Posterity will judge your writing – Nuhu Danladi Cheshi

What real life experience inspired you to start writing? I started writing from reading. I read so much, I am someone who is interested in the society and finding out new things. I discovered I could write to contribute to the society, share my views and get someone to hear me. What was it like […]

What real life experience inspired you to start writing?

I started writing from reading. I read so much, I am someone who is interested in the society and finding out new things. I discovered I could write to contribute to the society, share my views and get someone to hear me.

What was it like the very first time you picked up a pen and paper to start scribbling what later became a book?

Writing for the first time was more like play; it was not something serious. I thought about this: What would I actually share? What do I have that I think the world will be interested in? In doing that, I thought about the society at that time (2005) which was when I published my book. Maybe the society will be interested in getting inspired and motivated, particularly our young people. My goal was to write a book that will be a one-sit read, that someone can pick up and would not want to drop the book. So, I built a structure and flowed. The moment I started; I didn’t want to stop. Writing represents you, even posterity will judge you because your write ups would live even after you. When you are not here, your works will still be here, you have to be mindful of what you write.

What are those challenges you experience as a writer today?

The problem begins with ourselves as writers. Most of us do not read other people’s work. If you do not read, whom do you expect to buy your work? I stand to be corrected; people are more interested in a party that a book reading session. We need to know that a society develops through research and even documentation of history, facts and knowledge.

My first book was published in the United State, before I got the first copy of the book; I got frustrated because they were interested in every detail. Secondly, people are finding it hard to accept a first timer. Some publishing companies in Nigeria are more interested in biographies; writing about the president, the governor, something that they know that somehow, on the day of the lunch, everybody will buy all the copies. I think, we should grow beyond that. We should be looking at quality contents because through that, we would encourage new writers.

What genre are you focused on writing; have you ever experience a writer’s block in the process?

Creative non-fiction is my genre. For me, they are really about the society and making life better, particularly for the youths who are yet to get their footing in life. Of course, I have experienced a writer’s block, that point I have to drop work, leave it for some time or cancel the whole work. In fact, I have a half-written book still pending but when you experience a blockage, you have to think through and do a research. I know other writers who have pending books but overcoming it is simply about staying through. Once a writer is focused and determined, overcoming a block becomes non-negotiable, you will overcome!

What is the most profound advice you have heard or had to teach yourself over the years and how has it worked for you?

Without thinking twice, I would say, ‘to believe in myself’. You will fail in life if you do not believe in yourself. People could believe you would not become anything in life, but if you change your ways and reorganize yourself, you can make a difference. You would never grow beyond your imagination and thoughts; you should not limit yourself in any way, that is the beginning of success. Once you limit yourself, you might never be able to achieve.