Certain environments shut down creative spirits. You have to be mindful of this and the colonies of people that have made their abode, there.
Nedu was a wannabe writer whose speed to share his story to the world, accelerated after he read posts by online, established writers. Something on his inside resonated with what they wrote, something that beckoned on his innate abilities to respond to the stirring of purpose... He believed that, if the writers he admired could put together, the imaginations in their hearts and churn out beautiful books, he also could.
It wasn't long, he started to write. Ideas flowed steadily like the sensual, snake-like movement of Imo river on hills and forests.
One day, he lent his completed manuscript to a friend to review. After two weeks of patiently waiting, the friend sent a reply, telling him that he has never read a book as worse as Nedu's book and that he should abandon writing any book because, no one would read it.
Instantly, Nedu's creativity shut down and fell into a coma. Since then, he has never lifted a pen to bleed.
Be careful of people that you give your books to review. Reviews are beautiful and necessary but, mind the heart-posture of the reviewer, especially, when you are still an immature writer, struggling to create a niche in the art.
Be open for criticism but, get criticized constructively. Some writers have abandoned writing because, someone told them that their works cannot sell more than two copies when published. And so, they gave up.
Why would you quit when all your life, you have fought and overcome giants and overthrown the demons of writer's block? And now that it is time to celebrate your small win, for finishing a book(no matter how error-loaded it is), you want to give up? Since you knew you would give up, why did you start the journey, anyway?
Dear writer, you are sculptured to assume the nature of a flame - the kind that spreads across forests and oceans and seasons and nations and boundaries. If you are, then don't allow inordinate criticisms, overwhelm you.
But don't be overexcited by the beautiful accolade of a reviewer, especially a friend. Many writers have had their creativities murdered by friendly reviewers who lied to them that they are the next Chimamanda Adichie and JK Rowling, ignoring errors loaded in their works.
You need truth to survive and thrive as a writer. Expect mob criticism. Expect it. Enlarge your hearts for honest reviews that hurt.
After I wrote my first book, "THE BRISK OF DUSK," a novella that told the story of black slavery from the vantage point of an Igbo boy, people read and criticized it. I took corrections and that enabled me do better when I wrote "COLD BREATH OF A GRAVE."
A Facebook friend, living in Dubai bought a copy and some days later, he sent his review. It was awesome, filled with satisfying accolade but balanced. He pointed at one or two things that was not in place. I was grateful.
No writer survives in evermore praise. You need brutal, constructive criticism - the one that pulls your muse into the truth and assists it to become a better word-creator.
In the most ferocious, headstrong, drive of a tiger, shut down the despicable environment that is hostile to your creativity and let the world read your books.
I am CHIADIKA JOSHUA
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