(Left: Obe Keno, Right: Mr Edwin)
I, Obe Keno, am excited to welcome YOU to Episode 12 of the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES.
Here with me today, is our guest. Meet Mr Edwin Okoye, an Author to who finds joy in writing more than anything else!.
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’ll 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 Edwin, thank you for having this interview.
Mr Edwin: (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.
*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 Edwin, I’ll start by asking the first question we have for you today….When did you first decide you were going to become an author and why?.
Mr Edwin: (smiles) It was when I was a ‘Jambite’. I remember reading a book and I kept saying to myself that if I was a writer, I would have written better than the author of the book. I had previously heard my younger sister talk about an online writers/readers platform called “Wattpad”. So I decided to join the platform and start writing books just for fun at first. Later on, the book got much acceptance from the readers and that urged me to decide to become a full time author.
Keno: Interesting….Question 2, What surprised you the most, in the process of creating a book?.
Mr Edwin: It’s very difficult converting thoughts into writing. I can have a full book in my head with the descriptions, narrations and conversations but transferring ALL that into writing is where the real work is. It is surprisingly difficult. But still very satisfying in the end.
Keno: (nods) Okay…. Question 3, What was the inspiration or idea for your book: “ONE SOUL”?.
Mr Edwin: (smiles) Well….. The inspiration came in 2019 while I was in my 2nd year in school. I and my lodgemate were discussing random stuffs and she simply mentioned out of the blues, “Imagine what would happen if Lucifer apologize to God. Ah… Heaven straight!” That was when it hit me that I needed to create a story revolving around that scenario. That was the beginning of the great journey.
Keno: (smiles) That’s interesting and I have to say, that storyline is really intriguing!…. Which brings me to the next question, Reading your book blurb, there’s a specific question I need to ask….. do you think some might not entertain the idea of your book because it tries to resolve something that isn’t really resolved in reality?. (Lucifer apologizing to God)
Mr Edwin: (smiles & nods) To be honest, yes. On few occasions, I have stumbled upon very religious people that question the motive of the book. Some claim it’s an end time book. These were what I expected to happen when I released the book, based on the society we live in.
Keno: Wow. Okay…. Question 5, As a young author in Nigeria what have you struggled the most with?.
Mr Edwin: Getting readers and making sales. In a country where the reading culture is fast fading away, these are the major struggles I have.
Keno: (nods) That’s understandable……. Question 6, What exactly keeps you going despite the struggle you face as a Nigerian author?.
Mr Edwin: (smiles) Passion. Since I discovered myself and my ability in writing, there’s nothing else I can think that gives me more joy than writing.
Keno: (nods) That’s lovely. Question 7, What’s the worst writing/publishing advice anyone ever gave you?.
Mr Edwin: (smiles) To be honest, none. I’m not one to take advice from anyone without doing my own research. So whatever advice you’re giving to me, I must first run some research on it first before I think of implementing it.
Keno: (nods) That’s great……Question 8, What do you hope readers will take away from your book, “ONE SOUL”?.
Mr Edwin: (smiles) That knowledge of what could happen if Lucifer apologizes to God. Then a closer look on the family structure of the archangels.
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 Edwin: (smiles) Descriptions. At the beginning of my writing career, I was very very poor at descriptions. I wish I was as good as I currently am back then.
Keno: (smiles) That’s nice….. Question 10, What are your favorite and least favorite genres to write?.
Mr Edwin: My favorite genre is “Humor”. I find it very easy to write books that contain humor . My least favorite is “Fantasy”. I’m not good in this genre at all.
Keno: (nods) Okay…..Question 11, Did you self publish your book: “ONE SOUL?”.
Mr Edwin: (smiles) Yes. I self published “ONE SOUL” all by myself.
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 Edwin: (smiles) Yes. I’m currently writing my 6th book titled “LEGEND OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST PLAYBOY”. It’s the story of a guy who was sexually harassed as a teen by his private tutor. He then grows becoming addicted to sex and women in general.
Keno: (smiles) Wow, that’ll be an interesting one….. Thank you, Mr Edwin for this interview and for being our guest on the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series.
Mr Edwin: 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 Edwin’s book: “ONE SOUL”. You might enjoy it. (Smiles).
“Imagine what would happen if Lucifer apologize to God. Ah… Heaven straight!” That was when it hit me that I needed to create a story revolving around that scenario. That was the beginning of the great journey.
-Author Edwin
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 12. 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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