The Writing Process 'Blog Tour'

My friend Pamela Aboga ( blog: ChoWilson.wordpress.com. Nick name: Chocho) invited me to take part in it. I have no idea how it started and i hadn't heard of it prior to when our mutual friend Timendu invited her to join in. But after reading the links below, I felt it won’t hurt to join in. The blog tour is the electronic progeny of the old chain letter - where you used to receive a letter and have to pass it on to ten of your friends to make something wonderful happen- remember?

Anyway, This Blog Tour is a fun way of creating links between writers and perhaps introducing readers to authors they wouldn't otherwise come across.

The idea is, I post my answers to the four 'tour' questions on my blog the week after Chocho does hers. When I do, I name 3 other writers and give their links and bios, and later they post their answers on their blogs the following week. so here are my answers to the four questions about my writing process.

1) What am I working on?
Currently, I'm trying to keep up with my blog posts, writing school assignments, a graphic novel and raising funds to publish my book "The Quilt" in paperback. The Quilt is my collection of stories of different genres and themes. So far everyone's favourite is Tomi's Dairy and Erene's Plea (from Life behind the Family Portrait), which talks about about rape, hurting hurting-people and living in a broken home. A couple of other stories with a bit of dark undertone are The Sacrifice and Before the Tunnel. At the moment, it is available for sale on the Okadabooks.com app.

2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I've been told my work is an easy read. With so much going on in our world, i guess people like to escape into fictitious worlds but one not too complicated that they get lost trying to find their way. And in so doing, I find myself adding value to the lives of my readers as they embark on the journey through my eyes.
Honestly, I hate answering this question as well as "why should anyone want to read/buy your book?" because, I think it's very limiting/stereotyped. There are so many great writers out there that we'll never know because we stick to reading only what we are sure we are comfortable with. If only we would open our minds and explore different writers' works, we would find some amazing writers who aren't popular but equally have works that colour our lives.

3) Why do I write what I do?
There are just some experiences in life that take a hold of me and won't let go till I've penned them down. this isn't restricted to my fiction stories but also my non fiction pieces that I blog about. Plus, I have a 'darker side' that i fight with all the time but sometimes i can't deny it's presence and it tends to shine through my works of fiction. While i tend to tone down my emotions before i write, sometimes i find emotionally release from getting these stories and issues out of my heart.

4) How does my writing process work?
Well, call me an amateur but once i have a muse or get an inspiration, i usually plunge in and write till it's gone. I know i should draw up an outline but sometimes, that kills my momentum and makes it increasingly hard to get the first draft up and running. once the first draft is done, i tend to struggle to get the second and final draft. that's usually the phase where all the hard work really begins because the work has to be revised and edited till it is coherent and literally perfect. Thanks to wonderful friends who not only proof read my work but also critique it till it makes total sense, grammatically or developmentally, I'm usually able to get the finished product readable for your consumption.

Now you've heard my answers, here are my nominees for the next blog tour:

1. Ugochi Akwiwu - Ugochi is a smart, beautiful, tall, adventurous, fun loving but hardworking ibo girl who loves English, Writing, Editing and Travelling. She also seeks to change the world by adding value practically to those in her sphere of influence starting with one person at a time. Her blog is a positive delight (http://ugochiakwiwu.wordpress.com).

2. Tope Damilola Oyewusi - esoteric and full of variety, Dami is a dynamic writer that swings between God-centred pieces and fictional stories focused on female emancipation/empowerment. With lots of guest writers on her blog, you are sure to have an interesting read (see http://otdamilola.wordpress.com).

3. Isi Ehize - Isi is an inspired worship leader, writer, teacher of God's word and a certified fashion consultant. She is the creative director of shammys beautiful living with a skin care studio and clothing outlet currently operational in Lagos Nigeria. Her blogs are http://www.isidressforsuccess.com and www.isi-biblestudyseries.blogspot.com