Ask the Author: Tolu' Akinyemi
Answered Questions (5)
Tolu' Akinyemi
I sharpen my axe.
Tolu' Akinyemi
We are sorry. Jollof is finished.
Tolu' Akinyemi
I got the inspiration for (the title of ) my recent book from the conversation of strangers on Twitter.
Tolu' Akinyemi
We write when we have found a great idea to write about. But how do you stumble upon a great idea? It's by being very observant and applying insights to your observations.
The richest source of great ideas for creativity is our environment; events, people, things around us. When an architect is out and about, what do they pay attention to? Buildings. When a fashion enthusiast goes around town, what do they observe? It's people and what they are wearing. The same applies to mechanics and cars, frugal spenders and discounts.
A writer can look within, but must also be keenly on the lookout in their environment, for stories and unique perspectives from which to tell them, as they abound around us beyond measure and unfold faster than we can catch them.
Unique stories exist in random, mundane, everyday events and objects. Everything has a story.
That car-squashed mathematics set by the side of a dusty road tells a story; It slipped out of a playful and distracted child's school bag as he walked home from school with his also-playful- and-distracted friends. He won't realise he had lost it until he gets home to do his assignment, and he will get scolded by his mother. It's the 3rd set he's lost in two terms.
Stories lie in the conversations of strangers; if you look closely, you'll realise that the woman to your left, on your crowded bus, is not really listening to her companion. It's been a busy hot day and she's tired. She's only nodding and feigning interest to be polite. All she wants to do is get home, have a shower and sleep. And that lady, walking past into your estate, tugging at her back, is clearly in discomfort. She bought a bra in the wrong size, and she can't wait to get home and yank the little demon off.
There are limitless stories around us, unfolding faster than we can write about them, if only we can open our eyes.
These might seem like trivial stories on the surface, but they are not. It's the seemingly simple experiences that help us explain and understand more essential issues of life. For example, the boy who lost his mathematics set learnt his first life lessons about consequences and responsibility, value for money and the dignity in labour. Why? His mother told his father and he made him work to pay for a new one.
The richest source of great ideas for creativity is our environment; events, people, things around us. When an architect is out and about, what do they pay attention to? Buildings. When a fashion enthusiast goes around town, what do they observe? It's people and what they are wearing. The same applies to mechanics and cars, frugal spenders and discounts.
A writer can look within, but must also be keenly on the lookout in their environment, for stories and unique perspectives from which to tell them, as they abound around us beyond measure and unfold faster than we can catch them.
Unique stories exist in random, mundane, everyday events and objects. Everything has a story.
That car-squashed mathematics set by the side of a dusty road tells a story; It slipped out of a playful and distracted child's school bag as he walked home from school with his also-playful- and-distracted friends. He won't realise he had lost it until he gets home to do his assignment, and he will get scolded by his mother. It's the 3rd set he's lost in two terms.
Stories lie in the conversations of strangers; if you look closely, you'll realise that the woman to your left, on your crowded bus, is not really listening to her companion. It's been a busy hot day and she's tired. She's only nodding and feigning interest to be polite. All she wants to do is get home, have a shower and sleep. And that lady, walking past into your estate, tugging at her back, is clearly in discomfort. She bought a bra in the wrong size, and she can't wait to get home and yank the little demon off.
There are limitless stories around us, unfolding faster than we can write about them, if only we can open our eyes.
These might seem like trivial stories on the surface, but they are not. It's the seemingly simple experiences that help us explain and understand more essential issues of life. For example, the boy who lost his mathematics set learnt his first life lessons about consequences and responsibility, value for money and the dignity in labour. Why? His mother told his father and he made him work to pay for a new one.
Tolu' Akinyemi
A writer is not someone who wishes to be. It's not someone who studied a creative writing art in school; A writer is someone who writes, so whether it's bad or not, just write and write. The more you do something, the better you become at doing it.
Read. Read anything and everything. Every great writer is first a great reader.
Network more. Submit to competitions and prizes, it’s a good way to build confidence, improve and get noticed. Attend events. Learn and learn and learn as much as you can. Read as much as you can. Put yourself out there more, (Don’t be afraid to) ask for help. Establish relationships with people ahead of you on the same journey.
Work harder; ‘talentless’ harworker trumps a ‘talent-full’ sloth.
Read. Read anything and everything. Every great writer is first a great reader.
Network more. Submit to competitions and prizes, it’s a good way to build confidence, improve and get noticed. Attend events. Learn and learn and learn as much as you can. Read as much as you can. Put yourself out there more, (Don’t be afraid to) ask for help. Establish relationships with people ahead of you on the same journey.
Work harder; ‘talentless’ harworker trumps a ‘talent-full’ sloth.
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