Alright, I have answered your questions.

...Omonoba...
Our people say:
Igbo: "Nwunye anyi, nwunye anyi": ka ndeli bia ka anyi mara onye o bu nwunye ya.
Eng: "Our wife, our wife": come midnight and we will know whose wife she really is.- Igbo Proverb.
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DO NOT FORGET TO GO HERE TO NOMINATE FOR NAIJA BLOGGERS AWARDS.

You all are amazing sha. So, here we go my dears.

How and why did you start blogging?

I started with my first blog sometime half-way through 2009 when I figured that it would be a beautiful platform to put out my works and network. However, I stopped blogging with that address because some issues came up. Then, early this year (2010), I started with BurntBottomPot for the same reasons but I worked on the issues that came between me and blogging the first time to create a better blogging experience.


Who picks names as NakedSha and BurntBottomPot and what do they mean?

Alright, I saw these coming. NakedSha stems from two words, Naked and Sha. Naked in this sense refers to plain, simple and in true, unadulterated form. Sha is slang in Pidgin English and for those who do not speak or understand Pidgin; it’s quite difficult to translate Sha to English Language. The closest word would probably be ‘anyway’ even though it doesn’t do justice to the meaning of the word, Sha.

BurntBottomPot of course means the burnt part of the bottom of the pot. Do not blame me jare, I like food. J So, I’m guessing that a couple of you know how much the slightly burnt bottom of Nigerian food tastes especially when you scrape it directly out of the pot? Imagine the BurntBottomPot of asaro or jollof spaghetti or jollof rice. Wouldn’t you agree that that’s the best part of the meal? So, I brought that concept to my blogging and since I consider myself a storyteller, I would like for my blog to become the BurntBottomPot of storytelling.

Which bloggers (that you didn't know before) have you met in real life?

I met with Diane of AfricanWardrobeDiary in Atlanta in March. She was very easy to interact with and we had lunch together, downtown. I have a couple of friends who blog but that was not the question. 


Who is/are your mentor(s)?

I have a few mentors for a couple of aspects of my life; people who I learn certain things from. My father and my mother are sort of my all-round mentors and so are my siblings (life wouldn’t give you better friends). In terms of African writing, Chris Abani, Uwem Akpan and Chimamanda Adichie are authors who I have read and adored. Shingai Shoniwa of the Noisettes' hair is mind-blowing and so is her sense of style from head to toe.  Jesus Christ is my ultimate mentor.


Are you writing a book, an anthology of poems or a memoir?

I am currently collecting my poetry and most likely may decide to publish later on. I am just not focusing in that direction yet, instead I am working on improving my writing. I would like to publish fiction in the near future but also, I am working on my writing. As for a memoir, thanks for the suggestion. I will now begin to consider that. 


When are you releasing your John Mayer sounding album?

I laughed out loud at this question. I would like to consider this a compliment; thank you. I would also like to conclude that John Mayer was mentioned because of my style of music. Oh well! I most likely will not be releasing an album now or ever. I do however sing with my family, friends and of course by myself. I also play my guitar and have performed music in front of audiences but that’s how far it goes. I am also on the worship team. My friends and I called ourselves EBONY (formed from the first letters of all our middle names) while we were in secondary school and sometimes when necessary, Ebony is awakened.


How many languages do you speak?

Alright, I am most fluent in English since it is my first language. I am pretty fluent in Yoruba and French and can communicate effectively in those. Pidgin English runs side by side with my blood. I do not understand how someone could like Pidgin the way I do. Edo is unfortunately the least fluent of all these.


The Proverbs?

Honestly, I was blown away by the number of questions I received on the proverbs especially to my e-mail address. I love African proverbs and wise sayings a lot because of the simplicity of the language used and the intricacy of their meanings. It takes a lot of wit to understand the depth of proverbs. I decided to bring them to my blog as a spice but it turns out some people come to my blog solely for the proverbs which I think is interesting. I get my proverbs from a couple of websites, books and my own knowledge from oral tradition. I think it is important to revive the art of using proverbs in our society. The art of proverbs hasn’t died down yet but it has drastically reduced.  

There we go, thanks for asking all these questions. Your comments, your questions, your critiques and your readership are the maggi to this pot. Maggi and Knorr are my favourite spices. 


You could still send me questions if you wish to ankaraandlace@yahoo.com and I will answer them as we go along. 

Alrighty, I think this is something that we all should share. So, if you wish, go ahead and do this.