Inspired by A.H Mohammed, the author of “The Last Days at Forcados High School”, Ayodeji Ajagbe popularly known as Timmy Turner are an award-winning author, creative writer, and romance novelist. Born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, he began his professional career in 2016 and he has written eight books since his debut as an author. His celebrated works include What Happened to Helen, Reflection: Rulers and Prey, High School Lovers, Sad Love Story, Meant To Be, Memories, and Reasons To Live.

He’s also the founder of DailyPress Bookstore, an affiliate of DailyPress PLC. An online bookstore that helps people read books, stories, and research work for students and lecturers. His book Meant To Be has served as the foundation for many of his books.

Colin Luther Powell who was an American politician, statesman, and diplomat opined that a dream does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work. Here’s an exclusive interview with our young, and multi-talented author, who is burning the candle at both ends.9

1. As an award-winning author, how did your writing journey begin?

Coming to think about it, the start of my writing journey has to do with my introverted tendencies. As a kid, I hid behind the facade of this funny, humorous, crazy person but at the same time, I rarely felt comfortable enough to portray my real emotions or thoughts and not only because they were so different from people around me but also I had a better outlet.

That outlet is pouring my heart out through writing and do you know the best part, no one gets to judge you nor do you have to justify the way you feel.

And maybe I got into writing because I have always loved reading.

And if you are asking how I got into writing professionally, well let’s just say I don’t know how to do anything else.

2. Gaining publicity as a young youth with a positive impact on society is among what many people aspire for. What inspired you to become an author?

I have always loved the sound of the language. I think the music of the human voice is beautiful, and writing feels like a magic technology that can carry a voice across great distances, cultural divides, and generations. I get satisfaction from writing and I feel compelled to do it the way one feels compelled to shower and eat breakfast in the morning. Writing feels nice.

3. A follow-up on all your socials gives two books a higher standing: “WHAT HAPPENED TO HELEN” and “REFLECTION; RULERS AND PREY”. Give a scope of both books.

For Reflection: Rulers and Preys, I let my readers explore the challenges of student politics in the world of 24-hour news and social media as well as the conflict between political ambition and staying true to who you are.

The main character, Comrade Oluwatimileyin Turner, Chief Whip, is a cynical, manipulative politician determined to become President. He is willing to use every secret he knows, every pressure point he can find, and every dirty trick in the book to secure his rise to power—and in the process confirms just about every dark and terrible thing you thought you knew about politics.

I wrote about my extensive real-life experience in student politics for the book, and the result is an electrifying vision of how exceedingly violent governing can be behind closed doors.

What Happened to Helen, there are many stories in the world, but only a few are heard. So I wrote a book to be the voice of all those stories. What Happened To Helen is a book of anecdotes published as a work of fiction. It includes the stories of love, pain, and betrayal. Every one of us has different stories in our lives but most of them are unheard, unspoken, or ignored. So I wrote What Happened To Helen to introduce the lives of common people and their untold stories. We all are somewhere broken inside and lost in darkness, but it is our willpower and the hope of a better tomorrow that gives us the strength to fight that darkness and makes our life beautiful. What Happened To Helen is not just my book, it’s the book of millions of people who live with hope.

4. What was the inspiration behind the two books and others that you write?

My first book, Reflection: Rulers and Preys, was born during the lockdown in 2020.

Over the years, I enjoyed writing articles and short stories. Publishing them on Facebook and Wattpad was a thrill. Yet I did not have the skills and confidence to write a whole fully fledged novel. The task appeared daunting.

Finally, one fine day in 2020, I decided I better try writing a novel. The plot was swimming around in my head. I knew I had to write that book. A flimsy, lean book was no answer for this big burst of energy.

I honestly did not know at the time I could write a full book.

It happened in Ibadan, Oyo state during the ASUU strike. After several hours of talks with Kehinde Irhodia, I settled on a bench overlooking the sky-blue canvas before me and dreamed up how this bristling story would unravel.

Those days, I was filled with awe. Imagine holding a printed book in your hand. Imagine readers lining up to get your autograph. Imagine traveling all over the world and lecturing about my book. Imagine fame and fortune.

Nothing happened that way. It was a slog. Paragraph by paragraph I grappled with the story and the writing schedule. The plots thickened.

After five months, the book was ready. All 50,000 words in a row and I was feeling the pressure of publishing now.

5. You have been a full-time Vice Chairman of the National Association of Writers, Kwara Estate. How has been the experience, and mostly, the role played in such a position?

I thoroughly enjoyed working with different writers in Kwara State’s writing community as the Vice Chairman for the past year.

As the Vice Chairman, I was responsible for the coordination of the activities of the Association. I presided at general or executive meetings and act as The Chairman, in the absence of the Chairman or when the Chairman is unable to act in that role. I also acted as the official spokesperson in conjunction with the Chairman.

It is true to say that nothing under the sun is swift but with effort and commitment, everything is possible. What have been the ups and downs of your writing career/ challenges?

As a published author, when I post on social media, I typically share my positive news. Sometimes it feels weird like I’m bragging. But many of my social media followers who are not writers may not understand that I need to share the good news because there is so much in publishing that is disheartening: the rejection, the lack of control over traditionally published authors, and the waiting. There is so much behind the negative scenes, that my psyche must share any good news with the world to tilt the scales. I’m teetering on a slippery slope.

Being an author has innumerable joys, but so many disappointments as well. Contracts that never materialized, non-responding editors, lack of sales, less than perfect reviews, and the years it can take from manuscript to published book.

5. Book marketing requires specialist skills that many authors haven’t had the chance to develop. What marketing strategies do you usually employ when promoting your books? And has your marketing journey been enjoyable?

Difficulty varies by individual ability. There are a lot of people writing nowadays, in the days of self-publishing, that would have been weeded out by the old, traditional methods of attracting interest in a manuscript by being skilled.

But the real difficulty as time goes on is selling books.

People don’t read like they used to. Even the movie industry is suffering because high-quality authors are finding it difficult to sell enough to call their efforts financially worthwhile.

Between the glut of terrible writing and the lack of readers, authorship must necessarily become an exercise in masochism.

My marketing journey has been enjoyable. Thanks to the social media marketing courses I took back then. I pay for sponsors on Facebook and Instagram and they give my book a mind-blowing reach and audience. Scribd also advertises my books on Google quite often, and I’ve been able to get more sales from those advertisements.

6. How much does it take to be a renowned writer?

Good heavens, if I knew the answer to that, I’d have Steven King’s fame and fortune.

7. some ambitious readers and readers would wish to have a hold of your written copies. Where can we find your books?

My books are available in major bookstores worldwide. You can get a copy from wherever you are.

Reflection: Rulers and Preys — https://g.co/kgs/HfjPzq

What Happened to Helen — https://g.co/kgs/NMxFo1

8. What would be your word of advice to upcoming and aspiring writers?

Research publishing and how book selling works. Most authors are clueless about this and end up having unrealistic expectations. Learn everything you can about this, then move on to learning about the genre your books are in. Learn about what readers expect to see on covers, what they expect from storylines, etc. Go back to your books and see if they meet the criteria you’ve discovered.

Have your books been professionally edited? If not, then this should be your next step. No book should be published without being professionally edited — this does not mean you have the English teacher down the street read through the manuscripts. You need to hire a professional who understands what is expected from the genre you’re writing for.

While the editor is toiling away, you need to research how book marketing works and then make a business and marketing plan based on what you’ve learned. Being an author, especially a self-published one, also means you’re a businessperson. You must treat your book(s) like a business or you’ll never get anywhere.

When creating your marketing plan, be as specific as possible so that you will have a step-by-step plan set in place. It’s easy to get lost in all the marketing possibilities out there, so you need a definite plan to keep you on track. You should also establish a budget — free marketing options only take you so far.

Next, research how social media works and set up accounts for you as an author (do not just use your accounts -that’s unprofessional and none of your readers want to know what Timmy Turner did on Sunday!).

When the first round of edits has come back to you, and you’re sure of the direction the book is taking, you can start looking for a cover designer and/or illustrator. Again, you need a professional so your book covers don’t look like they were made by a kindergartner.

I could go on and on, but you get the idea. Educate yourself about every step involved in the process and then when you’ve got everything done and published, then constantly and consistently market your little butt off!

9. Your hobbies?

I enjoy listening to music, I like reading and I love evening walks.

10. Your social media handles?

 Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_ayodimeji1?s=21

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theayodimeji/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_ayodimeji1?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

By MAXWELL KAMAU AND JOE MWANGI.

The bluestar insider.