Being a budding writer, I’ve come to the discovery that I had given less gratitude to the literary world. I have read quite a few novels, articles, poems etc and had thought what goes into making those fine piece of materials wasn’t much of an herculean task. I had infact laughed at grammatical errors and disputed some statements ignorantly. Though I never dreamt of developing later interest in writing but over the years, my horizon had been broadened through the works of not only established writers but also student writers in the same age bracket with me. I came to the discovery that in virtually everyone is that ability to write, all it takes are guts, self-confidence, being open to criticisms etc.
Writing isn’t as easy as conceiving the idea. In actual fact, the conceptual stage is what I find most easy but there comes the inevitable ‘construction’ where I’d have to put my thoughts together in a stringed well-laid out pattern and format. I do not give credence to my writing ability though but to some extent, I think I’ve fared well considering that I didn’t learn literature in the walls of a class, same can be said of quite a few writers too. Before typing out my thoughts, I always have it at the back of my mind that I wouldn’t be assessed by myself but by my readers who would painstakingly make out time to digest my long articles. So, I make my readers’ interest paramount in terms of perception. Before conceiving an idea or thought, I try finding an inspiration. I surrender my ‘sixth sense’ to wild imaginations if need be, I go out of my way to think outside of the box. Mostly, I draw my inspiration from the environment because from keen observation, I’ve come to a resolution that there is a modicum of literary in our daily activities. Continually observing my environment as kept me thus far in that I always have things to write about. I try to desist from writing abstract or science fictions as much as possible not because I don’t find it interesting but because of I want to create a form of leverage which cuts through all facets without affiliation with a discipline.
One thing I’ve always tried to avoid is using too many uncommon grammars to create a picture that I have them at my fingertips when I could have ‘tempered justice with mercy’ by using words which conveys the same meaning without changing the course of the message. I don’t want to subdue my potential reader to the punishment of having to consult the dictionary every second just to fathom what I’m trying to explain. We are fond of saying grammars in this country, no doubt but I’m opined to the belief that a good literary work should be quite flexible and easy to understand, else you may begin to wonder if the title of my article is ‘Grammar’.
When I set my writing format and having edited and checked my lines, I look for loopholes in the form of wrongly using a word in a context which may have changed the entire meaning of a line. I try my best to avoid ‘wandering’ that is writing too many things that has no meaning or can easily be perceived to be a repetition. Since no man is an island of knowledge,I show my writings to a few friends. Even if I doubt your ability, I don’t underrate because there may be that one thing which could have been the whole article in a great jeopardy, making a mess of time and energy.
Making my article very lively is also utmost in my literary world therefore I lay emphasis on my first opening since I know most people get bored while reading and the only thing that makes a reader curious about a write up is that element of suspense. Therefore I don’t start my writings with gibberish. My opening paragraph is the sunlight, it should wake my reader from his slumber and safely guide him through the article to the sunset where I have my closure. I believe the reverse shouldn’t be the case else I would have failed as a writer and would have succeeded in denting the tenements of the literary greats like Williams Shakespeare. I wouldn’t want to disappoint the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier while practicing as an Architect either. So it wouldn’t augur well to murder literature for not only its proponents but its students.
One vital thing I cherish among other things is also constructive criticism. In the appraisal of my writing by my reader, I’m always open to constructive criticism though it must be backed with prove and facts. I remember in one of my articles (IF EVE HAD COME FIRST), I quoted a certain verse in the bible but it was strongly argued by a reader. I had to read the verse over 5 times to be sure I wasn’t being deliberately impossible until I discovered the reader had actually quoted another verse of the same chapter without taking the pain to be sure it was the correct verse.
In all this, it is important to note that the literary world can’t be exhausted and the earth is just a planet where good things and stories abound. As a final year student of Architecture, I find the literary world a world where I can freely express myself without being queried, a world where it doesn’t necessarily require the four walls of the classroom before its mystery is appreciated. So everyday, I try coming to full grasp with the rudiments of literature. Having the flare for writing is all that is needed and you can’t hope to be a good writer if you don’t inculcate reading habits in your schedule. Try reading through any material and don’t be scared by the size of the book, the Lord Almighty knows what he was doing before hiding the treasures of the world deep beneath the earth crust. Miners and explorers don’t get scared or discouraged by depth, you shouldn’t be intimidated by that big book and besides it isn’t until the size of the book tower from the ground to the roof. You can read virtually anything as long as it passes a good message, accidentally you’d be improving your literary mind.
Written By:
OKUSANYA AFOLARIN TEMIDAYO
arc.afolarin@yahoo.com
+2348056870511
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