2nd December, 2010
What is the message in The Unusual and Unexpected ?
The message I want to pass across to readers, especially parents, is the danger of over-indulging children. No matter the circumstance of their birth, I believe children should not be over pampered. They should have proper upbringing and be disciplined.
Considering the circumstances of Akin’s birth (the major character), don’t you think you were too hard on his parents (the Kolawoles)?
I wasn’t. I just want to hit the nail on the head. No matter the circumstances, children shouldn’t be over pampered or else they will become a nuisance to the society and the parents will be at the receiving end. If you read the book, you will find out that there is no way the Kolawoles won’t end that way. They had the chance to correct the mistakes they made in the past when Akin was deported to Nigeria but none of them made amends.
How did you get the inspiration to write?
Actually, my dad makes time out on Saturday to give us comprehension lessons. Somehow, any time he gave us assignments, I performed better than my sisters even though they were older and in higher classes. So he believed I can write and encouraged me to do so.
Why did you write on the subject? Is it because you’re the only boy in your family and must have experienced that?
No. It wasn’t. I just believe that through my writing, I can express my views and concerns about life generally. When I decided to write, that was what came to my mind.
You wrote the book when you were about 11 years old, how did you do it?
First, I believe am gifted. Writing comes to me naturally. It is like part of my life. It would always be my second career. I read the dictionary a lot, to increase my vocabulary and I read a lot. My dad’s chamber is filled with books, I wonder where he gets them from. I remember I used to beg my daddy to buy folk tales for me when I was younger. I still do. l read all kinds of books and I like the ones that will keep me on the edge of my seat. I am curious and always want to know about my environment; this increases my understanding of things around me. I also write poetry.
So you already knew it would be published ?
Not really, but I wasn’t surprised when he decided to publish it
Is this your first attempt?
No, I have written three books, but this is the only one that was published. The other ones will soon be published. One of them is a novel.
Was it difficult publishing this book, because a lot of young writers find it difficult to take this major step?
Yeah, it was tough but interesting. My dad was my publisher which made it more challenging. To ensure I meet the deadline he set for me, he monitored my activities and raised eyebrows when I get distracted. Any time he got back from work and saw me playing he would scold and advise me to be focused and not be distracted.
How long did it take you to publish it?
It took us three years, though there was a time my dad was busy and had to drop it.
Did you get along with him well as your publisher?
It was tough but I was happy at the end of the day. There were lot of challenges but working with my daddy made it tougher. I had no excuse because he always monitored my activities. It was sometimes frustrating. Sometimes he would reject a whole chapter or complain that it was too short or too long. These can be frustrating but the moment I saw book I was too happy to remember those moments .
Did it affect your school work?
I ensured it did not affect my performance in school by creating time for both my school work and writing.
What was the general response?
Encouraging. I got a lot of support from my family, friend and teachers. My daddy and his friends always encourage me. The experience has redefined my perspective in life. It makes me feel optimistic and confident. I feel matured; in control of my emotion, my mind-set and how to interact with people. It allows me to understand life better. I get more inquisitive and am ready to know more about what is happening around me.
Does this make you a super star among your friends?
(laughs) Sort of, but I don’t allow it get into my head.
You said you love reading, how many hours do you read in a day?
Actually when I was in junior class I read more for exams, but when I got to senior class, I started reading extensively. I wake up around 4.a.m. to read and sometimes 2.a.m during exams. I often study maths during the day because I realise maths is something you must know even as an arts student. My sisters even nicknamed me professor. That is what they call in school too.
How can students be encouraged to read?
They should know that reading is important. To get to where you are going, you have to know where you are going and you can only know that through reading. So students should see it as necessity. There should be competitions like debate to motivate students to read
Do you have any role model in the literary world?
In Nigeria, the likes of Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka are some of the writers I look up to. Though my dad is a lawyer, he is also my role model. He has also written some books that have been published. But abroad, I don’t have a particular writer in mind, I just read books that catch my interest.
What is your advice to aspiring young authors
They should be focused, determined and should not be distracted because writing involves a lot of meditation and focus to flow. They should learn to read extensively and be observant about the happenings around them.
