Today I want to introduce you to author and poet Sabinah Adewole. At the age of four Sabinah’s father died suddenly in an accident in London, forcing her mother to move the family back to their native Nigeria. Sabinah was raised by her older brother while their mother struggled with alcohol and later sent to boarding school away from all her familiar surroundings. As an adult still dealing with the pain of her traumatic childhood, Sabinah embarked on a journey back to the UK to find out more about her Dad and find her roots.
Today, Sabinah is a bestselling author and has just released her eighth book, ‘My Memoirs – Empowerment Defiance’, which tells her incredible life story. Sabinah is with us on the blog today to answer some questions about her new book.
Thank you for joining us on the blog today Sabinah! You've lived for many years in Nigeria and in England. How has living in these different places influenced you as a person? What have you learned from each of these cultures about writing?
I was born in the UK and moved to Nigeria at the age of five when I lost my dad suddenly through a tragic car accident. I returned to the UK as a mother with my two sons at the age of 28. I was gifted the art of poetry in 2018 whilst sitting on a park bench in Gidea park.
I studied English but did not start writing professionally until later, so living in both countries has influenced some of my content but hasn’t necessarily influenced my writings. I am a renowned traveller, so much of my writing has been influenced by my travels. Having said that my upbringing in Nigeria has also made me grounded and underpinned by my faith, which has helped me overcome any barriers or storms in my life. I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to live across two different cultures.
You've written poetry in the past. What made you decide to write your life story? Who have you written this book for?
I have seven published works under my name; five self-published and five bestsellers. I have completed inspirational poetry for adults and children and I also have a faith-based children’s book.
I was directed by God on 11th January 2020 to write my own story while I was sitting in my local library before the pandemic. I wrote every Saturday during the pandemic in order to complete my personal story.
This book is for anyone in life who may have come from a difficult past and wants to make a difference and use their story to inspire others. It will encourage you that no matter what storms or challenges you face in life, you can overcome. It is a heart-breaking story of a survivor; someone who has faced challenges and through her faith has come through betrayal, rejection, strength and motherhood. There are themes of bullying, grief, community, love and life. It also covers my journey of working in mental health in the UK and finally becoming a Trauma coach to help others.
What was it like to write this book? How did it feel to think through all these different experiences from your past?
I found writing about some of the topics challenging, but thought God was directing me to share my story with the world. I found out while I was writing my own story so many things about myself that I did not realise. I also found out that we are all connected as humans and it is a very small world out there. I have blessed by so many destiny helpers on my journey and I am grateful for all these people that God has sent my way. I could not have done it without them.
What is the central message you'd like readers to take away from this book about your life story and apply to their own lives?
Believe in yourself, be the authentic you and value yourself, and believe that with God all things are possible. God will be with you all the way and you can overcome any barriers in life. There will be storms, but they are there to make you a stronger person.
You've lived through tragedy and a lot of hardship. How has God helped you to get through these times? Are there other things or people that have helped?
Yes, I have lived through tragedy and hardship and that has formed who I am today. God has been very significant in my life. I thank my Mother who made sure I was a Christian as a young teenager; this helped me through boarding school and life. Whenever I’ve faced challenges my faith has sustained me.
God has always sent destiny helpers to me on my journey. Whenever I face challenges God will send an angel and open new doors of opportunity, and he has granted wisdom to me on my way to direct my path. I am grateful for all these opportunities and positive friendships on my journey. My immediate family have also been very supportive of my writings and have all encouraged me. I could not have achieved this book without their continued support daily. I am blessed to have them in my life.
What would your advice be to someone who wants to write or feels called to be a writer?
Write down any words that come up, and keep writing. Write as the inspiration comes to you - don’t force it, just let it flow from the heart. Never give up on your dream as God may want to use your words to inspire others. It may not make sense at first but it will in the end.
Is there anything else you’d like to say to our readers?
My life has been one of an interesting journey, and I would encourage anyone to pick up this book to find inspiration and share it with others. Everyone will find a topic they can connect with, so I am glad God gave me the wisdom to write my personal story and share it with the world during the pandemic. Thank you so much for this opportunity to appear as a guest on Valley of Springs and I am wishing you more power on your blog.
You can find out more about Sabinah on her website and on her Amazon author page.
You can also follow her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Youtube.
Sabinah’s new book ‘My Memoirs - Empowerment Defiance’ is out now. Pick it up on Amazon (affiliate link).