Spotlight on Creativity and Passion
At Book Ecke, we believe every story matters, and indie authors are redefining literature with their creativity and courage. As part of our “Inspiring Authors of 2024” series, we are thrilled to spotlight indie authors whose works inspire, provoke thought, and bring something unique to readers worldwide.
Today, we feature Adaora Ogunniyi, the brilliant mind behind The Steel Gavel (English Edition). Adaora’s storytelling has captivated readers with its courage, passion, and thought-provoking themes. Let’s delve into her journey and creative process.
1. Tell us a little about your journey to becoming an indie author. What inspired you to take this path?
“Perhaps it’s best to begin by saying that I did not choose this path. This path chose me. You see, I am drawn to narratives and how they affect, or are affected by, the people who experience them. While my stories highlight themes which may mostly be tied to certain geographical locations, I do my best to infuse elements that underscore how uniquely similar we all are in our shared experiences and struggles. As a firm believer in the power of one’s own voice, I had a story, now stories, to tell and have done my utmost to tell them the best way I can. The literary landscape is a supremely vast one and I have learned that waiting around to be defined or identified can be, for want of a better word, limiting. My aim is to tell my stories and do my best to get them into the hands of readers, whichever way possible.”
2. What is the central theme or message of your (latest) book, and what inspired you to write it?
“To condense the many into one, the central theme of The Steel Gavel is ‘The courage to rewrite societal expectations.’
The concept of happy-ever-afters or the lack thereof inspired The Steel Gavel. I rolled the dice on the many factors that could stand against an ultimate love match and what realistic choices the characters could settle for. The caste system won. Besides love, relationships, and marriage, we are constantly faced with crippling obstacles as we travel our life paths: career, health, self-discovery, etc.
I wanted to leave this message for readers as they turned the last page: ‘Fight for what you want, fight for your dream. It doesn’t matter how limiting the odds may appear, climb every mountain, swim every ocean, tunnel through every forest. Fight like hell and hope something, besides you, buckles.’”
3. Indie publishing can be challenging. What has been your biggest hurdle, and how did you overcome it?
“Without question, PUBLICITY, MARKETING, and SALES. I am yet to overcome it. For now, my strategy is to keep my eyes peeled and ears open for platforms like this, which present me with priceless opportunities to talk about my work. More importantly, I plan to continue to tell my stories with the hope that of the few million readers that trot the globe, there would be a couple of thousands, or hundreds of thousands who will recognize and appreciate the gift I so humbly give.”
4. What does your creative process look like? Do you follow any rituals or routines when writing?
“No rituals. Ideas invade my peace anytime, anywhere. You may catch me sending voice notes to myself in the middle of a completely unrelated activity… I haven’t lost it, I just do not want to forget. When all is quiet and less chaotic, I begin to slave through the process of crystallizing those thoughts and ideas into sensible prose.”
5. Who or what has been the most significant influence on your writing style and storytelling?
“My storytelling was shaped by the tales I heard in my early years. Tales about deeply flawed humans faced with seemingly insurmountable circumstances. Over time, I have learned to identify kindred spirits in authors who write stories simply for storytelling’s sake. Authors like Buchi Emecheta, Colleen Hoover, Danielle Steel, Chinua Achebe, Guy De Maupassant, Ernest Hemingway, Alice Munro, to mention a few.”
6. Many aspiring authors hesitate to self-publish. What advice would you give to someone considering the indie route?
“First, write a story you are convinced is worth telling. Afterwards, cast your tale on many waters and let them fall and take root where they may. For writers whose hearts are fixed on traditional publication, by all means, let them go for it. Yet I know of a few who would rather the freedom which Independent publication offers. For authors like me who prefer to focus on the creative side of the landscape, there are independent, small press publishing houses that take care of all logistics and editorial services… This affords my brain more room to breathe, if that makes sense.”
7. What has been your most rewarding moment as an indie author so far?
“Top on my list is the freedom to choose how my stories end, how I navigate towards that end. Another is during author events, seeing the light in the eyes of readers as they discuss my stories, as they take my themes and characters and bend them into fantastic forms which sometimes even I may not have foreseen.”
8. How do you connect with your audience? Any tips for effective book marketing?
“A couple of years ago, I started a podcast, but writing got the better of me. Perhaps I’ll get back to it. However, I recently started a book club with my friend and colleague and hope to connect with folks who love to read, folks who like to talk about the books they read, folks who will love what I write. I hear that the best marketing is organic marketing.”
9. Are there any upcoming projects or works you’d like to share with your readers?
“My third book is in its formative days. It is quite different from Waves Aligning and The Steel Gavel, and I cannot wait to share it with the world as soon as it is ready to be shared.”
10. What is one piece of advice you wish you had known before starting your writing journey?
“Characters are living, breathing beings, never mind that they exist only in the head. Always let them lead. Riding on the coattail of that advice is this: cutting, deleting is also excellent writing.”
Adaora Ogunniyi’s journey as an indie author is a testament to courage and creativity. Her ability to weave compelling narratives and her resilience in the face of challenges make her an inspiration to aspiring authors everywhere. We can’t wait to see what’s next for Adaora and her ever-evolving storytelling.
