Edna Odongo Knew She Would Be A Writer At 8 Years Of Age

One day long ago, when I was about 8 or 9 years old, my older sister asked me a question that I was to remember years later in adulthood. We had been chatting together as family with other siblings and the topic was ‘What I would like to be when I grow up’. When it was my turn, my sister looked down at my pint-sized self and asked me the same question. I simply blurted out what was in my heart at that point – a writer! I had no idea what it took to be one or how to become one, but the conviction in my spirit was so strong, I knew that it was in my destiny.

Later on in secondary school, I took to writing short poems whenever I was bored in class. I remember having a brown paper-covered exercise book full of poems I had written randomly. I simply get a deep inner satisfaction whenever I am writing, whether poetry, short story, essay, etc. When social media era hit, I began writing notes on Facebook – mostly poems but also things that I felt God was impressing upon my heart. I also discovered blogging and started two blogs, one on freelance writing and the other on writing with God. I believe this writing gift in a Christian is meant to be used to reveal God’s glory in its multifaceted nature.

Moving towards publishing was not easy, I struggled with identity and issues of self worth. It took a lot of encouragement from friends as well as prayer for divine direction on exactly what kind of writing I am called to do. At one point, I joined a writing club (AMKA Space) and became part of a team of writers that birthed the first publication, Fresh Paint, which was an anthology of short stories and poems. That proved to me that I could do it!

Sometime last year, I finally made up my mind to just simply do it! I sat down to start a novel and was determined to publish it. It was hard at first but I asked God, one day, to send me the angel who is supposed to help me become a writer. Amazingly, after that there was such a flow of inspiration that sometimes I would write up to 10 pages in a day, something I had never accomplished before (2 – 3 pages was my average output).

So here I am now with my first Christian novel based on family and relationships, with emphasis on the role of prayer as part of family life. Bonds Borne of Adversity is like my firstborn baby, and by God’s grace I’ve already started on the sequel.

You can follow me on:
IG – @rosieodongo
FB – Rosemary Odongo
Twitter – @EdnaOdongo
My blog:
www.writingwithgod.wordpress.com