Interview with Oluwatoyin Eria-Ajua Odunuyi
Author of “Just Figuring It Out”. and Writertain Creatives Author of the Month
This interview is a continuation of our spotlight on Oluwatoyin Eria-Ajua Odunuyi. If you missed the
profile published on December 1, you can read it here:
Writertain Author Profile — Oluwatoyin Odunuyi.
Author Bio
Oluwatoyin Eria-Ajua Odunuyi is a graduate of Mass Communication from Caleb University, where she
specialized in print journalism and served as the editor-in-chief of the university magazine,
“Caleb Pioneer.” A remarkably talented, creative, and self-published author, she has written an
impressive collection of 16 books across multiple genres, available on platforms such as Bambooks, Amazon, and Smashwords.
Her works explore themes of romance, thriller, and disability. In 2023, Toyin further sharpened her craft at the Ebonylife Creative Academy, specializing in screenwriting and script supervision. She co-produced the short documentary “Echoes of Hope: Navigating Autism in Nigeria” to raise awareness and foster inclusion for neurodivergent individuals.
Inspired by her younger brother, who is on the autism spectrum, Toyin is an advocate for neurodivergent inclusion. She is the founder of the five-year-old platform Diary of a Special Needs Sibling, a blog dedicated to autism awareness and societal inclusion. Her advocacy extends into her support group and foundation, Your Safe Space NG, where she promotes sibling wellness and provides support for special needs families.
Driven by a firm belief in the power of words, her mantra, “A pen is mightier than a sword,” guides her mission to address pressing societal issues. Toyin also holds a strong vision to curb homelessness in Nigeria and hopes to build housing shelters for individuals with disabilities and vulnerable children.
Explore her body of work here:
https://linktr.ee/ToyinAjua.
Exclusive Interview with Oluwatoyin Odunuyi
1. What inspired Just Figuring It Out, and at what point did the story become personal to you?
Honestly, Just Figuring It Out began because I was just figuring life out, and I am still figuring life out. Life kept throwing me plot twists, so I thought, Why not write about them? As you know, many writers use their works to talk about their lives or to change a particular mindset. I chose to do the two. I wanted to create a book about what many young adults experience: love triangles, difficult bosses, betrayed friendships, and financial struggles. Some of my own experiences are in the book, but I wanted to create a book that everyone could relate to.
2. The title sounds both comforting and confronting. What does “figuring it out” mean in your own life?
For me, ‘Just figuring it out’ is the constant state of adulthood, balancing feeling in control with the realization that I have no idea what I’m doing. It means giving myself grace when things don’t make sense, laughing through confusion, and trusting things will work out. Some days I thrive, other days I’m googling ‘How to handle adulthood without killing someone or getting addicted to drugs.’ That basically sums up adulthood.
3. How much of the book grew out of real experiences or emotions you’ve lived through?
There are five characters in the book, and they all go through things I have gone through. One character, FK, doesn’t know what she wants to do with her life, which I’ve experienced too. Do I keep being an author or chase my old childhood dream of acting?
Another character, Daliayah—based on me—feels unlucky in love and has thought of settling for ‘companionship’. Another character, Hafsat, often compares herself with others’ stories, wondering why she is not ‘making it in life’. Another is TJ, who feels he needs to do more to be a better adult. These are things many adults have gone through, and writing them was a way to educate people on certain things about adulthood.
Regarding emotions, there are many emotions I felt while writing the book: fear of the future, stress, jealousy, burnout, and self-sabotage; things many adults go through.
4. What part of the story challenged you the most to write truthfully?
The relationships challenged me the most. I had to tell the truth about what’s happening in society, where many mistake love for sex, provision, or protection. We often settle for less, as seen in all the characters, especially Daliayah, who stayed with a physical abuser. I wanted to be honest in the book, since saying it online could cause backlash I’d rather avoid. I cannot fight on Twitter.
Another part was also about abuse, because I had to carefully write about how people have trauma, and it has affected their choices in life.
5. Many readers describe your writing as honest and reflective. Is that intentional or simply how your thoughts unfold on the page?
That’s so sweet! As a person, I am timid, but once I pick up a pen, I can write anything and call out anyone. Nobody can come for me. Maybe you can call it creative-cocaine or something, but when I get in that zone, I am very honest, confident, and ready to play ‘God’.
6. What kind of response from readers has stayed with you since Just Figuring It Out was published?
My readers loved it! I’m amazed at how much they related to the characters. One reader finished it in one sitting to see how it ended. Another still asks for the sequel, which will be out next December. I love reading their reviews, because it reminds me of how amazing the book is.
This is a review from one of my readers: “You were meticulous with the description of everyone and how they were feeling at each point. They were five main characters and you managed to talk about each person’s life so well. I really enjoyed reading it; I also love how imperfect it is. No happy ever after for everyone cause that’s really how life is. You’re really good and I’d love to read more of your books.”
7. Across your other books, what recurring themes or questions do you find yourself returning to?
As much as I love writing Young Adult stories, I have to admit that I am a ‘family girl’. I love family stories and writing about family dynamics, especially siblings. Family is one of the most important things in life, so showcasing the battles and truths about it makes me happy.
I also write about disability and special needs, inspired by my sibling. I want to use my books to educate and change misconceptions about disabilities.
And, as a lover of romance, I’ll always write about love!
8. Which of your books tested your patience or growth the most as a writer?
I would say Unscrupulous, which follows the story of two sisters who want to avenge their parents’ deaths. It was really tough for me because it was my first time writing a thriller, and it was a very tricky style of writing. Anyone who knows me knows I’m like a little bowl of sunshine, but writing that, I had to channel my inner bad guy, and gosh, it was so hard!
Following that, I wrote a similar thriller book, The Get-Together Whodunit: a mystery novel about a friend group locked in a house with a killer. I look back at these two works and I’m stunned by how my mind could produce such thrilling novels.
Another story is All for My Beautiful Odd Boy, which talks about a young mother who realizes her child has autism. It was a beautiful work of art, but also very emotional, because I had to channel my pain and the pain of many around the world who have experienced discrimination.
9. How has your approach to storytelling changed from your first work to now?
When I started writing at age 10, I lived in my own world. As a shy child, I loved to make-believe, and I just wanted to be in control of something. Now, I realize writing can inspire, inform, and heal.
I believe ‘the pen is mightier than the sword.’ My works are basically my thoughts on a certain matter. If I write about something, I’m probably healing from it and believing it.
10. What’s one message or truth you hope readers carry from Just Figure It Out into their own lives?
There are many messages to carry from my amazing book. I could point out a lot of things, but I think riends help make the journey into adulthood better. You need friends with different temperaments. You need a nice friend; you need a friend who is ready to burn the office that fired you; you need a spiritual friend, and a business-minded friend. Bottom line, you need connections to handle adulthood.
Another is that you can never be perfect. You can’t have it all, and that’s fine. I also believe that people took the message of not settling, especially with jobs. Pick the right job based on what you want, not based on others’.
11. How do you sustain your creativity and confidence in moments when writing feels uncertain?
I often remind myself why I started writing. I think the trick to getting back on my feet is looking back at all my work and all the times I have been recognized, or when my work has been accepted by organizations. It makes me feel much better.
When I remind myself of my track record, I feel empowered to do more. Confidence, for me, comes from remembering I’m not trying to be perfect; I’m just trying to tell the truth in my own way. And that’s fine!
12. Finally, what’s next for you? Any new book, theme, or creative direction we should look forward to?
Just Figuring It Out has a sequel, which I have finished and some of my Beta readers have read, and I am so excited to release it next year. It talks more about mental health and also about ‘pickin up and trying again,’ which we all need to learn.
Apart from that, I have a very amazing book, In the Name of Family, which explores the role of neurotypical siblings—people with siblings with special needs—and I cannot wait for people to read it.
This is coming out next year, and it is directly tied to my foundation.
Also, I have three other works slated for next year: one is a very beautiful romance story, the other speaks to Down syndrome, and the last is God’s special project—a tell-it-all book. So, I think you should expect so much more from me! God is steadily inspiring me every day.
Interview conducted by Writertain Creatives.
