What is the best thing that I love about my work?

Writing constantly pushes me to become better. It breaks me and exceeds me at the same time. There is a constant need to experience life—joy, grief, and everything in between—and to read deeply. What I love most is that writing allows me to create change and share experiences with someone miles away. Through words, you can connect with strangers across borders. Writing has the power to heal, to break open truths, and to ignite transformation. That ability to move people and build invisible bridges between lives is the most beautiful part of my work.

What is my idea of happiness?

Happiness is a state of immediate experience. You can be happy while processing loss, and you can be happy even before achieving everything you want. For me, happiness is being around the people who love me and knowing they will support and stand by me. It is living fully through the day and appreciating both mundane and pivotal moments. Happiness is having access to the things that nourish me—good food, nature, data, songs, and movies. It is also sharing life with my lover, my family, and my friends.

What is my greatest fear?

I have certain visions and goals for my life. I want to create change through art and reach millions of souls with my writing, becoming one of the most influential poets of my time. I dream of living in a lake house with my husband and children, growing our own food while family remains close. I want to help people find their way through my work. I also want to create wealth that contributes to dignity for women—for instance, a world where something as basic as sanitary pads is freely accessible to every girl. My greatest fear is not failure, but the inability to fulfill my purpose and bring these visions to life.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

I can be very indecisive, especially about small things like what to eat, what to wear, or what movie to watch. I also procrastinate more than I would like to admit. Sometimes I lose interest in things and people quickly, especially when I become overwhelmed by too many ideas and projects. I often feel what I call “pre-exhaustion,” where the weight of possibilities makes me pause before even beginning. Strangely, I seem to thrive on the thrill of pressure and deadlines. It stresses me, but I sometimes suspect I enjoy the challenge of racing time—until circumstances remind me that I am not, in fact, superhuman.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?

I admire writers whose work challenges me to become better and whose voices carry authenticity and courage. Michael Imossan is one of the poets whose work resonates strongly with me; I often find reflections of my own sensibilities in his writing. Hanson Utibe is another writer I deeply respect—he was the first writer I became friends with, and he has helped me grow tremendously. I admire the strength of his diction and the depth of his literary voice. I particularly love the works of Tares Oburumu, Romeo Oriogun, Samuel Adeyemi, Warsan Shire, and Gbenga Adesina. I also respect Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for her bold storytelling and influence on global conversations about identity and culture. I am especially drawn to writers who are fearless, rebellious in meaningful ways, and unafraid to challenge societal expectations.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

Writing is very demanding. It requires constant attention and emotional investment. Sometimes it feels like a needy partner that you cannot ignore or cheat on. It demands time, patience, and deep concentration. And often, it asks for more than you think you can give. But perhaps that intensity is also what makes it meaningful.

When and where was I the happiest in my work?

I mostly write from the comfort of my home. So my happiest moments are usually there—or anywhere I manage to write something truly breathtaking. I also feel immense joy when I receive acceptances for publication. Those moments feel like small confirmations that the work matters. But happiness in writing is often fleeting; it arrives quietly and leaves quickly, which makes it even more precious.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

I am very self-aware and perhaps even selfish in the sense that I genuinely love myself and believe strongly in my abilities. That confidence is an important part of who I am. If there is one thing I would change, it would be my economic circumstances—perhaps to the level of Elon Musk or Bill Gates. Not in terms of personality, of course, but purely financial leverage. Beyond that, I would keep myself exactly as I am.

Where would I most like to live?

Anywhere I can see the Northern Lights or be surrounded by mountains and lush greenery. Norway, Switzerland, and parts of Canada come to mind. Places where nature is both grand and peaceful. France and Germany could also make the list.

What is my most treasured possession?

My mind. It holds countless ideas and stories. I often think far more than I speak—I actually do not like to talk much—but writing gives those thoughts form. My mind is where my creativity lives, and that makes it my most treasured possession. Besides, treasured things are sometimes better left unspoken, to avoid theft.

What is my most marked characteristic?

I have a very independent mind and can be extremely stubborn. It is part of what makes me who I am. When I try to force myself to behave in ways that go against my instincts, I do not feel like myself. Staying true to my nature matters deeply to me.

What is my most inspirational location in my city?

I do not go out often, but I find inspiration in places filled with trees and quiet serenity. Parks are particularly inspiring. Millennium Park in Abuja comes to mind, as well as cafés and library-style restaurants where people gather softly around ideas.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink in my city?

Crush Café in Gwarinpa because it serves my favorite prawns. I also love Village Chief in Wuse for its seafood okra. Good food always feels like a celebration of life.

What books influenced my life and how?

The Art of Creative Thinking by Rod Judkins had a profound impact on me. It helped pull me out of what I jokingly call my five-year “procreativation”—my personal word for writer’s block. The book was given to me by someone I was romantically involved with. Let’s call him Basil—like the leaf—because I prefer not to say his real name. Whether he realizes it or not, that gift helped me climb out of a creative hole. Both he and the book played an important role in reigniting my writing.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen to on my last day?

This question feels like a betrayal because choosing just one song is impossible. But the rules are mine. If it were my last day, I would listen to “Sunset Boulevard” by Selena Gomez and “Cinnamon Girl” by Lana Del Rey. And for a final, slightly mischievous note, “One of Your Girls” by The Weeknd. Do not judge me.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

I tend to be drawn more to villains than heroes. Heroes might sacrifice you for the world, but villains might burn the world for you. So I would say Klaus Mikaelson. But to be fair, I will give the heroic title to Black Panther.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

My family and friends are my real-life heroes. I admire the men and women who show up for their families and their creative work without giving up, regardless of the struggles. Fathers who remain responsible for their children. Writers who keep writing even after many rejections. Persistence is heroic to me. My grandmother is also a heroine to me—so many capes that calling her Wonder Woman would almost be an understatement.

Which movie would I recommend seeing once in a lifetime?

When Life Gives You Tangerines. It may not have been my first choice, but it is certainly in my top ten. The film teaches profound lessons about life, cycles, dreams, and love. Dreams take time to be fulfilled—and sometimes they never are. It is an emotional journey that reminds us that everything deserves deep love.

What role do stories play in my life and work?

Stories are central to my life. As a storyteller, you must believe in the power of stories. They preserve history, shape memory, and inspire change. Life itself is made of countless stories, many of which we forget to write down. Reading is essential to storytelling; through reading, writers grow.

What do the words “You are the storyteller of your own life” mean to me?

The way you tell your story shapes how others see it. Whatever you document about yourself becomes part of the narrative people remember. Some people become convincing storytellers of their own lives, even when the truth is more complicated. Stories do not always depend on perfect facts; sometimes they depend on how they are told. That is why owning your story matters. No one can tell your struggles or joys better than you can. Just as no one tells African stories better than Africans themselves.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

I’m hoping my future husband is—this answer came with a smirk. My future readers are also my greatest supporters; I love them already. But when it comes to people who have supported my work closely, I would mention Hanson Utibe and Ayodeji Bamgbose. They are always eager to read my work the moment it leaves the cocoon, helping shape it into something stronger and rooting for me regardless of the outcome. I’m deeply grateful for that support. And when it comes to a true partner in crime, no one beats my friend Nadia. I call her Rebel. Kalabari women are almost rebels—of course I’m exempted—but because she’s a mixed breed and dangerously Akwa Ibomite, she is fully rebelled. Even silence listens when we speak.

Which people or companies would I like to work with?

I would love to collaborate with writers like Hanson Utibe and Michael Imossan, whose creative voices I respect deeply. On a broader scale, I am interested in working with organizations that support literature and social impact. Institutions connected to the United Nations are particularly meaningful to me because of their global reach. I would also be honored to collaborate with organizations such as the African Poetry Book Fund and respected literary journals like Prairie Schooner, Narrative Magazine, Only Poems, and The New Yorker. My goal is to bring my poetry to international audiences and use literature as a bridge between cultures.

What project am I looking forward to working on?

I am currently developing my poetry collections. Much of my work explores womanhood and the societal structures that attempt to regulate women’s bodies, choices, and identities. I am interested in examining how shame is often imposed on women as a cultural tool of control. Another major theme in my work is environmental degradation, corruption, violence, and climate injustice. I grew up around heavy pollution and witnessed how deeply it affected communities, land, and livelihoods. Through poetry, I want to document these realities and give voice to the people who live with those consequences every day.

Where can people see me or my work?

You can find me on Instagram at @queen_tonyegeorge and on LinkedIn under Tonye George. My poems are also available on PoetrySoup. If you search “Tonye George poems” on Google, you will likely find my work. I also occasionally write on Medium and LinkedIn.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

Passion is the force that keeps you committed to something even when it fails repeatedly. It is what keeps you returning to the work again and again. Passion does not retire because it becomes part of who you are. Like your heart or your mind, it continues working quietly in the background of your life.

Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story?

I would love to hear the stories of Shino Blarke (Michael)@ Shinoblarke_, Hanson Utibe @utibehanson, Michael Imossan @micheal_imossan, Victor Bryan@ Dr.victorbryan, Dozie Igweilo @quadloop.africa, Handel Larkin @handellarkin and Alexa Ebi @thealexaebi. They are creative professionals—poets, artists, writers, stylist, tech enthusiast, and performers—who have devoted years of dedication and sacrifice to their craft. I am proud of the work they continue to do. Their journeys deserve to be heard.

How can you contact me?

The best way to contact me is through my social media platforms, particularly Instagram or LinkedIn.

Link to my online Poetry – https://www.poetrysoup.com/poems_poets/poems_by_poet.aspx?ID=78910

Link to my portfolio – https://tonye-george-portfolio.vercel.app/