YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES 1: EPISODE 10

(Left: Obe Keno, Right: Ms Catherine)

I, Obe Keno, am excited to welcome YOU to Episode 10 of the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES.(can you believe we’re on the TENTH EPISODE ALREADY???!!😊)

Here with me today, is our guest. Meet Ms Catherine Assam, an Author who writes to remind people that someone sees, hears, understands, appreciates and loves them.

She is going to answer 12 very insightful questions about herself, her journey 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 Catherine, thank you for having this interview.

Ms Catherine: (smiles) Thank you Keno, for having me as a guest on this series, this is such a special thing you’re doing on the blog and if you’re reading this, THANK YOU.

*pssst….Hey you, yes YOU reading this, thank you for joining us in promoting the Nigerian Book Industry!.

Keno: Absolutely. Now, let’s get into the interview proper, Ms Catherine, I’ll start by asking the first question we have for you today…..Have you always wanted to be a writer?.

Ms Catherine: (smiles) YES, always. Then again, it wasn’t a straight path for me. I didn’t always know that one could choose writing as a career or profession. I didn’t know that I could heal with words, or dare to make money from it. But as long as writing is concerned, I’ve always loved it, because with it, I could be who I wanted to be, and at where I wanted to be.

Keno: (smiles & nods) Interesting….Question 2, What does success mean to you as an author?.

Ms Catherine: (smiles) This is actually one of my favourite questions. My success as an author is in getting to know that my book reached someone at the exact time they needed it. It’s in knowing that someone was able to afford my book when they needed it. This is it for me.

Keno: (nods) That’s lovely in my opinion……Question 3, What’s one thing not many people know about you when it comes to your writing process?.

Ms Catherine: : I think it’s the fact that I write for the soul and the heart. I write to heal. I write to reach out to people. Oh, don’t forget, I write to hug.

Keno: (smiles) I like the sound of that!…..Question 4, When did you first realize you were going to write your book “HEARTS LIKE YOURS”?.

Ms Catherine: (smiles) Sometimes last year, I came in second place in a writing contest that gave me the push to start thinking of writing a book, and that was it. I really didn’t have to struggle for the idea, because it was always there.

Keno: (nods) Okay….Question 5, what have you struggled the most with as a young author in Nigeria?.

Ms Catherine: Pheeeew… The right push, I think. Being a young author in Nigeria means that I must do all I can to push myself out there; it means that I can’t have dreams of getting my book published traditionally, unless I AM ‘THERE’, and getting there is not easy. So my struggle has been getting the right push for my work. But, I’m thankful for small beginnings and wins. And I’m hopeful.

Keno: (smiles & nods) I believe many young Nigerian authors can relate to that……. Question 6, What exactly keeps you going despite the struggle you face as a Nigerian author?.

Ms Catherine: (smiles) I keep going because I believe in showing up for one another. There’s someone who shows up because I told them that I love what they do, and they remember that each time it gets difficult. They don’t leave me out here alone. So, even with the struggles, I show up, because I love showing up and I know that it gets better.

Keno: (nods) Wow. That’s beautiful, I must say…..Question 7, Writing a book can be an all-round draining and stressful process, what advice would you give to an aspiring author who’s just starting out?.

Ms Catherine: (smiles) Have a WHY. Why do you want to write a book?. What do you want to write about?. Why do you want to write about it?. What does fulfillment mean to you?. These are the questions that will keep you going on the days when you have doubts, when no one comments on your posts, or purchases your book. These are the things you’ll remember, and suddenly, you’ll be strengthened.

Keno: (smiles) You really do have a way with words Ms Catherine. That’s going to be really helpful to someone. Question 8, How did you come up with the title of your book: “HEARTS LIKE YOURS”?.

Ms Catherine: I promise you, I have no idea. (laughs) Let’s just say, I had a strong lead (I have a very active instinct). I think I was either watching a movie, or listening to a song, when the title first came to my mind. I may not have such a thrilling story to tell about how it came to be, but I’m happy it did. And if you ever get the chance to read my book, you’ll know. It just captures the beauty of the heart and the people who carry it.

Keno: (nods) It sure is a special name….. Question 9, What inspired you to write your book: “HEARTS LIKE YOURS”?.

Ms Catherine: (smiles) I was inspired to write “HEARTS LIKE YOURS”, because I felt the urge to reach out to someone out there who just needs a hug, a gentle reminder, or reassurance. I love good hugs so much and I always thought of the possibilities of giving hugs to people, anywhere they are through my words!.

Keno: (smiles) That’s lovely….. Question 10, What is the most important thing you hope readers take away from your book “HEARTS LIKE YOURS”?.

Ms Catherine: I want the readers of my book, “HEARTS LIKE YOURS”, to remember that someone sees, hears, understands, appreciates and loves them. I want them to be reminded that they, too, deserve the kind of love they give, no matter what they’ve been through in life.

Keno: (nods) Intriguing…..Question 11, Who has been your biggest supporter since you began the journey of Authorship?.

Ms Catherine: (smiles) Thank you for asking. Actually, I can think of more than one person when I think about “Support”, because I’m just so blessed with friends who look out for me. And so it is really difficult to give only one name. But for the purpose of this interview, it’s my friend and sister, Hope (thejuicery_ng). She’s not really active on social media, but yes, she was 100% present physically, and is therefore, one of my biggest supporters.

Keno: (smiles & nods) That’s lovely ….. And now, the LAST question, What is your favorite thing about writing a book?.

Ms Catherine: (smiles) Hands down the fact that I can connect, reach, hug and remind someone of something they long to hear or know, at the exact time they need with my words!.

Keno: (smiles) That’s special and so are you!…..Thank you, Ms Catherine for this interview and for being our guest on the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series.

Ms Catherine: It was lovely to do this with you, Keno. 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 Catherine’s book: “HEARTS LIKE YOURS”. Enough said. (Smiles).

Have a WHY. Why do you want to write a book?. What do you want to write about?. Why do you want to write about it?. What does fulfillment mean to you?. These are the questions that will keep you going on the days when you have doubts, when no one comments on your posts, or purchases your book. These are the things you’ll remember, and suddenly, you’ll be strengthened.

-Author Catherine

Did you like something? Did you learn something from reading this interview?. We’d love to hear it…Leave a comment below or SHARE with others (please ensure you do one of those)!. Sending you love as you do!♥️💐

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Thank you for reading YOUNG AND BOOKED Series 1: Episode 10. 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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