What book could you read over and over again?
Purple Hibiscus by Adichie Chimamanda 🤌🏽
View my review of it here!
YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES 1: EPISODE 17
(Left: Obe Keno, Right: Ms Rimma)
You are welcome to Episode 17 of the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES.
Here with me today, is our guest. Meet Ms Rimma Onoseta, a Nigerian writer whose work explores identity, familial bonds, and the colonial corruption of African spirituality.
She is going to answer a few insightful questions about herself, her journey and perspective as a young author in Nigeria for us, and I know you’ll enjoy this so please grab a seat and let’s get right into it!
Keno: (with smiles) Welcome to the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series Ms Rimma, thank you for having this interview.
Ms Rimma : (smiles) Thank you Keno, for having me as a guest on this amazing series, I love what you’re doing on this blog!.
*pssst….Hey YOU reading this, thank you for joining us in promoting the Nigerian Book Industry!.
Keno: (smiles) Alright, I’ll begin by spilling the first question we have for you today…..How did you first step into the art of writing and what does writing mean to you as an author?.
Ms Rimma : (smiles) As a kid, my favourite pastime was getting lost in books. Books were my safe space. Writing is an extension of that safety. Writing to me is freedom. It’s self-care. This might sound pretentious but it’s my destiny. It’s what I was meant to do and I’m so grateful that I found my purpose.
Keno: (nods) It definitely does not sound pretentious to me. I love that you recognize writing as your purpose. Question 2, What inspired you to write your debut novel “How You Grow Wings”? (be it a series of events or an individual).
Ms Rimma: (smiles) I used to think of writing as something to pursue when I was older and wiser. Then in the span of a few months I came across books by Yaa Gyasi, Tomi Adeyemi and Ayobami Adebayo. These young black authors inspired me and made me realise I didn’t have to wait. I had a story in me and all I had to do was start writing.
Keno: Hmmm, older and wiser….a lot of times we fail to move forward because we discourage ourselves factors like that. I’m glad you realized you could do it young! So Question 3, What central message, if any, do you want you to pass to readers through your book?
Ms Rimma: (nods) At the heart of it, “How You Grow Wings” is about navigating a community that has failed you. For some people, home is not a safe space. And people can be forced to do unsavoury things when seeking safety. I’m hoping that by the last page, readers will understand why certain characters made certain decisions and find it within themselves to show the characters grace. And in doing so maybe extend that grace into the real world.
Keno: (nods ) I would be lying if I said I wasn’t majorly interested in your book! Question 4, How would you describe the concept of “success” as an author?
Ms Rimma: (smiles) Success is a reader picking up my book and feeling seen. It’s a reader finding peace and/or power in the pages. It’s a reader connecting with characters in a way that makes them feel less alone, makes them feel understood, makes them just feel.
Keno: (nods) Lovely. Question 5, When you first started writing your book, did you plan to publish it? Or you were just writing it as a way of expressing yourself?
Ms Rimma: I started writing for me. Being a writer was a childhood dream. I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. It was when I was about two thirds of the way done that I realised I had something here. I had a story that deserved to be told. So I set about figuring out how to get the book out in the world.
Keno: (nods) That’s so lovely. Question 6, What was the biggest struggle you encountered while writing your book?
Ms Rimma: My stories are mostly character driven. I love getting into a characters minds and figuring out what makes them tick, what makes them “them” Sometimes I can get so focused on it that I have so much character work but not enough plot and that can slow down the story. When you’re writing a novel, you get so attached to the story that it’s hard to see the flaws. I was really lucky to find trusted friends and amazing agents who understood the characters. Their feedback was invaluable and it helped me figure out what was missing. It’s easy to be defensive when you get feedback. I like to step away from the story and take my time to think through the notes I received with an open mind. So when I go back to revise, I’m editing with fairly fresh eyes.
Keno: (nods) I hope that will be helpful for someone out there. Question 7, How would you describe the process of getting your book published by a publishing agency? Was it difficult?
Ms Rimma: (smiles and nods) It was a very long process. I started writing this book December 2016 and it was published August 9, 2022. Publishing can be painfully slow at times. There were long stretches of silence that made me anxious and made me doubt but in the end, everything worked out the way it was meant to. It took about 9 months of querying to get my first agent. We went on submission and over the next year and a half, we kept on getting similar feed back “the book was good but there was something missing” Then my agent left agenting to pursue other endeavours. She passed my book along to another agent in her firm. That was a scary time because my first agent and I really connected and I was worried a new agent wouldn’t understand the story I was trying to tell. Thankfully my new agent was just as fantastic and enthusiastic about my book. After our first conversation it was clear that my book was in good hands. We took all the feedback we got from all the rejections and used it to revise. After a few months of revision we went on submission and a few months later I had an offer. And then more offers came in! I was so overjoyed and overwhelmed. Getting multiple offers after almost two years of rejection was wild.
Keno: Thank you for being so honest and inspiring on this particular question. You didn’t give up and I know it will encourage someone else not to! It definitely encourages me. Question 8, If you were to describe your book “How You Grow Wings” in a sentence, what would it be?
Ms Rimma : (smiles) “How You Grow Wings” is about two sisters breaking free of their oppressive home or in other words justifiably angry girls choosing themselves.
Keno: (nods) Hmmm. I know personally that a lot of people can relate to this beautiful storyline. Finally, Question 9, What would you like readers or followers to expect from you in the future? Are you working on any new books or projects?
Ms Rimma : I’m currently in a screenwriting program so writing scripts has currently taken over my life. But I’m also currently revising Book 2, which has been so much fun to write! Book two also follows angry girls (very on-brand of me. Lol) It’s also a YA Contemporary novel. Book 3 is going to be very different though. I read across genres and I want to write across genres. I want to try my hand at everything. Romance, mystery, thriller, fantasy. Everything!
Keno: More angry girls! (Laughs) I don’t even know why exactly but I’m personally so happy for you and I love that you didn’t throw in the towel when you probably had enough excuses to and you’re moving forward in the process of developing yourself as an author!. You are inspiring. It was lovely to have you, Ms Rimma. Thank you for this interview and for being our guest on the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series.
Ms Rimma : It was a pleasure to do this with you. Thank you for asking these thoughtful questions. Dear Readers, I would love to connect with you on Instagram.
Keno: Also, this is your invitation to join our Instagram community @taleofthebook if you aren’t already with us!. And you might want to check out Ms Rimma’s book “HOW YOU GROW WINGS”.
I started writing for me. Being a writer was a childhood dream. I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. It was when I was about two thirds of the way done that I realised I had something here. I had a story that deserved to be told. So I set about figuring out how to get the book out in the world.
-Author Rimma
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 do one of those)!. Sending you love as you do!♥️💐
Thank you for reading YOUNG AND BOOKED Series 1: Episode 17.Each time you read, you are showing your support for the cause. See you in 2 weeks on the next Episode!.
*If this is your first time visiting this blog, please read more about the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES here…..
Join the TOTB Instagram community to get notified about new blog posts. Stay updated on exciting book recommendations/reviews!.
NetGalley ARC review- “All We Could Still Have” by Diane Barnes
Welcome Welcome Welcome!.
Book Title: All We could Still Have.
Author: Diane Barnes
To Be Published: June 13, 2023.
My Rating: 3.92/5.0. A realistic novel on Marriage, Family, Infertility, Adultery and many more(I RECOMMEND if those topics interest you!)
This is actually my first review of a NetGalley Advanced Reviewer’s Copy (ARC) on here.
For those unaware of this, an ARC is a common method used in the publishing world to generate reviews and attention for a book before it’s even published. And NetGalley is simply a platform that connects publishers and potential reviewers for books!.
Now let’s get right into the review proper!.
Book Blurb (Summary): This book is actually about a married couple: Kyle and Nicole Sebastian who who had a loving and healthy relationship until they were diagnosed with “unexplained infertility” and endure several failed rounds of IVF. Kyle, for both their sakes, is unwilling to bury them deeper in emotional and financial debt (IVF is expensive!) Desperate to have a baby, Nikki betrays Kyle’s trust in an attempt to try IVF one more time. The choice fractures their once-stable union. Now burdened with suspicion, resentment, and further grief, their little family is falling apart.
Big-hearted but tired Kyle. Patient but desperate Nicole. The main characters of this book are obviously human and flawed. The book takes a very realistic approach to what marriage often looks like.
It is honest, vulnerable, sometimes painful, sometimes joyful. The emotions, raw and relatable. Just like in real life and that is something I love to see when I read a book.
Kyle and Nicole, the main characters struggle in their marriage when they are unable to have children naturally and the strain of unsuccessful IVF operations finally get to them.
Not to give any spoilers, but they both make very unhealthy choices that brings their marriage closer to ruin.
They look back and see that they have lost the true meaning of their marriage: love and respect in the quest for a child. How do they resolve the messes they created and save their marriage?.
Well they had to focus on “All They Could Still Have”. The story ended very happily which is something I sort of saw coming and did not like.
I prefer when a book is more unpredictable and this one was not. I could correctly predict what was going to happen before it did. However I do like happy endings!.
Kudos to the author, Diane Barnes for her awesome character development and writing style. I would definitely read a book by her again and I would recommend this book to anybody as it holds some invaluable life lessons (even if you’re not married or trying to have a baby)!.
Thanks to NETGALLEY and the publishers of this book for letting me read and review it!.
Did you enjoy this review?. Would you like to read this book?. Please let me know your thoughts about it in the comment section below!.
You can also check out my latest reviews here!.💐
Yours truly,
Keno✍️.
YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES 1: EPISODE 16
(Left: Obe Keno, Right: Ms Testimony)
You are welcome to Episode 16 of the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES.
Here with me today, is our guest. Meet Ms Testimony Odey, a budding, award-winning Nigerian writer, poet and author of the book “ULOMA”.
She is going to answer a few insightful questions about herself, her journey and perspective as a young 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) Welcome to the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series Ms Testimony , thank you for having this interview.
Ms Testimony : (smiles) Thank you Keno, for having me as a guest on this amazing series, I love what you’re doing on this blog!.
*pssst….Hey YOU reading this, thank you for joining us in promoting the Nigerian Book Industry!.
Keno: (smiles) Alright, I’ll begin by spilling the first question we have for you today…..You published your first book “Uloma” in 2022, how would you describe it in a sentence?.
Ms Testimony : (smiles) Writing “Uloma” was an exciting ride and if I was to describe it in one sentence, this would be it: Uloma is a novel set in a suburban Nigerian home with a mixture of all the trappings that make an average home – the daily grapple with poverty, the escape route of religious fanaticism, and a desperate mother’s attempt to make a life for herself and her family.
Keno: (nods) Nice summary. That sounds interesting. Question 2, When did you start writing and how would you describe what the concept of “writing” means to you as an individual?.
Ms Testimony : (smiles) At age 7, I started writing. I also fell deeply in love with the library; it was my safe space and one of my favorite places. As for what writing means to me as an individual, it is like opening a door and saying, “here, feel what I feel. Spread your palms on my chest and feel how hard my heart is beating, come into my little world of sadness and misery and cry with me, or join me on this boat of laughter and joy and forget all your troubles.” Countless times, I have been able to surge my emotions into words through a pen or the keys on my keyboard. Perhaps, it is one of the most potent things I can do as a writer, one of the most powerful things writing can do, which is to open the door for any person to feel what I feel.
Keno: Wow, I love that and I agree with it. Writing helps us express the unexplainable. So Question 3, Has writing and publishing a book changed the way you see yourself?.
Ms Testimony: (nods) Definitely!. It has given me purpose. I’ve realized I can influence people and the world positively, and having the ability to positively influence the world (through whatever form of art you choose) is a beautiful kind of superpower.
Keno: (nods )That is wonderful. I love that for you. Question 4, As a young author in Nigeria, what has been your greatest struggle?.
Ms Testimony: I’ve had a lot of struggles. One of them is when I was a little younger, a few of my classmates wouldn’t take me serious when they asked me what I wanted to become, and I said ‘a writer.’ They’d be like, ‘writer?‘ as though writing was nothing, as though it wasn’t a real job. A friend of mine who is a writer was telling me how people don’t take writers serious as long as they haven’t traditionally published a book. I think that there should be public awareness and enlightenment on that issue. At the same time, I have come to realize that some people hold on strongly to their beliefs, and would still take writing as a joke no matter what. It’s left for writers to just focus on their dreams, flee from negative energy and welcome positive energy.
Keno: (nods) That last part is very well said. Thanks for bring transparent with us on your struggles. Question 5, Are there any books or authors that inspired you to become a writer?.
Ms Testimony: When I was 7, I wrote because I had all these stories in me and I wanted to tell them, not because I was inspired by anyone to be a writer. My librarians, teachers and mum were so kind to me. Whenever I wrote, they would say something positive about my work and encourage me. So, I continued writing. My favorite writer when I was little was Jacqueline Wilson. As I grew older, I began reading wider range of books (when I was little, I once asked someone older than me who was reading a huge book, how he was able to read books without pictures…now, I know better). A few of the authors who inspire me include Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Francine Rivers, Buchi Emecheta, Chinua Achebe, and Abi Daré.
Keno: (nods) Those are fantastic authors. Question 6, How long did it take you to write your book and what was the most difficult part of writing it?.
Ms Testimony: I think it took me about a year or less than one year to write Uloma, and the most difficult part was when I was in the middle of my first draft. It was like I was stuck in what seemed to be a writer’s block, but when I look at it now, all I needed was a break so that I could look at my work with a fresh perspective.
Keno: (nods) Okay. Question 7, Was there a particularly important message you wanted to share through your book?.
Ms Testimony: I don’t really think there was a particular message I wanted to share through my book when I started writing it. Eventually, during the process of writing, I realized I did have messages to share. But at the beginning, all I knew was that I had a story to share.
Keno: Interesting. Question 8, Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing?.
Ms Testimony : (laughs) Having supporters is something that has kept me going, and if I were to choose my biggest supporter, I’d say my mum. And God too, because He’s the Giver of Life. But there have been so many wonderful people who have encouraged me through kind words as well, for which I am grateful. Tatiany Carvalho, Bárbara Vilda, and Nayara Rodriguez, which were my librarians. Mr. BM Dzukogi, Mr. Makama Shekwo’aga, who has put in great effort to support young writers, and so many other good friends and relatives.
Keno: (nods) It’s lovely that you have a lot of support!. Finally, Question 9, What would you like us to look forward to from you? Any new books?.
Ms Testimony : Yes, I’ve got a new novel coming out this year called Feathered. I’m also working on other writing projects.
Keno: (smiles) Another book this year!. That is impressive and amazing!. I wish you good luck through the writing and publishing process!……It was really delightful having you with us, Ms Testimony. Thank you for this interview and for being our guest on the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series.
Ms Testimony: It was a pleasure to do this with you. Thanks for having me. Dear Readers, If you would like to connect with and keep up with me, here is a link to all my social media pages!.
Keno: Also, this is your invitation to join our Instagram community @taleofthebook if you aren’t already with us!. And you might want to check out Ms Testimony’s book “ULOMA” It is very affordable and you will enjoy it!.
Countless times, I have been able to surge my emotions into words through a pen or the keys on my keyboard. Perhaps, it is one of the most potent things I can do as a writer, one of the most powerful things writing can do, which is to open the door for another person to feel what I feel.
-Author Testimony
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 do one of those)!. Sending you love as you do!♥️💐
Thank you for reading YOUNG AND BOOKED Series 1: Episode 16. Each time you read, you are showing your support for the cause. See you in 2 weeks on the next Episode!.
*If this is your first time visiting this blog, please read more about the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES here…..
Join the TOTB Instagram community to get notified about new blog posts. Stay updated on exciting book recommendations/reviews!.
Keno Reviews “The Night And Its Tales” by Onwuneme Yahwedalu Miracle.
PS- this author has been interviewed on this blog. You can check out the interview here!.
Book Title: The Night And Its Tales.
Author: Onwuneme Yahwedalu Miracle.
Published: 2022
My Rating: 4.92/5.0.⭐️ A beautifully complicated coming-of-age tale with themes of Romance, Family, Friendship, Religion and Mystery. (I RECOMMEND!)
Here’s a book I could NOT wait to review, even while I was reading it. It’s rare to find a book that makes you feel so seen/understood and so I felt glad, excited to share about it with others!.
So for some backstory…:
I was asked to read/review this book last year by the author (who is now my good friend!)…. I did read it last year but I could not do a public review because I took an impromptu-but-much-needed social media break and a break from blogging too.
But as soon as I got back I knew I had to get this review done!. So here we are. I’ve reread the book again and I read it straight through, in one sitting (as I did the first time!). Some books just have that compelling effect!.
So let’s get straight into the review…..!
For me, this book is nothing short of a masterpiece. A unique, special and brilliant masterpiece!.
What really stood out to me, and made me love it was I found parts of myself in those pages (which is a really beautiful experience that you can only understand if you read books) and that it is honest, vulnerable, realistic. Just like real life actually is.
This book takes a stab at explaining being young and realizing life is not all what you thought it would be, describes the loneliness we sometimes feel as we take our individual paths through life.
So many responsibilities, so many dreams, very little opportunity, and the dreams keep tormenting every night, demanding to be unleashed. I always feel myself breaking from all the lives I have not lived.
The Man With The Biography.
There are three main characters in this book, and it is their journey towards rediscovery that we follow. A Young Writer obsessed with making a name for himself, as he seeks the perfect story; a Man who wants his biography written; and the Old Man who seeks to be heard. (The author leaves them nameless) Each of these characters become intertwined, and there’s definitely an air of mystery to them!.
At the start of the book, the Man who wants his biography written, meets with the Young Writer who’s searching for the perfect story to write, and he tells him (and us) his story. So we can say the Man with the biography is like the ‘Main Main Character’ (MMC), because it is his story that makes up the book!. However, it is the Young Writer that writes story.
And can I make a whole other review for the poems?!!!. Yes, there are poems scattered about all over this book. Poems, so good they stay on your mind. Beautiful, relatable and profound pieces of the author’s heart basically…..
Now to the MMC’s story, I’ll just briefly talk about the characters…..!
The story focuses on the MMC’s life as a university student. A guy who lost his parents at a young age, who has so many good friends and people around him, but can’t seem to let his guard down, can’t see himself as they all see him.
The Old Man was a librarian who the MMC was friends with and trusted. He was the key character in helping the MMC rediscover himself by reflecting on (or being honest with) himself at night.
The night was meant for sleep, now the night has many tales
The Old Man.
The Night is a whole other character in this book, (it was personified; given human qualities) representing those conversations we have with ourselves at night where we can face the truth about ourselves, bare, inevitable.
I’ve been known by many names; guilt, conscience, awareness. Can you believe someone once called me The Night?.
The Night.
At first, it was quite spooky reading about “The Night” as a person but it did make the story more mysterious and compelling. Abstract yet realistic. The Night was like the faithful friend, the mum who gives you good advice and the tough-love partner rolled up in one!.
Chinanza, the MMC’s sister. Kind, caring, responsible. Yet he struggles to open up to her and feels pity that she felt she had to take responsibility for him, be like his mum after their parents died and their relatives betrayed them.
Chiemerie, the MMC’s first love. The one he dreamed and planned to have a future with. But she lost her life due to poor healthcare after an accident. (Soooo heartbreaking!)
Precious, the MMC’s present girl friend. With her, it was love at first sight. But he still struggles to be open and honest with her. Thinks she is naïve to the reality of life. And she tries to save him from the darkness/heartbreak she sees in him.
You don’t need to have a diamond heart, you need to be broken, that’s how the light comes in.
Precious.
Lynda, the MMC’s best friend who he also struggles to be vulnerable with after his parents died. She’s a breath of fresh air, bubbly, funny, kind.
Yes, I choose loneliness because that is all I have known all my life, that’s all I’ve had as a friend, the closest of all friends in my life. And the voices in my head, they have never forsaken me, not once, not ever.
MMC.
Chiazokam, the MMC’s roommate, the outgoing, optimistic, ride or die type of person. The kind of person who can inspire/motivate you.
Stop seeking outwards what can be found within. You have read so many books and you have seen so much except one thing, yourself. Now is the time to seek within, read yourself, because that’s what a true warrior does and I know you as a true warrior. If you don’t fight for what you want, don’t cry for what you lose.
Chiazokam.
Something that really stood out to me was how everyone seemed to believe in the MMC except himself. Everyone seemed to view him better than he did himself.
My greatest fear is that I will one day become beautiful again.
MMC.
The story drags to an end with The Night helping the MMC resolve his inner conflicts. I can relate to this and it’s possible you can too. Being scared to hope, scared to dream, scared to step into the light. Because we’ve all had life beat us down at some point, make us ugly.
I’ll leave you to find your peace for I cannot do that, only you can save you, no one else can. So, I leave you with this: Young man, save yourself
The Night.
The Night and the MMC also get into a conversation about religion. Christianity, to be precise. About believing God exists. Believing in God. That whole conversation was quite an eye opener for me to an extent. You have to read it to get it really!.
In the end, we see the MMC meeting up with the Young Writer after the book has been published.
Sure, the night awaits my tale. But this time, it ain’t a tale about a boy who sought salvation, it’s going to be more complicated than that.
The Young Writer.
That sounds like a sequel right?!. I definitely wanted…No, I want a sequel to this book!. And obviously, I enjoyed reading it so much. I think any young adult would. There’s a lot of value packed into this book….a whole lot.
If you’re interested in reading this book too, here’s the link to get it!. (Both soft and hard copies are available, plus it’s very affordable; you can see for yourself through the link!)
Did you enjoy this review?. Have you read this book?. Please let me know your thoughts about it in the comment section below!.
You can also check out my interview of the author here: Young and Booked Series 1: Episode 11💐
Yours truly,
Keno✍️.
Join the TOTB Instagram community to get notified about new blog posts. Stay updated on exciting book recommendations/reviews!.
YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES 1: EPISODE 15
(Left: Obe Keno, Right: Ms Torkwase)
Another one!!!. (In DJ Khaled’s voice)🎤
I, Obe Keno, am excited to welcome YOU to Episode 15 of the YOUNG AND BOOKED SERIES.
Here with me today, is our guest. Meet Ms Ikyernum Torkwase, author of the poetry book: “Pain Is Gender Neutral”. (Yes, a female advocating for male rights!)
She is going to answer a few insightful questions about herself, her journey and perspective as a young 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) Welcome to the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series Ms Torkwase , thank you for having this interview.
Ms Torkwase : (smiles) Thank you so much Keno, for seeing me as important enough to get a session with you I’m deeply honored!. I love what you’re doing on this blog!.
*pssst….Hey YOU reading this, thank you for joining us in promoting the Nigerian Book Industry!.
Keno: (smiles) You definitely are important enough. Alright, I’ll begin by spilling the first question we have for you today…..You are actually our first Poet on the series!. What made you decide to write Poetry/be a Poet?.
Ms Torkwase : (smiles) Aww, I’m glad to be your first interviewed poet. Poetry is beautiful, and like I always say the right words make everything better. I didn’t just decide to become a writer though(laughs), I hit a tough patch in my adult life in the year 2019, so writing was my outlet and it did wonders to my soul. Till today I don’t forget thank God for the day I picked up my pen and wrote my first poem!.
Keno: (nods) Writing is a wonderful outlet, I love that for you. Question 2, You tagged your book : “Pain is Gender Neutral” as a tribute to men. Reading about your book on Amazon was what first drew me into asking you for an interview. It’s quite unusual to find a female writing about the injustice males face. I mean we have our own feminist movement!. (Laughs) So why did you think it was important that you write this book?. Any personal experiences?. When was the moment you realized you had to write it?.
Ms Torkwase : (smiles) My moment of truth; when I realized I needed to write my book was when I, as a female, discovered that a lot of men experience painful emotions as they face life’s often hard situations, but are not given the freedom and safeness to be open about it. Not with their mothers, fathers, partners or even their own children.
Keno: (nods) Hmmm…. That is really deep. Your book is one I am definitely intrigued about!. So Question 3, I have to ask; What is your favorite line from your book?.
Ms Torkwase: (smiles) This line is my favorite and it’s from the third poem in the book titled: “VULNERABILITY”. Dear man, Vulnerability Is Not A Curse. It Is Love.
Keno: Wow, Just wow. That’s really beautiful. Question 4, Did you have any challenges writing this book as a female?. If yes, how did you overcome them?.
Ms Torkwase: Yes, I did encounter some challenges writing this book, because I had to put myself in the shoes of a man, I had to think like one, feel emotions like one and because I’m NOT a man, it was difficult. But all through the process.I had a male figure who made it possible: MY DAD. I love him so much and he actually inspired this book (smiles).
Keno: (nods) Amazing. Question 5, How long did it take you to complete your book?.
Ms Torkwase: A month!. The book is not large and it does not have that many poems in it. I just needed to pass a message to all the men out there to know that being emotionally vulnerable is not a curse and it is okay.
Keno: Wow, a month!. That’s pretty fast. Question 6, As a young Nigerian author, what has been your greatest struggle?.
Ms Torkwase: (shrugs) That has been to break through from my mind to deeply connect with my readers and whoever comes across my work. I don’t write just for myself, I write for my readers as well. I write to express what they cannot. I write to make them know they are heard. I write to help them live the lives they want to live . I’m Nigerian and so, there are a lot of barriers, but I hope to scale through all those someday.
Keno: (nods) Okay. Question 7, What is the MOST important thing you want readers to take away from your book?.
Ms Torkwase: I want readers to be true to themselves. Every other day, I wake up and I strive to being true to myself. In as much as I say men should be vulnerable, safe environments have not been created YET for that and that IS why many of them still hold back. But I need my readers to know that you must not show vulnerability only to others, you can be vulnerable with yourself too and be vulnerable to whoever you worship also.
Keno: (smiles & nods) Lovely words!. Question 8, Are you currently working on any new books?. Give us the teaaaaa!.
Ms Torkwase: (laughs) Oh my gosh, yes I am. I have been doing so since the ASUU strike of last year, I hope to finish it soon, even though it’s on hold right now and I can’t really say much about it.
Keno: (nods) Well, I’ll be looking forward to when you publish it!. Finally, Question 9, What is something special you’d like the readers of this interview to know about you?.
Ms Torkwase: I’d like my readers to know that I’m in the phase of my life where I need things to work out for me, I need the country to be better for my future, I need to make the choices I think are best for me now. It’s a tasking stage of my life and I’m saying to everyone out there who might be in the same stage that we will surely pass through it and emerge fine in the end.
Keno: (smiles) Awwww, that’s kind of you!…..It was really delightful having you with us, Ms Torkwase . Thank you for this interview and for being our guest on the YOUNG AND BOOKED Series.
Ms Torkwase: It was a pleasure 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 Instagram community @taleofthebook if you aren’t already with us!. And you might want to check out Ms Torkwase’s book “ PAIN IS GENDER NEUTRAL”. It is very affordable and you may enjoy it!.
I don’t only write just for myself. I write for my readers as well. I write to express what they cannot. I write to make them know they are heard. I write to help them live the lives they want to live.
-Author Torkwase
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Thank you for reading YOUNG AND BOOKED Series 1: Episode 15. Each time you read, you are showing your support for the cause. See you on the next Episode!.
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Tale of the Book 