Writing fantasy is my escape, says teen authour

Why did you start writing? I had a lot of ideas and emotions and thoughts. The only way I could express them was by telling them through writing. It was the only thing I could do properly. It was the only thing I thought I could develop properly and was very good at.  What was […]

Why did you start writing?

I had a lot of ideas and emotions and thoughts. The only way I could express them was by telling them through writing. It was the only thing I could do properly. It was the only thing I thought I could develop properly and was very good at. 

What was the first thing you wrote?

There was a story I wrote when I was eight. It was about Egyptian mythology. I was watching a lot of cartoons and things about it (mythology) and found them very interesting. 

When you wrote about it, who did you think would read it?

Nobody particularly. It was more for fun and I gave it to my aunties. They gave me feedback. They thought it was very dynamic for my age and brilliant. It made me feel good and increased my ego (laughter). So I started writing other things from there. I wrote a whole story after that. It was a fantasy. It was about werewolves and such things. This was then because they were the kind of books I was reading then and they gave me ideas.

Now that you are 14, what are you writing about?

I am writing a crime/mystery thriller. It’s about a girl whose world was changed by an entity that was stalking her and her friends. 

What was the idea behind writing it?

I was going through a dark time and wondering about somebody being controlled by something which didn’t have a personality. I was alone in my thoughts. I had lost my mum. I based my story on death and what it can do to people. 

In writing it, what other perspectives did you bring into the story?

As I was writing it, it was clearer to me how in an instant one’s life could change and how environment can also change people. There is this saying when you are in Rome, act like the Romans. When you are in a place and you are surrounded by a certain kind of people, you are forced to adapt so that you can survive.

What’s the title of this book?

‘To Play a Murderer.’ It is the sequel to the first book I wrote called ‘To Mock a Murderer.’ I began writing when I was 12 [in 2014]. I finished it in October 2015. The most difficult part of writing has been getting the ideas to put together and to put these in proper literary perspective. 

Why did you feel the need to write a sequel?

I felt like I wasn’t done and felt the need to complete the story. Also, I wanted to keep the suspense. There is a lot that isn’t done or concluded in the first book and I know that when people read it, their questions would be answered in the second one. 

What was your target audience?

People my age – teenagers, because fiction I have noticed in Nigeria, attracts a younger audience. Although there are several elements of reality in my story, I have built it around a fictional world.   

What have you done to promote your work?

I have told people about it and also organized with my dad to host a launch of the first book. I am still writing the second book. 

Who or what has been your greatest inspiration with telling the stories?

I have two actually. The first is my older sister, Georgia, and the second is my mum. My sister believes in my work and message, my whole idea and my mission. She helps me the much she can to develop my ideas. I put my ideas to paper first and then she gives me her comments. But she’s not nice at all when she bashes, she’s merciless. [Laughs] I’m like ‘oh, you’ve come again.’

What do you think would have been your mum’s reaction were she alive to see your books?

She would have been very proud. When she was around, she pushed me to develop my creative writing.

Is this writing something you want to keep up?

Oh, yes. 

What do you want to study?

Law! It gives me life. I love the way lawyers talk and defend people. I love the lawyers in ‘How to Get Away With Murder.’ It’s simply interesting. I haven’t exactly decided what I will major in but I’m titling towards Intellectual Property Law because, truth be told, it earns the most money first. Secondly, it seems like the branch I would be able to practice in Nigeria. 

Who are your favorite authors?

I love George R.R. Martin. His books are simply brilliant. Intelligent! I like the way he twists the plot, the storylines. It’s just amazing. 

Who or what is your guide when you are writing?

I’d say my dad, my aunties. They read my work and give me feedback. They are more merciful than Georgia. However, I still prefer her critique because she tells me the truth as it is. 

From fantasy to law, who are you?

[Laughter] when I was young, different things caught my interest from crime to sci-fi. Fantasy is like an escape for me. It’s another world but Law brings me from that fantasy into my reality. I’d say it is my forte. 

Do you imagine that there is anything that could make you stop writing?

Yes, school work. When I have that at hand, writing takes second place and school becomes priority. I write mostly during holidays. During school session, I don’t do any writing. 

School resumes soon, what would you do if you got an inspiration or idea?

I’d immediately write it down and wait for the weekend to develop the idea. 

Are there times when daddy mustn’t know you are writing?

Hmmm, not really. But if it’s a time when I shouldn’t be writing and he finds me doing so he says, “I hope that as you are writing that story you are doing your school work too. Ojoro cancels ojoro.” 

Do you feel you have a responsibility to your audience?

I feel like I have to pass a moral message across. One that will make people sit down and look at the world differently, but meaningfully. Initially, I struggled with it a lot because I would go offline sometimes or simply just space out and run out ideas. But now I do it more efficiently. 

When you finish a piece and Georgia gives you thumbs up, what’s the feeling?

I rejoice. Yes, I just wrote a book and then dance to all kinds of music. I read all the time. 

If you had to change, what would it be?

Nothing really. The mistakes I have made and things that have happened in my life, I believe all lead up to making me a better human being and I am indeed thankful for them all.