Shattereddreamsnovel.com

Build a system for yourself. Today's publishing world does not reward emerging writers. It rewards writers who are already in the game. So how do you stay in the game? Build. Build an author's brand. Let people know who you are even before your first book is published. Create a blog that reflects your personality as a writer. Share your writing experiences on the blog. Let the world read your story. Make short videos of yourself. This is where personal branding takes place. Talk about what you write about on camera. Let people see the face behind that powerful pen. Let them feel the mind that will trigger their emotions. Submit your work to journals and magazines. This is one of the ways of gaining visibility as a writer. However, treat this with caution. Rejections are bound to come, even when submitting your novel to literary agents. Rejections should not define you; they should be a stepping stone to your success as a writer. Most importantly, build a community. Connect with...

I have been thinking lately about this woman's influence in my life. As hilarious as it may be,it is the truth. She sits comfortably like the African queen in my short poems. In my short stories, there is a woman that was fiercely inspired by her. In the "empty chapters" of my novel, Shattered Dreams, she speaks life and action through the characters. I was born in 10th December,2007,in Onitsha,by a strong huge Igbo woman,Onyinyechi Blessing Onuoha. I grew up to know her as a robust looking woman, whose skin was dark and shone like a polished wood. She had no reason to wear synthetic hair because her natural hair was dark and long. To be sincere,my mother has never had a reason to wear a synthetic hair(even now). She will neatly pack her hair in folds. Most times, she does this with a careless appeal that whispers class. And to think that she is a teacher, one who has spent almost twenty years of her life imparting knowledge into children, is the biggest deal. Before marr...

Nneka Madu sat on the floor with her legs folded, facing the prison gate. She had not spoken to anyone or responded to any query from the prison officials. She refused to speak to the female warden who brought food for her, even when the latter told her about the killing of the leader of the Alasamba Children Movement, Chikadibia Mbanefo, in a protest which was staged on her behalf. When the prison officials questioned her, she kept mute like a lamb sacrificed at the altar.  But yes, she sacrificed herself for her people. She offered herself up so that the people of Umuaga and Alasamba would have eternal life. The capital city of Alasamba, Umuaga, was thrown into a fierce protest ever since the government arrested the popular journalist, Nneka Madu, ultimately becoming a battleground between the people and the government. The protest, which started peacefully, was organized by the students of Umuaga Comprehensive Grammar School. The aim of the protest was to speak against the gover...

Writing has been my solace, my life, my consoler. Whenever the words become heavier, I find solace in putting it down in writing. Whenever death threatens me, writing gives me life. It resurrects me. Whenever I'm brokenhearted, writing consoles me. I feel writing. I see writing. With writing, I can never be silenced. Writing boosts my adrenaline. Writing takes me to unimaginable heights. Thank you for being there for me. With love, Chidera Onuoha  Nsukka, Nigeria.

                                             6th March,1880. "Children between the ages of twelve and fifteen took over the black lane of Umuaga; leading to the Black House Villa in the early hours of today. These children engaged in a peaceful protest against the high taxation imposed on the masses by the government".  The reporter of African Media Center paused. Chika's heart raced like a dog hunting an animal in the forest. She was sweating despite the cool weather and having a bath a few minutes ago. Anyone who saw her would know that she was shaking because the chair she sat on in her room was vibrating. She sat on the chair in her room, with her eyes fixated on the radio. The reporter continued." This protest is the first of its kind in Alasamba; having children protesting in large numbers. Experts have defined the situation as baffling. According to Dr. Ikenta C...

 I have always been an advocate of doing what works for you. There are different advice flying out there. But you need to build a writing routine for yourself. People will always tell you why you have to write everyday. People will always tell you why you have to submit your work to hundreds of literary magazines and journals. They will always tell you that you need it to be relevant. You need to submit poems and short stories to hundreds of literary magazines to be relevant. That might be true. However, there is always a lie in every atom of truth. You need to build a writing routine that works for you. You don't have to write everyday to become perfect. You don't have to submit your work to hundreds of literary magazines and journals to become relevant. You only need to understand the system and build a path for yourself. Create an ecosystem that works for you. As a writer, build something that will make the world marvel. Let's take the creator of Legacy of Orisha trilogy...