A few days ago, a user sent us a message about their perception of the writing technique of most Nigerian writers:
Unless you’re not a Nigerian, I find it difficult reading your story that reminds me you’re a Nigerian but has a plot, setting, idea, concept and style based on an American or a foreigner. Why is it that many Nigerians write about stories and most times their setting will be “the abroad”?
I want to know why though. I know it’s a bit different from the books on your app though many writers I’ve come across have never been abroad, aren’t connected to it and have no idea what the life is like. They just write like that because the Nigerian story or setting seems too shallow to them. They want what people would read. The blue eyes and dazzling millionaire. Or the secretary that falls in love with her square-jawline boss, etc.
I feel every word I read. I can tell when the writer is disconnected from his writing. No matter how good it is. I probably am not the best to give writing advice but I feel writers should give birth to their works. Not take ideas from books they’ve read and transform it. Nope, Ayodele does not have a limousine and definitely does not own a multi-billion dollar company. He works at Ikeja and drives a black Toyota with a dented rear. Thank you. – The Brown-Eyed Sparrow
What do you think? Do you feel the same way about the Nigerian books you’ve read?
In as much as I agree that writers should give birth to their works, we can’t deny that there are settings which apply universally, I totally disagree with the idea that “Ayodele does not have a limousine and definitely does not own a multi-billion dollar company.” My reason: We have billionaires in Nigeria such as Dangote who have their net worth estimated in dollars and yes “The blue eyes and dazzling millionaire. Or the secretary that falls in love with her square-jawline boss.” happen in Nigeria too.
Actually, I feel, absolutely, the same way. If I write anything that is outside the country, then it’s an aside and I make sure, I research a whole lot before I venture into writing any of it.
Well, I’ve come across lots of books by Nigerian authors with the Nigetian setting. The newer generation of writers are trying to write based on their home now, you just have to be able to access the books.
A lot of Nigerian were born and bred abroad. And that is their only reality. The world is now smaller, what for the black blue eyed hero
Wow!! I use to think I was just a critic! A drama queen! Can’t get enough! Insatiable?!
But this,
This is amazing. It amazing that I found someone who ‘digs’ too.
Everyone is writing about unrealistic happy endings. At the end of the day there is no suspense. The boy ends up with the girl, they win the championship…… What a bore!
No reality. Different forms of the same old story. Fairytale.
For me, it feels like bad after taste from saccharin juice. Blehhh
I hope the present and upcoming writers take a whole new turn with overwhelming and realistic ideas, also, logical colligations of these ideas too.
I read a lot of book with plots and settings on sources from our field, our newer generation are still exploiting in those areas, at least the ones i know of.