Interviewing Author Ibi Joke

Interviewing Author  Ibi Joke

Q1.Tell me about your self what are your favorite books to read?

A. My name is Joke’ (Joo-kay), a speaker, author, and the founder of Blossom Life Outreach. My passion is to help people discover and embrace their God-given purpose. I have led youth groups, women’s groups, couple’s forums, and Bible study groups at multiple churches (both in Nigeria and the United States), and recently initiated a weekly life group for young adults over the age of 18. I was a co-pastor for 15 years, also hosting conferences on leadership, life issues, marriage, and relationship challenges. Professionally, I am a dynamic woman with a talent to connect with both spiritual and secular audiences, for the past decade, I have been managing two outpatient dialysis centers as the facility administrator for a Fortune 500 company. More recently, I became a board-certified family nurse practitioner. I am actively involved in coaching, mentoring, team building, professional development, and offers guidance for staff in those clinics.

I love to read Christian literature, autobiographies, and books about leadership.

Q2.When did you decide you were going to write a book?

A. The first inspiration I had for writing a book was due to a need at work. I was a new manager, struggling with team building. I have read several books and also attended a certificate program on leadership, however, I did not get the answer to my question. I conceived of the idea while on a plane on a trip from Atlanta to Florida to attend a work leadership retreat. I questioned everything and everyone around me who I could use as a role model for team building and since none could really attain the standard I have in my head, I decided to explore the leadership style of Jesus. I needed to know how he was able to put up with some of the foolishness around him without losing his mind and compromising his purpose, vision, and mission. I conducted an analysis of the different personalities around him and discovered some of the secrets to his successes. He managed the team in a way that they were able to carry on the mission of the organization after he was no longer with them.

Q3.How did you come up with the name of your book?

A. The book was named “Leadership Extraordinaire – Modeling the Leadership Style of Jesus”. The first part was a slogan at work for leaders with extraordinary performance, and the second part is the actual framework of the book. I am currently working on revising and republishing the book under a different name by May 2019.

Q4. What are you working on for 2019?

A. In January 2019, I released a small book called “The Problem of Identity”. It was self-published and ended up becoming an Amazon bestseller. I am currently working on another book which I started writing in 2015. The scheduled publication day is Easter 2019. The title is “Understanding the Seasons of Life”. I have four other titles that I’m working on: Depression, Marriage, Purpose, and Leadership

Q5. How long have you been writing?

I started writing in 2012, however, I did not publish the book until 2015.

Q6.What advice would you give to other authors?

A. My advice to any aspiring authors is to not allow anything or anyone to take the desire to write away from them. When I came up with the idea to write, the first person I told actually despised the idea and discouraged me. The discouragement was actually the fuel that I needed to have the determination to write. It was exciting to see the book in print. I didn’t have the support or resources but the opportunity to self-publish through create space was very helpful. My candid advice is this – don’t wait for the right time; make the time right. There will always be discouragement or limitations as you aspire to write, but look beyond the obstacles and give it all that it will take. You don’t know who has been waiting to read your story, insight or perspective about life issues. The testimonials I received after my first book was a motivation to write more. Also, the book earned me speaking engagements that would not have been possible if I did not take up the challenge to write despite all the opposition.

Q7.Where can people find you online?

A.web: blossomlifeoutreach.com

Email: mailto:blossomlifeoutreach@gmail.com

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Facebook:  @blossomlifeoutreach

Instagram: _blossomlife

Twitter: _blossomlife

Q8. Do you plan on writing more books in the future?

A. As I stated earlier, I have four books I am currently working on and I hope to write more as I am inspired

Q9.How many books have you written?

A. I have written two books and the third book is scheduled for release in Spring 2019

Q10.Did you go to college to be a writer?

A. I actually did not go to college to be a writer. Writing is a passion I developed from the need to solve a work-related problem I was facing in team building. My educational background includes two Bachelor’s Degree (Mathematics and Nursing), a Master’s Degree in Nursing and a couple of Continuation

of certificate programs in Leadership. I am also a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with practice privileges in the State of Georgia.

I would like to say thank you to lbi Joke for allowing me to interview her on my blog.