The True Story behind the book – Antonyms of a Mirage



So for people that have read the book, people that are still reading, people that haven’t read and everyone... I am sure you are all wondering how such a book came to exist. You will all agree that you had never seen the concept of the book before. Well, I hope sha, I might be wrong. The truth is that I, myself, had never seen the concept before. I would like to be able to boast and say, this concept was mine, but that wouldn’t be entirely true. So if no one had ever seen such a book before and the concept wasn’t mine, how exactly did this come to being? Read the true story behind the creation of the book below.

As most of you know, I am not a romance writer, I haven’t published a thriller yet, I am not a mystery writer, I just write. I write whatever comes to my head because I have to write. If you have read the preface to the book, you will understand that. I write, write, write. I can look at you, get into your head and write anything that comes out. The thing is that I never write so that I can publish or sell a book. I Just Write. In fact, maybe I should rename this blog IJUSTWRITE. Lol.

I never intended to publish a book or be an author. Sometime last August, I was about to sleep, and (I am about to get spooky and spiritual here, so be careful) God showed me my book. He told me to take all my write ups and write some few more and make it a book. I couldn’t believe it. My write-ups were scattered. They couldn’t be categorised, they couldn’t be classified. Some were funny, some were bitter, in fact very bitter that I wondered how a happy girly like me could write such. A lot were introspective. They were just all over the place. A combination of my articles was like an irritating concussion rice that a bachelor would hurriedly put together so he wouldn’t go to bed hungry. So, I told God, ‘since I just write, what exactly will I say this book is about?’ People will say I am scattered.

Here was the reply. You will arrange the articles, classify them into sessions and they will be defined by different characters. This is because the writer has split personalities that are struggling in her head. When one character finishes telling different stories, another character will come and kick her out. You will depict them with fighting pictures.

I was so excited when this conversation was going on. My head suddenly started aching. It was pounding seriously. I wanted to sleep but God was talking. I had to shout STOP, STOP, I want to go and sleep. Please, Lord, STOP. I couldn’t sleep because of the excitement and the headache. I kept seeing the book in my mind, just like some of you have seen it.

People, the only problem was.... I never saw the Cover Page, and God did not tell me the Title. I don’t know why, but I guess that’s the way He wanted it. Seven months later, the book was with the Graphic artist and I was still begging God for a Title. You all know the story behind how I came up with the title. If you don’t know it, click here.

As for the cartoon on the cover page, the cartoonist came up with the idea. I told him I wanted a drawing depicting split personalities, something people will grab instantly without me having to explain it to them. I told him that I wanted someone looking into a shattered mirror and seeing six different personalities at the same time, but he said the personalities falling out of her braids will be better. I am not a choosy person, so I just rolled with his suggestion.

The book is 136 pages, 44 articles, 70% of which were never intended to be published. This is why you will find some true life scenarios there like Atilola and Her Yuppy Sugar Daddy, My Daddy is Samson, etc. mostly written by the comic one. Although, out of 44 entries, only about six are true scenarios of mine. I believe that if I wrote because I wanted to publish, I would have never ended up with such a book. I know myself. The concept was never mine!

Antonyms of a Mirage will therefore come to you in volumes. The reason is this.... I Just Write!

47 comments

  1. Congratulations once again. I hope to get a copy soon.

    I changed my blogname.below is the new link, please update your blog link.

    http://labyrinthsoflahrah.blogspot.com

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    1. Awww thanks, I will be expecting your purchase, lol.

      I don't understand how to refollow a blog I am already following. Blogger complications ooo

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  2. ok now i have to read this book! no dulling

    Anything God inspired, I go fall in!

    Congrats again..girl

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    1. Loool, don't dull ooo. Go and read it fast

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  3. Congratulations :D. I love the God story...hehe. You really went spiritual on us, but that's fine.

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    1. Thanks o.I didn't mean to go spirtitual on you guys, but I just had to tell it as it is. Weird, abi?

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  4. When God says it is, it will be. Congrats once again

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  5. Wow praise GOD!!! So happy for you!!!

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  6. Thanks for sharing this, Atilola.

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    1. Thanks for reading this and thanks for dropping by

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  7. What can I say? God gives inspired thoughts and it's to our benefit to translate those thoughts to reality. I am so glad you didn't ignore that prompting in your heart. The fruit of your obedience is what we can now enjoy. Your story has definitely inspired me, and I know I'm not the only one ;-)

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    1. Yes o, thank God I didn't ignore, even though it was too exciting to be ignored sha.. Thanks

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  9. Thanks for sharing this. Sometimes, i get promptings too, but I struggle and ask questions like how will it be done and all sorts. Most of the time, I don't follow through with His instructions. Good to know you obeyed. He will keep taking you places.

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    1. Aaaahhh, like Nike said, 'Just Do It'. If it is from God, then He will provide the resources. Amen to your prayers

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  10. Congrats again, Sis... WOW You are an inspiration!
    Make I do with school finish, make me too join una club. lol

    - LDP

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    1. Thanks o. Yes, finish and come and join us, lol.

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  11. apart from amazon, where else can we get the books in local bookstores?
    hmm, now i know why your blog is titled..."Atilola writes"...or am i wrong?

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    1. Really??? Atilola Writes is the only suitable thing I can think of for now. It might change soon.

      When you say local bookstores, do you mean in Nigeria? If yes, then wait till month end. I will do a post on that. Thanks

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  12. Now what further proof does anyone need about the divinity of this book? Just like the Bible, a book inspired by God cannot but make waves! Congrats again, Atilola. I've read the book twice already so let those who are yet to read it get cracking!

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    1. Yes o, It has no choice but to make waves, lol. Thanks

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  13. Very inspiring. Absolutely love your style of writing.

    i think the option about the shattered image depicting split personality will be easier to interpret but the present one is very apt too.
    Keep it up dear.

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    1. Thanks so much for the compliment. At least, dis image is unique

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  14. God has started it, and He will sure complete it. I like the way you categorized and tagged the pieces. The whole book was very well arranged.

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    1. Amen, amen and amen. Yes, the arrangement gave me a hard time.

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  15. Congrats once more and good luck with the book sales.
    Now I'm waiting for God to speak to me too! (just being cheeky:-)

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    1. Thanks. Lol, God speaks to us all the time oo.

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  16. Congrats once more, and GOD IS SO AWESOME.


    Tag you in the game ELEVENS..anytime you are chanced,from your book promotions {quite hectic, i know} you can do it.

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    1. Thanks so much. Hmm, will try this award thing soon. Thanks

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  17. Congratulations, i'm really happy for you and may God's blessings always be with you and i can't wait to get me a copy

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    1. Amen ooo. Yeah, lemme know when you get a copy and how you find it.

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  18. I'm smiling right now.I especially like this line "I just write".As far as poems are always in there,we're good.*grin*

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  19. bLESSINGS......
    Ah come by today to leave a reply on my congratulatory comment only it poof disappear nowhere to be found. Ah doh know, ah doh know, ah doh know. Ok so ah gotta start from the top again.

    Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations! You have made your mark, now you have to maintain it. May you do so with grace, wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

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    1. thanks for stopping my & commenting on IF WALLS HAD EARS. Steam of consciousness writing. If you every interested in seeing more i have a couple posted here.

      ANALYZE THIS @ http://rappingonamelody.blogspot.ca/2011/03/analyze-thisstream-of-consciousness.html

      ON THAT DAY @ http://rappingonamelody.blogspot.ca/2011/02/on-that-day.html

      Have a blessed day.....

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    2. Eeya, sorry for the comment loss. Thanks for your prayer. I'll sure check the links out

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  20. Replies
    1. Thanks so much. Please, Click this link to pick one of the purchasing options. Thanks.

      http://atilola.blogspot.co.uk/p/antonyms-of-mirage_18.html

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  21. Awwwww congratulation, I'm so happy for you!

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  22. Thank God you listened. and obeyed. Now here we are. Congratulations once again. Na you dey reign!!

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    1. Abi oo. If not, we wouldn't be telling this story today.

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  23. Wow congratulations Atilola. This is such exciting news!!! I haven't been around the block much these days but I just want to say I am so excited and happy for you. May God continue to polish what He's started with you :)

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    1. Eeeya, Amen and thanks so much. I really appreciate.

      Thanks for dropping by.

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  24. Sounds mighty good Atiola, how can I get it?

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