I Love and Cherish Constructive Criticisms more than Commendations – Izunna Okafor

I LOVE AND CHERISH CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISMS MORE THAN COMMENDATIONS – IZUNNA OKAFOR

Izunna Okafor is the National Secretary of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) and the initiator of Chinua Achebe Annual Literary Festival. In this interview with Wole Adedoyin, the journalist, Igbo language activist, publicist, literary coach and organizer shared with us his literary life, activism and other facts surrounding his writing career.

1. SYNW: WHY DO YOU WRITE? 

IZUNNA OKAFOR: I write because I'm called to write. The same way some are called for one thing or the other, others are also called to write. I'm into various forms of writing, cutting across creative writing, journalism, speech writing, academic writing, and others. Even when I don't want or feel like writing, I still see myself writing. And I won't feel relieved if I don't write, until I do so. Writing is a gift. Writing is my gift. These collectively preach that writing is my calling.

2. SYNW: WHICH NOVELISTS DO YOU ADMIRE?

IZUNNA OKAFOR: It depends on what 'admiring'/'admiration' means to you. To me, to admire basically means to like or regard someone or something with respect or warm approval, especially because of unique qualities they possess or exhibit.

So, having said this, I admire every novelist. It is not easy to write. So, every writer, in general, deserves a measure of admiration. And I admire them all.

3. SYNW: DESCRIBE THE ROUTE TO YOUR FIRST NOVEL BEING PUBLISHED.

IZUNNA OKAFOR: My first book was published in 2012, during my final year in secondary school, at Community Secondary School Ebenator, Nnewi South L.G.A. of Anambra State. I had earlier been writing and dumping in my lockers, both in school and at home, without publishing any. 

Aside that I was not privileged to  have a mentor to guide me on how to go about publishing any of the manuscripts; my family background made it somewhat financially uneasy to fund the publication, knowing fully well that self-publishing was the only option available to me. 

Be it as it may, being a rural secondary school student, I was updating my pocket then through some menial works I was doing after school hours, on weekends and during holidays, such as cutting riped palm fruits for people, tilling the lands (during family season), packing sands from gutters and in rivers, among other such works that trended in the village then. But I was committing a greater tranche of this to support my studies in funding my studies.

To cut the long story short, a good friend of mine then and now, by name, Chidiebere Austin Ojiego, who was also a young writer and hustler like myself, independently published one of his own manuscripts to book when he was about wrapping up his secondary school studies. He was a-year ahead of me in school then. But that single act motivated me. 

I then started working harder and saving more, from which I eventually elicited some naira notes (barely a year later) and published my own book — Ikem's Adventure during my final year in the secondary school. The returns I earned from the sale of the book helped launched me into the university. And ever since then, I have continued to write and publish, both in hard and soft copies till today.

4. SYNW: HOW HAS HAVING A PUBLISHER HELPED YOU?

IZUNNA OKAFOR: Because I do self publishing, I do not necessarily have one publisher. However, being a young, I would say my publishers have commendably offered some advisory helps that have helped my writing career and publishing, in one way or the other.

5. SYNW: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO AN ASPIRING NOVELIST?

IZUNNA OKAFOR: We have many writers and few readers today. And that is bad. I would advise an aspiring writer to read ardently and write ardently. Passion and creativity should drive his pen, interest and aspiration. He shouldn't write to be called a writer; rather, he should write because he is a writer. 

Again, writers (especially bourgeoning ones) should not always be in haste to publish their works, so as to minimize errors chance and mistakes of any kind associated with writing and publishing. They should always work, re-work, and re-re-work on their manuscripts, and ensure it passes through third party(ies)/ editor(s) before publishing it. And they should always be ready for  and open to criticism.

Also, no writer should also write to win awards or recognitions. Passion should be the driving factor behind their writings. Awards, recognitions and other such incentives are good, (of course I have won some); and I would advise writers to submit their suitable works for any if opportunity calls. Of course, it is one of the ways a writer appraises the worth/quality, acceptability or impacts of his pencraft and literary products. They (awards and recognitions) are desiderata, but should be seen as appendages, incentives and appraisal factors, not as nitty-gritty of writing.

6. SYNW: WHAT ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW?

IZUNNA OKAFOR: I am reading "The Forlorn Fate" by Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, and "Akọ Na Uche" by Prof. Fidelis Onwudufor. One day off, one day on, for each.

7. SYNW: ARE THERE ANY AUTHORS (LIVING OR DEAD) THAT YOU WOULD NAME AS INFLUENCES? 

Izunna Okafor: Chinua Achebe, Sefi Atta, Olaudah Equiano, Chimamanda Adichie, F.C. Ogbalu, F.O.F. Onwudufor, Pita Nwana, Marie Arana, Annie Dillard, Christopher Okigbo, Pita Ejiofor, Chuka Nnabuife, Chima Ugokwe, Godwin Udagbor, Ann Handley, and host of many others.

8. SYNW: WHAT WAS THE BOOK THAT MOST INFLUENCED YOUR LIFE — AND WHY?

Izunna Okafor: Bible. Why? Because it is Bible. It is the most consummate book on earth. It is also the only book that contains and touches all aspects of literature, cutting across drama, prose and poetry, as well as literary techniques..

9. SYNW: WHAT ARE YOUR 10 FAVOURITE BOOKS, AND WHY?

IZUNNA OKAFOR: 

*Bible, because it's Bible (as I said earlier). 

* My books —they are works of my own hands.

* Omenuko (by Pita Nwana), because it brought Igbo Language into the world's map of literature, being the first novel to be published in Igbo Language. And I am an Igbo language activist and writer. So I'm always happy each time I read the novel.

* The Writing Life (by Annie Dillard); Bird by Bird (by Anne Lamott), Everybody Writes (by Ann Handley); Your Right To Write (by Muhammed Abdullahi Tosin). These books made me a better writer than I used to be.

*Mmanu E Ji Eri Okwu; Ako Na Uche (by F.O.F Onwudufor). I have read these two books over and over; and I will continue reading them as long as I remain an Igbo language writer and activist. The books (authored by a Reverend Father) continue to improve my masterful usage of Igbo proverbs in my Igbo writing and Igbo poetry performance.

* Abụ Akwamozu (by Prof. Sam Uzochukwu) which I read back then in my secondary school was the first book that familiarized me with Igbo poetry and its writing.

* The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano (an autobiography of Olaudah Equiano) is one of the most interesting autobiographies I have ever read. It also made me 'witness' (in pages of book) what the slave trade was actually like. 

I also love "Think Big"; and "Gifted Hands" (both by Ben Carson).

10. SYNW: FAVORITE FILMS? 

IZUNNA OKAFOR: I don't always have enough time to watching movies. But I love war films, documentaries and historical movies.

11. SYNW: FAVORITE MUSIC? 

Izunna Okafor: I do not have any favourite music in particular. I like every good music with good message. But I have more preference for traditional music, hymns, praises and worship songs.

12. SYNW: IF YOU HAD A BOOK CLUB, WHAT WOULD IT BE READING — AND WHY?

IZUNNA OKAFOR: Everything literature. 

Why? Different people have diverse interests when it comes to book, literature, and work of art in general. And, considering this, it would be witty to give everyone a sense of belonging whenever opportunity calls for that.

13. SYNW: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BOOKS TO GIVE — AND GET — AS GIFTS? 

IZUNNA OKAFOR: My books are the favourite books I can give as gift. And I would accept any good book given to me as a gift.

14. SYNW: GIVE US THREE "GOOD TO KNOW" FACTS ABOUT YOU. BE CREATIVE. TELL US ABOUT THE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR WRITING. 

IZUNNA OKAFOR: I commit a minimum of five to six hours to book/writing daily. 

*I am a novelist, poet, essayist, journalist, reader, editor, Igbo language activist, publicist, literary coach and organizer, translator, administrator, teacher, learner, keyboardist, and electrician. I am also the initiator of Chinua Achebe Literary Festival.

*I write fluently in Igbo and English languages, and have published enormously in both. 

15. SYNW: WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT YOUR READERS TO KNOW? CONSIDER HERE YOUR LIKES AND DISLIKES, YOUR INTERESTS AND HOBBIES, YOUR FAVORITE WAYS TO UNWIND — WHATEVER COMES TO MIND. INSPIRATION INCLUSIVE.

IZUNNA OKAFOR: I love and cherish constructive criticisms more than commendations, notwithstanding from whom they are coming. I like being in midst of writers and readers of any status, knowing fully well that iron sharpens iron, and that learning ends in grave. 

* I cannot go out without pen in my pocket, and paper in my wallet. It started since my secondary school days, to the credit of creative writing, and recently, of journalism.

My inspiration comes unannounced. And if I do not pen it down, it may evanesce.

Though, I recently learnt to use my phone's note and its recorder to chronicle the ideas and inspirations as they come (and these are swifter alternatives, and more secure too); I still find it very difficult to go out without pen and paper. What if my phone disappoints me?

*Writing-and-journalism-related engagements obsess me from social media, and I currently have more than 6000 unread WhatsApp messages (though group messages inclusive), innumerable Facebook notifications, and a plethora of Facebook messages. Ruefully, some of my Facebook and WhatsApp friends misunderstand it to be pride, that I do not chat or reply their social media messages promptly as they desire, even when my status shows 'online'. 

However, that is never true but a mere surmise and misinterpretation, as I see no single foredeal in pride. My parents taught me humility, and that has been an integral part of my success stories. So what do I gain from pride, when I don't even see myself as one who has achieved much?

Everything here boils down to chance.

When you have manuscripts to complete, bunch of the books to edit (especially for young writers, some of whom are usually overzealous), journalism works to do (which is a daily time-demanding routine) and other such engagements dunnig for attention; prioritizing social media chatting above them wouldn't be a wise or rational decision. It won't help your career and profession in any way. Unknowingly to many people, such a wrong prioritization could even land a writer in writer's block, if care is not taken.

I stopped giving regular and prompt attention to social media and social media chatting during my undergraduate days in the university, as I was so committed to my studies, doing tutorials on different courses for students (of my department and other departments), writing, and working as a journalist and a freelancer, in addition to other engagements and other things I was doing then —all as a student. 

Be it as it may, having known that I am not always available for and prompt in social media chatting, I answer, and can call or speak with friends for a very long duration on phone call. I prefer calls and text messages to chatting, because the former are less time consuming.

Again, some people like sending endless messages to retain you 'online' whenever you attempt to reply them promptly. You know there are many types of friends. So, that's another reason I prefer calls because, the more you are online replying messages as they come in, the more you keep receiving messages. 

But one thing is that I always apologize for my delayed response whenever I respond to people's messages. And I try as much as possible to make friends understand the reason behind that, so they won't mistake it for pride or something else. My apologies and regular speaking on phone with them have also gone a long way in proving the genuineness of my reason to them, and made them believe it's all about chance. It has also made most of them to understand, believe, tolerate and love me the more.

*I like reading and writing, teaching and learning. I also like dancing, just that I don't know how to dance. Both boys and girls have taught me that; yet, no way. I still don't know how I'll go about this on my wedding day. But that's still somewhat far anyway.

*I love ọja (wooden flute) so much, especially when I am performing poetry in Igbo language. Indeed, I love ọja so much. I also like and play keyboard (organ).

*Similar, I do and enjoy Mbem —ịma mbem, which is an Igbo poetry chant. It is a blend of poetic speech and song wrapped into one (delivered in Igbo language).

*Concerning my favourite ways to unwind, it depends on where I am at the time in question —village or city. 

When in village, I unwind by 'dismantling' a plateful of well-garnished abacha (African salad or tapioca) with dry fish, while also sipping from a calabash of fresh pamlwine to help its journey down the oesophagus.

In the city (where the availability and naturality the above food and drink are in doubt), I go for a chilled bottle of milky content, with anything crunchy or crispy.

*I react a lot to wrong English, and I am somewhat inquisitive —the two 'natural' traits that denied me (my dreamt) first class in the university. One of my lecturers scathingly hated me for these, termed it "ITK", (which I eventually understood to mean 'I Too Know'); and thus, began to 'throttle my results' because of those that. 

It happened to the extent that my fellow students who I (as a tutor) was teaching the lecturer's courses and other courses that time started scoring better than I tutored them (with great margin) whenever results of the lecturer's courses came out. That was a cross I carried till I graduated, after a series of unfecund reports to higher authorities. That was my most hideous experience in the university, but that is Nigerian university for you. Though my result was excellent and among the best when we graduated; I was not happy that I did not make first class. There was just a second hiatus between my result and first class.

However, knowing that I have what worth more than first class, and being optimistic and sure that my success is not dependent on certificate; I had to move on with life.

And today, here am I.

For more information about Society of Young Nigerian Writers, kindly send your mail to societyofyoungnigerianwriters@gmail.com or woleadedoyin@gmail.com or call +2348072673852