Author Interview: “52 Weeks: A Party of One” by Bianca Pensy Aba

This post is part of Hear Our Voices blog tour and I am going to discuss the upcoming book, 52 Weeks: A Party of One by Bianca Pensy Aba.⁠

After being betrayed by her best friend and boyfriend, Aisha drops everything. She finds herself in Dallas, Texas, on a 52-week journey that finds her going through every emotion in the human mind: anger, rage, and even self-deprecation. However, as she goes through this 52-week journey, Aisha discovers new experiences new people and a deeper understanding of herself. This contemporary story highlights how people deal with their pain differently, some that are healthy and some that are not, and “52 Weeks…” takes a more realistic and relatable approach that I feel readers who enjoy the “Eat, Pray, Love” mentality will enjoy diving into this one. It is a bit slow initially, but it is a story worth a chance. It is a raw and emotional story, and you may disagree with the destination but will appreciate the journey.

Author Interview

As the blog tour stop, I had the chance to ask Bianca Penzy Aba questions about her latest book. I hope her answers encourage you to get a copy of her book!

Where did you get the inspiration to write 52 Weeks a Party of One? I was inspired by women who embrace and enjoy spending time alone.

Is the main character, Aisha, based on someone you know, and which characters do you identify with most? No, Aisha isn’t based on someone I know, and I identify with Old Man with Round Glasses the most lol.

Without giving anything away, what would you say were your favorite scenes to write? The two that come up immediately are the scene involving a fungus and the one where Aisha cries on a dock.

Are you a plotter or a pantser? I’m a pantser.

What is your favorite genre to read, and how does that genre influence your writing today? My favorite genre is women’s fiction. I enjoy exploring a female protagonist’s journey through the good, the bad, and the ugly.

You have two books under your belt. What advice would you give prospective writers working on their first novel? I would encourage them to write the stories they want to tell and enjoy the process. Authorship is a rollercoaster, and it’s best to write stories you’re passionate about to enjoy the ride.

What do you want readers to take away from 52 Weeks a Party of One? Difficult times will happen, and it’s okay to feel those emotions. It’s important to give ourselves grace and time to heal. This is the main thing I’d like readers to take away from this story.

After readers finish reading 52 Weeks a Party of One, what books would you recommend reading after? Waiting to Exhale! After rewatching the movie for the millionth time, I finally read the book, and it’s SUCH a great read.

Do you have any upcoming projects you want to tell us about? I’m working on a novel set in Cameroon and the U.S. It also follows a FMC on her journey to achieve her goals. I’m excited to share more about it later this year!
We like a cup of tea on this blog while reading. So, what is your favorite beverage to drink while you are reading? Depending on the hour, a white chocolate mocha or a cabernet.