(Left: Obe Keno, Right: Ms Miracle)
I, Obe Keno, am so happy to be welcoming YOU to Episode 7 of the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES.
Here with me today, is our guest. Meet Ms Miracle Emeka-Nkwor (popularly known as M.E.N), an Author who has a flair for writing mystery and crime fiction that keeps you hooked till the last word.
She is going to answer some very insightful questions about herself, her goals and growth as an Author in Nigeria for us, so please grab some popcorn/a friend if you can, stay tuned and ENJOY!.
Keno: (smiling brightly) A warm welcome to the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series Ms Miracle, thank you for having this interview.
Ms Miracle: (smiles) Thank you Keno, for having me as a guest on this lovely series, this is such a special thing you’re doing on the blog and if you’re reading this, THANK YOU.
Keno: Absolutely. If you’re reading this, thank you for joining us in promoting the Nigerian Book Industry!. Now, let’s get into the interview proper, Ms Miracle, I’ll start by asking the first question we have for you today….. Do you read a lot of books, if yes, do you believe that being an avid reader has contributed to you being a great writer?.
Ms Miracle: (smiles) Yes, I read a lot of books (when I have the time) and it has indeed contributed greatly to my writing. The beautiful thing about the world of writing is that there is no MASTER; everyone is constantly learning to be better in their craft and leveraging on the works of others is a great way to do that.
Keno: (nods) Great answer, I believe so too. Question 2, What do you like best about the process of writing a book?.
Ms Miracle: (smiles) If I’m to be completely honest about what I like best, I’d say it’s the process of typing the amazing letters, T-H-E E-N-D!.
Keno: (laughs) I can just imagine how good that must feel. Question 3, What is your goal as an author?.
Ms Miracle: My goal as an author is to have a safe space where I can put out my work and have people truly appreciate my stories. Money, fame and success are on the list but having people who understand and appreciate my work tops it!.
Keno: (nods) Those are worthy goals. Question 4, Are you currently working on any new books?. And if you are, please give us a hint!. When can we expect it?.
Ms Miracle: (smiles) Yes, I am. It’s a young adult novel as well and it’s also set in the city of Port Harcourt. Lastly, it’s a muder mystery too! This is as far as I can tell. As for its expected date of release, I have nothing for you.
Keno: (laughs) Okayyyy. Thanks for the insider info. Question 5, What advice would you give to a writer working on their very first book?.
Ms Miracle: I’d say: BELIEVE in your work. You know how the spaghetti thinks it’s straight until it gets wet?. That’s how I want you to think about your work. Believe in that beautiful art that you’re creating. Yes, it may not be a masterpiece YET and a lot of people may not realize the awesomeness of your work, but trust that at the right time and with the right resources, you will SHINE.
Keno: (smiles) Hmmm… I felt that!. And I know someone reading this does too. Question 6, How do you select the names of your characters?.
Ms Miracle: (shrugs) I don’t have a basic rule per se. It’s not an intensive brain activity for me because the names come to me rather spontaneously.
Keno: (nods) Okay…. Question 7, What drove or inspired you to write your debut novel “WHAT HAPPENED TO JANET UZOR”?
Ms Miracle: Questions along this line always make me smile. I first wrote “WHAT HAPPENED TO JANET OZOR” when I was 15 and my only driving force then, was writing a story with an ending that would be totally UNPREDICTABLE by my classmates back then in school (smiles). I honestly had no idea it would garner such a large audience today but I am grateful for its growth thus far❤️.
Keno: (smiles and nods) Wow, when you were 15!. That’s so impressive…. Question 8, What genre of fiction do you prefer to read and/or write?.
Ms Miracle: I have a flair for writing mystery and crime fiction. I have the same reading taste but lately, I have learnt to appreciate and read diverse genres and it’s been a rather rewarding experience, I must say.
Keno: (smiles) Nice to hear that you’re broadening the horizon when it comes to reading fiction…. Question 9, What is the message you want to pass to your readers through your book: “WHAT HAPPENED TO JANET UZOR”?.
Ms Miracle: (smiles) I believe people process things differently and that is something I have learnt to appreciate and fully understand. Based on the positions of various readers, they could all get DIFFERENT messages from “WHAT HAPPENED TO JANET UZOR”. A teenager reading it could justify his/her bouts of anger towards adults who “never listen”. Another teenager could read it and better understand the meaning of true friendship. A father/mother could see it as a reminder that cultivating healthy relationships with their children is indeed a worthy investment. The list is endless but I guess you get my point. If I start STATING the exact message I’m trying to pass, readers could get biased and struggle to read the story through my eyes.
Keno: (smiles and nods) Spoken like a truly wise author!……. Thank you, Ms Miracle for this interview and for being our guest on the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series.
Ms Miracle: It was lovely to do this with you. Thanks for having me. Dear Readers, I would LOVE to connect with you on Instagram.
Keno: Also, this is your invitation to join our community: @taleofthebook on Instagram if you aren’t already a part!. And you might want to check out Ms Miracle’s book: “WHAT HAPPENED TO JANET UZOR”. Enough said. (Smiles).
Believe in that beautiful art that you’re creating. Yes, it may not be a masterpiece YET and a lot of people may not realize the awesomeness of your work, but trust that at the right time and with the right resources, you will SHINE.
-Author Miracle
Did you like something? Did you learn something from reading this interview?. We’d love to hear it…Please leave a comment below. And please copy the link and SHARE with others. Sending you love as you do!♥️💐
Thank you for reading YOUNG AND BOOKED Series 1: Episode 7. You are such an AMAZING human!. See you on the next Episode!.
*If this is your first time visiting this blog, please read more about the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES here…..
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