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WHY ARE YOU WRITING: To Impress or just wear a dress? Hee hee hee

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These days it is very easy to find anyone and perhaps, everyone, say they are writers. It gets really yuckish… You go like ‘I am a writer’ and discover, you could easily have said ‘I am a human’. But  that isn’t our talk for today. Question is simple: Why are you writing?

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The question has been on my mind for some time as I work on new endeavours in poetry and yes, my prose. You know, the famous poet, Christopher Okigbo once said ‘He writers poetry for poets’ and so had his verse in tangles that till date are a bit more difficult than untying the Gordian knot with one’s hands. For some of us too, we simply just write without giving a thought to what our words are saying…

For a few there is the pressure to write in a certain way especially because some awards have been placed on one’s shelf… Others need that award and just write in certain ways… Recently, I was working on a few pieces and discovered some writer buddies speaking oddly. So, you see someone say: ‘I have had my chattels purloined by bandits who have left my existentialist preoccupations exacerbated.’ And you wonder… Eh? Say what?!

But it gets worse with poetry. And that is where the major issue comes… Poetry can be a tough bone to chew. It doesn’t help matters when some people decide to simply just jumble lines and throw them at you…

So, I bring this question to you today: simply, why do you write?

If I were to give my own answer as I have come to realise it more and more, I would say we should try to be as more open as possible. There’s much to say and a lot of people will love to hear our thoughts… Who knows, your words might be the soothing to get someone out of a particular pain: and it doesn’t matter if you are simply ‘rambling’ about your day like my sister, Yemie, or flowing with the spirit like DrSwag…or even Topazo… who knows…Izza with her poetry…Anoosha? Whoever you are, don’t underestimate those words or what they could mean… So, why waste them?

These days it comes to me more often, the value of our essence. The beautiful essence of our presence in words, art or just living… Each moment counts, every word relevant… would you make yours worth it?

Bonjour.

64 thoughts on “WHY ARE YOU WRITING: To Impress or just wear a dress? Hee hee hee”

  1. Speaking has never been able to carry the weight of my emotions or thoughts or feelings or desires or dreams…
    Somehow, I have been able to convince myself that ink on paper is an effective outlet; so I write
    But when I read what I write, it just stares back at me, an incriminating evidence of yet another inadequacy.
    I keep writing though, with the hope that someday, I won’t still feel hollow after writing; someday, I can fully express myself through writing and be satisfied that I write expresses exactly what I feel.

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    1. Now, please read this and let me know if you feel inadequate! Shoot me if this – or any of those last two tales we blogged and ‘Moving’ are inadequate…

      And guy, you are mouthed!
      On point with this comment man. So, on point and deep words. Almost poetic.

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  2. Lol…I love this and it makes me wonder sometimes if I am not part of the guild of writers who lose their readers in the thickets of their words..Nicely written bro as usual and enlightening. However…you should have left Yemie out of the names. Now, a whirlwind is going to be unleashed on your site. I do not envy thee…(running for cover before the fun begins)…ENJOY..

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    1. Someone’s spoiling for a fight I see! Keep on running Swag, as fast as your legs can carry you; for I make absolutely no promises, if I lay ma hands on thee! One thing’s for sure though, it’d be real messy and brutal for I come off totally and completely unhinged! 💪💀
      Don’t test me pal, hmf! 😡😠

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      1. *singing: Nobody test you, test you… Nobody test you* Hee hee hee, lay my hands on thee… Can anyone be free? Have mercy biko… We don’t want any unhinging here 🙂

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        1. 🎶🎶Trouble sleep, yanga go wake am,na wetin e deyfaaaaaind?! Palaver, e deyfind; palaver e go getiooooo, palaver e go get,palaver…..Lalala….Lalalalala…..😈😆

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        4. Ahem….whyever do I get this really uncanny feeling that y’all are making this post ’bout me?! 😠😡

          Make una warn unaselves o, I no fit shout gabadaya! 😞😈😄

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        6. Aw! 😭

          I can just ’bout now feel my knees buckling under my weight and turning to jelly! Hmf! 😈

          Anyhow, if it really helps and is a consolation; then I’ll just cut the bull and cut right to the chase so here goes….I love y’all too, my boos; y’all know I do! Mwah! 👄👄💋😂😊😆😃😄

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        8. Na yoube the ringleader Chichi ehkwa?! Ok o, youno sayna jejepikin I be; but if unaput unahands for my mouth;I go bite; mbanu,munchon am!😂😂

          Make unaleft me biko nu, I no be writer! Hmf! 😛😜

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        10. Mwahahahaha! 😂😂😂😂😂😂

          You Silly Nilly! Wait till I get ma ‘paws’ on you! Woof! Woof!! 🐕🐶

          No be only German Shepherd abi Alsatian; na Labrador ati Bulldog! Seriously??? 😂😂😂😂😂

          If i were to choose a breed of mutt I’d rather be, then I’d say a Chihuahua; or any of those pretty cute pooches and poodles like so….🐩, they’re really smart and adorable! ‘Adorbs’! 😙😍😘😊

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        12. They don’t, don’t they?! 😔BUT I DO….H-E-L-L-O! Suck on that one Swaggie Lee; hmph! 😈😆

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        14. Hehehe! 🎵🎵🎵🎶🎶🎶🎼🎼
          Come out, come out; wherever you are…..I come in peace ✌, Scare-Eddy Cat; bearing gifts….🔫💣💉🔪💉, come on thither and claim ’em ‘Your Royal Bailship’; I DARE you to! 😈😆

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    2. I will skip the last part… Though you know she will catch you under any cover…enjoy 🙂

      Ah… I’ve not noticed you among the guild o…but who knows, maybe me masef I am not a proper reader. Hmmm…

      I go through your site and it speaks really, without hiding. That you have a particular path you follow makes it more fun – not like the rest of us others who follow anywhere bele face 🙂

      Thanks for the compliment jare… I dey learn from you plenty 🙂

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      1. Lol…please what does it take to become a member of this revered guild? You can never be the anywhere bele face type my brother. You are way too focused. Too much moss on your space for you to be a rolling stone. Could have sworn I am the student here oooo…breathing rarefied air with the likes of you..Yemie..Topaz…etc is a privilege..

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        1. I hear! Don’t bother… You are a part of their league… Even this your comment has left me hanging! Chai! Rolling stone kwa! 🙂

          I was talking to Doc Topaz about something once… Maybe we should do some collabo on something and get it out… Problem is that Yemie has refused to leave her zany writings and rants… I pray some day she tunes her cute talents to creating new worlds that I know will leave us bedazzled…

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        2. Well…she has a lot of catching up to do in getting you bedazzled…cos…shhh…(whispering)…na secret…my ears are already bursting with how much you have left her bedazzled…do not say I told you oooo…..

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        3. Really Swag, no kidding?! Chee! You’re pretty much warming up for another cold war and am supposedly the mischievous one ei?! Rich! 😠😡

          You’ve got it coming, don’t say I didn’t warn you! Silly Nilly! 😞😾

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        4. A collabo’s extremely ‘aww-worthy’ Sagely One; exactly what doth thou have in mind?! Hit me! 😂😂😂😂

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    1. Thanks Iya Ibadan 🙂 Don’t mind us…we have to try and change small jare. Yet, when we don’t get plenty likes or comments, we will be angry. It is worse when it is a book sef. You can’t sell because people don’t understand or can’t access you… Then you wonder: why am I unfortunate? Hee hee hee… Let God save us… But we have to save ourselves first 🙂 Abi?

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      1. …now that is quite an intriguing name…Iya Ibadan!!! Getting more serious now… a number of writers whose writings are celebrated are people that it seems you have to plod through their works. In my opinion their stuff is pretty arcane..like organic chemistry to a bushman…yet they are so successful…Soyinka…Ben Okri..Michael Crichton…Salman Rushden…Pls how do you explain that???

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        1. Ehen! Here we go again: arcane and organisms… Hmmm… or was that chemical organisers? Mmmmhmmm. Seems I am one of those bushmen 🙂

          My people have a saying: a madman danced and was sprayed… Another madman danced and was beaten. Most of the people mentioned were path openers. They were writing in new fields and so anything they said was taken as sacred words to be honoured… Now, try writing in their style and you will be shocked that you will be lashed and booed off stage… Na im o…
          Check na…
          Soyinka is a Nobel Laureate and one of the Nigerian literary path openers. Ben Okri is one of those who emphasized magical realism to the white man. Michael Crichton has themes of dinosaurs and things people never thought of writing of to leave people bedazzled… So, they swallow his themes and ignore his grammar…. Salman Rushdie now played with Islam (and had a fatwa on his head), something that few people have done till date. He dared and people love him for it…

          So, does that suffice a bit? *phew!

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        2. Mon Dieu! I now know why Yemie can’t get your name of the cells of her brain…I am bedazzled!…Sage…your explanation has wrapped it up! I throway…Beaurifully despatched..

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  4. This is such a great topic Su’eddie; one that will make for one to do a sorta sober reflection, on the real reasons why they do whatever it is that they do; as far as writing’s concerned! I’m pretty much aware of the potency of words, I mean; the universe and all that’s therein, appeared and came into existence by the spoken Word of ‘The Word’ Himself! 😉😇

    And, I still maintain that I am not a writer, pretty expressive…yeah, but there’s sooo much more entails to who a writer is! Besides the fact that writing in itself is a gift, it can also be learnt, honed and perfected! Writing or shall I say blogging found me, seized me by the ‘balls’ 😈 and I just found myself thrusted oh soo unwillingly, unto these plains! 😔😛

    But, even at that; I choose my words really carefully, cause I realize what powers they carry and I’d be sooo damned literally; if on judgment day; one or more of the words; I recklessly and nonchantly share and splay all over the place, comes right back at me, to bite me on my behind and stand against me….tufiakwa! The horror! 😢😨😂

    On a more serious note, I write for the fun of it and its such an humbling experience when folks find something to laugh and be plain hysteric ’bout, in my creations! Then I know my work’s done! That I can even make a person laugh in today’s world’s a capital deal; its almost like planning the perfect murder and getting away with it too, scot-free! 😉

    Plus, y’all give me wayyyy too much credit than am truly deserving of! There are writers and there writers; I rave, rant and ramble; that’s what I do! Will leave the creative bits to y’all; who are called to do exploits in the fields you’ve chosen to conquer, be it in poetry or prose! And I agree on that poetry bit Su’eddie; so many wanna bes are teeming and flooding the place! With any form of writing, its either you’ve got it or you plain don’t, but I give it up to y’all, Sagely Su’eddie, Swaggie Lee the Flow himself and of course; the Bee’s Knees, Topazo, una too plenty! Make una chop knuckle belleful! 👊👊👊💖😄😂

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    1. Hmmm, the last lines were really nice there Yemz… Swaggie Lee the Flow and The Bees Knees… Where do you get these things from? See why I said you should join the club that you already are unofficially part of?

      We thank goodness that this blogging thing caught your balls o… How we for take do? It has helped do some fun connections, no? And your viral care has sure left a fun flu that has infected not a few…

      There are some million laughs you always leave. Will I ever forget that first post I read where someone gave you girls a lift and nearly had you peeing in your shokoto? Ah! That was a really lovely one… really lovely 🙂

      I just pray that the times don’t sweep you away from here… You do leave a lot of cheer everywhere.

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      1. Hmmm…..you peeps won’t kill a brother! WHAT A LINE! ..You do leave a lot of cheer everywhere…I love it…see yarn! You right bro..Yemie is the lodestar of planet Blogosphere…😆

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        1. Hmmm, Swaggylicious LeDoc the Rocky writer… We hear you. You do more yarning with the thread of words. No dey hide. You ma na star… Wonder which one… You have the names… Pray tell…

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    2. Sueddie and Topaz are the writers amongst us then…while you Yemie are a typist…(yinmu)..like you rightly claim…however I would say writing is vastly oceanic and can’t really be nailed down to a particular pattern. For me I just try to find d pearls in the ocean…reflect on the beauty of the corals and moon over the school of rainbow coloured variety of fish…Yemie..you are right on the money…THIS IS A GREAT TOPIC!

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      1. That could easily have been a poem with all the alliterations, y’know? Nice!! 🙂

        We all be typists then…at least, me. 🙂

        We all define our path in the end and trod it. Do we have a choice? I keep thinking of how people take things that exist and create something different yet the same in a unique beautiful way. I am talking of people who write biblical stories from their imagination. I caught some of that from you Doc. Kai… That is talent there speaking bruv…

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        3. Eh nn…alliteration ke…it was not intentional ooo…where is the alliteration biko…I know I need to sit at thine feet…make you one of my Rabbis…

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        4. Hmmm, na wa o… See yanga man… That’s the thrill of it all na… It is ingrained in you and cannot be contained so it all comes out sweetly without you even having to think about it.

          But you na rabbi already na. Mazi Rabbi (MR) Doc! 🙂

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  5. I ll try to do that Sueddie but the thing is you are a friend I would share that my posts are pointed directly to family politics going around in my family 😛 So I write in riddles instead of over thinking about the chaos and if I write simply then I think I can get busted for that #JustSaying 😛 but thank you as always I ll try to do that 🙂
    Yeah Nice question earlier..I didnt know how I started writing..maybe I think because people thought I flaunt my English but For me I love learning new words so to zip their gops :p I started writing to show “yeah! I am good with words” 😀

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    1. For whatever reason it is you are writing, in many ways, without your knowing it, I think the world is better for it. You write well, dear Ms. Show-Off 😛

      You should thank your goodness that you don’t have too many critics in your family (or do you?) Those folks can be really snoopy… They will decipher your every code and even find out those things you didn’t put – especially the ones you didn’t put.

      You should consider putting some of your poems together and releasing them as an anthology or so… Consider.

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      1. Okay dokay 😛 Yeah let me make an Year here then I am gonna do this Anthology thing.. And you are a wise man! 😛 I ll try to make peace with my brain and the storm of words in it 😀 ..Yeah aside from my family critics are their noisy ones .So i refrain but I believe I should no longer care as you said the world needs me and bingo I am ready to be a savior 😛

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        1. Dancing…

          Oh! Your words are singing, and I am dancing. Let’s borrow Shakespeare, if your words be the music to our ears as they appear now to the eyes, tickling our thoughts, let us dance away the time, reading it again and again and again… 🙂

          So, one year it is then. We shall watch the time roll over itself till it finds us back at an anniversary. The heavens keeping us, I will be waiting and I do hope you will too, not waiting of course, but putting it all together.
          Meanwhile, if you haven’t done so already can you be putting all your poems in a Microsoft Word document or something so that we don’t get to lose any of them? It will also help keep track of everything. Who knows, you can even decide to be doing some editing there…
          I don’t know if I am right but most of your poems seem spontaneous… Like they are raw. The beauty of it is that most times the rawness helps show the powerful emotions to them even when they are ‘fictitious’ (still wondering at that poem, Izza 🙂 )…

          Oh well…

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        2. Hahahha you know you are a great find of WP and I am glad we became friends. .I ll do it then and save it all 🙂 Hahah my bad. NOW I am going to write simply so you can understand better but laters I ll tell you idea behind that fictitious poem :p

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        3. This is where I get to blush a bit…and hide my face so that others wouldn’t get to see me going all pink in the face 🙂

          I sure look forward to the ‘behind the writing’ tale… Hey… That sure will be swell. Reminds me of all those movies where after all the actions, you see some of those things. Jackie Chan has my vote for the best of them all… Ah! But I derail and talk much… No? 🙂

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        4. hahaha not more than me I have been called chatterbox every time 😛 Btw I am not into action stuff so what Jackie Chan do is not my concern 😀 Scary movies are better any way 😛 and your comments bring a smile after every time…Not sure about the blush …Emmm let me think 😀

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        5. Ouch!
          Oh well… I don’t do action per se but sure, comedy gets me and Jackie is the epitome of that. But wait…you do scary movies? Arghhhhhhhh! Izza! I’m so running away right now… Arghhhhhh! Scary movies… Oh well, I guess I will pass that for now. I’ve had my fair share. There was a time when we used to watch that but our parents found a way to capitalise on the movies to punish us in a cunning way.
          So, we grew some small hate for them horrors – among other things! 🙂

          You do adventure? Romance?

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        6. hahaha! Sueddie did you ever thought of being an Actor ? 😛 you could have aced it 🙂 Yeah Scary movies are good wow with popcorn and juice 😀 Romantic Flicks aren’t that awesome except Leap year 😛

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        7. Hmmm, you will do better with the acting, Izza 🙂 Trust me … There goes the chances of myself or any of the good people reading this blog trying to be ‘too’ friendly… Phew! You just have to be scared of a lady who loves scary movies to romantic flicks! *tying my laces properly for the sprint…

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        8. hahahhaha ! My goodness there is definitely aan actor residing in you 😛

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