenging?

Memoirs of a Lagos Junior Banker. I was a bit stressed with writing some of the scenes as I wanted to make it as real as possible. Onome’s financial anxiety, career pressure, and microaggressions at work were a reminder of how tough that space can be, especially for young women trying to prove themselves.

About the Author

Tolulope Popoola is an award-winning author, writing coach, and publishing consultant who left a career in accounting to pursue her passion for writing.

Her work has earned recognition in the UK and Nigeria, including being the second runner-up at the Women In Publishing (UK) Awards in 2012, receiving a special Award of Excellence at the Nigerian Writers’ Awards in 2016, and being shortlisted for the Diaspora Writer of the Year Award in 2017.

She was named one of the “100 Most Influential Nigerian Writers Under 40”. Her novel Nothing Comes Close was praised as one of the best books of 2012 by Africa Book Club. Her Creative Writing Club was awarded “Most Innovative Creative Writing Club – East London” in the Greater London Enterprise Awards 2022. She's also been recognized as “Africa’s flash fiction queen” by Brittle Paper.