Please, introduce us to you. Who is this multiple award-winning charming poet who is breaking grounds across the Nigerian scene?

I am Chukwuma-Eke Pacella, a seventeen years old writer from Anambra State, Nigeria. I’m the third girl and second to the last child born into a family of four kids (I’ve got two elder sisters and a younger brother.) Father is a civil servant and Mother is a government school teacher.

Interesting and to the point. Okay. When did you start writing, what inspired that journey and what are you currently doing with your writing?

Generally, I started writing since I was little; from comics, to short stories,to plays( trying to imitate my father), to essays… And as the years rolled by, I found myself entangled with poems!

Indeed. You seem more at home with poetry. Do you write in any other genre? If yes, which genre are you more comfortable with, and what informs your writing in a particular genre over the other? If no – or if it is poetry – then why and what is the craziest thing you have done with poetry, and what is the craziest thing poetry has done for you?

I am very much at home with poetry; you see, poetry is a very comfortable shelter; one that houses the realness and maybe, everything in me.

Of Course I write in other genres too, but I think I’ve fallen for poetry. Why? There’s something about the art of poetry that intrigues me, captivates me. Maybe it’s the way a few words feel like the sea? Maybe it’s the sweetness of the mindplay that its lines birth? Or perhaps— like I said— maybe it’s because it’s the closest I have to feeling the real me. The craziest thing I’ve done with poetry should be participating in a 24 hours poetry marathon. That experience was amazing! We were challenged with a prompt every hour, and fortunately, I pulled through. The craziest thing poetry has done for me and is doing for me should be the happiness that comes along with the victory? I’ve never seen Mother smile as much as she does whenever she is informed about any of my little wins. That’s my definition of crazy.

What/who are your writing influences?

My writing influence(r)s are African/Nigerian authors. I feel so engaged and attached to their works.

 

Do you have any plans for a book at any time or any personal literary project that you want to share with us?

Insha Allah; I’m cooking something.

So, do you have any favourite poems or books you want to share with us?

It’s hard to pick just a few out of the beautiful poems and books I’ve come across. There’s a whole lot of books I fancy; The partner, The Innocent man, Purple Hibiscus, Once Upon A Village Tale, Things Fall Apart, etcetera. Although my favourite poem still remains “Your mother’s first kiss” by Warsan Shire.

Also, any favourite authors?

Aye; My first favorite person is Blessing Omeiza Ojo, my mentor and writer. Also, I have this crazy love for Warsan Shire and Chimamanda Adichie. Then there’s John Gisham, Su’eddie Agema Vershima( another of my “favorite” persons), Olumide Manuel and alot more.

What will you say has been your most memorable moment as a writer thus far?

I’m still a  Littlun in the art. I do not, but hope to have one soon.

Relatedly, you have won some awards in a lovely career that we know will keep flying. Tell us about these and the feelings you have had on them thus far.

Winning is a beautiful thing( not like losing isn’t too.) It has been a boost of confidence for me so far so good; one of the many reasons why I keep writing. The feeling is  genuine. Especially when you least expected the win.

What are your professional aspirations? What do you aspire to be professionally following the trajectory of school? As a follow-up, except being a writer, is there any other thing you hope to become in future?

Hopefully, I would love to pursue a degree in Medical Physiology and Gynaecology. Besides being a writer, I would also love to become a singer. I know medicine and music to be a very imperfect combo, but this is me make-believing it to be until it is something, hallelujah?

 

Any other thing you would like to say?

I would like to thank you and SEVHAGE Press, SEVHAGE Reviews, for giving me this opportunity, this beautiful interaction. Every opportunity is a huge one for me and this is no exception. I would also like to use this medium to let young writers like myself know that age is and was never an obstruction (it doesn’t matter!) You can do something extraordinary with your pen; just keep reading, writing, and reading. Thank you.