Writing is not for poor minds – Onuoha

Bookshelf: When and how did your writing career begin?
Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha: Writing has been a part of my life. In my primary and secondary school days, I enjoyed writing essays. I consciously began writing around 2004. I started learning the nitty-gritty, began developing my writing style and began writing for blogs, websites and magazines. My first book was published in 2011 and since then there has been no going back.
Bookshelf: What inspires you to write?
Onuoha: My inspiration comes from my passion and desire to be a blessing to lives and contribute my quota toward human betterment by sharing what I know. I also write to educate, entertain, and inspire people.
Bookshelf: Your latest work is a poetry anthology which you co-edited with Ogwo David Emenike. What is the book all about?
Onuoha: ‘The Phenomenal Woman Poetry Anthology: Collection of Poems in Honour of Dr. Maya Angelou’ is a legacy and dream come true. I must use this opportunity to commend my co-editor Ogwo David Emenike and others like Lerato Matsaneng, Eriata Oribhabor, Tammie Roundtree and every writer that participated in making this book a success. It is an important and inspiring collection of poetry in honour of the late Dr. Maya Angelou, a literary icon, civil rights leader and a phenomenal woman. The project was powered by Hinovelty – a life-betterment organisation. Over 50 writers from countries like Jamaica, Hungary, Philippines, Ghana, Cameroon, Botswana, South Africa, USA, Lesotho, India, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and so on, contributed to the book. They submitted great poems and essays they authored on the life and times of Dr. Maya Angelou. The writers unleashed their poetic powers in reverence of her. The poems in this book are motivating and enthralling, entertaining and enlightening. They will make you shed tears, rejoice, pause and ponder about your life, your living and legacy. Undoubtedly, after taking a journey through this masterpiece, you will have a deep rethink about your life.
Bookshelf: What do you intend to achieve through the book?
Onuoha: My intention is to use this book as a tool and means to let people know that they must live their best now. Time matters and we must learn to live right and make positive difference wherever we are. Also, the money realised from the book will be used on youth empowerment events.
Bookshelf: What was your specific motivation for collaborating with others to put the work together?
Onuoha: The motivation was to cause a social change that upholds values and uproots vices through the celebration of good role models. Dr. Maya Angelou is an example, not just to women, but also to men. Through her life and works, she taught us to love one another, work hard, and support good causes that help to move society forward.
Bookshelf: What is your favourite genre?
Onuoha: My works, be it poetry or essays basically fall into the Self-help genre.
Bookshelf: What books and writers helped you to develop your writing career?
Onuoha: There are many books and writers that have influenced my life. The best of which is the Holy Bible. The principles, lessons and writing styles in it have impacted my personal life and writing. Other books are ‘Eze goes to school’ by Onuora Nzekwu, ‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe, ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren, ‘Your Best Just Got Better’ by Jason Womack and my book: ‘Overcoming the Challenges of Life.’ Other writers that have influenced my life are people like Tammie Roundtree, Emeka Nobis, Ogwo David Emenike, Zig Ziglar, Bishop T. D. Jakes, and Okechukwu Ofili.
Bookshelf: Recently, one of your books ‘Wisdom of Winners,’ won the UBAWA Best cover contest, an international book contest. How did the award boost your writing morale?
Onuoha: Urban Books Authors and Writers of America (UBAWA) is a literary organisation based in the USA that promotes literature and supports writers. They organise a contest tagged ‘Best Book Cover Contest’ where the book with the highest number of Facebook likes emerges winner. My book ‘Wisdom of Winners’ won the round 7 UBAWA Best Book Cover contest which was announced in February 2015. The award helped me gain visibility and credibility and I thank everyone that voted for me. It has given me a good platform to write and publish books, as well as coach people. It also motivates me to do more.
Bookshelf: Do you write full-time or is writing an occupational pastime for you?
Onuoha: I don’t write full-time but writing is an integral part of my life.
Bookshelf: What is your most memorable moment as a writer?
Onuoha: My most memorable moment was when a reader sent me a hearty message, thanking me for writing a book she read. She said the book was written for her because it impacted her life directly. I felt fulfilled, humbled and honoured.
Bookshelf: Many writers often link their writing to passion and talk less of its other benefits. Is it out of place for writers to enjoy other benefits, including financial, from their work?
Onuoha: Writing is a noble lifestyle. It is for the rich and not for poor minds. It is only the rich mind of a writer that can create stuff that will inspire, educate and entertain lives. Writers are lighters. Writing, when developed, can bring you influence and affluence. Writing has brought me speaking, coaching, mentoring and other business opportunities. These brought money too. A writer needs financial freedom in other to be of greater exploits.
Bookshelf: Do you agree then with this saying that literature flourishes more when it is half an art and half as trade?
Onuoha: One must sharpen his skills and develop it to the stage where the talent can bring profit. When you package your art well, it can be exchanged for money via people buying it and this helps you to produce other things. Money is very needful in the writing industry. So, people should support writers by patronising their works. We can’t progress by giving free copies every time.
Bookshelf: Does writing pay the bills for you currently?
Onuoha: For now, writing doesn’t pay my bills, but I am building a healthy network and viable system that will help me enter the realm where my writing takes care of my bills.
Bookshelf: Getting manuscripts published has always been a serious challenge for writers. How do you get your books published?
Onuoha: Many writers encounter problems with publishing and marketing. Publishers will promise you heaven and earth that your book will be well advanced and circulated by them, but all they do is to take your money, print and give you the books. Publishing in Nigeria should be taken seriously; we need a formidable marketing structure. Books published in China and shipped into Nigeria are cheaper, while those published in Nigeria are costlier. There is need to address this issue so that our people will be encouraged to buy books authored by Nigerians. I had a bitter experience when I spent a huge amount of money for the publication of my first book and the publisher did nothing in spite of all he promised. These problems then made me study about self-publishing and other book publishing packages. Today, I use my experience in helping other writers who have been fooled by publishers.
Bookshelf: What are the basic challenges you encounter in your writing career and how do you usually surmount them?
Onuoha: Time and finance are two major challenges. I have learned to make the best use of my time for my writing. And for finance, I work day and night to get it and support my writing. One day, I will look back and smile.
Bookshelf:  What are you currently working on?
Onuoha: I am developing pieces for some magazines and blogs. I am also working on two books, but I’m not in a hurry to release them. I will release a free eBook before the end of the year.
Bookshelf: What encouraging words do you have for upcoming writers who are facing challenges?
Onuoha: For upcoming writers, the writing industry is a noble one. If you give out value through your work, you will get rewarded in several ways. You will also get affluence in return, even if not immediately. Just continue developing your art.