Interview with S.A Ibrahim

 

Q- Tell us more about S.A Ibrahim

S.A. Ibrahim is acronym for Sarafadeen Ayomide Ibrahim; an Osun state indigene who has lived all his life in Ibadan. I come from a family of 4 (my parents inclusive). A copy editor, content writer and SEO (Search Engine Optimiser). 

 

Q- How did you discover your passion for writing?

Writing didn't start as 'writing' for me. It started from having an eye for errors (the simple definition for editing). I remember reading books and jotting the errors therein, in the stead of understanding the content.

 

I remember avoiding conversations with people because I found their use of the English language offensive. I had, and still have, a strong aversion to blunders. When I read, I subvocalise. So, even if I were made to read a writing stacked with errors, it doesn't sift into my head with the errors; my subvocal self corrects it. 

 

So, it happened that I stumbled upon an article emphasising the importance of sex dolls. The article had no blunders but the content didn't align with my thoughts as a person. So, in an attempt to refute the work and condemn the plasticity hinged to humanistic affiliations, I wrote my first article. I was bred by a mother who would always reiterate the importance of upholding good relationships with people and, if need be to part, shouldn't be on bad terms and this, to some extent, shaped my view of the world. 

 

Hitherto writing the refutational essay, I dug into and consumed a lot of web pages and books bought by my mother. This research made me realise that there were happenings that needed recourse in their doings if we were to realistically exist as humans.

 

Basically, that was how I started. Although, during my pre-teenage days, my mother being a language connoisseur constantly dished out writing assignments to me which she would later edit and give me to pore over my grammatical and mechanical mistakes. 

 

Q- Tell us 5 random facts about yourself

5 Random facts about me? Wow. 

 1. I see better in the dark than in the light. I am photophobic.

 

2. I am averse to swallows. I hate them a lot. 

 

3. I subsist on bread. 

 

4. I talk, a lot! 

 

5. I have a very soft heart; seeing people cry makes me cry, too. 

 

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 Q- What is writing to you?

Writing to me now, is an avenue to pour, to express myself in ways that sooth my person. I like to classify writing as an opportunity to share my opinions with people, to let people feel things before they experience it (grief, war, etc). When people feel glum happenings before this experience them, they are nudged to "pity" people stuck in those situations and become more humane. 

 

Q- What is your major source of inspiration?

 My writing used to be spontaneous; not triggered by anything. But, recently, it has drifted to getting triggered by developing an overly curious mind. So, questions and introspections about the mundane birth them, now. 

 

Q- What have you gained as a writer?

 I've gained peace and i think, that's more than enough for me. I grew a bottle. I didn't grow as an expressive & this affected my psychological balance. It really did put a dent on it. 

 

So, I have gained peace from the inside. I can now express anything I want to and its everything, for me. 

 

Q- Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

I see myself making a whole lot of magic! 

 

Q- Any plans for the nearest future?

Yes. Many plans. 

 

Q- What challenges do you think writers face in Nigeria? How can they be solved?

I think Nigerian writers are not getting as much support as they need and deserve. This clime views writers as wretched and this stereotypic nuance can be pillaged if writing becomes one of the most lucrative jobs in the country.

 

The literary atmosphere here is stiff. Very stiff, even with the quality of works churned out.

 

Q - Tell us a weird feature you possess that most people do not know

 A weird feature? Hehe. I'd say my ability to blur my five senses. I can blur my eyes in such a way that I'd get the bokeh effect from cameras &, can make my skin passive if I want to. I can use my tongue to block my sense of odor and voice at the same time. Literally, I can leave the present if I want to. 

 

Q- Your happiest moment

I lose memory of things easily. Pardon me. That's how my brain is. I really do not remember anything that happened to me in 2018.

 

But, I'd say my happiest moment was when my mom's motor neurons awoke from being supine after a surgery. 

 

Q- Your favourite colour

Black & blue.

 

Q- Your favourite celebrity

Siedd.

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Q- Your favourite food

I do not have a favorite food but I enjoy eating bread. 

Q- Who is/are your role model(s)?

Everyone is my mentor and no one is. Haha. The truth is I have a list of mentors whom I overtly take cues from, and, owing to the fact that I am vested in up to ¾ career trajectories, I have many. Sir Jide Badmus taught me word economy overtly and covertly, Michael Akuchie; simplicity, Aremu Adams; fluidity, Nome Pat; language and form, Mark Manson; subjectivism, Taofeek Ayeyemi; style and voice. RMG; imageries and so many of them. It’d be safe to say I still am under mentoring. 

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Q- Your favourite choice of holiday destination

Kuwait / any Arabian country. I'd really love to tour the gulf. 

 

Q- Your social media platforms for fans to reach you

I tweet @essayibrahim2.

 

My Facebook name is S.A. Ibrahim.