Why I Write // Daniel Aôndona // Nonfiction
WHY I WRITE
The age-old question of why writers write has a unique answer for each individual. The reasons are as diverse as the writers themselves, influenced by their muse, goals, and background. This diversity is what makes writing a source of pleasure, driving writers to be consistent, determined, and growth-oriented. This essay aims to explore my personal motivations for writing.
To begin, I may be wrong in saying I started writing at the age of eight or nine. However, I vividly remember writing my first short story in primary three or four. I recall pouring my heart onto a sheet of paper, hesitant to share it with anyone due to my shyness, which I still struggle with today. Compared to other writers, I began writing at a relatively early age, but the reasons behind my passion for writing are complex and multifaceted.
For me, writing has transformed from a hobby to a necessity. It's a means to express the depths of my emotions, capturing life's experiences in all their beauty and ugliness. I'm enamored with the power and beauty of words, which flow effortlessly onto paper, conveying my thoughts more eloquently than my tongue ever could.
My introduction to poetry was a result of exposure. As a literature student, I never appreciated poetry until my final year in high school when I discovered the works of teen authors from other parts of the country. It was in 2022, at the Hadiza Ibrahim Aliyu Schools Festival (HIASFEST) where we were gifted copies of ‘From My Windowpanes’ by Sulaiman Adamu, and ‘Rewrite The Stars’ by Sunday Saheed, both runner-ups of The Nigeria Prize For Teen Authors. Their creativity sparked a challenge within me, revealing the goodness of poetry in a way that compelled me to become a poet. I wanted to write, to win The Nigeria Prize For Teen Authors, too (I didn’t win), to publish my books. I happened to be more drawn to Sunday’s work, the boy was very small back then, I must say. I didn’t only admire his craftsmanship, I envied it, I felt challenged to write my first poetry manuscript, ‘The Hidden Stars’ which would be later longlisted for the 2024 Arting Arena Chapbook Contest, surprisingly. My love for poetry eventually eclipsed my skills in other genres. I exempted slowly from fiction writing, drama, and even sketching, which used to be my favorite.
As a poet, I'm deeply concerned about the world around me, the rising and setting of the sun, the innocent cry of a child, the birds chirping in the yard, the voice of the girl-child and boy-child, too, my brethren massacred daily in the heart of Benue, the homeless children wandering the streets of Abuja, and the boy in me always yearning for things greater than him. All these moments, they ignite a fire within me, urging me to let my pen dance across the page.
Through writing, I find peace, confidence, strength, and even weakness, plights, and failures. It has become a sanctuary where I can escape darkness and discover my truest self, my most authentic voice. With each line written, I piece together the fragments of my broken world. However, my writing is not solely self-indulgent; I aim to use my art to connect with others, to share my world with you, us, and them.
As in addition to self-expression, I write to connect with others who may share similar experiences or emotions. My words are tools that span the gap between my world and yours, a bridge that allows us to meet in the middle and find common ground. When I write, I am not alone; I am part of a larger community that transcends borders and boundaries.
Moreover, writing is a way for me to process the world around me. It's a way to make sense of the chaos, to find meaning in the mundane, and to extract beauty from the ugliness. Through writing, I can take the fragments of my life and mound them into a mosaic of understanding.
As I continue on this writing journey, I am constantly reminded of why I started in the first place. It's not just about putting words on paper; not all about the accolades, in as much as they too are prestigious. It's more about creating a legacy that will outlast me. It's about leaving a piece of myself behind, a piece that will continue to inspire and uplift others long after I'm gone.
In conclusion, I write because it's an integral part of who I am. It's my purpose, my passion, my light, and everything. I will continue to write, pouring my heart and soul onto the page, sharing my words with the world, and inspiring others to do the same. Through the power of writing, I have lived to discover my innermost self, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
