Young Writers should be patient, never be in a rush to the press

 

SYNW INTERVIEW SERIES FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, 2020

 

YOUNG WRITERS SHOULD BE PATIENT, NEVER BE IN A RUSH TO THE PRESS

 

Flourish, Joshua Molòlùwa is an Award-Winning Nigerian Poet & Author of "Arúgbó ń Ṣ'oge", his debut poetry chapbook. In this concise interview with Wole Adedoyin, he shared with him some brief facts surrounding his writing career and reading habit.

 

 WHY ARE YOU A POET?

MFJ: I do not think I intentionally and consciously chose to be a Poet. Poetry chose me and I let it lead me thus far.

 WHAT POETS DO YOU ADMIRE?

MFJ : Wale Ayinla, Nome Emeka Patrick, Logan February, Pamilerin Jacob, Theresa Lola, Romeo Oriogun . . . to name a few.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

MFJ: Anything & everything.

 TELL US ABOUT A NORMAL WORKING DAY:

MFJ: From time to time, everyday, poetry tends to come in. Or let me rather say, poetry clings to my neck like a cape, so that I bare it like a yoke while doing my day-to-day activities.

HOW DO YOU WRITE?

MFJ: Uniquely. Out of "the box". Poetically. In a way that if ART stopped by to read me, it'd appreciate me well.

WHAT’S YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS BEHIND A POEM?

MFJ: It could take me couple of days to brush up on a poem, because my thoughts are too wild. I use what are not related to what I want to portray, to talk about what I want to portray. Then I leave it for days to return to it with a fresh eye to spot errors or chaff.

DESCRIBE YOUR ROUTE TO BEING PUBLISHED…

MFJ: Everyone wants to get published. I mean, it's a good thing. Once I'm sure I am done with a poem, I send it out for publication. If it is rejected, I know they simply don't like it, and I'd send it elsewhere. I don't go back and forth on works I'm done with.

WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE TO AN ASPIRING POET?

MFJ: Never (ever) be in a hurry to getting published. Be patient with your art and in all you do, step out of the ordinary.

 

SYNW : FINAL QUESTION (PROMISE!): DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR THE YET-TO-BE-PUBLISHED WRITERS READING THIS?

MFJ : In deed and in truth, write things that haven't been stressed out already. Just find a great and (lonely) path to tread. If you're good, others will follow you with time. Be patient with your art. A great poem is better than a good manuscript.

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

MFJ: A lot of thinking, talking to myself, strolling to and fro, looking weird and everything in-between.

SYNW: WHERE DO YOU WRITE FROM?

MFJ: A very cold and serene estate in Ogun State.

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

MFJ: I do not think gaining readership is an automatic thing. I mean, it can't be purchased. A poem gains lot of readership by its madness and uniqueness. As for platforms, there are a lot of them.

SYNW: WEBSITE(S)?

MFJ: Not yet.

SYNW: Favorite movie?

MFJ: I barely see movies.

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

MFJ : In all you do, as a writer, step out of the ordinary.

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

MFJ : I am the (only) Yorùbá man who doesn't eat "swallow" foods.

SYNW:  WHAT’S NEXT?

MFJ: Doing greater things, heading for spotlights and writing more.

 

Flourish, Joshua Molòlùwa is an Award-Winning Nigerian Poet & Author of "Arúgbó ń Ṣ'oge", his debut poetry chapbook. His essay, "The Nexus", won 2rd runner-up at the 7th Ngozi Agbo Essay Competition. He was shortlisted for Pen On Fire Creative Writing Contest Season 1. He had had interview sessions with the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe and the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Mrs) Fọláṣadé Ogunsola. His poems are featured weekly in the bulletin of MFM Int'l Hqtrs Youth Church. He was performance poet at Dr. Taiwo Ojo's Book Launch, on CHANNELS TV, 2019. His poem, "There is a Way that Seemeth Right" was 1st runner-up at the Lagos-Badagry Poetry League. Flourish, Joshua Molòlùwa writes poetic prologues for Dr. D. K Olukoya's books. His poem, "Reincarnate", was anthologized in the fifth Chinụa Achebe Essay/Poetry Anthology. Presently, Flourish Joshua teaches Literature in a Secondary School in Lagos State and was recently nominated for the Best Messager Poet 2020 at the ZenPens Literary Award, 2020. His works have been published and are forthcoming in Rattle, Palette Poetry, Praxis Magazine, Beloit Poetry, Glass Poetry, AGNI magazine, Kalahari Review, African Writers, ZenPens, Poemify, NaijaHotstars, BellaNaija, and elsewhere. He writes from a serene and cold estate in Ogun State. You may find him on Instagram & Twitter @fjspeaks.

Young Poets should never be deterred by rejection, they should carve their own niche

 

 

SYNW INTERVIEW SERIES FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, 2020

 

YOUNG POETS SHOULD NEVER BE DETERRED BY REJECTION, THEY SHOULD CARVE THEIR OWN NICHE

 

Etumnu Emeka Williams is a poet and a playwright, he hails from Imo State, Nigeria. In this brief interview with Wole Adedoyin, the Coordinator of the Society of Young Nigeria Writers (SYNW) in Imo State shared with him some facts surrounding his life and writing career.

 

SYNW: WHY ARE YOU A POET?

 

EEW: I'm a poet because I enjoy poems a lot and being a poet gives me the opportunity to express how I feel about something.

 

SYWN: WHAT POETS DO YOU ADMIRE?

 

EEW: There are several good poets I admire the list is endless but particularly I admire Kofi Awoonor, J.P Clark, Denis Brutus, John Milton, L.S Senghor, Wole Soyinka, Graciano Enwerem, Amirah Al Wassif, Ovurume Emmanuel, Bright Etumnu, Anoruo O. Immaculata etc.

 

SYNW: WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

 

EEW: A lot of things inspire me as a poet but to be particular, nature, music, trends and situation either good or bad.

 

SYNW: TELL US ABOUT A NORMAL WORKING DAY.

 

EEW: Apart from writing poems and plays I am an academic researcher. I do a lot of research work in order to find solutions to problem in our society. I'm a real estate consultant too. If you need a house inbox me ASAP. 

 

SYNW: HOW DO YOU WRITE?

 

EEW: I write through inspiration. As they come I try as much as possible to trap them even with my phone. Writing through inspiration makes my work to flow effortlessly. Most times I write with my phone or laptop.

 

SYNW: WHAT’S YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS BEHIND A POEM?

 

EEW: Every poem should a have message it is passing across. As a result of this I'm always critical in my thought before I put down any line. Secondly, I always ask myself will my readers enjoy it this way or that way and I tried to make my poems poetic by trying to infuse poetic devices to beautify it. 

 

SYNW: DESCRIBE YOUR ROUTE TO BEING PUBLISHED...

 

EEW: At first, I was greeted with rejections but then I was determined in getting my works out there so that people can read and enjoy it. Luckily, the acceptance started coming during the lockdown period. At first, my work was accepted in the anthology of COVID-19 by the Society of Young Nigerian Writers and that paved the way for me. After that, my work entitled  "Island of skull" was published in Blood moon rising magazine a foreign magazine. My works appeared in the Chinua Achebe anthology, Get consent anthology, END SARS anthology and one of my poems was published in Upwrite Nigeria magazine. Sincerely, I'm happy that my works are published.

 

 

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

 

EEW: They should never be deterred by rejection. They should keep trying until they have the breakthrough. More so, they should study other successful poet and carve their own niche.

 

 

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

 

EEW: I don't have any particular day for writing I write as the inspiration comes. If I’m not dispose to write at length I will write the main idea somewhere or record it on my phone so that I don't forget it. 

 

SYNW: WHERE DO YOU WRITE FROM? 

 

EEW: I'm currently residing in Owerri Imo State, Nigeria.

 

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

 

EEW: For now I'm more focus in building good profile as a writer or poet because in most cases your outstanding profile can sell you out. Also, I'm leveraging on the social media platforms to get across to my readers. In no distant time I will create blog where my reader can have access to my work of art. However, currently I have some of my works on poemia, poemhunter, Allpoetry etc.

 

SYNW: FAVORITE MOVIE?

 

EEW: In 2020, my favorite movie is "Citations" a Nigerian movie but my lifetime favorite movie is "Merlin" I don't joke with that movie. If I may add another I will say "Spartacus"

 

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

 

EEW: All I have to say is that as a writer be dynamic and stay focus. Try as much as possible to pay attention to your environment. 

 

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

 

EEW: People think I'm that shy type but I'm not, just that I don't like talking too much.

 

I like books and I don't joke with them. I can give you all my clothes but not one of my books. I'm "book stingy" lol!

 

 

SYNW: WHAT’S NEXT?

 

EEW: By the grace of God I'll be publishing one of books next year. And that same next year I will like to see more members in SYWN in Imo State.

 

Young Poets should Explore the Internet for Greater Opportunities

 

SYNW INTERVIEW SERIES FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, 2020

 

YOUNG POETS SHOULD EXPLORE THE INTERNET FOR GREATER OPPORTUNITIES

 

 

Olatubosun David is a Nigeria writer and poet. He is also a member of PEN, Nigeria Centre. In this brief interview with Wole Adedoyin, the Coordinator of SYNW in Achievers University, shared with him some facts surrounding his life and writing career.

 

 

SYNW: WHY ARE YOU A POET?

 

OD: I didn't choose to be a poet. God made me one. It is important that you know that the gift of a man defines him, if he treasures and utilizes that gift.

 

SYNW:  WHAT POETS DO YOU ADMIRE?

 

OD: I admire every poet that writes what appeals to my emotion. There are a good number of established poets I admire such as Dike Chukwumerije, Mbizo Chirasha (Zimbabwean poet), Folu Agoi (the President of PEN, Nigeria Centre), Tony Marinho (a columnist in The Nations Newspaper), Sola Owonibi (the author of Homeless not Hopeless), Sunday Afolayan (the author of Beyond the Silent Grave), Demola Jolayemi (the author of Ode to Winnie Africa: Reminiscent Sonnets). I also read and admire some other young African writers like myself. 

 

SYNW: WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

 

OD: What I see, what I feel, what I hear, the happenings around me - good or bad.

 

SYNW:  TELL US ABOUT A NORMAL WORKING DAY…

 

OD: As a staff of higher institution (Achievers University, Ọ̀wọ̀), my normal working days are from Monday to Friday. And as a non teaching staff, there is no academic freedom, so I work from 8am to 5pm everyday. I still, however, find time to do things I fancy.

 

SYNW: HOW DO YOU WRITE?

 

OD: Different people have their own different writing styles.  Most of the time, I conceive ideas in form of a whisper. At times, I feel a burden upon my heart that propels me to write. Some other times, a line (which sometimes may later disappear in the body of the work) may just come to me. I would grab and quickly pen it down. Then, I would continue to nurse it until it matures as I write. 

 

SYNW:  WHAT’S YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS BEHIND A POEM?

OD: Nothing too special. Conceive an idea, nurture it and pen it. 

 

 

SYNW:  DESCRIBE YOUR ROUTE TO BEING PUBLISHED…

 

OD: I just make sure I don't despise any idea muse gives me. I write and send to online magazines and websites and anthologies. So far I have a number of published works online and hard copies.

 

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

 

OD: They should continue to read, read, read and write, write, write. 

 

 

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

 

OD: For now, I write and edit my poems myself and sometimes by my brother (Sunday Afolayan). Meanwhile, it's good for poems or other forms of writing to pass through editorial table for healing purposes. That is, it allows elimination of hidden mistakes, thereby making a literary work better and more suitable to the reading public. However, such must be competent hands.

 

 

SYNW:  FINAL QUESTION (PROMISE!): DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR THE YET-TO-BE-PUBLISHED WRITERS READING THIS?

 

OD: Yes. The advice I have for them is that they should follow the rules they have known (or may not have known) already. To continue to read and continue to write. They should believe in God and the gift He endowed to them. It's a perfect gift; even though no man is perfect. Yet persistence can make them better and better until they become the best of God (which is the best they can ever be). They should seek opportunities on the Internet. They shouldn't feel discouraged at rejection letters from editors. With time they can be the person of their dream. 

 

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

 

OD: Well, some people do have a particular day for writing but for me, I don't have a particular day of writing. I only write when the muse engages me. 

 

SYNW: WHERE DO YOU WRITE FROM?

 

OD: I write from Ọ̀wọ̀, Ondo State, Nigeria. 

 

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

 

OD: Like I said earlier, I submit my poems to online websites and also to local and international anthologies. I also post some of them on social media handles. 

 

SYNW: Website(s)?

 

OD: No

 

SYNW:  FAVORITE MOVIE?

OD: I like Yorùbá traditional movies and other ones that promote Africa culture and preserve our identity.

 

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

OD: No 

 

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

OD: Let it remain personal, please. 

 

SYNW: WHAT’S NEXT?

 

OD: My Christmas gift! Hahaha.  We all know Christmas is what's next. And maybe my birthday too which is December 27. Hahahaha.