Gift Agu was 19 when she won the New Man Writing Contest 2017. In this interview, she tells her story of literary bravery and courage. Join us as we Walk The Talk in this interview.

gift agu

NNI: Can we meet you?
Guest: (smiles) I am Agu Gift Ihuoma. I was born into the family of Mr and Mrs Ikechukwu Agu and  I'm from Umunekwuagbo in Isukwuato L.G.A. My State is Abia State and I graduated from Federal Government Girls College Umuahia.
 
NNI: You recently got an extra feather to your cap. How did you feel when you were announced winner of The New Man Writing Contest, 2017?
Agu Gift: I must be honest, I was impressed beyond words. Its truly an honour.

NNI: You are welcome. Tell us about your other achievements.
Agu Gift: Uhmm, I've been published in some international journals which includes Evergreen Journal which was actually my first. Then I also got published in other journals like International Poetry Journey in which the specific journal was titled Poetry from the heart and I was published also in the Tendai Mnwanaka's Best Poets for 2016 and also the 2017 New England Poetry Anthology and the winner of The New Man Writing Contest

NNI: This list is impressive. What are your aspirations for the future, say next ten years?
Guest: Thank you. In ten years... By then I aspire to be a well known author, I've always wanted to be able to beat Chimamanda Adichie and by then I hope to do that. I also aspire to be a fulfilled Nurse by then have a wonderful family of my own and of course I aspire to have touched more than a thousand lives through my work

NNI: What other things do you do apart from writing.
Guest: To be honest, what I do mostly is writing but when I am not writing, I read. This is because it widens my horizons. So apart from writing, I read. For extra fun, I hang out with friends.

NNI: Over your dreams and aspirations, What is your greatest fear?
Guest: (Hmm) My greatest fear is being unable to fulfill my dreams and aspirations.
 
NNI: What inspires your writing?
Guest: I must be honest, my greatest inspiration is my best friend, KIngsley. But other things inspire me like nature, my mood, things around me, songs. I almost draw my inspiration from everything.

NNI: Could you please tell us how?
Guest: Uhmm...my best friend is a kind of person who is always compassionate and always cares for people around him. He touches lives even without knowing it. When I see him do these things, an inspiration just comes and I would fell like writing about whatever it was he did that day.

 NNI:  Wow! This is a pointer for everyone to do good. We do not know who we inspire indirectly.
Agu Gift: Exactly

 NNI: When did you start writing?
Agu Gift: As far as I can remember, when I was 5

NNI: You're welcome. Thank you for your time. Please what would you love to say to encourage other writers?
Guest: I would say that we one of d most creative people in the world so we should always strive to bless others because one way or the other we are angels touching peoples lives through our work. I would love to tell my fellow writers out there to keep their pen rolling and the Lord shall surely be our as far as we keep being determined and Strong.
 
NNI: Thank you.