By Jukebox Time got a chance to interview Farastein Mokwenye. We got insights into his book, his source of inspiration and much more!
Q1. Welcome to Jukebox Time! How are you doing?
I am doing very fine. Thank you.
Q2. Please tell our readers about your book Tales of Jideofor.
Well, to keep it short, sweet and simple, Tales of Jideofor would best be described as a piece of historical fiction, based on the transatlantic slave trade, at its zenith in the 18th century. It follows the life of our young protagonist, Jideofor, from Illah in Western Igbo lands down to Jamaica, through a rich and emotional tale of dreams, destiny, death, and ultimately, love.
Q3. What inspired you to write this book?
Tales of Jideofor is my debut novel, and I have had the story in me for about two years since, before making the decision to pen it down and then publish it; to let the rest of the world in on my nighttime visits to the lands and times of my ancestors. I am from the historic town of Illah, and Jideofor’s story borrows heavily from my actual life. It is a tale of dreams because its plot, characters and themes often came to me in my sleep.
Q4. Any writing mantra or daily ritual that you follow in order to stay creative?
Well, I write mainly for the fun of it, and I believe genuine pleasure in one’s chosen craft is the secret to staying consistent and creative. Hence, I write poems, short stories and intriguing articles every other day, for the reading pleasure of my friends, family and fans on my social media platforms. In fact, Tales of Jideofor had originally started out as one of those short stories.
Q5. What’s next? Which book or project are you working on now?
I am currently working on the follow-up to Tales of Jideofor, and it is titled “Once Upon a Lifetime.” Tales of Jideofor is set in the past, but this one is set in the future. And after Once Upon a Lifetime would be the third novel of the trilogy, set in the present. Like Tales of Jideofor, they would all borrow heavily from my actual life and my dreams.
Q6. Finally, as we ask all our guests on Jukebox Time, do you have any closing thoughts that you would like to share with the world and our readers?
Yes I do… The last of the eight sections of Tales of Jideofor is named “Life is but a dream”, and I truly do believe that life is akin to a dream; that when we die, we’d wake up to the truth about life and reality. But whilst we are here, we must make sure to dream a beautiful dream; a lucid dream where we are intimately conscious of our beliefs, thoughts, words and actions.
About the author: Farastein Mokwenye is a Nigerian freelance writer, budding entrepreneur, agriculturist, and orator. He had graduated from the department of chemical engineering at the prestigious Federal University of Technology, Owerri, before delving into writing, agro-business, and internet startups. He is an avid reader of philosophical articles and books that pertain to spirituality, the nature of reality, and the purpose of life. Farastein spent a substantial amount of time researching and digesting reports on dreams, death and the afterlife, as well as traditional African beliefs on these subject matters. An indigene of Illah, Farastein is quite familiar with the folklores, history, and traditional beliefs of his people, which feature brilliantly in the current story.
The book is now available on Amazon!