“Fall seven times, stand up eight. Tell a tall tale, end up great.”- Me

About Author :

Hello, I’m Ochuole Ode (Oh-Sha-Lay  Oh-Day). A Nigerian American girl who’s trying to fail forward. This is not a success story. At least, not yet. This is the prologue, the becoming, the before picture, if you will. I’m still striving, still reaching for the life I want to lead and the woman I want to be. And everyday I’m here is another day to try again, to strive again; another day to not be discouraged by my perceived ‘failures’ and lack of accomplishments. I’m waking up and saying, “Fuck it! I’m turning this shit into gold and I’m going to fail forward, meaning, I’m not going to stay down and I’m not going to give up. I’m going to be classy and graceful about these ‘set-backs’. This is my journey and I’m determined to find peace in the struggle.

So, I’m going to give you me-the me that’s going through it all, right now. Until I get to where I want to be, who I want to be, I’m going to write about it. Everything. The good, the bad, the past, the present and everything in between. I’m also going to tell tall tales. You’ll never 100% know if what you’re reading is completely autobiographical or even about my life at all, because I’m a fiction writer, and creating worlds and stories is what I do best. I’m going to weave some truth into my fiction and definitely add fiction to my truth. I’m also going to write your story. Yes, that’s right, yours-maybe even you who’s reading this right now. The stories you’ve shared with me over the years and given me permission to fictionalize and the memories and truths you’ve told that have inspired stories all on their own.

If you can relate to feeling like your life is not quite where you want it to be yet, this is the space for you. If you like stories and truth and adventure and great, big ideas, this is the space for you. If you’re just nosy and like to read while playing a guessing game of what’s true and what’s not, what is my life and what is yours, I’ve got room for you too. Welcome! Grab some libations and sugary goodies (or fat free, gluten free goodies-this is a judgement free zone…) and stay a while.