Meet 8-year-old Omodara whose writing skills have made him to be named among Nigerian authors

Can you briefly tell us about yourself
My name is Omodara Alabi. I am 8 years old. I attend Basil International School, Iluepju, Lagos. I am a member of the Young Public Speakers Club, YPS. I enjoy swimming and adventure, I dislike fighting.

Tell us what skylight Authors is all about and what inspired you to start writing.
Skylights authors is a business that helps children writers write and sell their books. It is for kid authors who write interesting books and children books .I started writing because I wanted to be an author and a star.

Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Writing energizes me especially when I am searching for the pictures to put on each story.

Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly?
No I don’t think so.

What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
My brother Dideolu Alabi is also an author. He is my friend and we own Skylights Authors together. He helps to make me a better writer by guiding me on how to write books. When the publisher finished printing, he reviewed it first and noticed some mistakes, which I corrected.

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
When I am writing stories and I am thinking, I am able to write better grammar and tenses.

How many books have you written and who helped you through it?
My little book of Moral Stories is my first book but I plan to write many more books. My parents and my elder brother guided me.

How much does each book cost and how much have you made so far from your book(s)?
Each book cost N500 and I have made N120,000.

What did you do with your first advance?
I have an account with ARM, so I paid in all the money I made into my account. My mum helps to check the money but she shows me sometimes, and it is growing everyday.

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
I have none yet but I am beginning work on another book very soon.

How do you market your books?
I market my book by going to different places like my Aunt’s church and Kidentrepreneurs fair in Dec 2017. I also sell to my parents’ friends when they visit. We plan to take some of the books to some bookshops and schools.

What’s the most difficult thing about writing?
Sometimes I can’t find the right words to use, and sometimes I have to write at night

When do you have time to write?
I write when I have free time at home after school.

What do you write about?
I like to tell stories, I write about children and cartoon characters.

How long on average does it take you to write?
My little book of Moral stories took about 5 months.

What are your challenges in writing and selling?
My challenges when I am writing are: Whenever I am typing, there are some typographical errors I make (which I think are inevitable) which I don’t see until I finish; I also like to put pictures on my stories which is tasking.

What do you have to say to other kids like you who are aiming to become an entrepreneur?
It is good to be creative and to think of what they enjoy to do so that they can become successful at it. They have to work hard and be focused at all times.