As writers, it’s our responsibility to amplify our voices and use our writing as a medium to make things right. It behoves on us as writers to “write the society” using our words as a catalyst and medium of this information exchange.
The world keeps changing at the speed of light and as the world evolves, think of the many ways by which we can change the narrative.
The recent #endsars protest in Nigeria comes to mind and the many ways by which creatives responded to the malady using varying art forms.
Now we can tell why it’s expedient to write the society. To amplify our voices and make it loud for the world to hear.
To my topic, Being Peculiar as a creative:
As a creative, one way by which you can truly stand out is by being original. Originality helps you distinguish your art in the over saturated writing space.
- ) Original ideas would always thrive, no matter how saturated the market is. As a creative, think of legacy projects. What do you want to be remembered for? What are your writing goals?
Is there a purpose to your writing? Your response to the above questions will help you define the whole aim of your writing journey.
I recently completed a collection of poems titled “Black ≠ Inferior“ which I deemed a legacy work. Read Kirkus Reviews here
To create a work that will outlive you, it requires thinking outside the box. Don’t create from the prism of your location, think global, expand your horizon and you will create something magical.
2.) Forge an Identity: It’s expedient to forge an identity as a creative to stand out in the over saturated literary field.
As a creative, what are you known for? When your name is mentioned, what comes to mind? Your works must exude intentionality.
Don’t just do things because it’s trending or the in-thing.
Be known for something profound, notable, and different.
3.) Build an enduring brand: Brand building and being peculiar is synonymous as a creative. Don’t be concerned about building a brand just for the sake of it. But why do you do what you’re doing? Why do you create?
See an example of what my author brand stands for below:
https://tolutoludo.com/author-statement.html
Being peculiar as a creative means, we need to see beyond the aesthetics of today’s social media. Either online or offline, are you building an enduring brand that would outlive you?
Are your web footprints growing? Can a visitor to your website/social media talk about the essence of your creative journey without breaking sweat?
As I draw the curtains on my presentation, always remember that standing out as a creative would distinguish you from the sea of heads and make you relevant through generations.
1.) How can you be original in your writings when you read other people’s work? For instance, you read a poem about love and while writing yours you find yourself using the words, not necessarily the sentences used…
Would that be called originality or copying and pasting?
2.) My second question has been a concern that’s always bothered my heart,
what’s the difference between a quote, a write up and a poem?
3a.) What Qualifies a poem?
3b.) And How short can a poem be?
Q (1) Ans: Being original in writing does not infer that you can’t read other people’s work. It’s okay to read other people’s work and be inspired to write yours. Except you’re writing a found poem when you’re using words, phrases or passages from another book with due credits given.
However, when you’re lifting words from another book to write yours, that’s a sign of plagiarism.
Original writing doesn’t mean the idea has not previously existed however reinventing the wheel is a nuance in creative writing.
It’s okay to have an idea, write a few words that come to mind and continue when you have the inspiration.
Opening another book to write a poem should not be the standard to aim for otherwise it defeats the purpose of creative writing.
Q (2) A Quote is a repeat of words written or spoken by another person. It could also be an excerpt of a text from a book or by an author or a person with authority.
See quote examples below:
https://tolutoludo.com/quotes.html
A write up is a piece of writing or an article where the writer gives their opinion on an issue.
A poem is writing where words are elevated to share feelings and ideas.
Q (3a) Ans: When the words move your readers, the emotions qualifies a poem. Using figurative language is a nice to-have in a great poem. Some poems follow a rhyme scheme, while others do have a rhythm to it. In summary, language and emotions make a poem unique.
Q (3b) Ans: As short as you want it to be.