The Therapy in Writing: A Conversation with Awodiya Funke

Interviewer: Ayobami Kayode

Awodiya Funke is a creative writer, passionate about poetry and the promotion of book reading culture. She is a foundational member of Poets in Nigeria (PIN), a member of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Lagos branch where she is presently serving as the Publicity Secretary. She is the initiator of Safe Dreams Initiative, an initiative dedicated to Sickle Cell awareness.

In this conversation, our Interviews Lead, Ayobami Kayode engages her on everything writing and she talks about her formative years, how writing gave her healing, reading in Nigeria and much more.

I’m impressed by your bio. All that it entails sure requires a lot of energy. So, how did it start? When did you realize this creative writing skills of yours? Tell us how it all started.

“I wrote my first poem at the age of 13 when my father died.”

Okay, it started early. I started writing around the age of 11 but I wrote my first poem at the age of 13 when my father died. Since then writing and reading have been my solace and company.

Some mixed feelings right there... I’m amazed at such young age, you started writing. And at 13, you lost your dad. That’s sad. I’m so sorry for your loss. May you continue to find strength to stay strong.

Thank you. First, I believe writing is therapeutic in nature for the writer and reader. It is a journey of recovery and rediscovery.

What’s your routine like when writing. How do these words form. What time do you write? Where?

I write anytime and anywhere depending on the muse. But the Poets in Nigeria (PIN) philosophy of Poetry for service encourages me to write to inspire, to create awareness and to encourage. Also my background is Sociology, and that makes me write poems on social problems.

Sociology! That’s the study of society and what it entails. Beautiful one.
Should I say your course of study is enough driving force behind the magic you create with your art? But I won’t. There should be some books you’ve read. The genre you love. And of course, the writers you look up to that have contributed to this amazing journey of yours.

“Writing gives me an opportunity to model the world in my head”

Well, writing for me is a passion. But every writer 'feeds' on books. Reading is a hobby I discovered early in life. Books are ships sailing to many lands. Sociology taught me about society. Creative writing gives me an opportunity to model the world in my head in poems and stories. I have benefited from reading works of others. I enjoy reading Maya Angelou, Prof. Niyi Osundare and my own mentor Eriata Oribabhor.

Maya angelou,what a woman! Pa Osundare is everything too, I remember reading one of his collections, ‘early bird’ as a first year student in Junior Secondary Shool. And Sir Eriata is a force to be reckoned with. I love what he has been doing as far as poetry is concerned, and even beyond. What a selfless personality!
With that being said,
What books have you in the bag?

Haha. Do you mean my library? If yes, I have countless books of poetry written by contemporary poets. Novels, collection of short stories. The list is endless. One of my favourite is Efo Riro written by Iquo Dana Abasi a collection of short stories tasty like the title (smiles).

I also have copies of my published works, The Farmer’s Daughter and Woman of a Woman both are collection of poems.

I need to visit you then, I love your library already. Some books won’t resist following me home setting my eyes on them (laughs).

And your works, I absolutely love The Farmer’s Daughter. I read some of the poems in that collection... Absolutely brilliant. I definitely recommend it to every lover of good poetry.

My library is in a discreet place in my house. (smiles) Thank you for the feedback on my book. The Farmer’s Daughter, a title that almost replaced my name with my reading audience and other people in my circle.

Any other farmer’s daughter isn’t real. We’ve just one. (Laughs). Moving on, do you think we don’t take reading seriously in Nigeria?

“A higher percentage of youths read social media content not books”

People read but what material do they read? People read motivational books and other forms of writing. However, a higher percentage of youths read social media content not necessarily books. So authors and writers are producing more E-Books in recent times. But no doubt Nigerians need to read more books. Books inform and educate. Factors like literacy level negates the reading culture in Nigeria. So many children are out of school, some are in school and yet they can’t read and write. Writers and other stakeholders have to look into that. Only people who can read and write can appreciate a book.

Indeed! Only people who can read and write can cherish a book.

What do you do when you are not writing or reading?

When I’m not writing or reading, I’m rewriting and thinking of ideas. Well, I love photography. I love nature, moon, sun and stars. They catch my phone camera’s attention (smiles). Most of the things I do revolve around creativity.

Beautiful! Often, I wonder what makes a good story or poem. What’s your definition of a good story or poem?

“A good creative work is a piece I can connect with.”

A good story or poem depends on the reading audience. A good story or poem for me depends on the idea the writer is projecting and how he or she was able to put those idea down in poetic form or prose. Painting mental pictures with words and figures of speech. For me a good creative work is a piece I can connect with.

Brilliant!
Before I leave to start making plans to visit and raid your library, could you please avail us a well detailed advice to budding writers out there?

Everyone is learning from nature. I will suggest every writer should be true to the cause he or she has chosen. Keep learning and creating works. Life and writing can be discouraging. Don’t allow discouragement to weigh you down. To the poets out there heal with your poems. If you feel you are drowning in the pool of emotions seek help.

How can you be reached? Say email and your social handles?

Facebook: Awodiya Funke Instagram: @awodiyafunke

Twitter: @FunkeAwodiya

Thank you so much for this session.
Expect this library raider anytime soon (laughs).

Thank you!(laughs)
I appreciate.

Read our last interview with Okwubi Godwin Adah, the winner of the 2020 Nigerian Students Poetry Prize, here.

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Ayobami Kayode Tijani Ahmad is a poet and a third year Literature in English student interested in writing and academics. When not studying, he is experimenting writing styles on diverse aspects. He is the Interviews Lead of Book O’Clock Review.