How did you come up with the title for your book?
It came to me while watching an interview of Dele Farotimi on Arise News discussing the dystopic state of Nigeria just after the 2023 general elections. The display of impunity, disregard for rule of law and crimes against democracy perpatrared by a selected few against the average Nigerian is prove that the masses are not citizens. If the average Nigerian is a citizen, then they ought to have rights, and have those rights protected not forced into dictatorship disguised as democracy.
How long did it take you to write this book?
I’d say somewhere around twelve to eighteen months, of course due to my procrastination. “Then the fire Came” and “Ripples Have Made A Wave” were written very early on; “Olopa”, “Future History”, “This Niger Area”, and more were written much later around the second quarter of 2023.
What has helped or hindered you most when writing a book?
Tapping into emotions, reading and hearing personal experiences from close friends helped a lot. Making a buzz about what I’m working on, also reading publications of other amazing writers like Peter, Kerry and Keji helped me to commit myself to the book. This is not the first book I’ve written, but the first that got published.
For hindrances I’d say procrastination was the bane of this book.
What inspired the idea for your book?
There are stories we must tell so they are never forgotten, because when they are forgotten Justice can never be had. It almost seems as though many Nigerians have forgotten that they are citizens with rights backed by the constitution. It is a sad state. Citizen not only a reminder to what is owned us as citizens but also our role for a functional state.
What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Writing the story in-between. Most of the stories I write start off as fragments of idea on sticky notes. In those fragments is the direction of the plot accompanied with lots uncertain events. Having to merge them together, writing the events in-between the climaxes is what I struggle with most.
What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing?
“Olopa”, it was tough, emotional just as “The Fire Came” (but that was easier to write). It is an appalling event that still claims many to this day.
What part of the book was the most fun to write?
“Ripples Have Made A Way” has to be the most fun for me. It is a relaxed plot, not as blue as other stories.
What’s your favorite and least favorite part of publishing?
My favourite part of publishing is when someone buys the book. No, it’s not for the monetary gains but it is satisfying to know that people are listening to the voice I’m putting out in public. There is a sense of fulfilment that comes with it.
When you’re writing an emotional or difficult scene, how do you set the mood?
There is this thing I do to reconnect to the subject of the story I’m writing; I turn to a photo, a sound or smell that reminds me of the theme of the story. it helps me to spark a creative memory or fictional scenery.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Generally from personal interactions with people with first hand knowledge of events. Also from reading up a lot of personal expreinced published on social platforms.
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/whizdomtalks
YouTube:
https://youtube.com/channel/UCcYTIJdx7r1L7jEtoae2A8Q
Book link:
https://www.selar.co/01135n