Interview with Usiere Uko
Published 2016-12-29.
What makes you unique in your genre?
My voice, my experience, my journey. I don't have an accounting related degree nor worked in the financial services industry. I am from the opposite side of the tracks - and engineer who worked in the oil and gas industry.
I desired freedom to follow my passion and live my dreams. I want to give the voice back to others like me, who followed money and lost their way. I want them to know that if I who was one of them can make it, they too can.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Changing lives. I am almost reduced to tears each time I get a letter from a reading telling me what difference my writing has made in their lives. It makes it worthwhile, even if I get to do it for free
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
The thought that there are more lives to touch, more candles to light
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in the countryside in South Eastern Nigeria. As a last child, I spent a lot of time outdoors staring at the blue sky, admiring nature and day dreaming. Inspiration and the desire for freedom has followed me all through life and comes through in my writing.
When did you first start writing?
I started writing when I was in Senior High School. I wrote fiction then, but two rejection slips and a second unfinished manuscript later, I abandoned the dream and went to college
What's the story behind your latest book?
It is questions I get from my readers. They seem to be inundated by 'how to's' when it comes to personal finance but they don't se the sustainable change they desire.
I wanted to lay more emphasis on the role of mindset or paradigm shift in experiencing change that endure
What motivated you to become an indie author?
i wanted to keep my voice. I did not want an editor telling me how to write to see well. I wanted to be original, humorous and connect with my audience in a way that moves them into action
What are you working on next?
A personal finance book for children. I want to marry fiction with non fiction, tell children about money in a story format
Describe your desk
It is tidy most of the time, until my wife and kids pay a visit, which is often.
I try to keep it tidy so that I can focus better, but at the same time I want my family around, so I am getting used to the occasional clutter.
If something goes missing on my desk, like my USB cable, I just conclude the 'owners' have come for them :)
Who are your favorite authors?
Brain Tracy, Jack Canfield, John Maxwell, Robert Kiyosaki, Malcolm Gladwell
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I read, watch TV with my family, go for walks, listen to music
What do you read for pleasure?
I read self help books, especially ones that makes me cry, laugh and learn all at once
What is your e-reading device of choice?
Kindle
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
It was a story of a boy who wanted to take on a bully
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.
