On Saturday 25th October, the New Lagos Book Club called a writers’ assembly to discuss “The Business of Writing”, the conception of which I find commendable. Incidentally, I have a book of that same titled, purchased in 2004 and which I have read over and over with other books on [freelance] writing and journalism, so I knew I would have lots to share.
During the second panel, Chude Jideonwo got everyone literally hanging on his every word when he revealed the decisions he took years ago when he realized that writing was what he really wanted to do. “I told myself that I didn’t want to be poor and I didn’t want to be irrelevant as a writer,” the publisher of the youth-focused Ynaija.com said. He took that decision after witching a group of established writers critique a piece of writing, particularly arguing almost endlessly over the style of the author. He thought that was a waste of valuable time, one that could lead to penury (and don’t we all know brainy writers who are struggling to make ends meet nowadays?). Jideonwo followed through with his thoughts and he is now one very rich (?)—and influential—dude.
