A Writer's Thought

 By Charles Oluyori

When I started writing almost two decades ago, I thought I was going to earn my living through writing. I didn’t want writing to be just a hobby for me. Over the years I kept writing hoping that someday I would earn my living through writing, but I quickly realized that if I must survive in a country where survival of the fittest is an order, then I had to make writing strictly a hobby, for me the future for upcoming writers seemed uncertain in Nigeria. Little did I know that writing would become a subject of recognition even in Nigeria someday, very true! Now we have several young writers getting recognition worldwide for their writings.

It is a good sign that we now have names coming from Nigeria as writers particularly young writers, but a lot still needs to be done. Just like in the days when the Nigerian Nollywood and the comedy industry wasn’t doing so well and some of the people who started the industry had to make sacrifices to ensure that the industry is where it is now by creating opportunities for the upcoming actors/actresses and even the comedians who now popular and making good money for themselves while entertaining the rest of the populace with their acting.

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When will writing and writers gain the same kind of recognition? It is my believe that writing started long ago before acting, theater and comedy, how come it seems these other industries have made it ahead of writers. Is it that there are no good upcoming writers, or is that the writers don’t fit into the industry? Are their stories uninteresting or they don’t have good writing skills? I really want to know. Or could it be that those that have made it in the world of writing are not doing enough to mentor upcoming writers and even going the extra miles to help them get editors to read their work and help them get publishers for their books.

Some years ago, I use to think I was the only writer that was struggling. No one would listen to me, not even my professor relatives, once I mention to anyone about my writing ambition what I always get is a negative reaction it, I was always made to feel that I was not serious and do not have a plan for my future. I have heard the same kind of story from other upcoming writers here. And just like others who for the need to earn a living and not to appear useless and not serious some of us end up getting jobs into the corporate world, the irony of it is that most of us don’t get fulfillment from these jobs even while earning several millions of naira.

It’s the same story except for those that never really wanted the writing career but just stumbled across it. But for those that had truly wanted nothing else but writing, when they happen to work anywhere else without job satisfaction; all their mind could think of is writing and getting published, and making fame, money through writing and production of their stories into movies to be watched both at home and abroad. Quite an ambition no doubt! I bet you that not even their sitting in a corporate seat in a highly furnished office, with air conditioner blowing from morning till evening from their seventh-floor office in a bank, with office assistance and subordinates at their beck and call would give them the kind of job satisfaction they desire. 

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And for those not so lucky to even secure jobs into a corporate organization, all they could do is to keep writing and searching for every opportunity to get into the fame light of writers, but for years you keep hearing the same story, story of rejection from one agent or publisher from time to time. Some don’t even get response to their inquiries from agents and publishers for several years.

I have often wonder why there was a time we had writers who were able to publish several of their books and won several awards while we have people who have been writing for several years and are yet to even get anyone to read their manuscript! Only to send their manuscripts to a foreign agent or publisher and they are asked to pay several thousands of dollars to get their books published. It’s such a shame.

Could it be that there are not enough publishers in Nigeria? What is government doing to support upcoming writers? Is there awareness for writers just like we have in the other industries?  There are lots of young talented people that would give the world a great reading in the years to come if they are given the chance to showcase their talents. The writing industry needs support from government, corporate organizations, and even non-profit organizations in Nigeria.

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As for me, regardless of the seemingly overwhelming obstacles that upcoming writers face, I will keep writing and doing what I enjoy doing best- feeding my imagination and writing even if I sit there on a seventh floor of a building overlooking thousand houses around the city and doing a work, I have no passion for.