This is so sad yet so beautiful. I like how I am able to feel the sadness, see the beauty and understand the resigned tone of the character all at once.
Well done @ Divepen1

Ask Divepen1. I think he should be able to help.

frankline461:
Thank you Mynd44, I hope the problem would not persist any longer.

The next chapter would be dropping tomorrow. Thanks for everyone that made this possible, I really appreciate it. Special thanks to Evajael and enirock, ya'll are the best

Anytime �❤️

frankline461:
I still keep on getting banned anytime i try to put up a new chapter, and now even the previous chapter has been pulled down. I've mailed the mods but it still keeps on happening.

I really don't know what's wrong and what to do anymore.

Divepen1 , please come and rescue us

Someone should just kill this Nikita already. I'm tired of her drama.

I can't be the only one that feels indifferent towards Shelby .

frankline461:


Hey EvaJael, yeah, it's been a while. Noticed when I came back that the literature section is not as lively as it had been back then. Do you know what really happened? Also, hope you've been good.

I guess writers just got busy with their lives. I left for a while as well, because of school. Hopefully, we'll get back everyone that made the place lively, or most of them.
I've been goodie good�. I trust it's the same with you.

It's been a minute, Frankline461. I stumbled on this today and it's such an awesome read. Well done!

Everytime I feel I have gotten better at this writing thing, people like Kayo come and make me rethink the feeling.
As always, this story is the bomb, Kayo. Short yet captivating. More ink to your pen.

Pearl05:



Hello welcome back, I'm not writer but reader

Thank you!!! If I remember correctly, you were one of those who supported me when I was writing Hidden Diamonds.

Many thanks dear.❤️

Noblejohn32:
Hi everyone, I'm John Mfon...I've been an ardent fan of Nl literature session since 2013...and i can boldly state that Nigeria is blessed with gifted writers. I've read over a thousand projects here(completed/uncompleted)...Nl is really blessed with writers.
But one problem is the lack of motivation and it has killed the urge of many gifted writers.
But as Boss Centino said, we should keep on the good works, one day...we'll get there.
I have four works here on Nl
DESIRE 1

Captain Jack (a val story)

The Devil's Love(a tale of a rapist)

DESIRE 2 (House on Fire) currently ongoing.

°•°•°•°•°•°•
Based on the question sweet Evajael asked, picking names and locations of characters in your stories solely depends on the kind of story you wish to build.
Before a story get on paper, internally you must have prepared the basic scenes and foundation of how it'll look like.
The locations you use might be the ones you've visited or sometimes you might create your own location.

As for the characters, you know they potray the story.
Their names might not be the problem...you can choose any name. The main thing is building the character to suit the purpose created for it.
If you wish to portray a narcissist, you must make sure his actions reflect pride and egoism...every activity of such person must reflect that attitude.
So, building your characters matters.
The names could be based on the tribe...like if I'm writing about an Akwa Ibom boy, i could take: Emem, Udoh, Akpan etc...
But the character buildup is important.

I'm just a learner....

°•°•°•°•
For those of you having heartache and depressed moment...don't let the recession of this country take its toll on you....Manage life how it is, God is always near us.

DESIRE 2(House on Fire) is on the literature page to make you laugh and forget your sorrows.

Hello, dear! Thank you so much for your contribution. I'll definitely check out your stories as soon as possible

Apollux:


Hi, I'm relatively new here so you may not know me. I think I started uploading my stories here around 2016. But since then I have changed locations (states) like three times. Between last year and this year, things have been wild and crazy, so they are the reasons I haven't updated for a while. But I still have like 3 to 4 stories I owe my followers and fans here and it is a wish I aim to fulfill.
Here are links to my stories if you need to read them.

https://www.nairaland.com/3605317/marvel-chronicles-science-fiction

https://www.nairaland.com/3775367/marvel-chronicles-2-executive-sanction
https://www.nairaland.com/3746976/memoirs-blood-steel-fantasy-novel

https://www.nairaland.com/4947614/penance

Besides I feel stories here are not monetized, so most gifted writers just get more interested in other things that yield income than taking the time, effort and resources to post stories here. Most of the stories you will find new here are people that are making first attempts at writing. As for me, writing is fun.

Ah I know you o! Your moniker rings a bell. I think I read one of your books a while back. It's good to hear from you again.
I totally understand your point about stories not being monetized. It's not particularly motivational but I hope you wow us with another story soon.
Don't forget to mention me too when you do

HORLADSTAR:
Wow! Nairaland, gone are the days of nice and captivating write ups sha. Days of ppl like flow1759, bibijay (it seems there are two of them sha), souloho19(where you dey baba), apollux, D9ty7, kimberlywest, evajael, the blessed man. The list goes on and on and on.
#HORLADSTAR Cares#
God no go shame us all sha

I'm around o my dear. My brain seems to be having a problem with me. It doesn't want to form any writeable ideas. I hope we settle our beef soon sha.

King2019:


Happy birthday writer

Aww thank you dear. God bless you

Thanks for the mention. I'm here. I hope Lois Is a good woman o. That's the name of someone dear to my heart

EkopSparoAyara:


Sorry dearie, Souloho19 is one writer who doesn't leave his story incomplete, I think he's going through a hard time.. He'll bounce back..

You can read his other completed stories..

Delayed Diagnosis, it's a prequel to The Hole In The Wall..

Also, read up The Devil Wears Okrika, it's a great story.. Trust me you won't regret it..

Check out stories from the likes of Larrysun, Centino, Damselposh, EvaJael, Ironkurtain, Divepen and Kayo80.

Thanks for the recommendation dear

Kayo!!!
It was a wonderful ride. You've done well as always. Greater heights await you

Maybe this stalker has given the doctor money. Why should a doctor base his treatment of a patient on what his relatives say?
It's totally unethical and his license should be taken away from him because he isn't fit to be a doctor.
"Are you sure he's mad" . That statement ABI na question pained me like mad abeg

Well done Damselposh

The night haff reach o. I'm here with my popcorn chilling for you to arrive

Centino:


I'm doing well thanks EvaJael. Yawing here and there to the waves of life's vicissitudes.

EkopSparoAyara said a lot of truths up there.

But I have seen enough in my three active years here to understand why these are.

As a writer, I'll say to all writers, whatever you do, don't stop writing.

And to the readers, I'll also say whatever you decide to read, just don't stop reading.

Las las we'll all be alright

I trust you are doing well too. Nice to hear from you again.

I'm good. You're right. Life happened and I stopped for a while but I'm back and hope to never stop again

Good work, Damselposh

Adesina12:
EvaJael dear
Come and mingle and party with another amazing writer damselposh
Something serious is going on here
I got loads of sweet popcorn for the readers and op
O ya let’s do this

Thanks dear

About the name thing, for me, I like names that aren't common. I spend hours looking for names that I find cute especially for my female characters.
I think my parents are my inspiration. They gave us all names that I think are beautiful so I try to do that for my characters.
Now that I think of it, I don't think I've ever had a story where majority of the names are native names. Most of my characters have English names.
I think I should work on that. Lemme try to be a good and patriotic African. Let's keep it coming dearies.


How do you decide on the names of your characters? All writers are welcome to contribute

EkopSparoAyara:
EvaJael.. Nice to have you here.. Anyways, am not a writer but at least I dey write something.. About your question, just let it flow, once you get the purpose of the character in your story, a name will definitely pop up.. It could be of someone you know or heard of that has the same character as the one in your story..


I must confess, Literature section isn't what it was anymore, a lot of qualities has been lost. I miss crime stories, I love romance stories too but lately the one's I've found here just doesn't go well, the title alone makes me avoid it(no offense)..
I miss Souloho19, D9ty7.. Larrysun is still keeping up with the crime stuff.. I miss Kimberlywest, Angelsss, Chumzypinky and you too EvaJael.. Kayo and Centino are still holding up the romance aspect..

I miss the guys that keep coming through with constructive comments like Honourable356(he's been missing for a long time now..), phoenixcap, there's this other guy that is always sharing popcorn, I've forgotten his moniker sef..Not forgetting Ann2012 and Queenitee, those two are on every thread in the literature section..

It will be too lengthy if I begin to mention names.. I miss those good stories that made me sign up to Nairaland to pour out my encomiums on the writers.

E too ling abi, make una no vex.. I don over talk but na the way wey I feel be that.

I have missed you too my dear and yes, I have missed the old literatureland. I don't mean to sound condescending or whatever name the English man would call this comment but you're absolutely right. I stopped reading a lot of stuff here because to be very honest, most of the stories here now don't carry the depth, the awe and even the attractiveness that i used to know Literature section for.
Like you rightly said, some of the titles here, heaven knows I don't see myself opening them. Please forgive me. I'm just speaking my mind.
I remember when I wrote Hidden Diamonds. Those were some of the most exciting times of my life. I miss my readers, popcorn crew. I think the popcorn guy was Adesina12 or something like that.
I wish we could bring back the good old days or better still, sharpen this present day to be better than those old days we missed.
Thanks dear for your comments.

Centino:
“What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.”

― William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

Sometimes I even start to describe a character and then the first name that pops in my head is their name.

If they don't like it they can come and beat me.

There's no proper laugh emoji on nairaland. I should have dropped like three lines of pure laughing emojis under this post. Thank you Centino. How are you doing?

kayo80:
Hey Eva, nice to have you posting here again.

About character names, personally, how I pick names for my characters is...first of all, I have an idea what the character's temperament is and his/her purpose in the story. I let that seat in my brain for a few hours or days, and then a name I feel is perfect for that character pops in my head, and I go with it.

That's nice .I think It makes the name come out more thoughtful. I've never thought of it this way. Thanks Kayo

EkopSparoAyara:
This was a beautiful piece.. I like the assurance from the story, that one day Corona virus will just be a story..

And to everyone out there sticking out their necks to subdue Corona virus, I say God bless you..

BRAVO EVAJAEL..

Thanks dear. I have really missed you and your constructive comments

kingphilip:
She's back

Nice short story from Eva as always.

And to all the health personnel on the front line of the fight, I wish them plentiful blessings from God and all the great things of life.

Thank you darling

So quiet here again

I miss you guys. Everyone that made this thread a beautiful one. I wish you'd all come back. I wish we could get more people to join the thread.

There's a lot of people I donno anymore on literature section and it's sad.

Okay, I came today to ask another question.
As writers, how do you get to pick the names of your characters?
I donno if I've asked this question before. I tried to check the thread but I'm not sure I could find it.

Cc
Divepen1
Queenitee
Kayo80
Centino

Please mention others

"Here, dad. Have some fresh orange juice." Luna offered.

"Thank you darling. Come sit with your old man." He patted the space beside him.

"You're not in the least bit old daddy" Luna smiled at him.

"But I am. I have a grown up daughter like you. Please allow me feel like an old father." He teased and they both laughed.

"You're looking at her pictures again, dad." She said as she made herself comfortable beside him.

"What can an old man do? Besides miss the woman he loved in his youth." He replied wistfully.

"You know I really wish you'd tell me more than bits and pieces, daddy. I'm almost 20 and I can't proudly tell anyone about my mum." She whined.

"Come here" He tugged her close and lay her head on his shoulder.
"I always just thought you'd be happier with bits and pieces. The whole story's a sad one but you're right. It's high time you knew about her."

"You know her name already and you know..."

"No daddy. Don't say it like that. Say it like one of those stories you would tell me when I was little. I miss them. Being grown up is stressful. I miss the old days, not the days when you were too busy at the hospital though." She raised her head momentarily, flashing him a smile.

Alex chuckled. "Alright, alright!"

"Maya. That was her name." He paused a while as he took in a deep breath, smiling at the memory of the petite beautiful woman who bore the name.

"Before I met her, I had never met anyone who bore the name. The only place I had seen it was in a novel. I can't particularly remember the name of that novel currently.
So, how'd I meet her? Or rather how'd I meet you both?

It was at a wedding. The wedding of my colleagues."

"The wedding reception to be specific. I went out of the hall to take a phone call and there she was pacing frantically.
I quickly finished my call and walked up to the frustrated teary woman. She had you in her arms and you were screaming at the top of your lungs, refusing to be consoled. I guess you've always been a trouble trouble human." He laughed, earning him a scowl from Luna.

"That's not nice daddy. I'm a gentle person and you know that"

"Of course you are, who can beat my baby in gentleness?" He smiled.

"Now, that's more like it." Contented, she repositioned her head on his shoulder.

"So, I walked up to her and tapped her. I got a glare in response. Your mother was one hell of a fiery woman." He chuckled again

"When she glared, I had a moment of 'who send me work?' but I shoved it aside and offered my best smile.She was clearly pissed because I got a 'Biko, what is it?'
I didn't let my smile waver. I just asked to help her carry the baby. She looked at me strangely and told me her baby didn't do well with strangers but I insisted and she let me carry you.
For the first few minutes, you just continued wailing and I began wondering why I didn't just mind my business instead of forming oversabi. I searched my brain for what to do and for a while, I could come up with nothing until I remembered one of the songs my nephew loved.The song I remembered was 'Oh! What a miracle'. I didn't know the words but I just hummed it and for some reason unknown to me you kept quiet to listen and your mum just stared at us in shock. She couldn't believe what was happening. Shortly after I began humming, you fell asleep and your mother was so relieved.
I don't think I have ever had anyone thank me more than she did that day. Apparently, she was waiting for the ride she ordered when I met her there so when the ride arrived, she got my contact and promised to keep in touch."

"So, daddy in other words, if not for me, you'd never have met her." She grinned.

Alex smiled and said "I guess you could say so."

"I'm special like that. Okay, let's continue the gist."

"Alrighty. True to her words, she kept in touch. I couldn't forget her beautiful face but I kept reminding myself that she was probably someone's wife. What was I doing thinking about a woman married with a kid? We spoke every once in a while on WhatsApp. Then, as fate would have it, we met again in an NMA Annual General Meeting. I think she spotted me first and we both went 'What are you doing here?'

I didn't expect that she was a medical doctor and I'm not sure she expected that from me as well. In all our little chit chat before then, we never really spoke much about ourselves or what we did for a living.

After the meeting, she suggested dinner. I went 'whoa!' in my head. I wasn't sure I was ready for anybody's husband to come decorate my face with a cutlass.
Not wanting to ask about her husband just yet, I asked about you instead and she told me you were at your grandmother's.

Well, we went to have dinner and we had a really long and interesting night. Your mother was such a lively person and funny too. She told me about how she lost her husband in a car accident some months after the wedding. At the time, she didn't even realize she was pregnant with you yet.
Now, I'm about to sound wicked. Do I have your permission?"

She laughed
"Go ahead daddy."

"Okay. While I felt bad for her as i imagined the trauma she went through, one part of me was relieved that she wasn't married. It meant my crush wasn't a sin after all."

"Daddy!" She chuckled.

"I'm sorry baby. I mean that's your dad."

"He was my dad. I didn't even know him. You're the only father I've ever known."

"Of course, my love. So, so, so. The night ended well. I dropped her home and our friendship began. We were friends for 3 years before we started dating. We dated for one year, then we got engaged. Ah! Those years were beautiful years, my baby. My life was absolutely complete and we were happy.
Our wedding was set for 4th April, 2020 but fate had other plans for us. You were five years old at the time when Corona Virus struck. That was 15 years ago.

Of course, as doctors we were on the frontline. I remember the call that changed my life forever. Your mother called one evening, just as I was leaving work. She sounded as collected as ever but then she said she needed to tell me something. She asked me to promise to remain calm. I did and she narrated to me how they had just found out in the hospital where she worked that a patient had lied about travel history. Fear gripped me there and then. I didn't pay attention to what she was saying anymore as my head began spinning.

The only thing I remember hearing at that point was her request for me to take care of you and take extra clothes for you to your grandmother's place.

When the pandemic kissed Lagos fierce and hard, we thought it was best you stayed with your granny to avoid unnecessary stories.
That's how your mother went into isolation, my love.

I can still remember her optimism. It never wavered. She kept reassuring me when she was the one who needed all the reassurance, even when her results came out positive."
He paused, this time, a long pause.

"It's okay daddy. I think I know the story from there." She snuggled closer to him.

"I think it's best I talk about it. So, that's how I lost your mother to the cruel hands of the Virus that shook our world in 2020. I couldn't believe I'd never hear her laugh again. I'd never watch her tiny frame walk towards me again. The pain, I cannot fully describe. At first, I think I felt more anger than pain.

I was angry at the virus, angry at the people who wouldn't stay put when they were asked to. I was particularly mad at the patient whose lie cost my angel her life.
I buried myself in work. I didn't even go home to see you for a while.

I think the real pain finally settled after the pandemic had loosened its grip on the country and the world in general.
When everyone was struggling and trying their best to return to life before Corona Virus. I was pained, baby. I took you home with me when things returned close to normal.

Your mother's family didn't have a problem with it and that's how we began living as father and daughter." He planted a light kiss on her forehead.
"You helped ease my pain. Everyday, you reminded me of your mother. Look at you now, you're an exact image of her. It makes me happy. You make me happy, Luna and I love you dearly.

"I love you too dad". She hugged him and father and daughter remained that way, each one thinking of the beautiful Maya who was snatched from them.

"It's getting chilly out here, dad."

"Go in, my love. I'll be with you soon."

"Alright, don't stay out too long, okay?"

"Yes ma'am".

Alexander watched her go in, the exact copy of his Maya. The years had healed some of the pain but he was never able to love another the way he loved his Maya.

"I love you, Maya." He whispered into the night.

Good afternoon everyone.

The story is dedicated to all the health personnel that have lost their lives while trying to save the lives of others. The idea just popped into my head. I didn't expect it to come out this long anyway.
It's a short story. I'm going to post everything at once. There'll be no sequel or prequel. Enjoy the ride!