Tell us about yourself
I’m Oyindamola Depo-Oyedokun, almost 18 years old; the author of a Christian romance novel entitled Love and God and I’m not currently in school but I should be studying Engineering. My dad is a politician and businessman; my mum is a teacher and business woman. I’m the last of three girls; one is an accountant, and the other just finished from the Nigerian Law School.
How did you come up with the idea for Love and God novel?
I felt it was a struggle a lot of youths face nowadays, this belief that having romantic love that is God centered is impossible and that having to leave one for another was compulsory. I needed to challenge that and God helped me do so through my writing.
At what age did you start writing?
I started writing at about 8 years old and that day I started I just picked up a pen and I would just write stories that mirrored the ones I read at a time. I published the e-book version of my novel on okadabooks when I was 16 and published the hard copy of my book a few days before I turned 17. Also I wrote my first draft of the novel at age 14.
Is it a full-fledged novel or a short story?
It’s a full-fledged novel, about 200 pages and concerning the idea of a full-fledged novel, I didn’t get an idea per se; the story just ended up being a novel.
Is being a writer a gift?
Definitely a gift. I could never see it otherwise. I love the fact that even the smallest things can stimulate my brain and force my hands into writing.
Can you tell us more about your book?
It a fiction writing. It centers on a young Christian lady, who moves to the US and finds freedom and love in the arms of an atheist. Jason offers her the chance to see a new world different from what she has known as a pastor’s daughter. It’s a tale of heart break, friendship and love.
Is Love and God your first story?
It is my first novel but not my first story because I have several stories, some of which are published on my sister’s blog.
How do you go about publishing your novel?
I did a lot of research, both on the internet and by sending my manuscript to various publishing firms.
How do you balance writing, school work and social life?
My writing plan is very flexible. When I feel inspired, I write and if I can’t get to my computer at that point in time, I note down things on my phone so that when I have the time to write, I can build on those things. Sometimes, I spend late nights writing. So, there really isn’t much to balance, especially considering that I am not in a rush.
Did you ever feel it is hard to get attention as a young writer?
Not really. In fact people are usually more interested when I mention my age.
What is the hardest thing about writing?
Finding inspiration. Once you are inspired, the rest mostly works out.
Did your friends say anything about your writing habit?
My close friends are very supportive of my writing.
Do you have a specific audience in mind when writing?
No. My writing is for anyone who needs to read it, either because he or she is going through that situation or to let others know that things like that happen, essentially opening their eyes.
What is your vision for the next five years
My vision in the next five years is to have written and published four more books.
Who is your best character in the novel?
Valerie, Feyikemi’s best friend. She’s a good friend. Also, Valerie isn’t just a good girl. Her character was moulded from a past without Christ to one in Christ. Anyway, I like her because she is a good friend. She is the type of friend I would want in my corner. She’s a voice that lets you know when you’re not doing what’s best for you and she’s a friend that will be there when needed and welcomed.
How hard is it to establish and maintain a career as a writer?
I wouldn’t really know. I haven’t been in it for long, but I guess it’s not that easy, because the reading culture in this part of the world is quite poor. Young people (the bulk of our population) would rather read hot celebrity gists and things in that order. The older Nigerians mostly read religious books like devotionals or Bible-based non-fiction books.
Aren’t writers supposed to be solitary?
No, not necessarily. The only thing required of a writer is the ability to observe, think and empathise, not solitary.
How do you think people perceive your writing?
People have told me that my writing is brilliant, relatable, inspiring and shows skill especially considering my age.
Do you edit your story yourself or you seek help?
I edit myself first, but it’s always good to have a few other people check your work, especially if they are writers too.
How many hours a day do you devote to writing?
I just write when I’m inspired. I don’t even write everyday. My writing plan, if there’s any at all, is very flexible.
What is more important: characters or plot?
The plot. Once I have a basic idea of that, I can work my characters into doing certain roles my plot requires.
What book have had a strong influence on you or your writing?
The Bible mostly, because I write on Christian-based things (issues). I can’t point to any other particular book, but I know the writing styles of creative authors like Chimamanda Adichie, Sefi Atta and Jodi Picoult, to name a few, that have influenced mine, somehow.
Do you intend to become a full time author or do you have specific reasons for writing each book?
I love writing. I love letting people see my work, especially knowing that it will have a good impact on their lives somehow. Writing is God’s gift to me and I just know it’s important to share it with people, whether it’s a full-fledged novel, short story, article or poem.
What motivated you to becoming an independent author?
I wouldn’t say anything motivated me to do that. It’s just the way I have known writing to be. The option of sharing people’s ideas or writing with someone else never crossed my mind. The only time I do something like that is if I want to perform a poetry duet. For instance, if i want to perform a poem with someone else, the person would come with his or her stanzas written down.
Are there obstacles you find challenging in your writing and how do you go about them?
Yes. A lot of the time, there’s writer’s block and that can be frustrating. Sometimes, I might not know exactly how to move forward with a story or how to even start writing. There really isn’t anything I can do about it. I just move on with life and come back to write when I feel inspired.
What inspires you when getting out of bed each day?
Some days, I don’t feel inspired. Most days, I’m inspired by the sense of purpose God has established in me.
Can you tell me about your writing process and how you brainstorm story ideas?
Usually, I write with music plugged in my ears, that is, only when I feel heavily inspired. I don’t usually brainstorm for ideas. It’s more like when they come to me, I find a way to sit down, develop on them and write.
When you develop characters, do you already know who they are before you begin to write or do you let them develop as you go on?
That depends. If I’m writing a novel, I’ll have an idea of who the character is then let myself be surprised by him/her as I go on. If it’s a short piece, I usually know who the character is going to be throughout.
Do you think writing has a place among Nigerian youths or youths in general?
Yes, I do. A lot of people don’t have any way to express themselves. They might have a lot of opinions about our government and many other things in the country and writing is one of the best mediums to use to express them.
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