Stephanie Chizoba Odili is an award-winning writer, teacher, and founder of a YouTube Christian ministry. Her work spans writing, teaching, and nurturing a supportive faith community. Through her ministry, she helps believers strengthen their faith, sharing messages that bring comfort and introspection. Inspired by her journey as a writer, she is also building her own publishing company to empower other authors and make their stories accessible worldwide.

Tell us about your journey to becoming a creator.

According to my parents, I’ve been writing ever since I could hold a pen. Although I didn’t study English or Literature, my degree in Mass Communication gave me a path into journalism. I started writing news stories and opinion pieces but soon realized it wasn’t fulfilling. Journalism felt noble, but it wasn’t quite my calling. I continued as a content creator in tech companies, yet found that I wanted to tell my own stories, not just others’. I finally decided to quit and focus on my first book. 

Since then, I’ve embraced different paths, exploring and creating on my own terms. Today, as a creator, I get to choose which stories I tell -fiction or non-fiction- and it’s empowering.

Sounds amazing. What’s your day-to-day life as a creator?

I start my week on Sunday evenings, planning out what needs to be done. My YouTube work involves writing scripts, reviewing them, getting feedback from an editor, recording videos, and posting content. For my writing, I aim to write five days a week, though every day looks a bit different. For instance, I recently completed a series of blog articles set to be released weekly throughout the year, and I’m now focusing on finding a publisher.

On the teaching side, I work with English language learners from around the world. When I don’t have classes, I dive into reading or rest on the weekends to recharge.

What’s your favourite thing about being a creator?

My favourite part is being able to set an agenda and shape stories that mean something to me. I’m passionate about topics like feminism, and I bring that into my work whenever I can. I also like to be a voice of comfort for my readers; on Instagram, I call myself the “cathartic creative” because I want my writing to give people a space to reflect. It’s so rewarding when someone tells me, “I never thought of it like that, thank you.” 

What challenges have you faced on your journey as a creator and how do you overcome these challenges?

One of my first challenges was figuring out how to write a book. I learned by studying other authors and attending workshops, and that led to my first publication. Another major challenge has been getting my books out into the world. I want my work to reach as many readers as possible, but publishing can be a tough road. 

To tackle this, I started my own publishing company, not just to publish my work, but to help other writers with the same goal. My books have gone on to win prizes like the Nigerian Authors Prize For Fiction, 2nd prize and the 2021 Wakini Kuria Award for Children’s Literature, and I’m excited to share that success with others.

What are your goals for the next five years? 

I want to do more than I’m doing now. I’m especially interested in science and have dreams of exploring that field when I have more time. Right now, I’m working hard to set a foundation that will allow me to chase other passions in the future. I want to see how those experiences feed into my writing. 

What is your favourite thing you have worked on as a creator?

I’m currently working on a children’s book series inspired by my primary school experiences. I can’t share too much about it yet but it’s a project close to my heart, and I’m thrilled to bring it to life soon. 

What advice you would have for other multidisciplinary creators? 

Follow what you’re called to do. I would have stayed in media and tech telling other stories and I was really good at it but I listened to my hear and what brought me the most fulfilment was telling my own stories. That has set the pace for everything else in my life and I am grateful for it. 

So dear creator, do something you’re genuinely passionate about and keep at it. It might take time to get where you want, but you’ll reach it, and it will be worth it.