Giving an empty page life is a gift – Ayodele Olofintuade

Ayodele Olofintuade made her debut as an author with the publication of a children’s book titled ‘Eno’s Story’, which was shortlisted for the 2011 Nigerian Prize for Literature. In 2018, the mass communication graduate, CEO 9jafeminista and Fellow, Female Reporters Leadership Programme published another book ‘Lakiriboto Chronicles’. In this interview, she speaks about writing, her […]

Ayodele Olofintuade made her debut as an author with the publication of a children’s book titled ‘Eno’s Story’, which was shortlisted for the 2011 Nigerian Prize for Literature. In 2018, the mass communication graduate, CEO 9jafeminista and Fellow, Female Reporters Leadership Programme published another book ‘Lakiriboto Chronicles’. In this interview, she speaks about writing, her fears as a female author and dream for the creative and literary world.

 

Is being a writer a gift or a curse?

I will say it is both. A curse because it comes with its burden of self-doubt and obsession. In a country like Nigeria, you have to balance many balls in order to survive, its worse if you have responsibilities.

On the other hand, its a gift. Turning an empty page into stories, making something out of nothing. Playing with words, making up new ones, gifting your audience with a well written story is nothing short of magic.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Electricity and lack of spaces for creatives in Nigeria. Those two things are really daunting.

How did you come up with the title of the book ‘Lakiriboto Chronicles’?

Lakiriboto in Yoruba means a woman who cannot be ‘mounted’. It is many layered. As with many words that are from traditional Yoruba world, many people misunderstand it. I chose the title because the book is about women who refuse to be mounted or controlled by the society. The book is about women who take charge of their sexuality, their finances and fates.

‘Lakiriboto Chronicles: A brief history of badly behaved women’ is a story of four women and one man who tries to take control of their lives in a bid to inherit his sister’s properties. While questioning leadership as is practised generally in Nigeria today (where men are automatically conferred leadership positions without ascertaining whether they are competent or not) it also examines sensitive and important subjects which are not openly  discussed like sexual assault, sexuality, and how people with mental health conditions are treated, in a Nigerian context.

Did you come across any specific challenges in writing the book?

The most challenging part in writing ‘Lakiriboto Chronicles’ was creating characters that are not flat, especially as the major one has mental health challenges. Also, being able to navigate the thin line between demonizing or worse still, caricaturing an illness that affects millions of people in varying degrees. I had to write and rewrite based on feedback from  experts in the field of psychiatry and also readers. I wrote and rewrote the character for nearly two years.

How long did it take you to put the book together and get it published?

I started writing in 2012, and by the end of 2013 I had the first draft ready and sent it out to readers, based on the feedback I got I started rewriting. In 2014, thinking it was ready I sent it to several publishing houses, I got feedback from two and then the rewrites started again. In 2016 I got a contract from one of the publishers but because I refused to work with the editor that was assigned to me on the basis of the fact that she attempted to flatten the story, the contract was cancelled and the hunt for a publisher started all over again.

In 2017, I concentrated on my other short stories which I sold to a few journals. I returned to writing ‘Lakiriboto Chronicles’ late in 2017 after getting positive feedback from Bookbuilders Editions Africa and here we are.

When you develop characters, do you already know who they are before you begin writing or do you let them develop as you go?

The first thing I figure out is the plot, and as it develops, the characters take shape. I believe the characters tell me their own stories.

Where is your favorite writing place?

My office. About two years ago I converted the dining area in my house to a mini office. I had a table specially made and it gives me a sense of isolation.

What is your greatest fear as a female author?

My greatest fear would have been being relegated to the background, fortunately women who have gone before me have made that something I no longer fear. Women like Flora Nwapa, Buchi Emechata, Zulu Shofola, Mabel Segun and so many more have created the pathway for me.

What are your top three books?

This is a very difficult question to be honest. In recent times I have been reading a lot of Helen Oyeyemi and Nnedi Okorafor. And making me choose three books out of all their great works is like asking me to choose an ice-cream flavor.

Where do you get your greatest ideas for writing?

From everyday life. I get my inspiration from stories I hear on buses and from the women that surround me.

What is your greatest regret as an author?

I actually have none. Every sacrifice has been worth it.

When did you decide to become a writer?

I can’t say precisely because I have been writing since I could string words together. My evolution, my becoming a full-time writer happened quite naturally.

After getting shortlisted for the NLNG prize for ‘Eno’s Story’ I wrote two more children’s stories (‘King of the Heap’ and ‘King of the Heap learns to Read’), one Young Adult (‘Children of the Rainbow’) and several short stories for online journals. One of the stories, ‘Adunni: The Beautiful Ones Have Not Yet Died’ was published by BrittlePaper and is presently available on Okada Books.

Do you have a special writing time?

Most of my writing is done at night, usually between 11pm and 4am. During school term I have to wake up early to take the children to school. I use daytime to rest and do less demanding work. Sometimes I write seven days a week, but sometimes I take time off to rest, to teach or go on short holidays.

Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day?

Not really. I tried that some years ago and it didn’t work for me because as soon as I set a goal and I don’t meet it I get really anxious. These days I go with the flow. Once I have a deadline I always meet it. The process of writing ‘Lakiriboto Chronicles’ really helped in my evolution, both as a human being and as a writer. I no longer see things in black and white, I am also more concerned about women and our important role in policy making that will make Nigeria a home we can all be proud of.

What is the hardest thing about writing?

Rewrites. After writing something you consider really amazing, sending it out for review and editing and being asked to rewrite or even remove whole chapters. I used to get so upset when my writings come back heavily lined with red. But I think I’m getting better these days, at least I no longer cry as I delete or remove the things I have written.

What message are you trying to pass to readers and the society in general through your book?

I’m not one for passing across messages. I just want the reader to experience the lives of my characters, to feel their joy, their pain. I want them to enjoy the process of reading my books as much as it disturbs them.I want to make them think, reconsider and maybe change.