Making waves as a Creative Writer in Nigeria is no small feat. It requires lots of passion, perseverance, patience, and consistency. These are the qualities – and some more – that make Charis Alara a force to reckon with in the Creative Writing and Literature space.
Charis Alara started a full-time professional career in the creative writing and literature space upon graduating for her first degree in Estate Management. One would wonder how she managed the switch from Social Sciences to the Arts but this is something she has done gracefully.
Charis is a Nigerian Writer, Storyteller, Creative Writing Coach, and Editor with over four years of experience actively exploring the literary and creative industry both within and outside Nigeria. She is the founder of The360Writer, one of Nigeria’s creative writing platform geared toward writers’ development. Through The360Writer, Charis has helped new and aspiring writers find their bearing and make a living out of their passions.
Being a multitalented Creative Writer is just one of the numerous creative hats Charis wears. Last year, she was one of the 50 selected Nigerians for the Chevening Scholarship, one of the most prestigious scholarships in the world. She is currently studying at Brunel University, London for a Masters’ in Creative Writing
Not only is Charis an excellent writer, but she also doubles as a Poet when the situation calls for it. What’s more? She made her debut appearance as an international spoken word poet during the recently concluded International Women’s Day event themed #breakthebias.
If you are an aspiring writer looking to build a career in the writing and literary space, Charis Alara is proof that your dreams are valid.
That’s all for the Creative Spotlight today, join us next month for the next episode.
In May 2017, social media and blogs were on fire.
Everyone was reposting and sharing this love story. Two A-list celebrities just
got engaged. It was so sweet and cheesy; our faves were getting married. I
remember that season of my life because I had just ended a relationship and was
having a love walk with the lord.
I was so jealous of this love story. I remember when they announced they were getting married in November 2017, everyone wanted to be a part of their wedding. I was one of the people who stayed glued on Instagram to watch their wedding live. We, the online guests, really meant business. I watched their vows with admiration. I can’t even deny I want what they have.
When Banky released that track, he called “Susu’s Song”,
I streamed it all the time. I just love these two. I want a man like Banky. I
have always wanted a man who can sing all my life. I wanted a man who would
release a track for me, too, it’s so goofy, but I love it. Banky felt like the perfect
man; I’m sure God was up there laughing and wondering when this child would
trust me.
I’m not a hopeless romantic, but I love to see
beautiful marriages. I love it when a man dotes on his woman and is not shy to
acknowledge it. When I met my husband, he was not Banky W; well, he can hold a
key sometimes when he is singing, but no offence if that man releases a track,
I’m not buying it because it’s not his calling, lol.
I almost lost a good man because I wanted him to be
the man I had envisioned, so when we started dating, we had some silly arguments
because I wanted him to be what God did not create him to be. I kept trying to
make him into something he was not. I was angry when he was not working on any
project; I just wanted him to be out there like Banky W.
Somewhere in my heart, I was comparing him to somebody
I had never met. One day, the Holy Spirit asked me, “Do you trust me? then
remove the idol in your heart and let me mould this man”.
That was the day I buried my obsession and trusted the
father with this man He gave me. My relationship got better, and I allowed my partner
to be the man God wants him to be. When I look at him, I am grateful and
blessed to have a patient man like him because it takes patience to deal with
me.
I don’t know if you are anything like me, you want a
love story like your favourite celebrity couple but can I advise that you trust
God with those dreams and lists. The person you admire has their flaws, don’t
compare your partner to somebody else; it’s not nice.
CONCLUSION
“Find your delight and
true pleasure in Yahweh, and he will give you what you desire the most. Give
God the right to direct your life, and as you trust him along the way, you’ll
find he pulled it off perfectly” (Psalm 37:4-5) TPT
When you find your
delight in God, He will grant your desires. I did not marry a Banky W. I
married the one for me who treats me like a queen. Everything I wanted, God
gave me more. God knows more than you, so I challenge you to rip that list and
let the father give you beyond your imagination. God can be trusted!
November 2020, I resigned from a toxic work environment (if you want the full gist, click here). After resigning, I promised myself I would not hurry to get another job because you know what they say about making the same mistake twice.
I got a side gig as a customer care representative for an
e-commerce service company in February 2021. The pay was little when compared
to the work I was doing. Still, I did not mind because at least something was
coming in, and I enjoyed solving problems.
I was still searching for a job. In April 2021, I got a good
job that was flexible, and the pay was fair, so I said yes to the offer and
resumed work immediately. I had a condition before taking the offer, I was
employed as a content writer, and when I asked how many people were on the
team, I was told it was myself and a graphics designer.
Boy, there was no way I could do a digital marketer’s job. I
told them to employ a digital marketer, and they promised to. Two weeks after I
resumed, they hired one, and I was so excited, but unfortunately, the terms
were not conducive for the person; she left after working for two weeks.
After the digital marketer left, the company refused to
employ another person, and they expected me to take up the role, which I could
not. It was always a tug of war. The MD/CEO felt I was not competent enough
because the company’s social media pages were not growing as she expected.
This woman expected me to grow a page using content only. I
tried explaining, but I was not good enough to her, so she went ahead to employ
a digital marketing agency. The agency was responsible for all social media
pages, which means she does not need my services anymore.
My line manager, God bless his kind heart, tried all he
could to convince her to let me stay, but she wanted me out. I started seeing
some toxic traits when she called me useless in one of our zoom meetings with
the digital agency.
Some weeks after, I dropped my resignation letter because I
didn’t want to be sacked. I remember sending that email with tears in my eyes
because the truth is that I was tired of job hunting. I came back home, and my
sweet husband kept telling me it would be alright.
Here is the thing, I gave a testimony about this job in one
of the groups I belonged to in church and here was I three months after with a
resignation letter. I felt like God had frauded me. I cried for so many nights.
I was pissed and asked why he allowed me to take that job in the first place.
I was throwing
tantrums at God, the maker of heaven and earth, the one who can do all things o
(Onome, you are bold o lol ); well, He is my father. I refused to pray for
days, and the thought of the MD/CEO of that company annoyed me.
My sendoff cake
It took me months to forgive this woman and everyone
involved in me losing my job. I found my peace back when I chose to submit to
God and allow Him to lead me. I decided to worship God with tears and pains; in
that place of worship, I found peace and strength. He wants the best for me,
and today, I’m glad he took me out of that company when He did.
At the same time, I made great friends in that company that I
won’t trade for anything. I remember how we cried and hugged on my last day at
work. It’s a memory I won’t forget.
I’m in a place of contentment, and I am currently working on
my next assignment. I’m not actively searching for jobs, but God keeps sending
me gigs, and I have not lacked. That’s how amazing my father is.
There are so many lessons that God has taught me in this
phase that I can’t wait to share with you.
CONCLUSION
“The LORD is close to the
brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed”. Psalm 34: 18 (NLT).
This scripture comforted me in my
pain, and I could feel God. I don’t know what your story is, and if, like me,
you are angry at God, please don’t be. He has your best interest at heart. He
will come through because He makes all things beautiful in His own time
(Ecclesiastes 3:11).
Trust requires you to leave all
other plans and cling to God. It is a case of I have no one else, it’s either
you help me, or I’m finished. His plans for you are good, and your future is so
beautiful.
When you don’t know what to do, worship because you will find strength and comfort in the place of worship, Papa is close to you, and He is ever ready to give you strength. Never doubt His love.
Cheers to you trusting God and
coming out stronger.
The year 2020 left me confused and angry, I ended the year with tears and bitterness, but God stepped in. I never prioritized the role of mental health until I came face to face with a situation that almost destroyed my happiness.
April 2020, I took a job that affected my mental health. My life was in chaos, and every day, I asked myself why I had taken this job. Let me not spill all the juice yet.
I shared this story on the latest episode of the Naked with Onome podcast. As the year ends, I want you to know that you are a big deal, and it is okay to take a step back to restrategize.
Nothing is worth losing your mental health over.
Thank you for sticking with me and for believing in me. It means a lot to me.
Life comes in ways we don’t expect and sometimes the only words you can speak is tears.
I met Damilola Agboola recently, we were in a programme and we were talking about pains, she raised her hands and said she has a story to share. By the time Damilola and her husband were done sharing their story, we were all moved.
Her story was emotional and I knew in that instant she had to share her story on Naked with Onome Podcast. The Lord had been speaking to me about starting a series on sharing testimonies and I have been struggling because I am in my season of pain but after interviewing Damilola I knew that God has better plans for me and this podcast is blessing me.
