interview questions

1. Tell us about yourself?

Thanks for having me!  My full name is Olusola Sophia Anyanwu. I am British Nigerian, married with 5 children and 7 grandchildren. I am a Christian, a tutor, writer, poet and a reviewer. I have authored 13 books which includes 3 poetry collections.
 

1. When did you start writing? 

In 1979. I started writing poetry. Before then, as a child of 12, I liked writing songs and play scripts for my siblings.
 
 

1. When did you publish your first book?

 In July 2017
 

1. What are the challenges you faced in getting your first book published?

 
 I was a green horn and completely naïve at that time. So I googled for publishers and went for the first thing that came up. This was AuthorHouse publishers. It was done in good time and affordable. So, it was straight forward without any challenges.
 
 

1. You are a versatile writer with captivating books. Where do you get inspiration for them?

Thanks so much for the compliment! It has to be God using my experiences at uni, my family and the Bible to inspire me.
 

1. Have you ever experienced writer’s block and how did you deal with it?

Ah yes! There were those few occasions when I ran dry of ideas and even the motivation to continue a particular writing project.  I dealt with this by starting a completely new writing project, attempting poetry or I just let myself ‘rest’ for weeks waiting for God to start me off again.
 

1. Is there any author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

 I definitely enjoyed Elechi Amadi’s romantic writing in ‘The Concubine’ in my teens. As an adult, I have especially enjoyed Lola Shoneyin’s intrigue, wit, humour and writing style in the ‘The 4 wives of Baba Segi’. I also love Susan Howatch’s writing style in ‘Sins of the Fathers’ and have thoroughly enjoyed all the Christian Fiction books written by Francine Rivers.
 

1. Is anything in your books based on real-life experiences or purely all imagination?

Stories from the Heart, Their Journey and The Crown are based on true life but the rest of my books are purely imagination!
 

1. What do you consider your best accomplishment as a writer? That would be publishing all my writings.
2. How many books have you written? Any favourite and why? I have written 13 and my favourite is ‘Their Journey’. It is my first Christian fiction novel and the only book that comprises historical, romance, intrigue and fantasy. I really enjoyed writing it.

 
 

1. What are the challenges of being a writer? Getting reviews, Marketing and Sales.

 
 

1. What are your other interests outside reading and writing? Playing board games like chess. How do you relax? Listening to classical or Christian music and watching a nice movie occasionally.

 

1. What advice will you give to aspiring writers, especially those who would want to toe in your footsteps? They should explore their creative writing skills, attend workshops to hon their skills and read loads of storybooks.

 
 

1. How long does it take you to write a book? For small books a month to 3 months and for big books, from 6months to 1 year.

 

1. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Classical music
 

1. What does your family think of your writing? Good question. It hasn’t quite sunk into their heads that I am a writer, though my children and my husband are supportive.

 
 

1. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in writing your books? That I could write over 300,000 words in a short time if I put my mind to it.

 
 

1. Did your environment and upbringing influence your writing? Yeah. My Dad was an author and he introduced me to the love of books. I had my own library right form 7 years old.

 

1. How do you cope with writing and nurturing your many children and grandchildren? God is good! My youngest child will be 25 this year. My grandchildren are in Dubai, Northfleet and Colchester. When they visit, they inspire my poetry writing. I write when they are asleep. They  don’t visit all the time, so I have time for myself.