Collabos ahoy!

I don’t usually get Christmas gifts, but this year, I’ve been blessed to have some amazing individuals join me on this blogging journey, penning their thoughts and diversifying what could have otherwise been a monotonous affair. So [in the spirit of Christmas, in the spirit of giving,] I’m proud to celebrate my amazing co-writers; the human beings who’ve shared their gifts and talents with us all, over the past few months.

Without further ado, let’s get into it 😎👩🏾‍💻

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How would you describe yourself?

Arthur: First as a human being, everything else is either transient or expedient. Storyteller. Sometimes a certified lover boy, other times an aloof, overly rational, ‘seemingly’ emotionless recluse. Mostly cool, calm, collected, with seething rage neatly tucked underneath. 6”2 tall (yup, ladies, I am your spec). Ginger-haired eagle, first and last of his kind.

CC: Imaginative, inquisitive and adventurous mind🤷🏽‍♀️

Ruth: Hmm. I’d say, I’m a person who tries to do my best at most things. It has upsides, but it also means I can be (a tad) self critical… but I’m learning done is better than perfect. (Abi?)

Gr33n: A very short description of myself is ‘handful’ 😊😊😌. I’m not even gonna lie, I can be quite the handful, in a good way though. But I’m also very fickle; they go hand in hand. Sometimes I’m all over the place spreading joy and laughter, planting my energy in other people. The other times, I just want to be alone, press my phone, sleep and be pampered like the baby girl I am. I mean, is that too much to ask?

Pearl: Imperfect, quiet, unassuming, easy going, playful and blessed.

Atomic: I’m for the most part somewhat complicated…or maybe I just think I am. What I’m sure about is that I wish it were more simple.

Muyiwa: I am a Christian, a son, a brother, an uncle, a friend, a cousin and much more. I am passionate and I am growing to be the man I’d love to be.

Why do you write? What do you write?

CC: I seem to like writing, it calms me down, and I love creating characters through the pen. Fiction stories. Blog posts. My #ChroniclesOfInternship was my first non-fiction. I don’t generally do non-fiction cos the world is a crazy place.

Ruth: I write to think, and learn. And maybe teach, I’m still learning to do this bit. Writing is almost like ritual for me. It’s how I plan, and think things through so apart from school work, I’ve always written for personal reasons. I’m trying my hand at more things these days. Grateful for friends like Valerie with blogs I can try in.

Gr33n: My most common form of writing is poetry, and I write because it makes me happy, the innate ability I have to spawn a couple of words together giving them new life and breathe taking meaning is honestly fascinating. It’s a very pleasurable experience. I also write to get rid of some emotions I’m feeling at a point in time, it’s like an energy conversion for me, emotions to written words. I’ve found words to be very powerful and useful. I can be feeling sad and spin a tale of the top of my mind, not necessarily pertaining to the emotion at hand, and I’ll feel way better. It’s always a delight and apparently some other people looked at my work and liked it, so it I guess it’s a win win.

Pearl: I write because I just love to. And because I have something to say. It’s funny, that for someone that hardly talks, I have a lot to say. Lol.

Atomic: I write as part of my ways of expression; it is my proof that I can create. It serves as an escape sometimes and also it is where I can gather my most controlled and powerful thoughts. I write about life. I think my writing speak to an ideal world. I also enjoy fiction but the only fictitious part of it is just the names and places, most of what I write has most likely happened on some part of the earth or spirit.

Muyiwa: I write because I have to. I always have so many thoughts spinning in my head about so many stuff and writing is my way of expressing myself. I write about things I am learning/reflecting on, theology, the Christian life, poetry and I journal.

Arthur: Catharsis, staying sane, because my friends keep saying I can write, because some days I believe them, because some days I know it’s true.

What inspires you?

Ruth: Everything that is good. Everyone that’s trying.

Pearl: Lately, the Holy Spirit. But any and everything really. Plus, I love creating characters and letting them do their thing.

Atomic: People inspire me, I inspire myself sometimes too. I’m a sucker for the underdog, the happy, albeit not always practical ending. I love love.

Muyiwa: A dead 19th century British preacher called Charles Spurgeon. Other writers. People that give their best into their art. Life? I dunno haha.

Arthur: One word: life. I write about what was, what is, and what it could be. I like to write what I like to read, sometimes the story is mine, sometimes the story is someone else’s. But it’s a story that is true at its core.

CC: Um, Nature (viewing God’s creation and just being in awe). Some movie producers/writers too are dope.

Describe your style

Gr33n: Most of my work comes across as melancholic, with a sad and twisted end no matter how beautiful it begins. Personally, I’ve tried to write happy endings, but it just didn’t give me the same zest and satisfaction of bringing tears to the readers eyes and pain to their heart because life isn’t all the fantasy we desire and I need to remind people how quickly it can turn sour so you don’t forget your brain whilst dealing with matters, especially of the heart. Please I’m not a bad person, don’t be afraid; it’s just the niche I understand and carved for myself.

Ruth: Honestly still figuring this out, both as a writer, as a creative in general. I know I want to teach and build nourishing communities with the work I create though. So, I guess we’ll be figuring out the how as I go along.

Pearl: Creative writing

Atomic: My style is still evolving, I honestly don’t know what it is. There is probably some official term for it somewhere.

Muyiwa: I just like to write freely my thoughts and refine it afterwards. I love the English language so I often like to make sure there is some wit in whatever I write.

Arthur: Show, don’t tell. Deeply emotive. Story telling. Make me feel something kind of writing. Stream of consciousness. As the spirit leads.

CC: Style of writing- fiction. Blog posts are more like #RandomThoughtSaturdays. I also do some abstract poetry.

What’s your preferred medium?

Atomic: Medium…anywhere that will have me.

Arthur: Right now, Twitter. Trying to rack up the following for a wider reach. It used to be IG, but I’m slowly moving away from that space. So please follow me on Twitter (yes, shameless plug) @arthur55d. I will follow back.

CC: WhatsApp status, current blog (CalliopeChronicles). Future, maybe another medium for my fiction stories. But that’s it.

Muyiwa: I’m a huge journal keeper! I also blog at eloquentstammer.com

Ruth: For writing? I mostly use my Medium account: Ruth Obayemi. I don’t do much of anything else, but when I take my one cool picture of the year, I do usually use instagram as well.

Pseudonym or nah? Why (not)?

Muyiwa: As of right now, no. I’m still comfortable so far attaching my name to what I write. But my creative name is Eloquentstammer.

Arthur: Nah. I understand that pseudonym gives writers freedom to express themselves and I myself have used a couple before in the past. But I feel like it takes away vulnerability & responsibility. Freedom without responsibility can potentially go wrong. I want to be constantly reminded that my words have power and consequences. For now I mostly just use my first name at least.

CC: Pseudonym…I’m still a shy person.

Ruth: No pseudonym. Just never had one… now that you ask though , I’ll think about it.

Gr33n: Yeah, obviously. Green is my favorite color and the 33 that replaces the ‘ee’ represents the life of Jesus and His ministry; it’s my way of showing my faith.

Pearl: Nah. As much as I don’t like the attention, this is me and my desire to make a difference and touch lives through my books outweigh the shyness.

Atomic: Not really sure about a pseudonym…on some level I want people to know it is me.

What else is there to you?

Pearl: Not much. Just living by the mercies of God, with my wonderful blessings, one day at a time. Plus I love laughter hence my fascination with funny memes.

Atomic: I’m more that one thing. Those other things are for those who want to discover them.

Muyiwa: I am currently studying theology and I am also trying to figure out how to be a man that pleases God; I have a lot to learn.

Arthur: Omo! It’s plenty! Opor opor! Where do I begin? Just come and have a look for yourself. The DMs are open (👀)

CC: I’m a young feminist doctor who still has some optism about the world being a better place sometime in the future to come🤷🏽‍♀️

Gr33n: Outside of writing, I’m currently securing my medical degree (maybe that’s where the melancholy stems from, who knows) here in Nigeria. It’s strenuous ehn, but the writing does help get a breath of fresh air.

Ruth: I just finished medical school so I can’t say much more than studying for exams😩. But I’m also pretty good at Netflix and finding rabbit holes on the internet.

Any future projects?

CC: With you? Sure. Personal, career-wise, yeah. Climbing the medical ladder to become a consultant. Writing-wise: may open up another blog page just for the fiction stories I write….once I have it together.

Atomic: The projects, the projects… I pray they materialize. You’ll see them when they do.

Pearl: Something is cooking but when it’s done, you will definitely get the memo.

Ruth: In the spirit of experimenting a bit more in general, I’m thinking to set a big goal. Something like post 100 creative projects in one year- maybe start a YouTube channel, or post more of my writing on Medium. (I think I’m saying it here for some sort of reverse psychology self motivation.) I’ll need a plan… but how’s that for a future project?

Muyiwa: Nothing concrete, but I want to journal more consistently and blog more consistently. I am trying to be the best writer I can be. My competition is Muyiwa Oyatogun!

Gr33n: I’ll probably do more works for the blog, but personally, I write as often as I can. I have a liru stash of my personal works.

Arthur: Yes, if you mean regarding writing and the creative space generally. Short term: within the next year, I am working on a poetry/short story compilation/anthology book. Working on a podcast. These same fraudulent friends have accused me of having a soothing voice. So why not? The world should hear it abi? No? So please support your guy when these come out.

Lastly, where can we find you (social media et al)? That is, if you want to be found 👀

Pearl: Still trying to decide if I actually want to be found. But if I eventually do, I will keep you posted.

Atomic: Nah, I don’t want to be found.

Arthur: Twitter @arthur55d or IG @arthur55d

CC: My blog, calliopechronicles.com

Gr33n: You can find me on IG @ojimarble, twitter @ojioluoma. Dunno if I should give my email, seems so personal 😅😅 and well I don’t use my Facebook and I honestly should revive my SC😭😭 but until then, we muuuiiiivvveeeeee.

Ruth: I’m on twitter @obayemiruth and IG @_trublion_ (it’s French for troublemaker 🤪). And of course Medium.

Muyiwa: Facebook: Muyiwa Oyatogun
Instagram: @eloquentstammer
Blog: eloquentstammer.com