Meet Ody Adede Agbor; the Author who seeks to provide answers to bugging Relationship and Marriage questions of our day

This week on Attain, we interviewed Ody Agbor, author of the fast selling book; Before You Get Married.

She shares her journey into writing even as a lecturer, her passion to enlighten youths to seek ad maintain healthy relationships and marriages, and some of her future plans.


Please, kindly tell us about yourself. 

My name is Ody Adede Agbor. I am a lecturer in Elder Oyama Memorial College of Education,Obubra, Cross River State. I hold a B.sc (hons) in Sociology from University of Calabar, Nigeria and Masters in Marketing Communications with specialization in branding, advertising, market research and consumer behaviour from the prestigious world class Middlesex University, United Kingdom. I hail from Cross River in Nigeria. I am a registered member of Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM)

I am an advocate for healthy relationships and passionately counsel singles on marriage. I run a weekly series tagged, Friday Dose with Ody, which features inspiring articles for my audience.


When and how was your vision for writing birthed? 

I have always loved writing for as long as I can remember. However, I had an experience last year that spurred me up to inspire people via writing on social media. Professionally, I started writing a weekly series tagged Friday Dose With Ody early this year.


Tell us about some of your books. 

I have two published books namely; MAXIMIZING YOUR DAYS ( A Guide For Students)
BEFORE YOU GET MARRIED ( The Secrets to Building A Lasting Relationship)

Tell us about your most sold book till date. 

My most sold book is BEFORE YOU GET MARRIED( The Secrets to Building A Lasting Relationship)
The book deals with practical issues young people do face in their relationships and addresses bugging questions on the minds of the youth.

What brought about the book? 

Having worked with youths in my church and place of work, I knew how much of a struggle it is for them to maintain healthy relationships. I've seen people confused and wondering if they should give in to sexual pressure or not; many youths are faced with the issue of maintaining sexual purity in a world where people place little or no value from abstinence from sex till the right time. I wanted to guide people on making the right decision and so I decided to write a book that contain answers to their relationship problems.


 What were the main challenges you faced early as a writer and how did you overcome them? 

My major challenge was people looking beyond the picture I used for my article. When I just started out writing, I would get most comments on my picture and not the article. I just kept on writing and over time, they all shifted their attention from the picture to the article.


What was the biggest challenge you ever faced as a writer? 

I will have to say none for now.


At what point did you begin to achieve success in writing and how did it happen? 

I will say after my article, WHEN A YOUNG MAN MAKES YOU BREAK ONE OF YOUR RULES. That particular article went viral and people started anticipating my next book. Also after the launch of my second book, it did hit 6 figures in less than 3 days after it's online launch but I will say in as much as I've enjoyed financial success and recognition; my greatest success I will say is being able to lift up people and inspire them.
I've had people send me DM's of how my article rescued them from suicidal  thoughts and depression; it means so much to me that I can inspire people and make a difference in their lives via writing; to me, that's the hallmark of my success in writing.

What would you consider your greatest achievement ever as an author?

The ability to speak to people online and offline. Last month, I got invited to speak to youths of a particular church; the pastor said, 'I read your book and couldn't help but bring you here to speak to my youths physically'. The joy and clarity on their faces was something I will always treasure.

Being an author of a fast and best selling book has created avenues for me to give clarity to those in romantic relationships and that's something I am really passionate about.


If you could go back in time, what are the changes you would have made in your writing career?

I would start early; like I said earlier, I started writing professionally online this year. I wish I started earlier.


What should we expect of you in the future? 

I am working on my third book, hopefully it should be out next year. I am also waiting for some collaborations to enable me go on tour to schools. I intend to go to some selected schools to have a frank talk with the students on sex and other related topics.

Also, I intend to give back to the society via humanitarian activities.


What is your advice to someone who is aspiring to become a writer or just starting out? 

My greatest advice to them is to create a niche. Yes, they can write on anything but let them be known for a particular type of writing. Let them also develop a writing style that is unique to them. There is absolutely no need to copy someone's else writing style.

Lastly, let them keep improving on their craft and care less about accolades on social media. I know it makes one feels good but that shouldn't be their main goal; write because you love writing and have a message to pass across and not because you want praises.

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