How it all began
Every writer knows one thing, and that is the fact that they love writing and mostly have no other choice but to write.
I began writing many years ago (my mother says around 4 or 5 years, although I remember reading aloud at that age but writing must have happened much later). Or is it the other way around? Not too sure now. Mom may be right after all. Anyways, but what I'd say really launched my writing to the world was when I responded to a call by the late inspirational teacher and speaker Pastor Mrs Bimbo Odukoya for writers to submit a writing sample in consideration for a job as a writer and transcriber for her then upcoming inspirational book. I remember sitting there in one of the church pews not sure if I should get up or not. Her request was simple - write something, anything at all and leave it at the office desk indicating what it was for.
I left church that day hearing continuously in my mind - "Chinenye you say you are a writer, here's your chance to prove it." Two days later I was still battling with the decision to go ahead or not and then finally I did. Being a new wife then, all I could think about was my husband (lol), so it was no surprise that what I ended up doing was in the lines of marriage and what it means (lol). I think I titled that piece THE MAN I MARRIED or something along that line. I know it sounds funny right now but back then it was all I could think of. Blame it on the new wife syndrome!
Long story short, fast forward to a week later, I was in church and after the service an announcement was made that a certain Chinenye should go see Pastor Bimbo. I wasn't sure if it was me but I still went through. I walked into the office and the lady at the reception was all smiles and said "Pastor Bimbo has been looking everywhere for you". I smiled in return as I was led upstairs to her office. By the time I got to her office, there she was smiling and with a welcoming hand 'oohed and aahed' about my submission and how she couldn't wait to meet the person that wrote such lovely piece of literature - those were her exact words. She was surprised that I was so young as well because what I wrote on marriage according to her reflected ninety nine percent of her teachings. I got the job there and then and was furnished with the job descriptions, location (it was to be outside the church premises), my remuneration and benefits. I must confess it was a very good package for an undergraduate, and in all modesty many University graduates of this day do not earn what I was offered then. This was way back in early 2001, me, a newly married young woman who upon making plans to join her husband in South Africa inadvertently answered a call to her destiny.
That was a pleasant period in my life. My memory is forever ingrained with how thrilled she was with my work and what she refers to as the stylistic way I presented the stories on the works she assigned to me. For a young writer who was still setting out unsure of her craft, that job was all the validation I needed to start off on this journey of showcasing my gift and talent.
Unfortunately, just few months into the job, I had to leave as my visa was finally granted after numerous delays. And that is a story for another day.
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