Gertrude U. Uzoh, a computer scientist-turned writer, an insightful presenter and a singer; opens up on her blast moments in Ebedi International Writers’ Residency and her debut novel: One Love, Many Tears: It Takes Two To Tango, in an interview with IBRAHIM RAMALAN in Abuja.
Being a Computer Science graduate, what draws you into writing?
Writing is just a natural flare for me. I can express myself quite well in writing. In fact, I have had several examples of situations where I find myself almost tongue-tied at an immediate instance of certain incidents in my life but only to go back and put my case all out in writing for better understanding. And at the end of the day the persons involved were able to understand me quite well. So writing can be an innate ability in me, like a talent, in figurative expressions of creativity and inspired imaginations. That does not say that I cannot express myself verbally, but the beauty of writing is more in its special ability of permanence; writing surely keeps things to record for ages to come. But aside the creative expressions or entertainment that my writing as an author can give to my readers, I also write as a form of quiet advocacy. I have ideas I wish to pass across to the society, and I find that writing a book in the form of stories built into a novel is a way of getting my voice out there.
Speaking on your debut, ‘One Love, Many Tears’, where did you get the inspiration to write it?
My inspiration for this particular novel comes from the same point of view that I like being participatory or involving in “doing something” to help our society or make our world a better place. You see, I don’t want to just see some harmful religious, social or cultural ills in our society, and then I will just be silent about them. In my understanding, that will be very unfair and I won’t be living to the fulfilled purpose of my life. So in my own way, writing about such observations, be them virtues to be encouraged or vices to be discouraged, is my own little way of contributing to “making our world a better place”. That is besides my personal life; because if I can preach for or against something, I should be able to live up to that faith or message. So, once I am convinced about it and I am moved to write on it, then I use entertainment stories to carry on the message I want to pass across; I don’t want people to be bored while taking my message. That’s my drive or inspiration for writing the book.
What are the central themes in the book? And in what ways are they drawn on your experience and research?
One Love, Many Tears: It takes two to tango! has major themes such as Self Identity, Murder, Love, Hypocrisy and Altruism. Other themes include greed, child abuse, female gender displacement, low self esteem on one hand, then determination, willpower, and purity of untainted love, self love and positive ambitiousness on the other hand. Truly, these themes reflect the results of my personal research and observations of what is easily available in our society today. And the accurate expressions of these themes surely draw from my personal passion, feelings, and in a way a little bit of experience and personal witnessing of such in our contemporary society. But a large number drew from research and analysis. For instance, the beginning of the stories in the novel generated first of all a genealogy of the major characters in the novel and dates back to even 1914 and pre-independence days of our dear Nigeria. But I wasn’t even yet born by then! So researching and studies played a lot of role in the work, and that can attest to the exactness or accuracy of the dates, scenes, characters, timing, ages, technologies available or not at the time as used throughout the book. Even the types of furniture, houses and automobiles used at different times, scenes and settings in the stories all reflect the results of some analysis and research I made while writing the book. I even had to research both the connotative and denotative meaning of some slogan/phrase in French language, which was used in describing a particular key character in the book.
What sets ‘One Love, Many Tears’ apart from other books in the same genre?
One Love, Many Tears: It takes two to tango! is very unique in its language simplicity. There’s none like it, so far. The book appeared in very easy narratives even though retaining its intriguing and incisive qualities. Its Characterization as well sets it apart; the book has a wide range of varied characters, but the beauty of it is the unique ability of creating a distinct harmony between the characters. It’s not a kind of book that one will be reading and say that they got lost or that they no longer know which character is which. Every step of the way, the reader is carried along. Another unique thing about the book is its surprising timing in bringing in new characters and in creating flashbacks, thus giving the reader a sweet link back to earlier events in the book – to the readers’ relief. It creates some heightened suspense in a particular scene for instance, and then suddenly takes the reader out of the scene but not off guard. Then sometime later in the book, as the reader was almost giving up on what has become of this particular incident or that character, a flashback suddenly appears to fill in the gap and satisfy the reader’s worry or curiosity. To me, it is a unique style and all of it adds to make the book stand out.
What are the keys to your success that led ‘One Love, Many Tears’ getting out to the public?
Well, let me say that I strictly applied principles like persistent focus and strong self discipline on myself while working on the book. I can assure you that it wasn’t a cup of tea to get the book out to the public, but it was possible because of unwavering determination in the face of myriad discouragements and distractions. Then again, sticking to the goal and refusing to give up on my personal values or personal interpretation of excellence, as well as allowing myself in most cases to be ridiculed, mocked and despised as a person because of my seeming “impossible” style, all worked as some keys to the success. You see, it’s not easy. You know, knowing you are being ridiculed or disliked and still refuse to give up or “play along” just to miss the stunts of others is the hardest part. But I’m very grateful to God today, whom I give all the kudos on a very personal level, for sustaining me so far through the goal of getting my works out to the public. So, those are the keys to the success of One Love, Many Tears: It takes two to tango! which I hope to continue sticking with, because, so far so good.
What group of readers are you targeting at?
My target audience for readership is mainly adult members of the society, but teenagers and adolescents or smart kids can still read the book and grasp its messages. This is because; the novel is presented in a simple language structure and exciting word choices for everybody to understand and enjoy.
It’s an unusual book – especially for a debut. Was it easy to find a publisher?
No it wasn’t. For starters, the first manuscript I had for the book stayed over a year with a publishing house who never gave me a positive feedback, to the point that I had to call back my manuscript from the publisher – in frustration. Now, that was the first major discouragement I experienced with the book. I almost gave up; if not for the encouragement of a very good friend who advised that I just have to keep on keeping on. But looking back now, I want to believe that the book wasn’t fated to be published by that time or by that publisher. So later on (when it was eventually fated so), after several more changes and improvement on that first manuscript, it finally got published – about four years afterwards.
You are an Ebedi International Writer’s Residence Fellow. What is your own thought about the Residence?
Ebedi Writers’ Residency is simply a place of quiet and concentration in a serene environment for writers who have some form of work-in-progress they wish to finish or at least touch-up within the stipulated period for the program. It separates one from the distractions of normal everyday life. The Residency program allows writers a period of four to six weeks at the Writers’ Residence for this single purpose of writing. It is a very interesting package, and it sure promotes writing as well as encourages writers in their field of work.
What were your thrilling moments there?
My thrills at Ebedi were the days of my weekly interaction with the students of IDGS – a secondary school in the district. With my co-residents, we go there regularly to coach or mentor the young boys and girls in creativity. We stand before them as examples of what developing and using one’s innate creative talents can be. Personally, I enjoyed those days with the students exceptionally. I danced with them and I sang with them. I encouraged them to draw inspiration from within themselves and the society or their environment to write me original poems, songs and stories. To my surprise, those students are exceptionally talented; I can attest that a number among them are future Nollywood stars in terms of music, performance poetry and acting – should they pursue such career seriously in the future anyway. Even some of those that were notably “dull’ and uninvolving at the beginning of my class later surprised even themselves at what such creativity they harbor inside.
You see, just by mere insistence on them to really come up with something, they did – surprising both me and themselves. In particular, I have a young girl called Rasheed Aminat to cite my example with. Will you believe that on my first day of entering the class I created for my group while there, I asked that we should all first of all introduce ourselves (because my style was that my class must be interactive and involving for everybody); but Rasheed Aminat could not even stand up before the class. She was too shy (and stubborn as well – oh I didn’t miss to notice that too -) to even say her name, let alone show us what talent she has got as I asked everybody to do. I took note of her and a few others as my “special” students. So I called them aside after the class that day. After talking with them, to encourage and motivate them, they promised to improve their behavior and come to class ready with cooperation by the next week. And from that coming week, I didn’t let down my expectation on them to deliver both their cooperation and talents as promised. I guided them gently though, and before long, everybody in my class was giving their maximum cooperation. So this kind of individual achievements with the students I mentored while there are personally my real swell moments at Ebedi. I enjoyed my times with them.
How has the Residency imparted on your writing life and style?
The experience of the Residency Program imparted me positively in terms of the fact that it added a pinch of encouragement to my career as an author. To see the rareness of one man’s originality and altruism in practice is a great encouragement as against the many discouragements authors and other artistes in Nigeria do experience. Dr. Wale Okediran runs the material and administrative cost of the program single-handedly; I know this because I asked him and that’s what it is. It is his way of giving back to the society too. As a successful author himself, he definitely understands what needs an author has. His initiative of setting up such program to assist or simply encourage other authors is worthy of emulation. And for a new author like me, what else can I ask for? Having such support and encouragement from elders and higher people who are well-to-do and very capable of giving their own assistance as a contribution to our dear society is sure good to anybody, and highly appreciated. So it is a worthwhile experience for me to have been there, and the impartation thus received is very positive for me – all the way. While there, I worked on two books; the first is my second novel, and the other a small collectibles.
11. When are we expecting your next novel?
As soon as I get responses from the publishers I’m already contacting for the publishing. I’m looking at having it out sometime later this year, hoping that there won’t be extra delays and plans go as expected.
Can you recommend Ebedi International writers residency to a friend?
Yes. I’ll surely recommend Ebedi to any interested author. It will be worth their time if they use the opportunity productively.
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Any challenge faced?
Challenges are everywhere because they are what they are – challenges! The difference in me now is that I have learnt that they are actually very necessary for growth, be it on me personally as an individual, my career growth or even in everyday life. Majorly, my biggest challenge remains meeting and partnering with the right people to push through the threshold, be them in the form of publishers, marketers/distributors, sponsors or even financial partners. But then, patience and my faith continue to take me on, because what brought me thus far is certainly taking me farther. Once it is fated so, it will surely breakthrough at the fated time.
You have been hailed as one of the Nigeria’s freshest young writers. How does it feel to be given such a description?
It simply feels good. It also gives a sense of accomplishment, meaning that the works one has been doing had not been in vain. It means to me that despite all the challenges and setbacks of the past, that there is good hope for me as a new Nigerian author. It means to me as a young person that yes, the times I invested in self-discipline and positive use of my youthful energy are not wasted. It simply feels okay, because I think that if I didn’t work for it, I wouldn’t have achieved it. But in particular, I feel privileged of it too, because it means to me that I can comfortably and really say to every other young person out there or aspiring to achieve some good objective in any field, that you can do it! With persistence, focus and committed work where necessary, you can achieve whatever good you set your mind to, especially if God is on your side. Generally speaking, it is just an honor for me, and I am grateful for that.
As a young author, what is your writing process? Do you outline?
Surely yes; I can’t do without outlining and setting a planned structure of what I want the output of my work to resemble. Then I begin to work on the outline. Though there are times when ideas just pop to the mind, and one cannot just wait for proper outlining – you just start writing immediately. But later on, all the pieces of the write-ups for a book can then be joined together following an existing outline set for it.
In constructing characters and scenes, do you use psychoanalytic theory as a tool?
I am not a Psychoanalyst but a Systems Analyst by profession. [laughs]. But I do have an inclination to psychology anyway. I know terms such as temperaments, enneagram, body language, and other behavioral typing or analysis tools. I must say that this knowledge played a fine role in the creation or description of characters, scenes and behaviors in my book. For instance, a character had lots of bitter experiences and depressive moments between her childhood and teenage. Now at a later part of the book, this same character came out as a very careful, cautious and courteous individual but with trust issues. She finds it very difficult to trust anybody because of her painful experiences of the past – she had had some moments of experience when she even felt the great disappointment of God himself. Now, her outcome in life, according to the storyline in the book, is simply true to type. So I believe in a way, that psychoanalysis played an active but silent role in the strong depiction of characters in the book.
Do you feel that psychoanalysis is necessary for a writer?
Yes. It is a good tool. For authors that can use it and use it well, it is encouraged. It adds life and lots of reality to the characters created in a story.
Being a young author, what are the challenges generally?
Generally, funding support and true partnership support are the greatest challenge any new author can face. You know that being so new means that one is just coming up and not yet very well known; so any investor may want to be a bit hesitant as they consider the prospects of return in their investment. This is very understandable, especially being that people usually want to join in only when one is already successful. But while on that rigorous road to success, only few who really have faith in one and those who can see one’s great potential beyond the now and the immediate will want to lend a hand of support. You won’t believe it, but the truth is that some people even consider the fact that one is just coming up and want to take advantage of it to ruin one and whatever goal or dream one has. That is somehow unscrupulous. But the beauty of it all is that no matter how many the challenges in this aspect, one’s dignity and integrity remains intact and even grows higher each time one more of such people got defeated. And the summery is that without all these challenges, one may never really grow as strong as required to make it. Challenges teach their lessons, you know.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
My main advice is for them to know that it is highly possible and achievable that they reach the height of their dreams in writing, despite whatever challenges they are facing. They should learn the acts of self discipline, honesty (which remains the best policy) and patience, and they shouldn’t ignore the importance of aiming for excellence; meaning that they should imbibe as much strong personal qualities and good professional skills as possible to stand out. Do not be discouraged – neither by the many wickedness, envy and jealousies around you, nor by lack of finances, poor living conditions or poor social linking. If you stay true to yourself and give out your best at all times in what you believe in, you will be rewarded in the end; it is only a matter of time. And when it finally happens for you then, your happiness will be complete, because when you look back or tell your story you will see that your dignity, integrity, self respect, your love (even for those who wanted to stop you one way or the other) and your faith in yourself will remain intact. Now, having these cherished values can give anybody a great peace of mind. I am sure we all need our peace of mind.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
In the next five years, trusting in the support of the benevolent heaves of course, I see myself as one of the many talented and hardworking Nigerian authors and singers that have braced themselves against all odds to become huge success stories and source of inspiration to others.
