It was obviously a virtual chat with Doreen Idialu, ( no thanks to covid 19) a lady who has captivated our hearts over the years. Her elegance is next to none and her voice always rings true and pure on issues she is concerned about. She is a Queen of words and prolific writer who has authored many books. We had the rare opportunity of having her attention for some time while we tried to know more about this pretty woman.

1. What is your name?

My name is Doreen Idialu

2. Tell us a little about your self? 

I’m a legal practitioner by profession who just recently delved into writing. I love music, that’s why in all of my books, there must be music. My genre is fiction for adult and children. I’m from a family of seven.       

3. How many books have you authored ? 

I’ve authored five books so far.         

4. What inspired you to start writing or was it a God given talent ?

My answer to this question is intertwined; it’s actually a God- given talent that was in abeyance until it was triggered. What actually triggered my writing career was an inspiration I got from a children’s book belonging to my nephew.   

                 
5. How did you feel when your first book was published ?

I felt xvsgdvrjdh…the feeling was indescribable, unexplainable but something like a butterflies mixed with a tremendous amount of pleasure.   

6. When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer ? 

My case is peculiar, because I didn’t have any yearning of wanting to be a writer from childhood, didn’t even know I had the talent. The legal profession involves a lot of writing and whenever I had to do any of such write ups, there was this feeling of mastery and effortlessness. Actually, I stumbled into writing after a reading a silly book belonging to my nephew and I said to myself ” What? I can do better”, and after that everything started taking shape and became limpid. 

7. How long does it take you to write a book?

For my children’s books a couple of days, maximum a week, for my adult books it depends on the volume of the books, e.g VIRAGO took me close to a year. VIRAGO is over 30 chapters and over a hundred thousand words. 

8. Which of your books can you describe as your most successful book? 
Honestly, I think all, but a lot of people prefer Princess Ibiere, Good Santa and Virago.     

9. What impact have you made and what  impact do you intend to make ?

The impact i’m already making and still would want to intensify in are in two areas; 1) The girl child – to let them know that they have limitless power to be anything and do anything. That’s the poignant message all of my books carry and 2) Africa; the greatness, beauty, richness and power of Africa and how proud we should be that we are Africans.. all these are messages found in my books.           

10. Do you believe you can make the world a better place through your stories?

Oh! Yes I absolutely believe that, in fact it’s already happening. My books are already causing a revolution of the mind. I bumped into a twelve years old female child the other day who told me not only is she proud to be African but she’s going to work so hard to be financially independent. It’s all part of the cradle programming scheme I try to push now and then.   

11. What’s your all time favourite book and why?

I have so many all time favourites. I’m a flirt when it comes to books. Today it is Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt but yesterday it was The Kitchen god’s wife by Amy Tan.. both of them hilarious.

12. As we celebrate women, what advice do you have for young and upcoming writers ?

  Just one word; FIGHT!!! Understand this, and you’ve understood eighty per cent of life. Don’t just take everything life throws at you. FIGHT BACK! Yes you are allowed to cry, but when you are done crying, FIGHT BACK. Fight for your dreams, fight to be heard, fight to stay ahead and sometimes fight for love. Whatever you do, as long as it is a worthy cause, you need to fight for it.   

Thank you for your time and thank you for having me. I appreciate.