WRITER'S BLOCK CAN BE FRUSTRATING SOMETIMES ESPECIALLY WHEN
ONE IS YET TO FIND THE TRICK AROUND IT – AYOOLUWA OLASUPO (IMISI)
Ayooluwa Olasupo (Imisi) is a Nigerian poet/writer
and practicing medical doctor currently based in Osogbo, Osun State Capital.
Her works have appeared in Christian Literary Hub's Anthology, Afritondo, The
Shallow Tales Review Literary Magazine, Eboquills, Shuzia. In this interview
with Wole Adedoyin, Imisi shares her writing experience and what her readers
should be expecting from her.
WA: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START WRITING?
IMISI: Writing
for me began as a spur, and what later transpired into a passion, then hobby
from childhood. It began from the enthusiasm I often experienced from wielding
a pen over the fresh page of a new book and I was notorious for always
"wasting" money, buying new exercise books during my childhood days.
As far back as I know, this art of buying new exercise books with the aim of
writing something on it was one of my greatest sources of excitement as a
child.
WA: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING?
IMISI: I have
been writing since I was 8. As at primary 4, I was through with the final draft
of my first creative book consisting of originally created stories, curated
quotable quotes, riddles, jokes, cartoons and so on. I rewrote this book over
and over until it was perfectly ready for print. My parents promised to print
the book for me and even now I can still see the pages in my mind, with the
calendar wrapped cover and my tiny handwriting in colourful pens. But the
printer died and in those days too, writing and other art related talents
were not often paid much attention to like it is today, so this was how I was
unable to publish my first book at age 8.
WA: WHEN DID YOU START WRITING?
IMISI: As
earlier answered above, I started writing 20 years ago.
WA: HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A WRITER?
IMISI: Yes I
have; since I was 8 as earlier stated.
WA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A NEW WRITER, SOMEONE JUST
STARTING OUT?
IMISI: I think
I'm also just starting out and the advice I'd give all of us is:
We need to keep learning, unlearning
and relearning. We need to not know so that we will be able to know; yet, we
need to know so that we can be confident of our craft, able to teach those
coming behind us.
WA: HOW DO YOU HANDLE WRITER’S BLOCK?
IMISI: I handle writer's block in different ways
depending on the situation.
Sometimes, I let myself stretch
beyond limit, melting the block rigorously with the wind of persistence over
hours to days until what is hard begins to release droplets of ideas that flow
in form of writing but at other times which is what I more commonly apply, I
take the risk of letting the block block me out of my inspiration, until I find
myself in a close where I forget I was in need of inspiration, going about my
routine activities.
Then I suddenly realize that road
blocks are often accompanied by sign posts indicating a new route, so I start
to explore the new route of ideas, while the old inspiration returns with
multiple and mightier muse.
But writer's block can be
frustrating sometimes especially when one is yet to find the trick around it.
WA: WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION?
IMISI: Majorly from my day to day life situations
especially as ordained by God. My name Ìmísí means inspiration and according to
Job 32:8, my inspiration is often God breathed, mostly through my life
experience including the good and seemingly unpalatable ones. I believe
divinity is a key to unlock creativity
WA: TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST PUBLISHED BOOK?
IMISI: I have published works in reputable journals
but none in print yet. My first published work was "Saviours of
savour", a poem written in the Christian Literary Hub's Anthology
published in September 2020.
WA: WHAT WAS THE JOURNEY LIKE
IMISI: Full of ups and downs, building of confidence
and sometimes the shaking of it; full of discovery and beauty, connection to
great writers, opportunities and feeling of fulfilment, watching my art
breathe. Above all, I've discovered that writing is a great tool for influence
especially for those of us whose creative writings are mostly around faith and
Christian living.
WA: WHAT, IN YOUR OPINION, ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS
OF GOOD WRITING?
IMISI: Simplicity, Aesthetics, Coherence,
Originality, Good vocabulary, Excellent editing, Emotion, and thought provoking.
Able to induce impact.
WA: WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR OF ALL TIME?
IMISI: Francine Rivers, the award winning,
renown Christian novelist, Taiwo Iredele Olubiyi, our own astute Nigerian novelist,
Warsan Shire, the award winning poet
WA: YOUR FAVORITE BOOK BY HIM?
IMISI: Francine Rivers: Redeeming Love
Warshan Shire: Home
Taiwo Iredele Olubiyi: Shadows from
the past
WA: HAS A BOOK EVER CHANGED YOUR LIFE?
IMISI: Yes. Francine Rivers' Redeeming Love.
As far back as 2010 after reading
the book, I was moved to dedicate my life to Christ. The book was borrowed but
I couldn't resist scribbling the words of my dedication inside the back cover.
I look forward to more of such books especially from faith based authors in our
days. I'm currently reading the book the third time— my own copy which I
purchased 2 years ago.
WA: WHAT GENRES DO YOU LOVE?
IMISI: I love writing poetry and creative nonfiction.
I enjoy reading fiction too.
WA: ARE THERE ANY GENRES YOU DISLIKE?
IMISI: Not really. Though I don't really like
straightforward essays, I'm beginning to get a grasp of it through more
creative forms like journalism, travel essays and memoirs.
WA: WHAT AUTHOR (WHO IS STILL LIVING) WOULD YOU DEARLY LOVE
TO MEET?
A. H. Mohammed rated as a candid
chronicler of young adult writing and shortlisted for the Macmillan write
for Africa prize. His book, "Last days at Forcados High School is on the
UTME required reading in Nigeria. This literary feat is super excellent
especially for a resident doctor in training. Because I'm also a medical
doctor, I would like to meet him to know how he's able to achieve this great
record combining the duress of medical profession, more so in Nigeria.
The second reason I want to meet him
is for my attraction for the group his writings target which is young adults
including children and adolescents. If you read my bio, you will discover my
love for this same age group.
WA: DO YOU LIKE TO DISPLAY YOUR BOOKS ON
A BOOKSHELF OR KEEP THEM IN A VIRTUAL LIBRARY?
IMISI: Both
WA: DO YOU PREFER FLASH FICTION, SHORT STORIES, NOVELLAS, OR
NOVELS?
IMISI: Novels
WA: WHAT BOOK CAN YOU RECOMMEND TO ME?
IMISI: Taiwo Iredele Olubiyi's shadows from the past
WA: WHEN DID YOU LAST VISIT A LIBRARY?
IMISI: I visited a library
few weeks ago
WA: HAVE YOU EVER HAD A CRUSH ON A BOOK CHARACTER?
IMISI: None that I can remember right now
WA: HAS A BOOK EVER MADE YOU LAUGH
OUT LOUD?
Kayode Olamide Valentine's
"Pearls and Pebbles"
