Passionate writer and feminist,
Joy Isi Bewaji was one of the speakers at Connect Nigeria’s Writers’ Conference and she facilitated a workshop, Writing Your First Book and Self-Publishing. It was an incredibly enlightening session, and here are some of the most important things I learnt:
1. Finding your voice is the first thing. Find your voice, let it come from the depths of your soul and stick to it. When you find your voice, you are able to find YOUR audience- not just a pretentious audience wasting your time. Why is it hard for a writer to sell 1000 copies of a book in a nation of 160 million people? Lack of connection, that’s why. Find your voice. Know your audience. Connect with them. When you write your book, go and sell to them.
2. When you’ve found your voice, nurture, protect and preserve it. Plagiarism can come upon you easily, especially when you read others a lot. Give your book- especially your first book- your voice. You must give your work to an editor, but be sure to use an editor who appreciates your voice.
3. We don’t hear this very often, but as a writer, you are a brand; as much a brand as a singer or comedian.
4. Qualities of a good writer include confidence, good understanding of the language, ability to cut off excesses and appetite for reading, while common problems writers have include lack of confidence, verbosity, being pretentious, and not knowing your audience.
5. Who are your favourite artistic influences? You need to know, as a writer. What are you reading? As a writer, you need to read, and read deliberately because it influences your writing.
6. Describe yourself in 3 adjectives. Now, look at that description: is that how you write? Ask people around you who read your writing, “How does my writing voice sound?” It’s important to write the way you talk. If you have to wear a different personality every time you have to write, you will end up exhausted in no time. Write as YOU.
7. Get the opinion of those you respect in the literary circle- not your parents, they will come later.
8. Take the aesthetics of your book very seriously. It is as important as your content. People will be influenced by the cover.
9. Don’t hang out with only writers. Build your brand around people who are not writers and actually love to read. Build your fan base way before you publish your book. Groom your audience.
Look out for more rich nuggets from other speakers this week!
