Poetry is life and words make it more thrilling - Adesegun Adefeyintola Adejoke

 

SYNW INTERVIEW SERIES FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER, 2020

 

POETRY IS LIFE AND WORDS MAKE IT MORE THRILLING - ADESEGUN ADEFEYINTOLA ADEJOKE

 

Adesegun Adefeyintola Adejoke is a budding poet and a member of SYNW UNILAG Chapter. She is currently studying Philosophy at the University of Lagos. In this brief interview with Wole Adedoyin, the author of an upcoming collection of poems titled “Love’s Encore” shared with him some facts surrounding her life and writing career.

 

SYNW: WHY ARE YOU A POET?

 

ADEFEHINTOLA: First, I will say it is about the Expression, there are so many things I come across in my daily activities- right at home or anywhere I go to, so being a poet stems from expressing my thoughts about things that happens generally. Poetry is life and words make it more thrilling.

 

SYNW: WHAT POETS DO YOU ADMIRE?

 

ADEFEHINTOLA: Well, literature is diverse and gives room for exploration of different concepts. So I mostly read randomly and find some development that fascinates me but I love those of Maya Angelou

 

SYNW: WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

 

ADEFEHINTOLA: Everything inspires me, environment, my life and especially music too.

 

SYNW: TELL US ABOUT A NORMAL WORKING DAY?

 

ADEFEHINTOLA: I am still a student of University of Lagos, Department of Philosophy. So I stay at my mum shop now due to the strike. I am also an active online user and spend time downloading novels and music.

 

SYNW: HOW DO YOU WRITE?

 

ADEFEHINTOLA: I write anytime muse comes, most times, my poetry is defined by what I am thinking about and there are times I might start a piece and leave it for sometimes before I continue and other times I usually call it " The Midnight Snack" I get most of my ideas at night.

 

SYNW: WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS BEHIND A POEM?

 

ADEFEHINTOLA: There is a specific form of expression that strikes when I have an idea for a poem and the next process is defining what the poem is about before I find words that convey the actual intent and they are most times difficult to find. It is what makes Poetry distinct.

 

SYNW:  DESCRIBE YOUR ROUTE TO BEING PUBLISHED

 

ADEFEHINTOLA: I am not yet published. The first thing a poet should recognize and do is building an audience- very important, and internet has made it easier to submit your works to different online literary magazines.

 

SYNW:  WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE TO AN ASPIRING POET?

Making money should not be your first priority. Write and be consistent with it even if it can be frustrating and always let your readers connect with your work.

 

SYNW: WHAT (IF ANY) SORTS OF EDITORIAL CHANGES DID THE MANUSCRIPT GO THROUGH? DID YOU WORK THROUGH YOUR AGENT AND /OR EDITORS WITHIN THE PUBLISHING HOUSE?

 

ADEFEHINTOLA: No I didn't go through any of this means, but I have friends who are also poets and writers ( Expegbue Stanley"leystan" and Olarinoye Jamiu" epiphany”) and also Akinola Tosin, who has a flair for Arts who I usually send my poems to for reviews.

 

SYNW: FINAL QUESTIONS (PROMISE); DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR YET TO BE PUBLISHED WRITERS READING THIS?

 

ADEFEHINTOLA: Well, all I can say is that just keep Writing and Reading and never relent. Consistency is key.

 

SYNW: TALK TO US ABOUT YOUR WRITING ROUTINE, WHAT'S A TYPICAL WRITING DAY FOR YOU?

 

ADEFEHINTOLA: I write anytime as long as the place is quiet enough for me to Pierce through every muddled thought. Sometimes I use WPS on my phone to save ideas, makes use of creative writing apps and I also have a book where I write my poems.

 

SYNW: WHERE DO YOU WRITE FROM?

 

I write from anywhere I am. Either at home, shop or school just about anywhere that is comfortable for me to do so.

 

SYNW: ON THIS TOPIC WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO BUILD A PLATFORM AND GAIN READERSHIP?

 

ADEFEHINTOLA: I share my works on social platform like Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram.

 

SYNW: WEBSITE?

 

ADEFEHINTOLA: I have a blog on which I haven't really posted much. It can be located at 

https://ww181428069.wordpress.com

 

SYNW: FAVOURITE MOVIE?

 

ADEFEHINTOLA: My name is Khan, the fault in our Stars, Like stars on Earth, Titanic and currently Clouds.

 

SYNW: BEST PIECE(S) OF ADVICE WE HAVEN'T DISCUSSED?

ADEFEHINTOLA: There are times when we might not have inspiration to write even when we want to, I recommend that the best thing to do is take a stroll, listen to music or sleep- whatever catches your fancy. Poets should also enter available competition.

 

SYNW:  SOMETHING PERSONAL ABOUT YOU THAT PEOPLE MAY BE SURPRISED TO KNOW?

 

ADEFEHINTOLA: I am very shy and mostly quiet

 

SYNW: What's next?

 

ADEFEHINTOLA: Right now, I am looking forward to graduate and getting my works published.

 

Write what you know, write what you love, but develop your writing skills too - Oluwadarasimi Oyeyemi

SYNW INTERVIEW SERIES FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER, 2020

 

WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW, WRITE WHAT YOU LOVE, BUT DEVELOP YOUR WRITING SKILLS TOO - OLUWADARASIMI OYEYEMI

 

Oluwadarasimi Oyeyemi aka Simipen, is an undergraduate of Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Currently Studying English & Literature (double major). In this brief interview with Wole Adedoyin, the author of Expensive Cost shared with him some facts surrounding her life and writing career.

 

SYNW:  WHY DO YOU WRITE?

SIMI: Initially, I started writing after I took a sight of an orator's definition of talent, "What I find easy to do while others do not". Before then, I had always thought dancing is my talent until it became clear to me that it was just an hobby, not even anymore, I think I now feel as heavy as Chief Ade Amaka. Writing as a freelancer because I love to, I see writers as advocate for obscure minds, most importantly utilization of talent, then I imagined been paid for what I love doing.

SYNW: WHICH NOVELISTS DO YOU ADMIRE?

SIMI: George Elliot, Ola Rotimi, Wole Soyinka, Richard Wright, Bayo Adebowale, John Graham.

SYNW: DESCRIBE THE ROUTE TO YOUR FIRST NOVEL BEING PUBLISHED?

SIMI: My first book, 'Expensive Cost' was published while I was away from home, I mean I usually do not get fully involved in the publishing process since my printing press got registered. My mom do not wish to have me feel the onus of publication process, so once I present my manuscript, I leave the rest to her, by 'the rest', I mean the body constituting the publication process i.e Acquisition, Pre-Editing, Editing, Publishing, Approval, Distribution and Marketing.

Note, that anything printed  and disseminated can be described as publication, I had been an HIP publisher since the establishment of our agency, SWA team, Nigeria because I have to publish each member daily submission online.

SYNW: HOW HAS HAVING A PUBLISHER HELPED YOU?

SIMI:  I own a registered printing press and Yes, it is open to publication offers.

SYNW: IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU SERVICE YOU BOOKS?

 SIMI: By 'service', I would interpret your question to insinuate how I market my books? Like I have implied earlier, After Publishing, the most important step to take is Approval, once you get the government to approve your book, distributors would rush you.

SYNW: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING NOVELISTS?

SIMI:  To avoid writer's block, I'd love to appeal to all aspiring novelists to avoid the fear of incompetence, that feeling could massacre one's future.

SYNW: WHICH NOVELISTS DO YOU ADMIRE?

SIMI: Bayo Adebowale, Chinua Achebe, George Elliot, Richard Wright, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Frank Ogbeche.

SYNW: WHAT ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW?

SIMI: Adichie's Zikora

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

SIMI: Achebe's Things Fall Apart . I did not understand fully, the significance of this novel until the last Lekki Toll Gate Massacre. Ezendu to Okonwo: That boy calls you father, do not bear a hand in his death! We call them leaders, Yet they had their full hands in our death. I resist the urge to go further.

SYNW: WHAT ARE YOUR 10 FAVORITE BOOKS —AND WHY?

SIMI: i) Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe: Its relevance to my present societal predicament

ii) Widows might: Showcasing the possible resilience of African widow's is a whole big deal to me, prolly because my mom is one.

III) The Gods are not to blame by Ola Rotimi: Sincerely, I love everything about this book, Adaptation is my thing from time, I see Odewale as a victim of ill fate in the play

Iv) Native Son by Richard Wright: This American novel gave me thrills and doldrums subsequently.

V) Othello by William Shakespeare: Male Conscience and Psychology, I think a whole lot of African Men needs to read it, believing your own friend than your wife is the worst mistake you could ever make.

Vi)  Our husband has gone mad again: I laughed my ass out when I read this book. As a satire, It depicts the excesses of Nigerian politics, The Western Catholic woman could not tolerate the stress of Polygamy and this is why trouble struck

Vii) Mill on the Floss: This book is something to brag about, Mary Ann Evans (Victorian Era) successfully expatiated on the Women roles and Social pressure.

Viii) Refugees of the great Lakes by Doyin Aguoro : This is one play that I am yet to fully comprehend and relate with. Even at that, I love its themes of religion and ethics, I think there's a touch of horror though.

Ix) Faceless by Amma Darko: I enjoyed reading Faceless, the thought of Street life, Violence, Parental norms, theft, poverty and all that plus the important of NGOs in our modern society, MUTE saved FOFO.

X) Zikora: Adichie, my role model, She successfully explores the identity of women in their different roles.

SYNW: FAVOURITE MUSIC?

SIMI:  I do not have a favourite, that depends on mood oscillation.

SYNW: FAVOURITE MOVIE?

 V for Vendetta

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

SIMI: Gift me Achebe's series, would you love to read my 'Expensive Cost?

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

Neil Gaiman once said, 'I do not know myself, where these ideas really come from, what makes them come or whether one day, they will stop. However, I am sure that is the latest you want to see right now, so I'd tell you something: My inspiration deals with psychology, whether I am conscious or out of my mind, I write. The content differs though, Writing while I am fully conscious may birth write ups on prevailing issues be such as Rape, Bad Governance, Sexual Slavery and others, See 'Mr Lecturer' by me on our website, www.Simipen.com. Well, I agree with the poetic license idea, It is the deviation from facts for artistic purposes. I love to adhere to rules while writing to birth well constructed write-ups but I do not want to be restricted. A funny fact about me is the high feeling of being competent to handle tasks no matter how impossible it may seem. When I divided my agency into two: 'Give me poetry' and 'Fiction, my advocate', My audience enquired about the initiative which birthed that but I could not figure it out.

 

 

 

Young Writers should never give up when the journey gets tough - Peace Okpalanma

 

SYNW INTERVIEW SERIES FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, 2020

 

YOUNG WRITERS SHOULD NEVER GIVE UP WHEN THE JOURNEY GETS TOUGH - PEACE OKPALANMA

 

Peace Okpalanma is a Creative Writer, Essayist and a content creator. In this concise interview with Wole Adedoyin, she shared with him some brief facts surrounding her writing career and reading habit.

 

 

SYNW: MAY WE MEET YOU?

 

PEACE: My name is Peace Okpalanma

 

SYNW: WHY DO YOU WRITE?

 

PEACE: I write to Impact and to inspire. I believe that I can influence the world positively through writing.

 

SYNW: WHICH NOVELISTS DO YOU ADMIRE?

 

PEACE: I admire Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Wole Soyinka.

 

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

 

PEACE: I would advise every aspiring novelist to be teachable, commit themselves to learn the processes and never give up even when the journey gets tough.

 

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

 

PEACE: I am reading Zikora by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

 

SYNW: WHAT ARE YOUR 10 FAVORITE BOOKS —AND WHY?

 

PEACE: ➡️Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T Kiyosaki

➡️We should all be feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

➡️Things fall apart by Chinua Albert Achebe.

➡️48 laws of power by Robert Greene

 

 

SYNW: FAVORITE FILMS?

 

PEACE: ➡️Marshall

➡️A time to Kill

 ➡️Overcomer

➡️Lion Heart

 

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

 

PEACE: Inspirational books and books on personal development, self-worth and self- discovery.  This is because I write more of such books.

 

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

 

PEACE: Whenever I write, my ink flows from the stream of my thoughts, without obstruction.

I possess the ability to think critically and write down my thoughts clearly and concisely.

I have always loved articulating my thoughts and bringing my imaginations to life.

 

My writing prowess is one of my abilities that I'm proud of, I arrange my words in a manner that makes it unique.

 

➡️Inspiration for my writing:

 

My life has been built by a conscious desire to impact people's lives.

 

I get my inspiration from God.

I get my inspiration from issues that people encounter daily.

I get my inspiration from books, movies and my daily experiences.

 

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.

 

PEACE: I am teachable, I like learning a lot.

I like it when respect is given equally to everyone, irrespective of gender, status or age.

 

➡️I have interests in leadership, volunteering, Public speaking and Law.

 

➡️My favourite ways to unwind is to watch intellectual and law-related movies.