Atimomo: My autobiography will be ready when am 80

“You can mature within very quickly. For others, it takes some time before they find themselves. And when Colour blind was launched two years ago, it was born out of the COVID-19 lockdown.

“But we may not do it at a particular time, maybe we just needed something to push us to actually go ahead and do it. And maybe I’m a late starter,” she said of her love for writing, in which she finds real fulfillment.

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Atimomo spoke at the book chat on her second book Colours of Love with selected Arts Writers in Lagos last week during which she recalled how her first book Colour Blind was realised in the midst of the lockdown of 2020.

“I live alone, and suddenly I find myself at home and can’t go out. And I’m someone who thrives better if I have a schedule. So, I tried to make a schedule for myself. Wake up in the morning, go for a walk, come back home, have a shower, get breakfast, read a little.

“And as a matter of policy, my TV does not come on till maybe 5 p.m., even now more than ever before because with all these fantastic things like Netflix, with interesting series, one can be distracted. In fact, one can get lost in it. You can put the Television on in the morning and stay there till night,” she said.

Atimomo disclosed that in two years, she will be 80 and hopefully present her autobiography.

She linked her encouragement and interest to publish her writings to her grandchildren who continually push her.

“I didn’t start writing yesterday. I’ve had a lot of stories written over the years. It’s just that they were never published because they have been overtakenby events and also the expense of publishing is high.

“For me, the reactions of readers of my book are marks of a good book. And a lot of people say, oh, I couldn’t put the book down. Again, the encouragement and the interest to publish my first book were from my grandchildren. One of them writes too. And I know that one day she will write a bestseller. And working hard to have Colour blind published was a way of letting her and others like her know that this thing is possible,” she assured.

She explained that she does not write explicit sexual fiction, describing Colours of Love, as a book on forgiveness, kindness, and redemption, reconnection and compassion. “If you wrong me, and I don’t forgive you, I don’t love you. It is not a purely religious book,” she added. 

On her forthcoming autobiography she admitted that it’s a hard story to write, unlike fiction, which is easy.

“I love writing fiction. But, when it comes to your own story, if you want to be completely honest about your story, it’s hard because you are writing about people who are still alive.

And some of the stories may not be palatable. And you are putting such a story out there for the world. It’s something you have to be very careful about, especially when it comes to a factual story, like your story. So, my autobiography is in the works.

“I was conflicted initially. I didn’t know whether to write it in the third person. Maybe that would solve some of the problems writing about somebody else. But, well, I’ve started. I hope that in another two years, I’ll call you again for the book chat,” she added.

Atimomo received her early education at Reagan Memorial Baptist Girls School, before entering Yaba College of Technology in Lagos and later South West London College in England.

After her studies, she worked in several organisations in the UK and acquired a wealth of experience before returning to Lagos in 1978. She then worked for 25 years in Nigerian Breweries PLC before retiring in 2005. Following retirement, she established a hospitality company and successfully managed the business for 15 years.