My Exclusive Interview With ChukzBook - A must-read for everybody!

Conductor by: Chukwuma Okeke

Date: Saturday, 6th April, 2013

The interview was centered primarily on the writing of my second book "Foundation For Greatness." The in-between story that saw the book out in the public today,  available in over fifteen countries of the world, and with over two hundred online marketers. There is more to it!  It is often said, that, "The secret of successful men lies in their story." You will completely be amazed as you draw the inspiration you need to activate and push that your dream to its reality destination. Just flow as you catch up with...

Chukwuma Okeke: Welcome Victor Uzoma! We are glad to have you today!

Victor Uzoma: Thanks Chukwuma Okeke! I appreciate you for the privilege.

Chukwuma Okeke: Great! Let's begin.

Victor Uzoma: Alright sir.

Chukwuma Okeke: We are curious to know; where did you get the inspiration to write Foundation for Greatness?

Victor Uzoma: Well, the conception of “Foundation for Greatness” basically was derived from various encounters I had in years past.  Years ago, way back in the year 2000, in the city of Jalingo, Taraba State while I was there to take GCE and JAMB exams respectively, in preparation to enter into institution of higher learning, I came across two books that I read. These books turned my life around, restructured my actions, reformatted my mindset, and stirred a decision that made curiosity got better of me. 

I became practically eager to know why few are succeeding exceedingly; some on an average whilst majority completely fails. The two books were “Psychology of winning” by Denis Waitley and “Tough Times Never Last but Tough People Do” by Robert H. Schuller. It was my first time ever to have such encounters via books. Honestly, it was a remarkable experience that will remain indelible in my journey to success. 

It was the curiosity that I developed from those books that opened me up to the happenings that inspired my writing “Foundation for Greatness.”  First, I noticed two parallel result’s end in the lives of two individuals that returned from a particular western nation. These people happen to be from my home town. They both made money when they came back, but, after a while, one became poor and the other was flourishing. Wondering why, I discovered one incredible fact: there is a secret that sustain and responsible for their different results. 

Another incident that formed my decision to write the book was that of my maternal cousin’s apprentice who was settled awesomely. Later, he returned to his master’s house for assistance after wasting the resource that was given to him. I looked at the foundation formation of this young man and also found some ills, inefficiencies, and insufficiencies. Evidently, many youths fall victim of these ills. 

Next to it, and most importantly was when the vision for Potential Builders International (POBUI) came to me in April 2005, along with it came a restless desire  not to only be among the world’s most celebrated persons, but to be super-accomplished and fulfilled in life. There came a willingness to take risks in order to stay ahead of the competition under the auspices of the new body—POBUI.

 

The establishment of the entity was beset by many challenges. It also presented many personal challenges to me as I embarked on a journey of discovery that forced me to study many developed countries, establishments, and individuals that are super successful. The study included their policies, fundamental philosophies, and developmental processes. So, in my search for a glorious life and of renowned men in history, I have discovered one very important fact about them, and that is that they all had significantly strong foundations.

Another thing I would like to share is, my journey into writing is not all about inspirations alone, but as one of the assignments wrapped up in my earthly calling. There are these profound and remarkable inspirational notes that have become my driving force into the journey. They always awaken my spirit each moment I feel down. They are as thus;

• And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.( Ecclesiastes 12:12) With special emphasis on “Of making many books there is no end;”

• If you want to be remembered after you have gone, do something worth writing about or writing something worth reading about. By William Shakespeare

• You will never know what is in you until you begin to write. By William Shakespeare

Chukwuma Okeke: What sets Foundation for Greatness apart from other books in the same genre?

Victor Uzoma: There are several factors that differentiate “Foundation for Greatness” from others in the same genre. This book, Foundation for Greatness, is an accumulation of in-depth research, experiences, and revelations that deeply explore the importance of foundation. 

The text is written in a style that helps you uncover the secrets in every beginning, and tells you how to put those discovered truths to work in order to better your chances at success. I wrote it in a manner that’s captivating to every reader. You would hardly drop the book until you reach the last page of it. As a matter of fact, my English lecturer who wrote one of the endorsements, called me and said, “Victor, Wow! What a great work. Do you know that I was glued at a spot until I finished reading the entire book? That the thought and style was profound and powerful.” 

The book has all the vital ingredients that make for a good read. The format I adopted in writing the book is such that combines different genre in one. If you enjoy reading novel, inspirational and motivational, historical, educational and other sort of books, you will easily flow with the book’s rhythm. 

I also brought into display some man-made structures that have over time been argued by experts to be visible from the moon, such as, Kansai airport in Japan, Great Wall of China, and Palm Tree Estate in Dubai. I related their incredible stories to our daily pursuits. 

Also, I prudently unfolded the secrets in their stories that can be traced to their foundations, and likened them to our taste for greatness, and how the secrets outlined paves way to achieve great feats. It brings out the clearer picture of every edifice of destiny’s foundation, and how it’s being constituted. Foundation determines how tall a structure will be, how well it looks, and how long it will last. Likewise, the beauty of one’s destiny is a function of the earliest settings. The book is quite an interesting one!

Chukwuma Okeke: Wow! That's fantastic. As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to Foundation for Greatness getting out to the public?

Victor Uzoma: I earnestly desired a book that will compete favorably with the best books around the world. Consciously, I made the Holy Ghost the chief writer. The floodgate of heavenly knowledge was constantly opened unto me to draw the inspirations that set the book not only on a global stage, but with far-reaching insights. 

One of the secrets I discovered about great people is “networking.” No one is an island! Talents, skills, and gifting are networked to bring out the best in them. I implored that principle and it worked perfectly. I brought one person in as a stakeholder. So, he came with his resources and ideas to make the project more than a success. It was a project and not an ambition. Therefore, I gave it my best.

Also, I engaged in an intensive research process. How to write good books and make a mark in the literary world? I exclusively sought for the best and went for it. Indeed, the reward is priceless! One most interesting thing about writing is the more you write, the more you are exposed to new findings and opportunities. Knowledge is limitless! You must be a good reader, diligent researcher, swift listener, and an efficient note taking person, to write an interesting and captivating book. All these factors led to Foundation for Greatness to be seen publicly today.

 Chukwuma Okeke: Good!

Chukwuma Okeke: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish Foundation for Greatness?

Victor Uzoma: My writing process? Sir, here is one interesting fact I have come to recognized about greatness and accomplishment. It’s not an inheritance or birthright of some individuals on a particular location. No! What a deceptive mirage that constantly cripples people’s great and outstanding feats. Greatness is simply a function of doing ordinary things in an extraordinary manner. 

To successfully distant my work from the crowd of similar authors, see the writing process I implores, by following the footsteps of great achievers in this field, who have successfully distinguished themselves.

1. Conception: This is the period when the idea is been birthed in your mind. It ignites the desire, and the desire sets a platform for an action. When action is in view, accomplishment emerges.
2. Definition: You must first and foremost discover what you want to write on. Discovery makes for distinction. This is like a wind that blows in your favor that takes you to a destination called “Success.” Definition is giving a distinctive clarity of your product. Your book is your product to the world. Every product has this uniqueness attached to it. Uniqueness makes identification easier. Your uniqueness defines your product, and makes people to easily identify it amongst the pool of other competitors.  It’s the uniqueness you gave it that contributes in sensitizing the customers’ awareness, and their longing for your product in the midst of other similar ones. Furthermore, when clarity is not attained; there won’t be motivation, motion and passion. Definition eliminates obscurity and translates idea into reality image.
3. Writing: Taking practical action! Without action, there won’t be motivation.  One’s motivation practically drives him/her to accomplishment. Like William Shakespeare rightly said, and I agree with him, that, “You will never know what is in you until you begin to write.” What you are capable of doing cannot be revealing to you until action is committed. Write! Write!! and Write!!!
4. Researching your options: Accuracy and efficiency are products of diligent research. It increases one’s chance of success by finding extra information, facts, and requirements that make for exceeding great results. Our depth of insight determines the height of our accomplishment. I employ research factor in my writing process, in order to get extra knowledge and facts regarding all areas of what I’m writing on. You will be utterly amazed what you will discover that you never thought of earlier. This ultimately enhances and colors the quality of your work. 
5. Brainstorming: Stretching your mind to the extreme to give the book a distinguishing form. Brainstorming gives you an opportunity to put your work into detail explanations. Such an opportunity guides the setting and standard of the work, thereby, determining the course of action and the fulfilling style. It means interpreting all the facts about the book, and breaking them into comprehensible bits. By this process, you compare and contrast, and thereafter, digest the facts accordingly. At this stage, you sort and put the facts in a captivating and natural order to pin the attention of your readers/customers. The mind that is not stretched limits our chances of standing out. It hinders our seed of miracle to manifest outstandingly. 
6. Keep strengthening your work: There is no limit to which you can polish your work. Continuous evaluation of the book by reading through it often, removing the weeds from the seeds, as you corrects the errors and adds new ideas. The more you read the work, the more you uncover some errors. Additionally, the more you find new ideas rushing into your mind. More so, it involves seeking opinions from trusted sources, such as, friends, families and colleagues. For the sake of professionalism, you consult experts in the field to review and edit your work. You try to subject the work to constructive criticism. This is also a kind of refiner’s process for your book. It makes the work to be well refined. You need to be careful here, because you have your style that distinguishes your work from others. Don’t allow them to alter your style and uniqueness.

Again, keep reading the manuscript - adding and removing. Every ground-breaking piece in the literary world took that process, for example, Things Fall Apart, by our very own, Chinua Achebe, who is a literary icon today.

Lastly, all of these steps involve writing. Note, write first and don’t focus on mistakes. If you focus on mistakes when you are in the flow of writing, definitely, you will cripple your creativity and hinders your progress. Apply the fixing steps (steps 4, 5 and 6) only after you have created something on paper. Here is my candid advice. At first, let your writing be full, wild, and bad.  In fact, the worse it is, the better it becomes after the fixing steps. After exhausting what is in your mind, dig deeper through research, to furnish yourself with additional and quality facts that polishes your work to be more attractive.

Foundation for Greatness took me approximately two years to write and work on. Within it is an all night intensive writing and researching during the period. It was an awesome experience that has exposed me further, as I’m taking my journey in the literary world.

Chukwuma Okeke: This is a detailed road map for writing a bestseller book. We love it.

Chukwuma Okeke: Finally, What is next for Victor Uzoma?

Victor Uzoma: To keep climbing the steps on the ladder! My underlying aim now is to be best among the best. I have studied few people who have made marks and pasted their footprint in the sand of history in this field. Like I said earlier, there’s nothing extraordinary about them. All one need is to do the ordinary in an extra-ordinary way. After which, the person will be heading towards the league of outstanding people. 

Well, for the sake of emphasis, I’m working on two books now, with titles as, “The Ancient Book” and “The Journey In-between.” I am dedicating the best to these two books. The reason is simple. I look forward to not only changing lives with the books, but generating a global impact. Awards are rewards of extra efforts. So, my primary target with the two books is to receive “International Merit Awards” by the reason of the outstanding excellence they will display and market. The first title to be released should be, “The Journey In-between,” which will take me like more five years to complete. Next is, “The Ancient Book,” I intend spending extra ten years because of the level of research involve, and what I intend achieving, in and through the book.

Before Foundation for Greatness, it may interest you to know that I had already published one book in 2009, with a title as, Questioning: Pathway to Success. Now, I want to come up with new and refined edition of the book. I am working on it currently on two separate pieces; one will be taking the form of the original work, whilst the other will take the form of educational material.  

The primary objective of the educational format for the piece is to see the book introduced into our secondary schools. It has a special assignment of solving a peculiar mindset problem of teens and youths of our developing nations that is responsible for our under-developments. The details of the work will be made available when the time for it is ripe. 

Chukwuma Okeke: I'm deeply impressed. You did inspire us today.

Chukwuma Okeke: We are very very glad you join us. We wish you the best and please leave us with your twitter handle.

Victor Uzoma: thanks once again for the privilege that you gave me.

Victor Uzoma: here is my twitter handle... @vc_uzoma

Chukwuma Okeke: Thank you. Enjoy your weekend

Victor Uzoma: You're welcome sir. Have a pleasant weekend too.