Only through reading can one become a writer says Teenage Author, Adamu Usman Garko

Adamu Usman Garko is the Author of a poetry collection “When Day Breaks”. The Teenager who is a senior student of Gombe High School speaks to Youthville about his passion and drive for writing.   How would you describe your book, and what are the central themes? My book is a poetry book which is […]

Adamu Usman Garko is the Author of a poetry collection “When Day Breaks”. The Teenager who is a senior student of Gombe High School speaks to Youthville about his passion and drive for writing.

 

How would you describe your book, and what are the central themes?

My book is a poetry book which is subdivided into four sections. The first section talks about the threshold of learning, the next section delves into absences, and the frequent loss of a lover, In the third section is flash back of how I felt before meeting Wole Soyinak. Generally, the book deals with the situation of our country, presents dreams for a better country and hope for a better leadership.

 Why did you write it, what are the objectives you hope your book will achieve?

Writing is therapeutic to me. I write to heal a wound in me, but also sometimes to heal the wounds of another. I hope that my book will shine a light somewhere in the dark for others, or perhaps shine a light over existing light. I hope it will celebrate someone; inspire someone to wake up and take a look back and forth around them. If anyone finds therapy in my book or a home, he is welcomed; it’s part of my mission to have provide a home for someone through my poetry, to provide language which is therapeutic and locomotive through my lens.

 You seem to be active in the literary circle how do you stay abreast of trends such as workshops etc?

I’m a curious person, and I make use of the advantage of social media to stay abreast of literary trends. It is all about seriousness with what one sees I think, there are numerous opportunities except one is not serious or concerned to give a trial.

Who are your inspirations both home and abroad?

Can I really mention them? To mention a few, it is unfeasible to mention them all. When it comes to poetry, Umar Sidi, there’s something futuristic in his usage of language – the way he twist words as if he was born with them. His book, The Poet of Dust, is a testament to his talent. But when considering prose, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim is often a cloud to my rainy days. His voice is original and unique. I hope that someday in the future, I will write even like these two dittoed.

Most writers have challenge of funds to publish, how were you able to publish your book?

Kabir Tsoho, a man whom I always read from his shelves sponsored the publication of my book. I hope to write a book one-day on him of all his efforts.

What advice can you give to other teenagers who want to become writers?

They should first become readers, more so voracious readers because reading will introduce them to writing if truly they’ve the passion to write at the threshold. I believe only through reading one can become a writer.

When did you write your first story or poem?

I first wrote my first poem when I was in JSS3 and my first story when I was in SS2. I hope to perfect all the genres of literature as time and opportunity lends itself before me.

I saw somewhere that your parents are not literate in the western education sense, so how did you get in to reading and writing?

I think, whatever it is, I was the one that realised I had to read and write, not because of anyone’s influence. It’s very flair.