Meet Tolu Akinyemi whose writings have appeared on various platforms such as Verses from the Sun, an Association of Nigerian authors. The Ondo state born and UK based author has written several poetry collections. His books have funny titles which arouse your curiosity and to his credit have been bestsellers and have been recipient of positive reviews. You can find him on instagram as @poetolu.
Tell us about Poetolu?
I was born as Tolu Akinyemi. Poetolu is a pen name I adopted, especially for social media. I grew up in Akure, the capital city of Ondo State in Nigeria, where I also had my primary to tertiary education. I studied Architecture at the Federal University of Technology Akure, served under the compulsory Youth Service Scheme in Zamfara state, before proceeding to the University of Greenwich, London for a Master’s degree in Built Environment Studies.
How long have you been a poet?
From an early age, I’ve had a fascination for the pleasure of words, books, and writing. I didn’t start seriously writing poetry though until 2010 after I joined a poetry group on Facebook.
Do you think you were born to be a writer? Did your writing skills come naturally or did you have to train yourself?
I don’t think anyone is ‘born a writer’. What we call talent is often opportunity coinciding with interest, which turns into a passion. Every writer is first a reader, an ardent reader, and becomes a better writer only by actually writing. So I’ll say, someone may have a flair towards something, but the skills come by diligently doing.
What do you love most about being an author?
The understanding that even after I am dead and gone, I can still exist through the books I have written. For the present, there are several opportunities and privileges that I have enjoyed from people, and in places, I go to, once they learn I’m an author. It’s quite fascinating really.
How was it like growing up in a place like Akure?
Akure was, and probably is still one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria. Of course, it didn’t have all the attractions that big cities have, but it was still fun. Traffic congestions (which I hate about big cities like Lagos) were alien experiences. You could get to anywhere within Akure in 30 minutes. I really loved growing up in Akure, it was like having the best of both worlds. It was a city, but also offered you everything you could find in a rural town.
What is your greatest motivation for success?
It’s fear. The fear of failing. The fear of being one of the millions of people who would be born, to grow up, to go to school, to get a job, get married, have children then die, without leaving an impact or doing something noteworthy with their lives. I’m not suggesting everybody has to be a writer or an author, (though I believe everyone has a story to tell). I am however certain that everyone can find a cause to live for, something that endures after they’ve gone.
Tell us about one of your collections that you consider as your favourite?
I’m not sure I have a favorite of the 3 poetry collections I have written. If I have to choose, it will be the last one (Funny Men Cannot Be Trusted), as I feel my style had become more defined after the third book.
Apart from poetry, what other things tickle your fancy?
I’m glad you asked this question because writing is just one of the many things I enjoy doing, so I’m often careful about being defined by just that. I love traveling and photography; I consider myself a professional hobbyist. I enjoy cycling and tennis. I’m a gadgeteer as well.
How have you been able to carve a niche and platform for yourself?
I think my writing stands out because it’s simple, poignant and non-pretentious. My writing has an agenda, which is to shine a light on the seemingly trivial experiences of everyday living as an African. It’s alright to write about the more popular themes of the socio-economic and political challenges of Africa, but those tell an incomplete African story. My writings try to balance this by focusing on the ordinary non-sensational stories of everyday people and experiences. People are at ease with writings they can relate to, especially one that infuses wits and humour. Humour is a universal language that everyone enjoys.
If you could change anything about people’s perception of poetry, what would it be?
For readers; erase your biases about poetry. There are different styles of it. Find one that you will enjoy as much as you enjoy other genres of writing. For poets. Simplicity and depth are not mutually exclusive. A poem can be simple and profound. Poetry is about communication, it’s about the audience. If the reader do not receive the message, it’s in vain.
What projects are you currently working on?
I’m working on my first prose form book, titled ‘Bobolaya, the land of liars’. It’s an African folk story for teenagers, that can also be enjoyed by anyone as well. It’s due for the second quarter of 2018.
What limitations have you encountered so far in your career?
I think writing the books is the easy part, getting it into the hands of readers is a lot of hard work.
What advice would you give to budding poets?
Poetry is a language and your priority has to always be clarity and communication. Understand your audience and write for them. Albert Camus once said; ‘’Those who write clearly have readers, those who don’t have commentators’’. At the end of the day, I think it depends on what you want as a poet, do you want to be read by readers or do you want to write for critics.
Tell us one thing Social media doesn’t know about you.
I’ve never had alcohol. I have no idea what it tastes like.
When will we be seeing more of you in Akure?
There is a tendency for my visits to Akure to be unannounced, very soon, hopefully sometime in the coming year.
This interview originally appeared on www.sunshineherald.news
Comments