My books are for every living soul that can read and tackle the menace of drug abuse in our society- Saliu Ahmad Toyin

Saliu Ahmad Toyin, popularly known as ThePenWarLord is a Kwara based poet and spoken word artiste with two books: The Eye Opener and Extract from the Hourglass. In this Interview with ABDULHAFEEZ T. OYEWOLE, he attributed his ability to discharge his family, writing and tutoring duties to self-motivation, while expecting to fulfill his family members’ biggest desires to impact in the lives of young writers and be happy with himself. He also spoke about his book on drug abuse and his poetry collection which is for every readable living soul. Here is the conversation.

There are loads of memories surrounding my childhood. I remember so many things you wouldn't want me to start mentioning. Of course, there are times in the present day when an occurrence would trigger memories of my childhood and make me reminisce. If my brain still serves me, I was happy being a child, life was fair and I had my parents who God has sent. Under their tutelage, I grew.

As a teen, 12-14 years old. I was in Secondary school, I started writing short stories for "Press Club" and will paste on the notice board to reach my readers. I never thought of being a writer, our club patron tasked every member. I didn't want to act drama, or read news headlines and body on the assembly ground, voluntarily I submitted "once upon a time stories".

In 2015, I attended a program in Lagos state with a professional writer: Mr Sheriff Olanrewaju. There was an open mic session and no one was there to step on the stage. Mr Sheriff wanted me to step on stage and render any of my poems and I was like "I didn't memorise any of my poems fa", then he brought out his phone and assessed the internet. He showed me videos of poets at open mic sessions and I was inspired.

On February 13th, 2016. I rendered my first spoken word piece on a stage at my book launch. And from then till now, I have been doing 'it'.

This is indeed a question I knew I was bound to answer verily. I have a very close friend who is a sickle cell, through some of his crisis I have been by his side. He is indeed courageous and would refer to himself as a "sickle cell warrior". I was with him in one of his episodes around 2013, he was in pain, and he shed tears, his mother was there too on that day and he held her arms very close and told her "Mother, don't worry, I am a sickle cell warrior and I will fight my ways through this". Those words rang in my head when I got home. I wrote him a poem on that day and that night, I told myself I am a Pen Warrior. Then it led to Penwarlord. So I retained the pen name Thepenwarlord till date.

There's no golden rule in getting published, all you need as a writer is get a good manuscript ready, find a publisher and of course, have at availability the necessary fund. You can also consider getting publishing ideas or help from professionals.

I for one feel no special thing being a published writer. However, the only picture I see since I became an author is that I have  'hard copies' of my idea available at hand.

I must say the inspiration is natural. There is no special string attached to it. However, I quote: "Aside from the whole family, my mother is the source of my inspiration, the beginning of my intense fascination, a builder of my ambition and a guardian against my damnation". I am also inspired by nature, society and 'Pain'.

Poetry itself is literature in a metrical form. It is a way of telling a story using lines, verses and stanzas. One has to economise words perfectly to make it a good one. Spoken word poetry is extracted from poetry, the only difference is that one is written and one is oral (rendered/performed). Unless one has decided to freestyle, a spoken word piece must be written just before being memorized or performed.

Civilisation is touching every part of life's, and poets have decided to take poetry to the next height. More than just education, spoken word poetry provides entertainment and information. Gestures, sighs, pauses and other strategic methods are employed to make a spoken word piece more interesting.

Oh yes, there are rules but again I will say, there’s no golden rule. Just keep writing, read other people's work as well, learn the basic elements of poetry or literature, connect with other poets and share your works.

Both books are my Juvenilia. I started working on poems for "Extract From The Hourglass" in 2010 and eventually published in 2015. It contains 50 poems, written in various years: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. I didn't just write in 2015 and publish the same year.

I started research works on "The Eye-Opener" in 2013, when I was still an undergraduate. The school served as a platform to get my facts for the book which was also published in 2015 by Anour Int'l.

Like I said earlier sir, my family believed in my petty write ups a lot. I was motivated by each and every member of my family to compile the poems into an anthology and my research into something for the world. I had targeted every living soul (that can read) for the collection of poetry and for "The-Eye Opener", my targeted audience are parents, teachers, adults and everyone that can play a role in correcting the trending act of drug abuse in our society.

Being a writer is challenging at times. Through daily life, challenges I face as a writer include: distractions, mood swings, fund, publicity, writers block, just to list a few. All I believe can be easily solved if one is solely determined and motivated at all times.

How have literary associations (you joined) been helpful to you as a writer and a performer?

Thanks a lot dear sir. I must confess it is not so easy to balance my role as a writer, husband and tutor. However, I always prioritise. I try to do what is right at the right time, keep myself disciplined. When my family needs me, I must be there, when I have to take a class, I must prepare, and when the need to write or edit my works rises, I must heed the call. Self-Motivation will help keep the balance. Just Focus.

My Father -Saliu S.O, My brother, Barr Saliu Lanre, Renowned poet and writer, Wole Soyinka. My brother's first manuscript opened my eyes to the literary world and my father has always been there to look at my petty write-ups. Wole Soyinka's name rings a bell in Nigerians’ ear, even overseas. I want to be known for what I do best too, writing!

I'm working on another collection of poetry, a flash fiction and a spoken word poetry album. And at leisure currently, I read “Sambisa Squirrels and the Clueless Zoo-keeper” by Sheriff Olanrewaju.

If you want to be a writer, be a writer. Write, Read, learn more everyday. Be Motivated, be determined and be hardworking. Rome they say wasn't built in a day, and Success Pele said "Is no accident, it is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing".

Set the stage on fire and always keep the fire burning.

If I'm not writing, teaching or performing then I guess I will be relaxing, rehearsing and be with my family spending quality time with them.

To be interviewed, kindly contact Abdulhafeez Oyewole via Email  OR DM via Twitter or Instagram.