Upcoming writers must never relent and be subjected to any form of intimidation – Kehinde Gbadeyanka

UPCOMING WRITERS MUST NEVER RELENT AND BE SUBJECTED TO ANY FORM OF INTIMIDATION – KEHINDE GBADEYANKA

Kehinde Gbadeyanka is a playwright and political activist. A member of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers and a fellow of the Ebedi Writers Residency.  In this interview with Wole Adedoyin, the Chief Executive Officer of The Assembly of Potentials (TAP), an NGO aim at enhancing and discovering of new talents shared with us his literary life and other facts surrounding his writing career.

WHY DO YOU WRITE?

KG: I write to correct the ills and iniquities in the society and by doing so we have a better and tranquil society.

SYNW: WHICH PLAYWRIGHT DO YOU ADMIRE?

KG: I really admire Ola Rotimi because of his aesthetics and uniqueness in creativity

SYNW: DESCRIBE THE ROUTE TO YOUR FIRST DRAMA BEING PUBLISHED…

KG: I have not published any works of mine but one is on the way. I have written many works. One of it will come out before the end of this year, I will invite the army of writers for launching by God's grace. The issue of novel coronavirus also caused a kind of disturbance.

SYNW: WHAT ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW? ARE THERE ANY AUTHORS (LIVING OR DEAD) THAT YOU WOULD NAME AS INFLUENCES?

KG: The Boys At The Border by Dr. Wale Okediran, The Gods are not to blame by Ola Rotimi and my manuscripts. If I should mention the living Juggernauts in writing and literary activism that influence me, they are doing very well in this writing industry and have contributed immensely to the sustenance and stability of this industry. They are Dr. Wale Okediran (Creative writing and literary organization),  Hon.Wole Adedoyin (literary activism). God will continue to bless them.

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

KG: The Boys At The Border, it really made me understand that one can't stay in power for long and at the same time every corruption act has nemesis. Permit me to use this Yoruba adage" Bope titi epo atan lenu, which literally means everything can't last.

WHAT ARE YOUR 10 FAVORITE BOOKS —AND WHY?

KG: The boys at the border, it teaches moral
The Gods are not to blame, it depicts Africa's tradition and norms
Lonely Days, teaches gender discriminations
Native sons, portrays racism and immoral acts and it's nemesis.
Sweet sixteen, teaches obedience
Trial of troubadour, teaches endurance.
Woman of Owu, also teaching obedience
Woman in her prime, depicts perseverance.
And last but not the least, Blinkard entertains but of its comic way of presenting it

SYNW: FAVORITE FILMS?

KG: I like all the films produced by Tunde Kelani.

SYNW: FAVORITE MUSIC?

KG: Well, I like traditional musics, I like Ayinla Omowura , Epo akara and K1..I do learn from their classic presentation.. I also prefer Barrister.

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

KG: If I have a book club I will make sure the visiting writers read and discuss issues that can make our society a better one. Sadistic acts must be left out of society.

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

KG: Dr. Wale Okediran’s - The Trial of the Troubadour and his other works

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

KG: Laughs.. I'm so strict and tough. I don't condole indolence. And lastly, I like to accommodate people. Well, to talk about my inspiration, when I listen to music or words from aged people. The inspiration overwhelms me.

SYNW: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO AN ASPIRING PLAYWRIGHT?

KG: They should cultivate the habit of reading, researching and attending creative writing workshops. They must never relent and be subjected to any form of threatening. Writers are voices for the voiceless.

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.

KG: I want my readers to know that nobody can lay claim to know all things. We, writers are not angels but messengers so as a result of this we can make mistakes and you correct us politely. Thanks. Honorable, as I am fondly called. I like to travel, I don't like to eat much and I always have interest in political issues.