MOMENT WITH JOY OKWORI

Whenever you come across a like mind, immediately, your kindred spirit's antenna ( if there is anything like that) becomes active. I don't remember how we became friends on Facebook but I know she has a way of hooking you to her thread of thought in her creative stories.  It is my pleasure to present to you Joy Okwori.

Who is Joy Okwori? Tell us about your background and what you do? Your surname, what does it mean?

I shy away from this question and I never really know why. Well, how will people know me if I don't give an answer to it? I am the sun, an Idoma lady from Benue state, Ogbadibo local government of Nigeria to be precise; not to forget that people often refer to me as someone from the eastern part of Nigeria, probably because of my surname, as it is rare to find other tribes bearing the name Okwori. Okwori means 'preserving against all odds' in Idoma, I have no idea what it means in other tribes though.

I am a creative writer, poet, I am team member of startupgrindJos, a (performing artist, and story teller. I have a passion for writing so I know my way around it, as writing happens to be broad. I have written scripts, I create contents as well, and  that's aside what I am known for. I am a volunteer for Caprecon development foundation, I work with the COA media, and I am also a content creator for the Victor Bello foundation. I am a student of Mass communication. 

What does writing mean to you?

Writing is my life, there's never a day I don't write something, anything.

What are those things you think qualifies one as a writer?

Your ability to be able to knit words together, to convey a particular message in good English language, qualifies one as a writer for me. A degree doesn't necessarily mean success as a writer, although most professional writers have formal education in writing, English, communication, journalism or even higher level degrees. There are also available master classes all over the internet that can qualify one as a writer.

What in your opinion is/are the most important thing(s) about writing?

Read all you can, write all you can, research all you can. Everyone makes mistakes, learn from them. Do not accommodate self doubts. Not every advise is good advise, do you, be you, be original!

Does writing comes with a challenge?

Every single thing in life good or bad, comes with a challenge and writing isn't left out, but challenges in writing are surmountable, if you put your heart to it.

How do you handle writer's block?

Writers block is most often non-existent to me because I never restricted myself when it comes down to writing. I pen down whatever idea comes to mind and I go ahead and write. Although, times when I thought there was nothing to write about are times I wrote the most. All I do is look deep within myself, fall in love over and over again with nature, enjoy people's company when I have the time, and that's all I need. Once I write one word, the rest just comes from wherever. I pray!

Do you have any published work or projects you are currently working on?

Well, I have just one, and I love to describe it as my 'testing the water' project. It's an anthropology of poems that I told mostly as stories in free verses. The title is 'Journey On.' Sometime ago it was put up on World Writers Hub Store for sale. I currently have projects I am working on, one of which is a novel. When the time is right, I will talk about them in details.

You had stints with hosting writing master classes and conferences geared towards creativity. What was the motivation behind this? How do you get sponsorship?

Well, my motivation comes from within. There's this passion I have to want to see everyone who do what they do to the best of their abilities. I tend to go after what I really want, and there's no stopping me. When you say sponsorship I can't really say but I know God sponsors me a lot by strategically positioning men around me who favors me. Talking about a full sponsorship? Oh how I will love that if it comes.

What is a writer's space and niche so important to writing?

A writer's space and niche is so important to writing because if you do not have a particular niche that you are committed to, you may lose focus and not hit a Target at the end of the day. Every artist needs a place to brainstorm and ponder on their ideas both mentally and physically and just anywhere won't bring about the desired results. Oh, how I love the writer's space. Now talking about niche, the diverse niches we have in writing, helps writers to identify their area of strength or weakness. One good poet may not be a good story teller, so poetry should be the focus and niche of that poet. It is important that writers know their area of  strength, when that is discovered, they should go ahead and brainstorm in that niche.

What are those things that fuel  and influence your writing?

influence...

I see a lot in the society and sometimes when I am on a busy road, I am unable to write what inspiration I get from conversations that are loud enough or events that takes place, so I just try to save whatever I can in my memory so I can put it down when I am settled or when I am in my writer's space. My experiences, and that of others fuel my writings.

 You post a statement on Facebook sometimes ago about surviving an accident or something. Would you like to share that with us, perhaps?

I will really like to share my experiences, but it's rather a long story. I went to different hospitals and was diagnosed of malaria. What Malaria will resist treatments for months? There were times my eyes will just shut down, and I will have to say a prayer and declare that: "I shall not die but live to declare the goodness of God upon the land of the living." I only got better, and was able to start living a normal life when I stopped all medications, stopped visiting hospitals and left the battle in the hands of God.  The conclusion of the matter is that: "the heart of man is desperately wicked, who can understand it?" but the Lord my God who is my redeemer is strong and all powers in heaven and on earth belongs to him.

 Which should fuel a writer's energy or zeal to write: the desire to win prizes or the cheer pleasure of writing?

Should a writer's desire to write be fueled by prizes to be won, the truth is; that writer has missed it already. What should be a writer's  zeal to write, is to be a better writer that can share ideas and thoughts with the world. When a writer is good, prizes will come after that writer. I have never fancied awards and competitions until recently. It's good for a good writer to be awarded but that isn't enough drive for writing. The zeal to write must be born from a passion within.

 

One of your niches is short story. How did you come about this?

I have always loved stories. Right from when I was a young girl. My father told me many stories, and he was good with the narration, the voice tone, and description of characters. I can remember him laughing when there was a joke in a story when he told it, I remember how he'll shake his head with a slight frown on his face when he got to an unpleasant part in the story. Before  he passed on in February 15th, 2019, he had stirred something about Storytelling from deep within me and I can't help it.

My father made me to love stories, so even as a young girl, I read any book that I could lay my hands on. From fairy tales, to the Arabian nights and hundreds of them. I just loved listening and reading stories, until I started telling them too.

I started exercising my ability to write stories when I was in Junior secondary school. I hated the big boring books even though I would sit on my bed at night, get a candle with my money if I must, just so I could read Maeve Binchy's novel, Danielle steel and other authors too many to start to mention.

Not to forget that I have sisters who love to read so I never lacked books even if I had to sneak it.

I have read Chimamanda Adichie, Francine Rivers too and I love them. Each time I read a book or books, it births stories  from within me.

Which writer influences your writing?

Now that's going to be hard but I look up to Chimamanda when it comes down to the African Storytelling. Ever since I read 'Purple Hibiscus' I knew she will definitely have an influence in my writing, and I have gone ahead to read other books written by her. One of which is Dear Ijeawele.

Has creative writing brought you monetary gains?

Not monetary gains in the sense that you may like to think it  but I had people buy 'Journey on' as at last year. Creative writing has connected me to channel of blessings, it has brought to me opportunities,  and it  is still paving ways for me through which more and more money will come.

It is believed that writers or creatives are solitary, sombre people. What is your take on this?

This is not exactly true, I have met writers who are the life of the party, writers who talk non-stop. It's basically not about writing but about personality type. Sombre can't even define me (Laughs)I say and do very funny things though most people see me as the 'quiet' type even within the family. Writers may be quiet, reserved, and having self control but they are definitely not sombre.

On visibility and awareness of writer's craft, what are the steps you will suggest a budding writer take to get noticed?

There's no better place to begin with than social media, and any small group the writer is able to be a part of both online and offline. There is a need to be intentional, budding writers should make sure that their profile on their social media platforms, is in alignment with who they are and what they do. They should be cautious about their posts and appearance as the world is silently watching. 

What role does inspiration play in the creative process?

Inspiration is one important part of creative writing. The creative process is incomplete without inspiration. Inspiration compels an individual to build on a particular idea or ideas. Inspiration is the drive behind the end result. There is never an end result without inspiration.

What advice can you give to procrastinating writer's?

Yesterday is gone, today is coming to an end already how sure are you that tomorrow is yours, what if tomorrow doesn't come? You ought to stand on your feet and step forward, the queue is ever moving and the road is all yours.

Any advice for creatives?

Create a space for yourself and understand who you truly are, and no, don't discard that idea, it is you the world has been waiting for. Discover all of the strength you have and do all that you so desire to do because creativity is very capable of leading you to becoming a successful person. Think it, do it, become it.

Thank you for your time 

It is my pleasure.

We have come to the end of the interview. My guest's handle is Joy Okwori on all social media platforms. Thank you for stopping by. In case you or someone you know who is a creative would like to be interviewed on this blog, kindly send us a mail on hozinj@gmail.com. Thank you.