Growing up Oreva Ode-Irri just wanted to be rich but aside that, she also wanted to be many things. These many things keep changing per time but the most consistent one was probably that she wanted to be a banker. Oreva is a writer but also currently doing her masters in International Business, FInance and Accounting. Today we will let her tell her story in her own words. Happy reading.
How it all started
I have been writing for as long as I can remember but I only started to really take it seriously in secondary school. Then, I and 4 of my friends would write these little stories in notes and share round the set. We would release them in series and it was highly demanded. In SS1, I was selected to represent my school in a national essay writing competition and I won.
That and the fact that I won the prize for literature every year, led me to writing my first book in my last year of secondary school. I was 16 at the time. After that, it’s been a long-winding journey of discovering myself and finding the kind of writer I wanted to be.
It’s been so worthwhile. I have written 2 books and I am currently working on the 3rd one. My book Absolution was inspired by a verse of scripture (2nd Cor 5:17) and it’s is a story I have always wanted to tell. The best part of being a write is bringing stories to life.
How I write
Everything I write has played out in my mind at least ten times. I love that I can create whole new worlds and see it change lives and provoke either thought or emotion. Most times when I write the plot comes first. Selecting names for my characters depends on factors like setting, language, meaning but other than these, its mostly random selection.
My typical writing days goes like this; an idea pops in my head, I bring out a book and write to my heart’s content. Then I read it over and add and embellish and edit till I am satisfied. Sometimes, I spend hours researching on a subject just to write a short story that’ll be a 5 minutes read.
I used to believe in writer’s block but I don’t think it is a thing anymore. I do not believe in it. Feeling strong emotion helps one to be good write if not you might not enjoy what you write. I have a lot I have a lot of unfinished and unpublished book, at least 4 current drafts and countless rough drafts of ideas that I want to explore.
My desire
If I could meet one famous author and sit down with to discuss their body of work it will have to be FRANCINE RIVERS.
If am to be a character in a book, it will be hard. This is because I feel things really deeply and so I have so many characters I am fond of, but I don’t know if there is anyone I want to be wholly. Maybe bits and pieces of them but not wholly.
Top 3 books
My top 3 books are A voice in the wind by Francine Rivers, All your perfects by Colleen Hoover and Stay with me by Ayobami Adebayo
Favorite travel destination
My favorite travel destination is PARIS.
Relationship
I am currently engaged. The 3 words I will use to describe my ideal man are Thoughtful. Sweet. God-fearing. The first thing I notice in a man is his smile. My relationship breaker is violence.
Favorite Music
I don’t have a favorite music artist. This is because I like music too much to have a favorite artist and my favorite song changes per time.