INTERVIEW WITH JOHN PERLMAN

May 7 2009

My society, environment and talent are my source of inspiration. I was also motivated by well meaning authors whose books I have read.

Jonathan Okafor is a young aspiring writer who has written a couple of appealing novels that are gradually making waves. His unique style of writing is rapidly creating a niche for him in the world of literature. The moment I met Jonathan, I considered him immediately smart, intelligent, heartwarming, cheerful and humble. Realizing how much effort he has invested in becoming a published author and how passionately he has taken his writing career, he decided to grant me an interview. He walked into my suite on that bright Saturday morning, dressed casually in a black shirt and blue jeans. Discerning a recording tape patiently lying on the little glass table, he giggled, knowing I was fully ready for the interview. I was well pleased to see him.

JP It is nice to have you here, Jonathan.

JO Thank you.

JP Tea?

JO No, thanks. I’m fine.

JP This is our second time of meeting. The first time was on the plane to Paris. We met incidentally as passengers sitting on the same seat row. You were a bit tired.

JO (smiles) That’s right. I had just arrived from Lisbon and was flying to Paris immediately. So, I was pretty fagged out.

JP I wanted to be convivial and I asked what you were going to do in Paris and you told me you were going for author’s seminar/workshop. I widened my eyes, so overwhelmed to have a writer sitting next to me.

JO (nodding and smiling shyly) That’s right, but I was flattered.

JP How did it go?

JO O, it was fantastic, quite different from all other workshops I had earlier attended. I was opportune to meet some renowned writers, publishers and editors to converse with them.

JP By the way I have finished reading your books ‘Season of Tears and Agony of a Child.

JO That’s great. So you were able to get them?

JP Sure. I just googled them and there were hundreds of online bookstores selling them, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

JO That’s cool. I like when people tell me they’ve read my books. It’s not just enough for authors when people buy their books. They become more pleased when readers tell them that they’ve read their works. Some of us who write primarily to impact the society feel happy when our books are bought and read and not bought to decorate little libraries at home. Write your comments about the books and post them to my website. My readers’ comments are very crucial to me. They give me a clue of whether my books are appealing or not, where I did well and where I need to improve on. Being a new writer this is very important. So send your comments. I am sure you have my website address. I gave it to you, I remember.

JP Sure, I will do that. They are very interesting.

JO Nice to hear that. I like it when I receive comments, and I read everything sent to me.

JP You seem to be an interesting person who has so much to offer to the world through writing.

JO I am humbled.

JP I bet your readers are curious to know how your writing career began.

JO My writing career began as a hobby. I liked writing a lot while I was a child. I started writing as long I could read and spell. At the age of six, I had already started writing impressive letters which I sent to my relatives abroad and elsewhere and by the age of thirteen I had started writing essays and short stories. So, I would categorically say that my writing career began at a very tender age.

JP At what point in your life did you think that you should write to be read?

JO While I was in high school, and that was when I graduated to writing novels. My first fiction of a hundred and fifty pages was written while I was in the tenth grade, which we call SS1 in Nigeria.

JP What is the title?

JO Beyond Pardon.

JP Has it been published?

JO No, not yet. I think It needs some finishing touches. It’s a sort of amateur book because I wrote it while testing my ability to write a novel. But I love the story line, diction, dialogues, setting and so on. It’s an epic fiction, comparing and contrasting life in the old days and life in the present day. It’s one of my favorite stories.

JP What year did your first manuscript hit a publishing company?

JO In two thousand and four.

JP Did you get a contract the first time you sent your manuscript?

JO No. My proposal was turned down.

JP Why?

JO Most traditional publishers are seeking authors who are already established in the writing hemisphere, bestselling authors. They rather not take risks publishing new authors whose books they are not sure would be read by many. Therefore as a new author, it’s very intricate to break through when you send your manuscript to these publishers the first time for publishing, except in rare cases where the author is extremely lucky and his or her work exceptionally marketable.

JP How does a writer feel normally when his or her work is rejected by publishers?

JO I cannot say for other authors. As for myself, I feel depressed and sometimes discouraged. One thing is to write, another is getting published. I used to feel very bad when my manuscripts are rejected but attending workshops where I was advised and tutored on how to react when my manuscripts are rejected has helped me a great deal in coping with such disappointment. I actually came to realize that the zeal to write the more emerges when my manuscript is rejected. I keep up the momentum, still writing zealously and searching for other publishers and literary agents.

JP From what I gathered in your webpage, you have written ten to fourteen books.

JO That’s right.

JP It was a big surprise to me considering your age now and the period you began to write professionally. I’m not a fiction writer, but I know some authors spend years compiling just one story. What’s the secret behind this?

JO It takes me basically nothing to put a manuscript together. Once the story is composed I write from start to finish. When I give long intervals, I tend to forget some parts of the story. It’s a matter of creating an idea if it is imaginative and scribbling it down. I write as the story flows, except in situations where I am assiduous with other things. Even at that I try to program myself in a way that makes it possible for me to write amidst a busy schedule.

JP How long does it take you to write a full manuscript?

JO It depends on the length of the story. The longer the story, the longer the period of time, but I have written manuscripts that took three months, six months and even one year… The quantity of time matters too, and the motivation to keep up the pace and momentum.

JP Do you sometimes get bored in the process, probably at some point which you really want to write but the words and ideas are not flowing as supposed?

JO Yes, but I rather use the word ‘miserable’. Objectively, I feel miserable when I want to write but the idea or words are not just coming. The body is willing but the mind is incapacitated. Sometimes you are not in the mood in as much you would love to be. But then this doesn’t happen often. It’s easier when I compose the story constructively with adequate ideas before transforming it into a manuscript. You are more focused on developing a story when you do not have to think of what to write in the next paragraph, page or chapter. And I think it is always good to allow the characters to be in control of their roles while writing a story rather than you the writer. By so doing the ideas flow naturally and abundantly and there will be little or no room for misery or boredom.

JP What do you do at this point?

JO Well, to curb my misery, I take a long walk to get some inspiration. I go to the gym to exercise, because exercise is not only on the physical. It helps the mind and brain too. It relaxes them. I browse through some favorite books that give me inspiration. I watch TV or go out to meet friends for a chat and drink. I take a long drive of over a hundred kilometers. But then I also know that it’s an omen that I need to take a break to relax the brain and mind.

JP How do you write your stories?

JO (thinks a bit) Em…How do I put it? First of all I create an idea from an inspiration and begin to build a plot around the idea, seeking events and incidents that fit in and go in line with the idea. When I get a full picture of how the story should go and assess the storyline, I swing into action by developing it. Afterward I begin to transform it into a manuscript. Basically my stories are based on things that are happening in my world, my society, things I can relate to.

JP In other words you are saying that your books are based on true life stories.

JO Some of them, not all. They are things that happen in real life but then the stories are imaginative ostensibly.

JP Which of your works would you consider most challenging?

JO All my works are challenging because they are all unique in their different ways. They comprise of different subjects. But if I am compelled to mention one, then I would say my book on female circumcision. It is titled ‘Genevieve’.

JP Why do you consider it most challenging?

JO The subject I had written on is a very sensitive and delicate one. It is very profound and broad. I had to carry out a long and intense research to be able to obtain adequate and accurate information for the book. In the process, I frequented the libraries, consulted the internet and even interviewed several women who had been through the experience, and to get them to tell me about that was a bit difficult, considering my gender. But I managed to obtain the best possible materials for the book, and then compiling the result-oriented research to construct the story was quite demanding. It was equally time consuming. The completion of the manuscript took nearly a year and half.

JP What is the book all about?

JO I rather not reveal anything about it until it is released. I consider telling my story before hand unethical. But like I said earlier, it’s a fiction on female circumcision.

JP Where do you draw your writing inspiration from?

JO My society, environment and talent are my source of inspiration. Sometimes I am also motivated by other authors whose books I have read.

JP I know that many upcoming writers always look up to certain people as they manage their career. Who do you look up to?

JO My mentor, you mean?

JP Yes.

JO Well, as regard African writers, I look up to Chinua Achebe, Flora Nwapa and Zaynab Alkali, while amongst the western writers; Sidney Sheldon, Barbara Taylor and John Grisham. These authors are great writers who have inspired me enormously by their great works.

JP What would you say about Chinua Achebe being the father of African literature?

JO He deserves that honorable title ‘Father of African Literature.’ You cannot afford not to mention him while talking about African literature. He has taken Igbo, Nigerian and African literature entirely to a greater height. His works are excellent, unfading and above all inspiring. I read him over and over and never get bored of his piece. All his works are master pieces with tremendous impacts.

JP How would you describe your writing skills?

JO The fact that I don’t have any form of formal education in literature or creative writing, I would obviously describe it as a talent. Like I said earlier, I started writing when I was a child and I’ve kept up that burning zeal and insurmountable passion till this present day. If I may add, I attribute my writing talent to my father basically. He was a writer at his early age, a keen writer who was aspiring to become a journalist but one thing led to another and he ended up an economist.

JP When you started writing, did you know you would someday become a published author?

JO No. No idea to be honest. It all began as a hobby, something I derived so much pleasure from doing. But as time went on I was getting better and better. My writing ability and skills began to improve tremendously. It was after I had written my first manuscript that the interest of writing a book for publication emerged.

JP Does the atmosphere play an important role for you while writing?

JO Yes, to an extent, but I have never considered it an issue. I write anywhere, anytime. I write in a noisy place, serene place, on the train, on the plane, on the bus, in the classroom, at work etc. It depends on my mood and writing spell. I go almost everywhere with my writing materials so that I could get on with it anywhere my spell catches up with me. The urge to write comes spontaneously. I rather forget to take my wallet with me anywhere I go than my writing materials. They’re very indispensable to me.

JP Who are your target audience?

JO No category in specific, my books are based on subjects that involve people from all walks of life; both old and young, man and woman.

JP Your books seem to be more educational, yet very entertaining. Fictions are normally more of entertainment than education Why is it so?

JO First of all, I am not an academician, and second, I modestly disagree with you technically for thinking that fictions are meant for entertaining only. My concept or rather perception of fiction is that it is used as a tool to pass information onto the public. You could use fiction for propaganda. You could use it to express your opinions and ideologies over issues of any sort. In the past the greatest stratagem for self expression and propaganda was literature. People used creative writing to express their emotions, grief and views toward bad governance, ill practices and so on- Take for instance the great days of Shake Spear, Eric Blair and so on, whose books are politics oriented. Literature by its very nature has a concise role to play in behavioral/societal change and capacity building, and I equally see my books as a tool for such aim.

JP In pertinent to what you just said about your books being part of your little contribution to encourage behavioral change and capacity building, do you think it has been serving that purpose?

JO Yes. Readers, especially westerners who consist of a large portion of my readers’ estimated population have acquired so much knowledge from the subjects I have written on. They have been sending me comments and emails on certain things they find thrilling, ponderous, unbelievable and shocking in my books, things they had never heard, seen or experienced, and things they probably wouldn’t have known if they hadn’t read the books. For example acquainting an average European who has never been to Africa or who knows little or nothing about Nigerian culture, except what he or she hears and sees on BBC and CNN that in Nigeria it is mandatory for a woman to mourn her husband for a minimum of one year with a shaved head when he dies would be a thing to be marvelled at.

JP Do you feel fulfilled at this stage of your writing career?

JO No. This is just the beginning. I am nowhere near the track yet as far as my writing ambition is concerned. The sky is my limit and I am working hard to get there. But I am happy and thankful to God that my dream of becoming a published author has ultimately come to past and that is all that matters momentarily.

JP Has there been any point in your life when you were unsure of what you were doing in terms of writing?

JO I’ve never doubted myself from the very day I discovered my flare for writing. I have always seen my writing career as assuring and promising.

JP What aspect of writing do you find challenging?

JO Typing and proofreading. It takes me a shorter time to handwrite than typing and proofreading. A manuscript that took me six months to handwrite would probably take me a year or so to type and proofread. I’m hardly contented with my work in the case of proofreading. I could proofread my manuscript ten times and still feel there is something that needs to be changed, emitted or added. Therefore  the proofreading stage of my work is always a confronting battle.

JP What other hobbies or talents can Jonathan boast of?

JO Well, for the word ‘boast’ I am not sure. But just as any other multi-talented fellow, I am also good in fine arts, for example painting and sculpturing. I write scripts for movie production. I dance also.

JP What are you doing in the moment?

JO I am studying, writing a script for movie production and working on my books translation.

JP What are you studying?

JO Social service and health care.

JP How do you cope with your studies and writing career?

JO It is simple when you go by the proverb that says ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. I have been successful with combining my academic and writing careers. I ensure one doesn’t affect the other. It could be stressful at times, especially when there are a lot of school work but there is always need to place momentary priorities first amongst pressing needs.

JP Let’s come to Jonathan when he was a soldier. How long were you in the army?

JO Six years, come to think of it.

JP How was it like serving in the Nigerian army for such a lengthy period of time?

JO It was fun. Nigeria has one of the toughest, most recognized and largest army in Africa and the world at large, so serving in it for six years was a great privilege and achievement for me. I had a tremendous experience. I learned a lot of things. The army made me stronger. It inculcated in me a sense of confidence, bravery and discipline.

JP Why did you leave?

JO I resigned because I wanted to do something different with my life. I wanted to further my studies and concentrate more on my writing career.

JP Would you go back if you were asked to?

JO If necessary YES.

JP How do you mean?

JO For the fact I achieved a lot in the army, it is a profession I wouldn’t say ‘No’ to for the second time.

JP How would you describe the Nigerian Army?

JO It is a statutory organization globally respected for its colossal courage, fearlessness, immense dedication and selfless effort to save humanity.

JP When do we expect the release of your next novel?

JO In 2010.

JP Month?

JO Unspecific.

JP What is it all about?

JO It’s titled, ‘Second Class Citizens’. It’s a story of HIV and AIDS.

JP What advice do you have for young people who are aspiring to become writers?

JO Nothing aside being who you are, believing in yourself and working hard toward achieving your dreams.

JP We’ve talked so much about the inside part of Jonathan. Now, let’s briefly emphasize on his looks … You look very stunning, very sporty and fit. What did you do to convey this amazing look? I am sure you must have heard this question a million times.

JO (laughs shyly and clears his throat) A million times indeed. I must say that seventy percent of my fitness is from the gene, while thirty percent was achieved by intense exercise. My father is muscular and so are my brothers. I work out quite a lot in the gym and I equally do a lot of sports. I knew you were going to throw a question on my physique. I saw it coming (laughs).

JP Probably that was why you wore such a fitted shirt. You wanted to indirectly remind me of these incredible muscles.

JO No, far from the truth. Anyone who knows me well would probably tell you that I am so in love with fitted outfits, particularlly shirts, be it round neck or collar.

JP Why?

JO I like to keep my arms free. I equally like to appear smart, and so I am really conscious and obsessed with what I feel comfortable in.

JP Do I call it your signature?

JO It could be unarguable if you do.

JP Well, that will be all, Mr. Jonathan. Thank you for granting me such a wonderful interview. It was great to have you here.

JO Thank you.