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.