I always write whenever I have a story to tell – Sakinah Yusuf

 

SYNW INTERVIEW SERIES FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, 2020

 

I ALWAYS WRITE WHENEVER I HAVE A STORY TO TELL – SAKINAH YUSUF

 

Sakinah Yusuf is an essayist and children literature writer. She is currently the Coordinator of SYNW in BUK (Bayero University). In this brief interview with Wole Adedoyin, she shared with him some facts surrounding her writing career.

 

SYNW: WHY DO YOU WRITE?

 

SY: I write because I have a story to tell, to unburden my thoughts and create a world from my imagination.

 

SYNW: WHICH WRITER DO YOU ADMIRE?

 

SY: The author I admire is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

 

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

 

SY: I am currently reading "The thing around your neck" Authors that influence me are Paul Coelho and SE Hinton.

 

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

 

The book that influenced me was "The Alchemist" by Paul Coelho because it educates us about following our personal legend "our dreams" and by trusting our hearts, we can achieve it.

 

SYNW:  WHAT ARE YOUR TEN FAVORITE BOOKS AND WHY?

 

SY: I have a difficult time choosing top ten favourite books but here they are; The Outsiders, The Pelican Brief, Then She Was Gone, The Diary Of Anne Frank, The Couple Next Door, The Fault in our Stars, Getting away from murder, One of us is lying, Things a Brother Knows and lastly, Night by Elie Wiesel

 

SYNW: FAVORITE FILMS?

 

SY: My favorite films ranges from my tribal films, horror, Korean and Indian: Hunger Games, The curse of Illarona, It, The Exorcist, The shining, Vagabond, Quiet Place, Five feet apart

Midnight sun, While I was sleeping

 

SYNW: FAVORITE MUSIC?

 

SY: My favorite music goes to Maher Zain collections

 

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

 

SY: If I had a book club, I would chose Zayd Ibn Isah's upcoming book "We are all book". With the way things are going In this country,it captures ideas to Ponder On. It is a satire.

 

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

 

My favorite books to give out are books by Sarah J Mass and Agatha Christie and my favourite books to receive as gifts are self help books

 

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

 

SY: I love books, movies and food. During my primary school days, I was inspired by my headmaster in school then. He would forced us to buy "Ralia; the Sugar Girl", by then I hated  reading. I loved watching movies more than anything other thing. But the way he would read each chapter and describe it to us with passion made me to be interested in the book and reading generally. He made that book sounded like I was watching a movie. My dad also inspired me. I remembered he would gift us books and compelled us to summarize them.  I like being engrossed in a good book and feeling satisfied by the ending.  

 

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.

 

I like meeting people who I can discuss deep issues such as books, movies, politics and nature.

I dislike junk foods, noisy eating, laziness and idle talks. My interests include Learning new recipes, history; that's why I love visiting museums and reading historical facts. I also love researching a lot about Nature and psychological issues. My hobbies include cooking, writing and watching basketball games. My favorite place to unwind is a quiet secluded place surrounded by nature wonders; perfect place to deep think and unwind