(Left: Obe Keno, Right: Mr Miracle)
I, Obe Keno, am excited to welcome YOU to Episode 11 of the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES.
Here with me today, is our guest. Meet Mr Onwuneme Miracle, an Author to whom “writing” is all that makes sense!.
He is going to answer 12 very insightful questions about himself, his journey and growth as an Author in Nigeria for us, and I know you enjoy it 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 Mr Miracle, thank you for having this interview.
Mr Miracle: (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 reading this, thank you for joining us in promoting the Nigerian Book Industry!.
Keno: Absolutely. Now, let’s get into the interview proper, Mr Miracle, I’ll start by asking the first question we have for you today…..What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating a book?.
Mr Miracle: (smiles) The author doesn’t have 100% control of the book. I know it sounds strange but sometimes, it feels as if the characters want the story differently from what the author wants.
Keno: (laughs) That’s interesting…Question 2, What do you think makes a good story?.
Mr Miracle: Well, I think it’s the plot (storyline). I feel like the plot of the story decides if it will be a good story or not.
Keno: (nods) Okay…. Question 3, When did you first decide you were going to become an author and why?.
Mr Miracle: I think it’s when I was 16. Growing up, I was a book nerd. I read far and wide but reading Dan Brown‘s books, I didn’t like some of his endings. Don’t get me wrong, Brown is an exceptional author but as a kid, I wanted more action, thrill and excitement. I felt he ended it all abruptly, so I rewrote endings to keep the stories rolling. At age 16, I decided to write MINE and not just rewrite other people’s endings.
Keno: (smiles) That’s interesting and cheers to us book nerds!…..Question 4, What was the inspiration or idea for your book: “THE NIGHT AND IT’S TALES: REFLECTIONS”?.
Mr Miracle: (smiles) “THE NIGHT AND IT’S TALES: REFLECTIONS” was inspired by a stranger. Funny enough, I don’t know his name, and I’ve met him only once in my life. It was at a time I was searching for a story and this stranger was kind enough to tell me his story. All I did was make a few tweaks and boom…..A masterpiece!.
Keno: Wow. That’s intriguing…. Question 5, As a young author in Nigeria what have you struggled the most with?.
Mr Miracle: Hmmm… that’ll be the publishing process. From the submission of the completed manuscript to marketing. It’s all too much most times. Sometimes, I feel like giving up. The time, energy, finance… It feels overwhelming.
Keno: (nods) It must be quite draining……. Question 6, What exactly keeps you going despite the struggle you face as a Nigerian author?.
Mr Miracle: (smiles & shrugs) I am a writer. Writing is all that makes sense to me. Whether it’s a poem, a short story, or a little verse. I feel whole whenever I write.
Keno: (nods) That’s something special indeed. Question 7, What’s the worst writing/publishing advice anyone ever gave you?.
Mr Miracle: (laughs) This guy once told me to give up, that it was useless wasting finances to get a book published that no one would read. That’s the worst advice I have received, and I am glad I didn’t heed it.
Keno: (smiles) So am I!. That was a pretty horrible advice. Question 8, What do you hope readers will take away from your book “THE NIGHT AND IT’S TALES: REFLECTIONS”?.
Mr Miracle: (smiles) Reflections help to set us right again. Separating yourself for midnight reflections can help set the path of what is important or not. Most times, everything is so heavy and clouded up. That’s when we need reflections. And that’s what I hope readers get from the book.
Keno: (nods) Interesting….. Question 9, What do you know now that you wish you’d known at the beginning of your writing/publishing journey?
Mr Miracle: (smiles) It’s pretty simple. “Just do it. It’s going to be hard, but just do it.”
Keno: (smiles) That’s a good lesson learnt….. Question 10, What are your favorite and least favorite genres to write?.
Mr Miracle: My favourite genre to write is Fiction. My least favourite is Self-Help.
Keno: (nods) Okay…..Question 11, Did you self publish your book: “THE NIGHT AND IT’S TALES: REFLECTIONS”?.
Mr Miracle: (smiles) Yes, I did self-publish. I was unlucky not to get book deals for traditional publishing, so I ventured into self-publishing.
Keno: (nods) Okay ….. And now, the LAST question. Are you currently working on a new book? If yes, can you share briefly about it?.
Mr Miracle: (smiles) Yes, I am always writing.My new work in progress draws inspiration from different people as they try to explain a thought to be simple concept. It is basically trying to draw from the perspective of different individuals.
Keno: (smiles) That’ll be interesting….. Thank you, Mr Miracle for this interview and for being our guest on the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series.
Mr Miracle: 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 Mr Miracle’s book: “THE NIGHT AND IT’S TALES: REFLECTIONS”?. You might enjoy it. (Smiles).
This guy once told me to give up, that it was useless wasting finances to get a book published that no one would read. That’s the worst advice I have received, and I am glad I didn’t heed it. My advice to aspiring authors is pretty simple: “Just do it. It’s going to be hard, but just do it.”
-Author Miracle
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!♥️💐
Thank you for reading YOUNG AND BOOKED Series 1: Episode 11. You are such an AMAZING human!. See you on the next Episode!.
*If this is your first time visiting this blog, read more about the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES here…..
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