By Ibrahim Ramalan
Over the years, coaching people to write for a variety of audiences and purposes is more effective than traditional writing instructions.
This is because the method of coaching focuses on on-one encounter with the instructors with the goal of fostering lifelong independence as writers.
As such, Abuja Writers Forum (AWF), one of the foremost literary organizations that has consistently put writers, both budding and established, at the fore-front of its activities, has since bought the idea through its periodic Creative Writing Workshop.
The workshop is a 4-week introductory programme that exposes participant writers to various techniques of writing that could make them develop unique writing skills.
The last May’s Workshop, which was its 6th edition, witnessed grilling moments for the participant writers.
The participants were armed with the right tools to develop competence in poetry, drama and fiction writings by highly a experienced and knowledgeable instructors.
According to one of the participants of the workshop, Julius Wayamdi, who spoke to Blueprint, AWF’s workshop was an eye-opener as it had broadened his comprehension of creative writing–fiction in particular.
Wuyamdi, who is a developmental researcher and aspiring writer said, “Prior to attending the workshop I knew nothing about employing one’s five senses–sight, feel, smell, taste and hear – as sources of story ideas.
“But the workshop has taught me those things. Hence, my senses have been trained to be more active and alert all the time. Now I could enter anywhere and instantly identify ample story ideas.
“The workshop also taught me to have fewer characters in a short story preferably one or two. I’ve also learned to avoid allowing dialogues to dominate my fiction stories, because too much of it makes it a play as opposed to fiction. This instruction was handy,” he concluded.
The aspiring writer added that ‘lateral thinking’ has furnished him with more perspectives and vistas on the art of generating different ideas effortlessly in a random way.
“Knowing and having the necessary tools of a writer; self-believe; a genuine desire to write; etc. were some of the factors we were taught would keep propelling us as we go on with our writing endeavours.
“Also, the interactive nature of the workshop also gave the participants the leverage to ask questions, voice out their opinions and seek more clarification on any gray areas. Thus far, my writing ability has gone beyond the level it was before I enrolled in the workshop,” Wayamdi noted.
He therefore advised all those who are interested in polishing and sharpening their writing skills to enroll in the AWF.
One of the instructors at the workshop, Amina Aboje, who handled the Poetry session, identified the fact that having the talent and interest to write is not enough, adding that to excel as a writer, there is the need to develop that talent to enable you polish your craft.
Aboje stated that the participants were equipped with the skills and fundamentals of creative writing through teachings, writing and reading exercises under a very friendly and interactive atmosphere.
“Though I held poetry class, I also interacted with all the participants in the other genres (Drama and Fiction). One thing was clear: everyone who attended was glad that they came and basically, that was what we set out to achieve at the workshop and I’m glad we succeeded,” she noted.
In his remark at the end of the workshop, the organiser, Dr. Emman Usman Shehu, who is the President of the AWF, stated that when the forum was floated in June of 2008, capacity building became high on their agenda.
He added that thus far, “the workshop has been quite a rewarding experience as most of the participants have testified. We however hope we can get sponsorship to enable us increase the scope and frequency.”
Emman also went down memory lane to describe how the whole idea was started before it became what it is now.
“Initially the invited, established Guest Writers held a one-day workshop. But by the time we held a similar training involving Chimamanda Adichie in collaboration with the United States Embassy, it became obvious that the structure had to change.
“This led to the current format where participants take part in the Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced phases. Each phase runs for four Saturdays. These are intense practical sessions working within the genres of poetry, drama and fiction.
“We plan to run a certificate programme in creative writing in conjunction with the International Institute of Journalism. So those who come through the three phases initially mentioned can then do the certificate course focusing strictly on producing a publishable manuscript in any of the three genres,” the President noted.
