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| Author: Femi Onileagbon |
The Association of Nigerian Authors, Lagos Branch, is hosting a "Meet The Author" #FridayFeature, for the general public to know who the authors in Lagos are, what they have written, what they are currently writing, what inspires them, and many more in 10 questions.
#FridayFeature's first author is Femi Onileagbon, the current Chair of the Association of Nigerian Authors.
Enjoy his interesting responses below.
1/ What is your name (Pen name if different), and what does it mean?
My name is Amos Oluwafemi Onileagbon. Amos means a man bearing a burden; Oluwafemi means the Lord/God loves me; Onileagbon means the owner of a house populated by wasps. As one, my name means a man loved by God who gives him a house filled with wasps to help/protect/defend him as he delivers his burden of messages- in my case through poetry and drama and other means necessary.
2/ What books have you written (title/genre/year of publication)?
1. The Tale of Teacher P., Creative Biography, 2006
2. Igbangaladi: the Enemy Within, Drama, 2008
3. stirring melodies, Poetry, 2012/3
4. Two Plays, Drama, 2013
5. this forge, my home, Poetry, 2014
6. Maren’s Family, Drama, 2014
3/ What inspires your writing?
Everything! I know it’s true that many expect one must have an ideology as a writer but I am not fired by any. I have the gift/talent and I use it. Yes, sometimes I delve into the ideologist’s world of socialism, realism, and so on but am not bound by any. I work with what works with my gift/talent. Something as ‘insignificant’ as a fly buzzing at noon might inspire me as much as seeing a policeman manhandling a helpless motorist or ‘okada man’.
4/ What has been your most challenging work, and why?
My most challenging work is "The Marriage of Princess Faderera" in Two Plays. I deliberately wrote it as a short play though it had the potential to be a full length play. Many told me to make it into a full length play but I declined. It was tough stopping the plot from running away from me. I wanted it to be short, capable of being staged anywhere within thirty minutes and I managed to do that. It took me longer to finish than other works too.
5/ What are you currently working on?
I am on the final stage of editing “roses red and black,” a collection of one hundred and fifty poems covering love, romance, heartbreak, politics, murder, etc.
6/ What are your favourite types of books and who are your favourite authors?
My favourite books are books that explore human nature as it interacts with various fields of experience. I enjoy Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Chuma Nwokolo, Toni Kan, Iquo Eke, and I was influenced by E.E. Cummings, Henry Ibsen, Niyi Osundare, and Wole Soyinka. I also have a passion for John Grisham, Jeffrey Archer, and Robert Ludlum. Stephen King, Danielle Steele, and Tom Clancy also have a piece of my heart as did James Hadley Chase.
7/ What have you had to give up for your writing?
Ha! That is tough o! Firstly, comfort! My writing is tied to other aspects of my being and this has seen me restrict myself to the world of literary creativity shunning other fields that would have seen me earn megabucks and be very influential. Art/literature is my home, all other things are secondary and those include comfort, love, and power.
8/ What is unique about you?
My brain! I have the capacity to rack up the wildest of ideas and strangest of thoughts. My brain, I think, goes at the speed of two thousand kilometres per hour. Unfortunately, it makes me impatient and irritable at times, but we are who we are, no?
9/ Where can readers get your book, and in what formats?
Two Plays and stirring melodies are available online at www.ysghubs.com. At the moment, there are no physical copies available. However, all the titles will be available from March 1, 2016. I will advertise costs and outlets as soon as they are available.
10/ How can readers get in touch with you?
I am on Facebook @ Author Femi Onileagbon; Whatsapp @ 08170135589; Viber @ 07062030807; Twitter @ @femonile; LinkedIn @ Femi Onileagbon, and BMM @ 27C99867.
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For more on the Association and its activities, please like them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ANALagLive/.
Until next #FridayFeature.
Literarily Yours,
CMO.
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