Happy New Year!!! It’s my pleasure to announce to you that Inspiring Women by Above Whispers is back and we are kicking it off with an exceptional young lady, Anuoluwapo Sotunde. She is a writer, a blogger and a passionate lady who’s got the zeal to impact her world especially the Young generation. In this interview she speaks about her passion, her debut book ‘The parrot in my head’. As a young writer, she shares extensively her creative journey and the challenges encountered so far.

Welcome aboard for a nice and inspiring time.

AW: Let us know a little about you {Your Background}

Our Guest : My name is Anuoluwapo Sotunde. I am the second child of my parents; we are three girls. I attended Juniors International School, Christ Ambassadors International College and University of Ibadan. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with Master’s in Industrial and Production Engineering in view.

AW : At what age did you discover that you’ve got the flare to write?

Our Guest : It is hard to look back and give a specific age. I guess I discovered at some point in secondary school. I always had things to scribble at the back of my notebooks and jotters. I still do that now. I have different jotters/journals I keep.

AW :What are the challenges so far as a literary person

Our Guest : Well…the major challenges are dealing with over analyzing things I write before sharing with the public and creating enough time for writing.

AW : As a person that didn’t study literature or any related course in school, how were you able to maneuver and manage it?

Our Guest : I don’t believe in limitations. I believe in learning, expanding your horizons, pursuing your passions/interests and living your dreams. I never saw my course of study as a stumbling block to pursuing my other interests. More so, there are many engineers, doctors and scientists that are great writers. I think reading different things since I was a kid, joining press in school, running a personal blog and taking up a writing/editing job at some point also helped me.

AW: Let’s talk about your book ‘The Parrot In My Head’

Our Guest :The parrot in my head is my debut book. It’s a collection of poems and quotes. It’s an expression of my thoughts about love, hope, dreams, depression, marriage and much more. Anyone can totally relate to everything in this book. Many of the words are probably some words people have had inside but left unsaid. The feedback and reviews from readers have been great so far.

AW : What are the salient points that prompted you to write this book?

Our Guest : Personal experiences, experiences of people around and general view about life prompted me to write this book. I’m not a talker; so writing is the major way I let myself loose. Also, writing a book was one of my childhood dreams. I decided to compile and publish this book because I felt there is a need for someone to read what I have written and be assured they are not alone in whatever they are going through or whatever phase of life they are in. I want people to read and be inspired, comforted or encouraged as the case may be.

AW : What’s your plan for the future?

Our Guest : The world doesn’t need to know the plans, you only need to see the manifestation

AW : Who are your mentors?

Our Guest : I can’t say much about mentors but I have people I admire and try to learn indirectly from. Some of them are TY Bello, Okechukwu Ofili, Tolu Akinyemi, Tara Durotoye and Pastor Funke Felix-Adejumo.

AW : Have you ever had ‘the writer’s bloc’ and if yes, how did you get past it?

Our Guest: Yes, I do have writer’s block. Sometimes, I put down whatever comes to my mind at that time no matter how random it sounds. And sometimes, I just let everything go, do some other things or get some rest.

AW :  What inspires you and how does it influence your writings 

Our Guest : Solitude, curiosity, reading the other people’s works, nature, streets, personal experiences and experiences of others…basically anything can be a source of inspiration.

AW : How do you manage criticism?

Our Guest : I believe everyone has right to their opinions. Just like praises, criticisms are part of everyone’s journey. People will always talk, it’s part of life.

AW : Do you think young Nigerians read?

Our Guest: Yes, we do.

AW : What are the problems that young writers face in the industry?

Our Guest : One of the problems is internal; it’s chasing perfection and acceptance rather than writing and expressing oneself freely.

Another issue is getting your work published. I’m sure many people would love to get their writings published but there is the issue of cost and other bottlenecks. In my opinion, many publishers are not supportive, especially when it comes to young and upcoming writers. That’s why many people go for e-publishing and Okada books has made like a lot easier for Nigerian writers in that aspect.

AW : Name Your top 5 books

Our Guest : That’s a tough one. Anyway, I will go with-
 Why you act the way you do by Tim LaHaye
 The big picture by Ben Carson
 How stupidity saved my life by Okechukwu Ofili
 The 15 invaluable laws of growth by John C. Maxwell
 Wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now by Maya Angelou

AW : Your advice to upcoming writers

Our Guest : Just write…this is one great tool you have to set express yourself and reach out to the world in this one life that you have. There is someone somewhere that needs your words. Don’t let the fear of what people will think or your perfectionism get in the way of doing something that sets your soul on fire. Let me borrow Maya Angelou’s words- “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you”.

AW :  Let’s people connect with you { Social media handles}

Our Guest : My Instagram and twitter handle is @anusotunde

Facebook name is Sotunde Anuoluwapo Folakemi. Thank you. 

Join us next week as we showcase another woman to inspire you and get you move above Limitations!