₦airaland Forum

Hydronium:
Many thanks Pabon.
I see you're a writer too. I reckon we could exchange materials sometime eh?

13

The morning address saw Mr. Dumebi introduce her as the new manager of the sales department. The workers gave her a resounding applause to which she gave a hearty smile and a wave in response. Mr. Dumebi also introduced Curtis as a friend to their late employee. He also made it clear to everyone that he was sibling to their new manager.
The unexpected action forced Tasmine to smile. Deep down, she boiled with rage. The address ended with Mr. Dumebi informing them that a review was in the works and that those who weren’t performing up to expectation had a short time to buckle up.
Tasmine found it difficult piecing herself together. Mr. Dumebi hadn’t mentioned what Curtis was there to do. She hoped it was just a casual visitation.
Why would he even allow a non-employee to be present at a briefing?
She wondered if that was the way they did business in Nigeria, having not worked here before.
Tasmine was a shadow of herself as one after another employee came to submit task reports. She didn’t want to appear a sadistic manager but she couldn’t just help carrying a gloomy expression.
The lunch break did well to calm her nerves. She did what she was supposed to have done earlier in the morning, summoning all the workers in her department for a brief introduction. She apologized that she wasn’t feeling too well in the morning and they all seemed to accept her. At least they pretended to.
One name seemed to strike her though. It was like she had heard it mentioned before.
Enechie Desmond.
It was a name she came across not too long ago. She decided she would go through his file critically. She told them she was ready to work with them and that they should give her the same reception they gave her father.
Tasmine noticed Desmond squirm but her expression was noncommittal. He was behind the other and thought she hadn’t seen him. He was wrong. From her peripheral vision, she watched his every reaction.
Maybe she had used the wrong words.
Did they actually work well with her father?
She dismissed them hurriedly and went back to her office. In the security of her office, Tasmine went through the file cabinet and filtered out Desmond’s. She went through his profile. He was good and had graduated from one of the best universities in the country with top grades. He was also good with his work. He had been working with the company for four years and had been promoted once. Tasmine still couldn’t understand why his name had stood out in the introduction but she knew it had to mean something. She kept the file aside as a call came through from Mrs. Dorcas. She wanted Tasmine in her office.
Tasmine found her way to the office and met the ever cheerful lady. Mrs. Dorcas offered Tasmine a seat which she took with courtesy. Mrs. Dorcas asked her how her first day had been and Tasmine told her it had been good.
“Your father was until his death an asset to our company. Many of the existing deals we have were the result of his effort.”
Tasmine let out a weak smile. She had no doubt about her father’s capabilities when it came to making people do what he wished. She wondered though why he hadn’t been able to charm his way out of the problems that faced him.
Well, not every problem comes with the chance to impress.
She contemplated asking Mrs. Dorcas if her dad had had issues with any member of staff but she couldn’t say Mrs. Dorcas was as trustworthy as she seemed. People could pretend, especially ladies. She would have to give it time.
Mrs. Dorcas filled her in on the requirements of the job; the people she had to check up on, the deals that they were expecting, contracts to be fought for and all. She was overwhelmed when she got back from work but it wasn’t anything she wasn’t used to. She met her mother frying dodo when she returned.
“Good afternoon, mummy.”
“Good afternoon, Tassy. How was your first day at work?”
“Well, it wasn’t all that bad! It was as I expected.”
Her mum gave her a worried look, but she quickly brushed it off. She took a slice from the saucer containing the already fried plantain and tossed it in her mouth.
“Remember your manners, Tas,” her mom scolded. “Your hands may be filled with germs.”
“Alright mum. I’m going upstairs now to refresh myself. I’m coming right back down.”
She turned to pick her bag that she had slid to the floor at the doorway. She had begun taking the stairs when she remembered Curtis.
“Is Curtis in, mom?”
Her mother didn’t reply immediately. She turned back and slowly came down the stairs. She got back to the kitchen.
“Where’s Curtis mom?”
The look on Mrs. Taribo’s face was that of sadness. “He’s moved out with Cherry to his own apartment!”
Tasmine didn’t know what to say. She just stared at her mom. When she gained herself, she moved to her mom’s side slowly. “Did he say why?”
“Yes, he said Cherry wasn’t comfortable staying here with us.”
Tasmine heaved her hand into the air in silent protest.
Cherry? Her best friend not comfortable with her presence?
This, definitely, wasn’t the Cherry she’d known and taken as a best friend.

They are many.
-Revision and Self-Editing by James Scott Bell (get all his books if you can). You won't regret it.
-Stephen King's On writing is another great book.
-What Editors do by Peter Ginna
-The first five pages by Noah Luke
- Story Grid by Shawn Coyne (this guy is a master storyteller)
-Element of style (can't remember the author)

They are numerous. Get the ones you can get especially those by James Scott Bell and Shawn Coyne.

As for videos, I'd have to search YouTube for them. There's one a lady from prowriting aid did that's top notch. I'll find them later.