Writivism, the gift that keeps giving

The 2016 Writivism Creative Nonfiction workshop in Accra was my first writing workshop, and nervous doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt. I had spent years reading other writers, seeing them as gods who can only be admired from afar, but never as friends. Or colleagues. Or partners. I had also avoided publishing. I […]

The 2016 Writivism Creative Nonfiction workshop in Accra was my first writing workshop, and nervous doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt. I had spent years reading other writers, seeing them as gods who can only be admired from afar, but never as friends. Or colleagues. Or partners.
I had also avoided publishing. I wanted to write, but I did not want to be read – too afraid of the outcome. I was afraid that as a beginner, no one was going to bother reading my gibberish. Reading a good book always rescued me, but still, my fears pushed me into a well where, drowning and weeping, I renounced writing.
Until April in Accra.
I was in a hall with others who had come to learn; but in my head, they were all definitely better than I was. And then our facilitator, Yewande Omotoso, author of the much acclaimed novel ‘Bom Boy’, smiled and addressed us as co-writers.
That was the beginning of my epiphany.
On the third day of the workshop, our stories were critiqued anonymously and the thought of my nonsense story sent my anxiety level to new heights.
‘There are so many beautiful sentences in this piece’ one participant said.
‘I enjoyed reading it,’ another added.
I lifted my head slowly and checked my laptop screen to confirm it was my story they were discussing. Yewande nodded in agreement and then explained how I could make my work better. When the writer was revealed, everyone applauded.
Writing can be a depressing art and for the beginner writer, it does not come without the constant ache for validation. The beginner writer is in a closet. Her dream is to get out. But often times, she does not know how to. This is where literary bodies come in. Through writing workshops, literary meetings and festivals, many emerging writers have found their voices along with opportunities beneficial to their growth as writers.
In Africa, there are not many organisations that cater specifically to the needs of the emerging writer as much as Writivism does. Although based in Uganda, Writivism nurtures aspiring writers all over the continent, making connections and introducing them to the African literary scene.
Founded in 2012 and run by the Centre for African Cultural Excellence, in Kampala, Bwesigye Bwa Mwesigire, cofounder and former director of Writivism has this to say about the organisation:
‘Writivism is about the promotion of African Literature produced and consumed on the continent. We hold workshops in various cities on the continent, connect emerging writers to established ones to be mentored, run an annual short story prize, publish annual anthologies, run a schools programme and an annual literary festival in Kampala.’
In 2015, four Nigerians made the Writivism Short Story Prize shortlist and have since gone on to publish stories and poems. One of them, Adeola Opeyemi who was mentored by South African author Sumayya Lee; says:
‘The Writivism experience has taught me that a story is never finished; and every time I pick my pen, there is always something new to add or deduct from a work.’
Nigerian writers have also been great supporters of the Writivism initiative. The first mentors in 2013 were predominantly Nigerians: Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Ukamaka Olisakwe, Dami Ajayi, Richard Ali and Emmanuel Iduma.
Under the supervision of a more experienced writer, the mentoring process helps those who have gone through the workshops grow further in their art, and instils in them the discipline that is necessary in being a writer. Lasting for as long as two – three months, the mentees produce written work that is published in newspapers and African literary websites.
I had a terrific experience with my mentor, Rachel Zadok, who removed the final traces of my fear of writing.  Nnedinma Jane Kalu, who participated in the 2014 workshop held in Abuja testifies:
‘The 2014 workshop was held in just one day, but in that short time, I learned some of the mechanics of writing that gave me a head start. The two-month mentorship programme after the workshop was also wonderful. I had a very patient and smart teacher in Barbara Mhangami.’
There are Nigerians on the Writivism Board of Trustees as well: Chika Unigwe, author of ‘On Black Sisters’ Street, 2012 winner of Nigeria Prize for Literature and 2017 Man Booker International Prize Judge; along with EC Osondu, 2009 Caine Prize winner and author of ‘This House is Not for Sale’.
To enhance the workshops and mentoring programme, Writivism now offers a residency for past and future winners of the Writivism Short Story Prize. Nigerian Pemi Aguda – the 2015 winner – will be the inaugural writer-in-residence at the University of Stellenbosch English department, from 1st to 30th September, 2016.
She says, ‘Writivism is the gift that keeps giving.’
For me, Writivism is like a kind, generous woman who adopts children from all over the continent, gives them a nurturing home and ushers them back into the world as grown and experienced people, equipped with the right skills for survival.
This year, I am rooting for the three Nigerians on the long list – Aito Osemegbe Joseph, Bura-Bari Nwilo and Frances Ogamba. Join us in Kampala, August 22nd-28th for the annual festival and to find out if a Nigerian will win – again.
Emelife is a Lagos-based writer and teacher