#WriterSpotlight – “The beauty of pen on paper,or words generally is a rare and alluring type that can never be tarnished.” Okuwoga Temitope

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Hey Sparkle Writers. If you are an ardent follower of our blog, you know that Thursday’s are for #WriterSpotlight. If you didn’t know before, now you do.

Today we feature a medical student who is also a writer on our blog as she shares with us what inspired her to take writing seriously and how she has intentionally improved her skills.

Enjoy our interview with her.  

Hello Temitope please introduce yourself

Hello, my name is Okuwoga Temitope Olukorede, a medical student at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti. I am an indigene of Ogun state though resident in Lagos State. I am an ardent Christian.

You are a medical student so how did you discover your love for words?

Writing has always been there, even before medicine. I think education is not just going to school solely to get a degree. It’s a development of yourself, learning how to build up your talents and skills. I have always loved writing though I haven’t always been writing. Just as I use “stuff” to communicate everyday in medical school, writing has always been a much deeper means of communication for me.

How long have you been writing for and what have you learnt in these years?

I actually got serious with writing about three months ago. So far, it has been a wonderful experience. I have learnt that nothing written is too trivial to speak to the mind of a person and that the beauty of pen on paper, or words generally is a rare and alluring type that can never be tarnished. Writing is a form of self release that touches people in different ways, and you never know how or when your words may do so.

Where do you get inspiration from?

I get inspiration from personal experiences and the experiences of others. I particularly love writing things pertaining to God, love and hurt. I enjoy writing short stories too.

What’s your favorite under-appreciated book?

The Virtuous Woman by Zaynab Alkali. 

What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

The most difficult part is looking for the most appropriate words to convey my exact thoughts in a bid to avoid confusion or misinterpretation.

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You seem to love sharing your work on instagram, what inspired this?

I started sharing my work on Instagram at the beginning of February this year during the February steps challenge by  African Writers where we had to write on a particular topic everyday.  I was encouraged to do so by my younger brother, and two of my really good friends, all of whom are writers.

What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?

Poor time management!

Apart from writing, what are your other hobbies?

I love arts and crafts, reading, singing and cooking.

What is your ultimate dream as a writer?

My ultimate dream, by the grace of God, is for my writing to bring light to hearts that have once been darkened; to be an incredible source of peace, hope, encouragement and healing to people all over the world.

How has your writing evolved over the years, did you do anything specific to make improvements? If yes, please share with us.

Over the past months, the things I have done to improve is to eliminate doubt and be true to myself. I have also read more, asked more and learnt more. 

 

If you could be anything in the world, what would you be?

I would continue being me,  only striving to be a better version of myself everyday.

 

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