A writer’s ‘literary journey’

The work chronicles the writer’s experience in the world of literature almost in the same manner an autobiography does the life of its author. But ironically, in chapter four (page 33), titled, ‘Plain Talk On Public Affairs,’ it takes the reader into the life of the author and his civil service years in a manner […]

The work chronicles the writer’s experience in the world of literature almost in the same manner an autobiography does the life of its author. But ironically, in chapter four (page 33), titled, ‘Plain Talk On Public Affairs,’ it takes the reader into the life of the author and his civil service years in a manner only an autobiography would. He writes:
“The civil service, in spite of its shortcomings, is the pillar holding every structure and activity of government. This critical role – and the opportunity to have been part of it – is appreciated. However, I believe this purpose will be better served if the service engages in more plain talk with its staff and departments but especially, with the public.”
The book offers readers a wide range of varieties – selections from the author’s previous non-fictional and fictional works, which include his autobiography, ‘Hatching Hopes,’ newspaper articles and several pieces from his collections of folklore. Also, it contains reviews and commentaries, both on the author’s works and those he wrote on that of others over time. This mix makes reading this particular book an exceptional journey through the writer’s encounter with letters. It offers a wide variety, from the soft to the hard form of conversation. However, one may wonder why he chose to re-enact all these in a single material and how he concluded on the selected pieces.
‘My Literary Journey’ provides Bukar Usman an opportunity to share his views about what it takes to be a writer. Many writers do not necessarily pass through a writing school but rather evolve as they read, go through informal training and eventually research their preferred genres. Consequently, the evolution takes place when a writer puts his passions into practice and begins to put pen to paper. This author does not hide the fact that he is in this category. Tearing himself away from the formal atmosphere of writing minutes and papers in the civil service, he embarks on a trip into understanding moonlight story-telling. In other words, he saw the need to put oral folklore in writing and took a lot of time researching it in order to give it the modern story-telling touch while at the same time retaining its originality.
A score card does not need to be interpreted because it is what it is – A score card. This seems to be the case with the idea for this work. It appears that the author hatched a perfect plan to put his efforts out for scrutiny, forcing his audience to acknowledge the uniqueness and at the same time, the simplicity of his style. This he makes clear from the beginning when he writes on page 11 that his motive is to communicate effectively. It reads: 
“Prefer the familiar to the far-fetched.
Prefer the concrete word to the abstract.
Prefer the single word to the circumlocution.
Prefer the short word to the long.
Prefer the Saxon word to the Romance.”
Politicians, scholars, human rights activists, civil servants, and students determined to read beyond limited boundaries would find this ‘literary journey’ a refreshing, entertaining and informative adventure, from Biu in far-away Borno to Lagos and moon-lit nights.