Meet Promise Osekponole Osezua, A Distinguished Medical Researcher, Songwriter And More 

ON SUI Today, our guest is a multifaceted creative force, a distinguished Medical Researcher, Songwriter, and Author. For him, writing transcends mere recreation, evolving into a profound process of self-discovery and introspection, a means to navigate the complexities of the world, his thoughts, struggles and more. Let’s journey together in this interview session.

Question:
Please, can you briefly tell us about yourself?

Answer:
My name is Promise Osekponole Osezua and I am a Medical Researcher, Songwriter and above an Author who thrives on building compelling stories that carry both depth and real human emotions.
Writing, for me, is more than an activity I do for recreation, it’s the way I process the world, my thoughts, and even my struggles.
I’ve explored different genres, from dramatic fiction to romance and even lyrical poetry, and each project becomes a mirror of some part of me. Beyond writing, I juggle real-life responsibilities like work and personal growth, but storytelling remains the one place I can fully breathe.

Question:
What sparked your interest in writing, and how did you develop your passion for it?

Answer:
What sparked my interest in writing was first my love for reading stories as a child.
They really opened new worlds to me, and I found myself not only living in them but also building worlds of my own. I’ve always been introverted and full of thoughts safe to say I’ve lived many lives inside my head. I’ve been Nigeria’s president about eighteen times in my imagination, an army hero about twelve good times.
In primary one, I even married my favorite teacher in a wedding ceremony that played out only in my head.
For a mind so crowded with imaginations, an outlet was needed, and writing became that outlet. When I started reading books by other authors, it felt like I was stepping into their minds, sharing in the stories they had built. That connection made me sharpen my own craft…iron sharpeneth iron, as the saying goes. Over time, writing stopped being just an escape; it became my way of breathing, of giving shape to all those worlds and lives I’ve carried inside me.

Question:
Can you tell us about your earliest writing memories? What kind of stories did you write, and what inspired them?

Answer:
It really began when I was about six or maybe eight I can’t put a precise finger on it. I remember stumbling across some old novels in my mother’s cloth box. At first, I only meant to peek, but soon I was stealing them at every chance, sneaking the books out and then returning them carefully like some secret thief of worlds. The experience was out of this world. One of the very first books I remember devouring was Echoes of Hard Times, a drama. (I still remember how heavy those words felt for me back then.)
From then on, I couldn’t stop. At school, I would buy my lunch quickly and then rush straight to the round room…which was a nickname we called the library. I would spend the entire break there, lost in story after story, leaping from one world to another.
English textbooks became another treasure. Each term, I anticipated the new volume because I knew hidden inside were short stories, plays, and passages waiting to be discovered. By the time my classmates were halfway through the term, I had already finished the stories at the back.
Those early days of reading poured straight into my earliest attempts at writing.
I would scribble down little scraps of stories messy, unpolished, but always full of big emotions. I was inspired by everything around me family quarrels, cultural tales, movies I watched, even conversations I overheard. Looking back, those first stories weren’t just practice they were the beginning of me learning how to turn imagination into memory, and memory another form of life.

Question:
How do you balance writing with other responsibilities, such as school or work?

Answer:
To be honest it’s not always easy, but I’ve learned that balance is less about time and more about being intentional with one’s planning. Sometimes I try to carve out quiet hours late at night or early in the morning. Other times, I let my mind write while I’m busy with work, then spill it all out when I finally sit at my desk. One thing I have learnt over time is that writing thrives in discipline and little sacrifices.

Question:
Who are some authors or writers who inspire you, and why?

Answer:
For me, three writers stand above others: Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Sarah Ladipo Manyika. Achebe’s Arrow of God is a book I’ve read an almost unhealthy number of times. What I admire about him is that his stories are never just about neat, happy endings he forces you to look deeper, to see the complexities of culture, power, and human nature. Achebe’s calm wisdom, both in his writing and in his interviews, taught me that a great story lingers in the mind long after the last page.
Adichie does something similar but with her own distinct fire. I’ve read Purple Hibiscus and Half of a Yellow Sun more times than I can count. There’s a magical feeling she creates like being plucked out of the present and carried into another time entirely. And beyond her books, I admire the way she speaks. Her eloquence has a kind of righteous clarity, taking delicate, sensitive subjects and making them not just understandable but unforgettable.
Then there’s Sarah Ladipo Manyika. Her novel Independence made me feel as though I was in Great Britain, even though I’ve never set foot there. She has this rare gift of making a foreign place feel familiar, of drawing you into experiences that aren’t yours but still resonate deeply.
These three aren’t just authors to mw they are mentors from afar. Through their words, and even through their presence in interviews and conversations, I’ve learned that writing is about more than just telling a story. It’s about capturing life in its most fragile, powerful, and enduring form.

Question:
What genre do you enjoy writing in the most, and why?

Answer:
Alright…Genres I enjoy writing in are just the same kinds I love watching in movies…You know the kind of stories that stretch the imagination, stir the heart, and make you question life itself.
Dramatic fiction and romance are my natural home because they allow me to dive into the rawest parts of human emotion: love, betrayal, ambition, justice, redemption. I love crafting stories that don’t just entertain but leave readers unsettled in the best way asking questions about life, love, and what it really means to be human.
At the same time, I’m drawn to elements of speculative fiction the “what ifs” of science, the bending of dimensions, and the unseen mysteries of existence. I love blending this with romance and drama, because it allows me to take people places, to lift them out of reality and yet make them feel more alive within it.
Ultimately, my favorite stories to write are those that make readers question reality, believe in love, and wrestle with justice. Those are the kinds of journeys I want my words to create.

Question:
Do you think your writing style has evolved over time?

Answer:
Yes, I would say so actually. And it evolved in ways I didn’t even notice at first. When I started writing, I leaned heavily on telling. I wanted to get the story out, to explain everything so the reader wouldn’t miss a thing. But as time went on, I learned to trust the story itself. I moved from sounding like a reporter to actually being present in the moment allowing the scene, the characters, and even the silence between words to breathe.
Now, my writing focuses on simplicity, imagery, and emotional honesty. I’ve learned that a raised eyebrow, a pause, or the way light falls on a room can say more than a whole paragraph of explanation. My stories have gained layers, subtlety, and atmosphere, because I no longer force them to march I let them live.

Question:
About Your Writing Process. Can you walk us through your writing process? Do you have any specific habits or rituals that help you get creative?

Answer:
There’s really no one way for me… it’s definitely not an orderly process. I’ve always had an overactive imagination, and sometimes the stories just come on their own, uninvited. Other times, they’re triggered by something I’ve read, a scene from a movie, or even a single line that refuses to leave my head.
Most often, it begins with a scene or a feeling. I don’t always sit down with a full outline I just write what I see unfolding in my mind. Music sometimes helps set the mood, but what really drives me is stepping into the shoes of my characters. I imagine their gestures, their thoughts, even the way the air feels around them. Once I enter that space, the story takes on a life of its own and flows naturally, almost as if I’m not writing it but uncovering it.

Question:
How do you approach writer’s block or creative slumps?

Answer:
When I hit a slump, I don’t fight it too hard. Sometimes I step away to breathe, observe life, or read something inspiring. Other times, I write through the block even if it’s messy. I’ve realized that writer’s block isn’t the absence of creativity but the weight of expectation. Releasing that pressure helps me find my flow again.

Question:
What role does reading play in your writing process?

Answer:
Like I already hinted earlier. Reading has always played such a huge role. From the very beginning…sneaking novels out of my mother’s box, to spending entire break times in the school library, to racing through every English textbook story long before the term ended books were my first teachers. They opened worlds to me, shaped my imagination, and showed me that words could carry entire lives within them.
Even now, every story I read stays. Sometimes it’s a phrase, sometimes it’s the mood of a scene. Reading reminds me that writing isn’t just about putting words on paper; it’s about entering into a long conversation with all the voices that came before me, and then adding mine to the chorus.

Question:
About Your Goals and Aspirations. What are your writing goals for the next year or five years?

Answer:
In the next year, my biggest goal is to refine my current projects and bring them to a wider audience. I want to continue sharpening my voice and building stories that are not just read, but felt. At the same time, I’m deeply committed to my path as a medical researcher because for me, both fields, science and storytelling, are ways of seeking truth and contributing meaningfully to the world.
Looking further ahead, in five years, I see myself as an established voice both in literature and in research. I want my books to resonate deeply, to create worlds readers can lose themselves in, and characters they can’t forget. I also want to be more recognized in my academic and creative pursuits, with the prestigious SULA Awards hopefully serving as a stepping stone toward that recognition. Not just as a trophy, but as a reminder that dedication to craft whether in science or in storytelling can open doors to even greater possibilities.
Ultimately, my goal is not only to write stories but to leave behind work that challenges reality, uplifts love, and explores justice, while also making a lasting mark in the medical research field. I want to stand as proof that imagination and intellect can walk side by side and that both can leave an enduring impact.

Question:
Have you faced any significant challenges or setbacks in your writing journey? How did you overcome them.

Answer:
Oh my Goodness! Yes, I’ve faced a lot. In my earliest days of writing, I would pour thousands of words into exercise books stories I had written and rewritten with so much passion only for them to go missing. I remember racing through the house searching for a notebook that had disappeared, almost as if the words themselves had been stolen from me. Even later, when I finally had a phone, I lost a manuscript of about 14,000 words on Microsoft Word. It vanished without a trace. At some point, it felt almost like I was being hunted by loss itself.
But even then, I didn’t stop.
So that’s part of how I overcame. I forged ahead and also become more careful and wiser.
Each setback only reminded me of how much writing meant to me. If I could grieve the loss of words in that manner, then it was proof those words mattered enough to fight for. So I kept writing again and again.
The search for recognition has been another kind of struggle. Doubt sometimes creeps in when the world doesn’t see the work you’ve poured your soul into. That’s why I’m deeply grateful for the honor of even being shortlisted for the SULA Awards. Whether or not I win, being considered at all feels like a humbling signpost, a step in the right direction. It reminds me that persistence is never wasted, and I carry that gratitude with me always.

Question:
What advice would you give to your younger self just starting out as a writer?

Answer:
I would tell my younger self not to fear the losses or the silence. The missing notebooks, the vanished manuscripts, even the seasons when recognition felt out of reach they were never the end, only part of the journey. Don’t chase perfection, chase persistence. Every story doesn’t need to be flawless; what matters is that it’s true and it carries your voice. Trust that voice, because it is the one thing that can never be erased.
Most of all, I would say: be patient with yourself. Every word you write, even the ones no one else reads, is proof that you were brave enough to create. And one day, those words will find their place in the world.

Question:
About Your Published Works. Can you tell us about your published works? What inspired those projects?

Answer:
I’ve worked on projects ranging from dramatic fiction chapters to romance novels and lyrical poetry. Each one has been inspired by a mix of personal experiences, emotions, and the need to tell stories people can feel themselves in. Whether it’s betrayal, love, or the struggle to find belonging, my inspiration always comes from the heartbeat of real life.
Some of the books I’ve written include War Is Ugly a story born from reflections on the pain, chaos, and human cost of conflict. More recently, I finished a romance series titled Love, The Billionaire Bride and Lucifer’s 2nd Star, which explores desire, power, and the complexity of relationships. I’m also close to completing a new work called God Is Not Dead, a project deeply inspired by questions of faith, resilience, and the quiet ways hope survives.
For me, every book is both a mirror and a window: a mirror of what I’ve lived or felt, and a window for others to step into and see a piece of themselves.

Question:
What was the most challenging part of getting published, and how did you navigate the process?

Answer:
For me, the challenge wasn’t just the publishing process itself, but the fear that my work wasn’t good enough to put out there even digitally. That kind of doubt can feel paralyzing. But I chose to move forward by learning the ropes step by step: how to format, edit, polish, and share my stories online. Digital publishing became both a training ground and a stepping stone, teaching me that growth only happens when you dare to put your work into the world. Persistence, and refusing to let fear silence me, is what carried me through.

Question:
How do you feel about the reception of your work? Has it met your expectations?

Answer:
To be honest…The reception have not exactly been what I hoped for, but it has been real. At times, the silence has been louder than the applause, and that can be tough. Still, the small wins the few readers who reach out, the recognition like the SULA shortlist…remind me that the work is not wasted. I may not be where I want to be yet, but I can see progress, and that’s enough reason to keep pushing.

Question:
How important is having a writing community or support system for you? Do you have any writing friends or mentors?

Answer:
Having a support system is important, but I’ve mostly been walking this path on my own. I don’t really have mentors in the traditional sense, and while I do have people who encourage me here and there, as well as people I look up to, most of the time it’s me pushing myself forward. I believe a stronger writing community would help me grow even faster, and it’s something I’m open to building.

Question:
How do you stay motivated and accountable in your writing?

Answer:
Motivation for me comes from two places: the stories I want to tell and the bigger picture of where I want to go. Even on days when I feel drained, I remind myself that someone out there is waiting for a story like mine, or that the next chapter could be the one that changes everything. I hold myself accountable by setting small goals finishing a scene, a chapter, or even just a few lines. Every bit adds up, and keeping that perspective helps me stay consistent.

Question:
Are there any writing resources or tools that you find particularly helpful?

Answer:
Yes. I use digital tools a lot things like writing apps, editing software, and of course platforms where I can share my work and get feedback. I also find interviews with established authors really helpful, because they remind me that even the most successful writers started from the same doubts I face now. And honestly, sometimes the most powerful tool is just a notebook and pen, where I can strip away the noise and get back to the raw words.