Wole Adedoyin interviews Chinenyike Lawrence Ezemagu: The Theme and Idea in a Piece of Writing Excite Me -

WA: TELL US ALL ABOUT YOUR WRITING BACKGROUND- WHAT YOU’VE WRITTEN, WHAT YOU’RE CURRENTLY WRITING.
EZEMAGU: I am Chinenyike Lawrence Ezemagu. My writing journey spans into two decades ago at the tail end of my primary school, or primary four. As a school boy, I used to indulge myself in writing stories on papers and bringing it to my elder sister (Ngozi) to read through. Of course, that stage did not create any existing (meaningful) writings, but crude, crass and unrefined. Yet, it was the ember that lit and ignited more flame; the humble beginning that must not be ignored. Then, in my JSS1 I started writing the first draft of my autobiography (one of those copies of writings that got discarded too). But it was all preparatory, nursery and refinery ground. I also made my first publication in my JSS1, published in my school annual magazine, SUNLIGHT. I got into the school Press Club, writing and casting news. I served as the Area Secretary General of the Area Press Club (comprising different big schools). In the University of Ibadan, the zeal and participation continued. I wrote my stories and submitted them to the then Editor-in-Chief of the department. At his passing out from the university, I was made his successor as Editor-in-Chief, regardless of my stage of study, barely a new intake who just rounded up year one. I wrote my first novel, THE POSEIDON, just after my graduation from the University of Ibadan. Others followed suit: 48Hours, Garden of gadgets, the Diary of a Native Son, From the Pit of Hell, Her Beauty, Her Beast, mystic conversation etc. THE INVICTUS is my recent and current work. I have, apart from my prose literature, books on modern language (French), academic essays published in books and journals.

WA: WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT A PIECE OF WRITING?
EZEMAGU: The theme and idea in a piece of writing excites me. When I pick a piece of writing, I long and yearn to see, not a story with characters recounting the regular, but addressing meaningful issues, areas of life and human existence. I love to see a style in telling such a story. That is the creativity, or what Achebe Chinua describes as ‘stylish felicity’.

WA: WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS AND WHY?
EZEMAGU: Chinua Albert Achebe, Sarah Ladipo and Chimamanda Adichie. They are bold, African and good with words, with their stories.

WA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A NEW WRITER STARTING OUT?
EZEMAGU: To write, write and write. That is the only way and magic to become a good writer. And they should not be carried away by the pieces that are not yet making sense. If they do not write poorly today, they will not excel tomorrow.

WA: WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO WRITE?
EZEMAGU: Nature. My environment. My experiences. As a writer I have learnt to be an active observer of the universe, my own society. Things I write about do not descend from the sky.

WA: DO YOU HAVE A WRITING ROUTINE? A PLACE THAT’S SPECIAL?
EZEMAGU: Not really. I create time when to write, but I do not follow it strictly. I have known as a writer, especially creative writing, that ideas work like serendipity in science; it does not necessarily come when we are looking for it. The impression comes impromptu.  I have no significant control over my stories and ideas. It is inspiring. Therefore, I prefer writing just when they come knocking, or I simply put them down to develop the ideas/stories later.

WA: HOW, WHEN AND WHY DID YOU FIRST START WRITING?
EZEMAGU: My earliest time to draft notes was in primary four, then secondary school and improved writings in the university. I write because I love to express myself and share ideas.

WA: WHAT WAS THE FIRST PIECE YOU EVER HAD PUBLISHED?
EZEMAGU: Different from the article, my first piece or story to be published was SOUND OF THE MASTER in 2011.

WA: DO YOU ADDRESS PARTICULAR THEMES OR ISSUES IN YOUR WRITING?
EZEMAGU: Yes, I do. But not in isolation.

WA: HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED SENDING YOUR WRITING OUT INTO THE WORLD?
EZEMAGU: Excited. Grateful.

WA: WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS FROM?
EZEMAGU: Books, stories, conversations, events.

WA: HOW DID YOU GET YOUR PUBLISHER?
EZEMAGU: In the same Association of Nigeria Authors.

WA: TELL US WHAT KIND OF RESPONSES YOU GET FROM AUDIENCES\ERS.
EZEMAGU: The responses I get from my readers vary. I get feedback like I am historical in approach, my writing is terrific, my stories are captivating and page-turning. Have also been critiqued for long digressions, long conversations in my writings.

WA: HOW CAN PEOPLE FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOU?
EZEMAGU: Through my contact information, including email, phone number, social media handles and in person too. I am very personable.

WA: TIPS, TRICKS, THINGS TO PASS ON TO DEDICATED WRITE?
EZEMAGU: Put down your thoughts as they come. Do not delay it or procrastinate. Most ideas go and never come back, at least not as before. Learn to write by writing. And of course, every good writer is first a good reader. So, read wide, read voraciously, read anything.

WA: ANY TYPICAL/COMMON MISTAKES THAT NEW WRITERS TEND TO MAKE?
EZEMAGU: Not protecting one’s piece of art enough, losing their manuscripts.

WA: WHICH OF YOUR BOOKS WERE THE MOST ENJOYABLE TO WRITE?
EZEMAGU: The Poseidon

WA: TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST PUBLISHED BOOK? WHAT WAS THE JOURNEY LIKE?
EZEMAGU: Her beauty, Her Beast was my first published story online, with COMMUNE WRITERS’ INT’L.  My experience and story was a sad one. It was the road leading to my getting to publish on amazon in 2022.

WA: WHAT IS THE KEY THEME AND/OR MESSAGE IN THE BOOK?
EZEMAGU: Insecurity in Nigeria.

WA: WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU ONLINE?
EZEMAGU: Linkedin: Lawrence Ezemagu; facebook: Chinenyike Ezemagu; instagram: Chinenyike Ezemagu; X: conqueror142; telegram: Energy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The author is a Nigerian writer, who has authored a number of books, including: the Invinctus; the Poseidon, 48Hours, the Dairy of a Native Son, From the Pit of Hell, Her Beauty, Her Beast etc. He is a graduate of the prestigious university of Ibadan and Dominican University, Ibadan. He is a member of Association of Nigerian Authors; Ibadan Book Club; Africa Public Speaking Academy (APSA); Africa Society of Healthcare Professionals (ASHP); Disaster Volunteers International (DVI); International Center for Igbo Cultural Diplomacy. He is a trained and certified cybersecurity professional, modern language expert, a teacher, writer, researcher and chess enthusiast, whose research interests include: African history, science history, political philosophy, African religion and civilization, existentialism and modern language. Through his books, Chinenyike has spent years doing what he loves doing, teaching and growing numerous minds.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Obinna’s transgression and breach of a code, just after his induction into the garden of gadgets, resulted, sadly and eventually, to his expulsion and eviction from the garden. Will Obinna ever be re-admitted into the garden, will his youthful indulgence and misdemeanor cause him his freedom forever? Garden of gadgets is a story infused with adventures, satire, history, exposures, computer literacy, digitalization and youthfulness.

Chinenyike Lawrence Ezemagu is a Nigerian writer who has authored a number of books, including essays. He is a graduate of the prestigious University of Ibadan (2018) and Dominican University, (2022), Ibadan. He is a member of Association of Nigerian Authors and Ibadan Book Club. In this interview with Wole Adedoyin, he talks about his works and passion for writing.