Busayo Fakunle Talks Writing Children’s Literature in Nigeria

 

Busayo Fakunle Talks Writing Children’s Literature in Nigeria

• BookRepublic admin
• August 12, 2020
• Author Spotlight
• 0 Comments

Busayo Fakunle is a Phonics consultant, poet, author of six children’s literary texts. He studied English and literary studies at the University of Ado-ekiti, elected as the president of NASELS. He had his Master’s degree in the English language at the prestigious University of Ibadan.. Some of his works have appeared in both national and international anthologies of high reputation. One of his books had made Oyo state Ministry of Education’s list of literary texts. He is a member of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Oyo state chapter and winner of The Poetry Court contest to celebrate Prof. Wole Soyinka’s birthday at 81. In this interview with Ololade Faniyi of BookRepublic, Busayo talks about why he loves writing for children and his influences.

BookRepublic: What motivated a career in writing children’s literature?

Busayo: I’m motivated into writing children’s literature because of my love for children and the desire to reposition the society morally, in order to save this generation and the coming generations from walking this thorn-filled corrupt path. I am of the opinion that literature is basically to illuminate people and make them see deep truth about the environment around them and not only mere reading of entertaining stories. So, I concentrate on writing children’s literature because of many reasons.

It’s disheartening to know that young people are corrupt these days and do not posses a sense of morality anymore. They see one another as rivals rather than partners in the business of nation building. So, I feel the urgent need to begin to write and circulate literary texts of simplified thematic relevance in respect to our contemporary sociopolitical challenges.

And of course, children’s literature does a lot in our society. It provides opportunities for children to develop their own valid opinions on topics and also a good avenue to learn about their own culture and others. So, I write children’s literature to help them see the world, develop emotional intelligence, to give them the sense of the need to be caring, passionate, hardworking, God-fearing and honest in serving their country and humanity as a whole.

BookRepublic: What is your favourite thing about writing for children?

Firstly, I’m glad to be affecting families positively in my own little way and the fact that I’m doing my best in making the society better through literary texts gives me so much joy. I believe addressing family issues is fundamental to having a sane society.

A family is that primary social group that feeds a nation but corrupt practices by most of our leaders have made it practically impossible for the society to benefit [restrict …] … [/restrict] positively from this social group. Rather, families have become bad streams that flow into a polluted river. So, that I’m working on the bad streams makes me glad. Let’s all address this basic cause of bad vices.

BookRepublic: How do you find your inspiration when writing?

Busayo: For now really, sadness inspires me a lot. I feel sad about so many things. This country crushes dreams and leaders cajole citizens with candies. They don’t only lure followers with lofty ideas but also lead to loot.

I feel bad at the sight of injustices and that many live in penury amidst abundant wealth hurts me a lot. Here, girls are victims of rape, orphans are killed by hunger, graduates are political pencils, many pastors and Imams are preachers of the truth not doers of same and our leaders are looters. It’s saddening.

All these always lead me to the paper. I want to be happy. I want a happy society where everyone is happy.

Generally, silence, nature, weather, frustration, hurts, love, and the desire to create a just society inspires my writings.

BookRepublic: What makes a children’s book good? Are there specific writing rules or recommended themes that authors follow?

Busayo: Yes. There are specific themes that are quite indispensable when writing children’s books. While there might not be rules as writing patterns differ, children’s books should be written in not an ambiguous form. The language should be audience specific and theme(s) should be clearly stated.

For me, my books illustrate the consequences of improper child training, the dignity and value in hardwork, the need to be brothers in the process of nation building, the gains in serving humanity sincerely, why parents shouldn’t over-pamper children, the need for parents to teach good morals and ultimately prepare them for the challenges ahead, etc. in a plain, simple language that is appropriate for young readers. At the end of reading, children should have lessons to learn which might be in the form of answering questions that are set by the author to really drive home his points.

So, from what’s obtainable in my texts and some others, the above is good. And to increase children’s mental lexicon, a glossary of new words and their meanings might be included to teach vocabulary and aid comprehension of texts.

BookRepublic: What is the best writing advice you have received, and what would you like to give other writers?

Busayo: I’ve got pieces of advice from people, writers, and mentors but to really say one is the best is difficult for me. I pick some and drop some that don’t align with my ideology because I like to be me, to be always real me.

I cherish those that preach the need for me to be consistent in writing, not to lose hope, and a good society is possible through writing, mine inclusive.

Writers should keep writing. They should keep engaging the public. They should Never Say Impossible. They should keep writing texts that teach good morals, reflect our current challenges as a nation and provide solution to this moral mess we find ourselves.

BookRepublic: What children literature books have you recently read and loved?

Busayo: Generally, literary books are my escape from boredom as they make me create a new world as I read but then in recent years, I prefer to read children’s books to learn more on how to connect with this special age bracket. I actually love all but I’ll continue to love the Sugar girl by Kola Onadipe.

BookRepublic: Are you working on any book currently? What can we expect from you in the future?

Busayo: Yes, I’m working on two titles currently and they will be out very soon.

You should always expect great works. I will keep writing children’s books because we must begin to own their hearts at the tender age. We must begin to show them the richness in our culture, we must begin to give them confidence to condemn and expose individuals caught in bad acts, we must begin to make them cherish what is ours, we must begin to train them differently because of the peculiar nature of our problems. I’ll continue to emphasize a sense of moral character in my works.

Even though in different ways, let’s begin to take active interest in finding solutions to these myriads of challenges that afflict our country. By that, we have a higher chance of leaving a better country for our children. Thanks very much for this.

 Post Views: 13