I can’t remember how I
met Gbenga Awomodu but it was online. The first time I met him in person, I was
still in UniLag and so was he. I was standing with a friend and when she
introduced us, he said, “I read your blog.” That freaked me out coz we all know
this blog is a dumping ground. Last week, Gbenga asked me if I was interested
in talking about my next big thing. I jumped at it, even though my next big
thing is still a bit up in the air J Read about
Gbenga’s next big thing HERE, and read on for mine.
The
Things Unsaid (My Next Big Thing)
I’m the laziest writer
I know. But I’m currently working on a collection of long short stories. I’ve
been working on it for a few years, but I’m determined to be serious about it
this year. The book (if it ever becomes) will contain 4 or 5 long short
stories.
What
is the working title of your book?
Erm, the title changes
all the time... coz I’m unstable like that. But right now, I’m between these
two titles: The Things Unsaid, and Coffee Shop Scribbles. Coffee Shop Scribbles
because that’s where I jot down most of the ideas for my stories (God bless
Araba's Caffé Tranche)... The Things Unsaid
because I write the words that choke me. I don’t know if that makes sense
anyway.
What
genre does your book fall under?
Prose: It is a mix of
fiction and faction (fictionalised telling of facts).
Where
did the idea for the book come from?
I’ve always written
short stories (fiction), so I knew somewhere along the line a collection was
inevitable. However, what I’m working on isn’t going to be just fiction. About
four years ago, I started to write my life. I’d take events that happen to me
and fictionalise them. For me, it was a way of dealing with issues going on in
my life, but for others I guess they made good stories. Often, I can’t tell
where I end and where the work starts any more, so I decided to just go with it.
Which actors would you choose to play your
characters in a movie rendition?
This
is a tough one. They are short stories, but if I had to pick someone to act in
the story titled The Things Unsaid
for instance, I think I’d go with Genevieve Nnaji as the female lead, or Kerry
Washington. I love Kerry, she’s so me (whatever that means). For the male lead,
I’d pick Michael Ealy...just because he’s beautiful. Sue me.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
See,
the thing about short stories once more is that I can’t say “this is what the
book is about.” Aaaargh. But there are stories about love, about life, and
sadness and finding one’s feet and trying to be fierce as heck.
When will your book be published?
This I do not know. I guess the main question should be when will you finish your
manuscript. So I’m just going to move on to that.
How long did it take you to write the first draft
of your manuscript?
I’ve
been working on this thing for years and will probably continue to do so for
the next year or two. I’m not in a hurry. I’m more concerned about putting out
great work...because I’m obsessed like that.
What else about your book might pique the
reader’s interest?
They
aren’t coming of age stories in the strict sense of it, but they are stories
that people will be able to relate with coz they’re human and unpretentious
and sometimes funny....
I’m
passing this on to Oyin Braithwaite, and Obii. I will update the post to reflect
their bios before the end of the day. They will be posting their "Next Big Thing" on Wednesday, January 23, 2013.
