Writing a story: Colour Me Coral.

I had the idea for Colour Me Coral as far back as in 2016. I had this story in my head about a young Nigerian woman who wanted to make a change in her life but was aware that she might face resistance from those close to her. I couldn’t get the idea past the first chapter, so I kept it aside.

I revisited it in 2017 and came up with a detailed story map and first draft, but I kept putting it aside to focus on other things.

I had planned to publish it in 2019 but life got in the way. I did succeed in adding a lot more flesh to the story: making Coral a more interesting character and adding more issues to make her life more complicated.

I drew from different personal experiences (as usual!) to add life to the story: dating, living in the UK as an international student and worker, being a job seeker, dealing with challenges within one’s family, and more.

I read the story again this year and spotted some plot holes which I did my best to resolve and I also took out parts that I felt were unnecessary.

I keep the hardcopies the drafts of my books (and even short stories) in a folder. Looking at them makes me happy and makes me marvel at the sheer volume of thoughts swirling around in my head.

Here’s to more drafts and embracing one’s creativity.

Ivie×

Ivie M. Eke 2020.

Colour Me Coral is available on Okada Books and Amazon.