Saturday, July 24, 2010

What my albino character taught me:

...Omonoba...
Our people say:
Yoruba: Èèmejì letí olójà ńgbórò.
Eng: The ears of the king hear everything twice. - Yoruba Proverb.
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PH City (7months ago)
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 By the way: I feel very strongly the need to travel 'round Nigeria more. Now, I realize how much there is to see and do. When they ask me for my best country, it is not difficult to give an answer. 'I have drank many waters, eaten many foods, worn many clothes but have had only one home'...NakedSha.
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I am still writing about an albino. My friend, E-Smiles is giving me awesome moral support from Lagos and with him, I hope to cover a good portion of my research soon. Do you remember when we wrote stories as children and often, we would write about what we were not or what our little minds could best imagine? I remember. I wrote about pixies and elves (thanks to Enid Blyton) and midnight mountain adventures with long torches and a family dog (thanks to the Ladybird series). What happened to that culture? Now, it is almost the norm to write about what we are, who are are. Unfortunately, we soon run out of our own stories unless we reach out to tell those of others. Besides, telling my own story incites restraint. I am constantly thinking about what should be told and how much of it should not be shared. So now, I am writing about an albino and learning much more than I ever expected. In telling the stories of others, I learn from them. To my character, the sun is both an enemy and something that is secretly longed for because the sun seems to be darkening everyone else but bleaching him.

And I know now that I am just like the albino. Today, I long for age but deep down within me, I fear that age will bring wisdom that will swell and then burst like the party balloon. Until I become frail and useless. 

Bless,
NakedSha.

P.S, please visit E-Smiles here.

11 comments:

  1. Well said ... I never thot about the sun from an albino's point of view... i guess writing on different characters really helps you understand them... interestign

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  2. i have this great feeling of achievement already,bestheart!
    we've got the Lord on our side!
    Cant wait!

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  3. Looking forward to your book dearie, I can already see the greatness.

    As for age, it is part of life and as long as we keep an open mind and take care of our frail bodies, it will be just a number

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  4. So true about the age thingy... I tend to have the same fear.

    ...and I cosign with Myne. Go! ur book.

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  5. Less I forget, I am now in Lagos, Nigeria and I must confess... it brings its shockers o. I am still in shock. haha

    _ LDP

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  6. Waiting for the book o!!! Been a while since I was here. Will try and me more regular now.

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  7. @Lani, it sure does. And it has strengthened my imagination...well

    @E-Smiles...God has us. Can't wait either.

    @Myne...Thanks ma'am.

    @LDP, thanks oh jare. And you're in Lag? Good for you. Bless Fashola.

    @SK, Thanks a lot. I'll look forward to seeing you.

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  8. Can't wait dear,just can't wait...
    Loved the post..

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  9. True story about the learning experience. That's one of the things that I good writer does - exploring the character; not just assuming that he/she knows all about the character, being the author. Great stuff.

    I look forward to the book!

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  10. more ink to your pen...so do quick make i buy & read o..*grinning*

    @LDP..so you are in 9ja now ehn?...welcome ooo...hope that the shock of seeing the state of things no give you headache sha?..*sigh*

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Your comments are my maggi!