ANA Bayelsa, SFWA Inspire Writers At Creative Writing Workshop In FUO
By Jonah Fubara, YENAGOA – The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Bayelsa State Chapter, in collaboration with the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), has organized a one-day workshop for writers at the Postgraduate Auditorium of the Federal University Otuoke.
The workshop, with the theme “WORLDS UNWRITTEN,” was aimed at inspiring writers and exposing participants to various aspects of creative and speculative fiction writing.
In her remarks, Dr. Ebidenyefa Tarila-Nikade said the programme is organized annually to inspire writers and improve their writing skills. She noted that learning is a continuous process, urging participants to take advantage of the opportunity to develop their talents.
Speaking on World Building, the Chairman of the Association, Ebi Robert, a legal practitioner, described world building as the process of constructing an imaginary world in a story.
He identified three types of world building as authorial, readerly and critical world building.
Ebi Robert said writers must maintain internal consistency, establish clear rules, ensure that essential elements are captured and make their fictional worlds original.
He appreciated the facilitators for coming to impact knowledge and encouraged young writers to work hard and never give up.
In a goodwill message, the ANA Bayelsa Subchapter Coordinator, Federal University Otuoke (FUO), Dr. Onyeka Ike, commended the organizers for putting together the programme and appealed to members to continue doing more for the association.
Quoting Nelson Mandela, he said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Dr. Ike, in his presentation, explained that fiction is not limited to prose, but also includes drama. He highlighted major characteristics of fiction, including imagery and deep characterization, while drawing attention to the importance of plot in story writing.
Also speaking, Associate Professor Franca Okumo, who presented a paper titled “Creative Writing: From Imagination to Impact,” said creative writing begins with an idea and uses words and emotions to communicate.
She explained that creative writing can be based on creative reality and may take the form of drama, poetry, fiction and other forms of imaginative writing.
In her presentation, the Vice Chairman of the Association, Mrs. Hannah Onougwe, stressed the importance of speculative fiction, noting that the genre has contributed significantly to the literary world.
According to her, some elements of science fiction allow writers to explore the mind and move from the unknown to the known.
Also speaking, Dr. Ernest Jackson, a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts at the Niger Delta University, spoke on Science Fiction and Fantasy, describing the two genres as distinct in nature and capable of exploring both past and present realities.
Mr. Jackson urged Nigerian playwrights to own and tell their own stories rather than copying writers from other countries.
He also advised writers to develop their characters properly before beginning their stories.
Some students who attended the workshop, including Richard Witman and Preye Gbaranbiri, described the programme as impactful and beneficial.
They said the workshop had changed their perspectives on creative writing and helped them understand speculative fiction as an inspiring genre, while exposing them to new approaches to writing.
