Nnedi Okorafor revealed how an encounter with a jellyfish in Sharjah inspired her acclaimed Binti series, while encouraging young writers to embrace cultural identity, personal experiences and human creativity.
SHARJAH: A chance encounter with a blue jellyfish in Sharjah’s Khalid Lagoon became the inspiration for an acclaimed science fiction series, bestselling author Nnedi Okorafor revealed during an interactive session with school students at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026).
The award-winning fantasy and science fiction writer shared how personal experiences, cultural identity and unexpected moments can inspire powerful stories, encouraging young audiences to trust their own creativity.
Speaking during a session titled ‘The Future Doesn’t Have to Look Like Someone Else’s’, she explained why meaningful storytelling begins with authentic experiences rather than attempts to appeal to everyone.
How did a jellyfish in Sharjah inspire the Binti series?
One of the session’s most intriguing revelations concerned the inspiration behind Okorafor’s acclaimed Binti series.
The author recalled encountering a blue jellyfish in Khalid Lagoon, an experience that sparked her imagination and helped inspire the science fiction story.
The encounter left such a lasting impression that she dedicated the original Binti novella to the creature.
Her experience demonstrated how an ordinary moment in a familiar location can become the foundation for an imaginative fictional world.
Why personal stories matter more than following trends
Nnedi Okorafor encouraged aspiring writers to embrace their cultural backgrounds and individual experiences.
“The best stories are the specific ones,” she said. “The more specific a story is, the more people tend to understand it. It sounds like a contradiction.”
Born and raised in the United States to Nigerian parents, she explained that her identity as a Nigerian American influenced her creative development.
For eight years, she wrote stories without actively seeking publication, focusing instead on expressing her emotions, experiences and cultural perspectives.
“Do not let fear keep you from telling your story,” she told students.
How a life-changing experience led her to writing
The author also described how storytelling entered her life following a serious medical experience.
A competitive athlete during childhood, she underwent spinal surgery at 19 that left her temporarily paralysed from the waist down.
While recovering in hospital, she began writing creatively, imagining a girl who could fly.
“When you can fly, you don’t have to walk,” she recalled.
The experience marked the beginning of her journey into fiction.
Why she encourages young writers to avoid AI
When asked how students could improve their storytelling abilities, Nnedi Okorafor offered a direct recommendation.
“Do not use AI,” she said.
“I’m not anti-AI, but I’m pro-human, and I’m pro-earth, and I’m pro-creativity,” she explained.
She emphasised that the process of thinking, experimenting and creating independently is essential to developing original stories.
Impact to expect
Her message could inspire young writers across the UAE to explore their cultural identities, trust their imagination and develop original stories. The connection between Sharjah and the Binti series also highlights how local experiences can influence internationally recognised literature.
The 45th Sharjah International Book Fair runs from November 4 to 15, 2026, at Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme ‘Made of Stories’.
