Follow Us on Google
Josephine Oghenekevbe Ogufere is an author of 13 books, who aspires to write more books. Some of her works include Queen Arise, Super Teacher Transformation, African Child Arise, How to Start Your Writing When you’re Broke and Clueless, Pretty Poetry, Queen Rest, Queen Fight, Free Fit and Fabulous at 40, Teaching Kids to Read, Become a Super Reader, Now I can Read, Love Connections, The Brave Butterfly, etcetera.
A raconteuse and wordsmith, she has served as both a teacher and a children minister for 20 years, who have decided to tell her stories of woes and triumphs.
In this interview with Damiete Braide, she reveals her writing regimen, her favourite Nigerian author, why she established Kevbes Book Haven, the kids library and book club, among other issues.
At what point did you take to creative writing and what was the motivation behind it?
As a little girl of about seven, I started writing. I was a sad child, because I was always ill, and the only way I could express myself and feel better was to write about how I felt.
Let’s talk about your first book, Queen Arise, how did you situate the crux of the matter?
I had a strong desire to write a book. It kept burning in my heart till, one day, I started to put pen to paper. I was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write that book. I was always failing. I wanted to rise, but it seemed impossible. Then, I saw women in the Bible who arose, and I put myself in their shoes and did what they did, and I began to rise. In the book, I talk about the process of my rising and the rising of other women, past, present and future.
You went on to write Super Teacher Transformation….
Yes, Super Teacher Transformation was about my personal story as a teacher for almost 20 years. When I started out, I was sick, broke and depressed. I went through a metamorphosis and became healthy, wealthy and happy. I shared my failure and success stories to help teachers become healthy, wealthy and happy.
Your book, Pretty Poetry, implies a certain beauty of the word, what is it all about?
It is a collection of poems I had gathered from my teenage years. It is about life, relationships, challenges, questions and answers to God. It is a beautiful collection that will help and heal anyone going through stuff, especially emotionally and mentally.
What was your motive when you wrote Teaching Kids to Read?
Teaching Kids to read came as a request from parents and teachers who had challenges teaching their kids and students to read. They wanted to know how I was able to help my kids in my school, especially two year olds who started reading their sounds well.
Publishing houses are not ready to publish works of new authors, will you advise them to do self-publishing?
I have never used publishing houses. The only time I tried was before I started writing, and I could not afford the price at the time for a British publishing company. So I took to self publishing. I have mastered it over the years and, now, I teach other writers how to self publish their books in my publishing course.
What is your writing regimen like? considering that your schedule is very tight?
Writing is simple; it is what I do. It’s just like saying how a farmer makes time to plant. It is who he is so he just plants. Time management is my greatest tool. With it, I am able to write notwithstanding my busy schedule.
Why did you establish Kevbes Book Haven, the kids library and book club?
Kevbes Book Haven was born out of my desire of being a social entrepreneur. I realised there was no place in my vicinity where kids could come and read and also develop their Godgiven talents to skills which will benefit them personally in making impact and money. I set it up so they could indulge in knowledge while having fun at the same time. It’s more like motivating kids to read by rewarding their little efforts.
Why did you focus on love as a theme in one of your recent works, The Love Connection Show?
I have always failed at love. I wondered why my relationships never worked. I had two broken engagements with big parties. I was angry with God and my parents, then with myself and every other person, including those I was romantically involved with. Over time, as I grew wiser, I wanted to fix things. I started with self love, building my relationship with myself. Then I got a perfect definition of what love was from the Bible, “This is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and gave up Jesus for our propitiation.”
With that, I allowed God to love me, and the love was able to spread through to my family and friends. Finally, in my romantic relationship, I will say I am doing well. Love Connections is basically a book about my experiences and lessons. The show is also about that.
You have a book in the works, what makes it different from others?
My next works are books centered around helping kids, parents and teachers with the anti reading pandemic. It is different, because I am pouring my heart into them to make sure this generation reads again.
As a young writer, do you write to win awards?
Yes I do, my poems have won awards. My writing in general, too.
What kind of research goes into your works?
A lot of research goes into writing most of my books since most of them are in the nonfiction genre. Thank God for the internet, it makes it a whole lot easier now. With AI, I can write a lot of books in a very short time.
What inspired your latest work, The Brave Butterfly?
My experiences; the good, bad and ugly. I have always looked at myself as a brave butterfly who has had to go through a lot to get to where I am now by the Grace of God.
Who would you say is your favourite Nigerian author?
Chimamanda Adiche. I love her style of writing and I love her personality, too. I think our stars align, and she has inspired me a lot.
You have written four books this year, any plans of writing more books this year?
Every year, we have a theme, most of which has focused on writing. In 2023, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we want to focus on raising readers. I believe that great readers make great authors, so the starting point should be raising readers. We had the first edition in Sapele, Delta State Nigeria, and it was amazing. Festac Town is where I grew up. I feel indebted to help kids here, too, before launching out to Africa as a whole and even Africans in the diaspora.
I have written four books this year. My target is to write at least two books every month, making 24 this year. I hope to exceed it though with the help of the Holy Spirit.
As a lover of children’s literature, do you have plans of establishing reading clubs in primary or secondary schools?
Our book clubs and library are already in schools in Lagos and Port Harcourt. We are planning to expand this year, by God’s grace.
