Gift Ojo

Imagining characters and giving them personality is one of the joys of writing. Action sequences are fun to explore, let the mind visualize, conceptualize, and then find the words to describe it in a way that gives the reader a clear picture of events. Hopefully an enjoyable one.

To me, character development is vital to a good story, whether reading or watching one on screen. As a writer it is a crucial aspect of storytelling as a good story must be based on likable and believable characters. As the vision of New Europa filled my mind, and scenes of everyday life emerged, the main character formed into Gift Ojo.

Living in Milan I am surrounded by Italian culture. Mixed with that are a surprising blend of African cultures among other nationalities of expats and migrants. I personally have many friends who are Italian-Nigerian. Gift Ojo, the young woman with the Nigerian name and the blend of two rich cultures sprang from such influence.

The pace of the first few chapters of book one allows for such character development, showing Gift and her companions in everyday life, real people living in an imagined colony two centuries in. When those everyday people face extraordinary challenges, they must rise to the occasion, grow as people, become more interesting characters. All the while being on a believable journey.

My hope is for readers to come to love Gift as I do.