Professor Jerry Agada is an academic, novelist, poet and politician. A former Minister of State for Education, he has authored many books. In this interview with Edozie Udeze, he talks about his writing career and how the short story genre of literature appeals to him more
WHAT inspires you to write?
Things that are of general interest inspire me to write. Things like vegetation, anything that generates interest, anything that makes you feel exited and anything that creates the urge in you to say something of positive impact.
When did you begin to realize you will be a writer, at what age?
This was as far back as 1964. When I was in primary five (5) because our headmaster who was our teacher would buy abridged volumes of 13th century story books, such as Animal Farm, Treasure Island, Macbeth and others.
He would tell us that anybody who would read the book and come back to recite or retell the story not by way of cramming but way of retelling the story conveying the same message as contained in the book would be given a cash prize of one shilling.
I remember wining the prize several times and seeing myself as one who would be writing such story books some day.
At the age of twelve (12) when I had gone to the secondary school, I spent most of my time in the college library because there were so many story books and we would read as many story books as possible.
When you look at the blurb with the picture of the author, you feel you want to become like that person.
From that time on there was nothing stopping the urge in me to become a writer.
The first day my article was published in the college magazine was when I was in form two (2) in 1967 and that was what gave the final fillip.
When you read a book, what are the salient points you look out for and why?
The points I look out for are the plot, characters, the location and theme. I look out for all these things because they make up the essence and totality of the story.
Of all the books you have read which character intrigued you most and why?
They are so many depending on the book. For instance, the character of the pig in Animal Farm and its ability to manipulate situations after human beings have been chased out of the farm.
Those things that human beings were doing wrongly that necessitated the revolution were gradually manipulated to become the order of the day because Squealer their spokesperson, was always ready to turn black to white and vice versa.
What particular book triggered the muse in you?
I think this question should be framed the other way round because it is the muse in me that triggers the type of book to write. According to Gustave Flaubert you do not choose your subjects. They choose you. The muse is the spark which Henry James calls a donné and once you have it you are good to go.
What genre of literature appeals to you most when you write?
I have soft spot for all literary genres but my choice depends on what to write at that particular time. For instance, I like poetry when I want to catch up an event like a snapshot. In other words, I want to reflect on all aspects of that event without missing out all the inherent ingredients in a jiffy.
I like the short story genre when I want to run through a story creating the necessary suspense and holding the reader captive right to the end of the story.
The only genre i do not employ quite often is the drama although I like it too.
Where and when do you like to read or write? What time of the day is the most comfortable?
The truth is that I can write anywhere and read anywhere. For instance, I can write even in the bath room, in the toilet and even on the road or inside the moving vehicle depending on when the inspiration fires me on. And that is the most comfortable time for me to write or read.
Who are your favourite authors and why?
My favourite authors are those who write or create stories that teach lessons of life. They are those who use the act of storytelling to paint the world the way it is supposed to be. Writers like Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka and very many authors of this generation fall into this category.
In what ways has writing reshaped or reordered your worldview?
Writing has reshaped my view of the world to be like a watch dog of the society. Writing makes me to feel that any societal ill should be written about for the purpose of making sure that things go orderly.
It makes me feel that all human beings belong to the same level and does not create allowance for certain people to be above the law because of their status while others should be mistreated or regarded as the jetsam and floatsam or the no gooders in the society.
What book are you reading now or read last, any instructive lessons?
I read many books even now and in the past depending on the interest I want to read about. My instruction is that people should read as many books as possible and also read for comprehension. By that they will gain knowledge but must also be able to apply whatever they read to situations for the betterment of the society.
In other words, they should know that it is when knowledge is applied that it becomes power for whoever possesses it.
What book do you intend to read next?
I intend reading interest books that can satisfy my quest for further knowledge.
How do you arrange your library at home and in the office?
Well, I try to arrange my books by author, title or in order words in a way that I will get them or access them any time I want.
Leave a Reply