WRITER'S BLOCK CAN BE FRUSTRATING SOMETIMES ESPECIALLY WHEN ONE IS YET TO FIND THE TRICK AROUND IT – AYOOLUWA OLASUPO (IMISI)


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"

Whenever I get the writer's block, I become withdrawn and i have to go for therapy to come out of it