Hello, everyone! In celebration of Black History Month, we are celebrating African-American authors and stories that highlight African-American characters! Today's interview is with Unkultured, whose story was shortlisted for the Wattys 2022 awards. 

About the Author: Odike Chijindu lives in the southeast of Nigeria in Africa. He currently is a medical student who loves anime, non-superhero comics, and fantasy novels.

About 'Cogs of Cinder': The story follows Zahra, a young girl trapped in a death and rebirth cycle. When she draws the attention of a god that wants her dead, she flees her hometown along with Harun, an exiled soldier of the empire.

1. What made you start writing on Wattpad? What has been your favorite moment so far on the orange app?

I had been reading on Wattpad for a while but it wasn't until 2020 that I started publishing on the platform. I guess I choose Wattpad because nothing else really suited me. My favorite moment was getting the email informing me that Cogs Of Cinder had made it to the Wattys shortlist. I like to think it was a defining moment for me.

2. Which mythology and/or legends influenced your story? Why did you choose those?

To create the seven tenets of my book, I took inspiration from much of African folklore and even the biblical ten commandments. The Orishas of the Yoruba tradition also influenced my writing of the normgods.

3. Tell us about the main character of one of your stories. What inspired their creation?

My protagonist was created after I read the Abiku poem by Wole Soyinka. Abiku is a child who is reborn repeatedly to the same mother and is seen as a troublesome spirit. In this same vein, the wraithbornes of my story are regarded as taboo and breakers of the seven tenets. Other than that, I wanted her to be a kind of reluctant hero who grows stronger through adversities. Harun, my other main character is a mentor and protector, he has a hunted past and covers it up with a nonchalant attitude.

4. What were some challenges you experienced while writing the story?

Worldbuilding was a major hurdle. Trying to make a setting African while also futuristic was not as easy as I had first thought. Since my story was a science fiction tied with fantasy, explaining the world to readers without info-dumping was something I had to get just right.

5. Do you have a song playlist for writing? Can you share one with us?

No, not really. But I do love playing anything by Tommee Profitt and Fleurie when I write.

6. What is your favorite myth or legend? Why?

I don't suppose I have a favorite. But I've always been fascinated by Asian myths, like Nezha, the investiture of gods, and all that.

7. What is your favorite mythical creature? Why?

The Leviathan. A beast so large it could swallow up the world. What's not to like?

8. If you could have the same powers as a creature and/or deity from mythology or legends, what would it be? Why?

Immortality, duh. Everyone says living forever is bound to get torturous. I'll be the judge of that. 

9. What is your advice for other writers who want to use mythology in their stories?

Your imagination is the limit, yet it is paramount to know where and when to draw the line. It's okay to be inspired by myths and feel free to tweak them to fit your needs, but we ought to always remember that these myths don't fall from the sky. They belong to a people, so be respectful.

That's it for the month, it was fun getting to know about Unkultured. You can check his stories featured in our reading list as well as his other works.

Until next time!