I love reading. I enjoy reading all kinds of written material. I read non fiction books, fictional novels, column articles, blog posts, short stories and poetry.
I am not usually selective about the genre or category of whatever written material I stumble upon, but what I am selective about however, is the quality of writing. I enjoy reading because it provides me the opportunity to feast at the table of knowledge prepared by the author and to consume from his indispensable plate of information. But just like most book lovers, I enjoy reading because of the entertainment I derive from it.
Inspite of these reasons, there is also another reason why I read; I read to expose myself to brilliant, colourful writing.

There are various forms by which beauty expresses itself, but the form of which I have recently began to acknowledge and enjoy, is the form of writing.
For me, nothing is more beautiful and titilating to my senses as a well written sentence - A sentence so well crafted that it not only conveys the message of the writer with profound clarity, but it also engages and activates my other senses to the point where words are transformed to images and images to sounds and sounds to palpable sensations. I have acquired a rare gift of associating words with imagery. When I read a particular sentence, images that denote that sentence begin to automatically arise in my mind and I am uncannily able to describe the form of that image, and the degree of complexity, colourfulness and elegance of the image directly corresponds to the quality of the written sentence.

It's really sad to say that of the little time I have spent perusing this section with the intention of finding something worthy of me devoting my time to read, I have found nothing of the sort. I mean no disrespect to the writers here, but please if you must engage in the timeless art of writing, make sure you are skilled enough to write. I haven't been able to make it past a single paragraph of any story I have clicked on, despite reading over sixty stories on this board. Majority of the stories I read were poorly worded and riddled with bad grammer. The writers who managed to utilize proper grammar in their first paragraphs were just terribly uncreative with words and the expositions and descriptions were like something you'd read from the transcript of an uneducated 8 year old narrating an ordeal. The imagery I got from the ones I managed to read past a sentence were dull, ugly, uninspiring frames and shapes that evoked disgust and almost made me gag as they arose in my mind.

If we must adopt a language as our common language, I expect that we should excel at that language, in every area, whether it's in speaking or in writing. There shouldn't be a noticeable difference between us and the manufacturers of the language or any other speaking group in terms of quality and proficiency. So if we must write in English, then we must excel in it. We shouldn't be mediocre. We shouldn't display any form of ineptitude in any area of writing. We should strive to be masters of the art. We shouldn't dabble into writing because we feel everyone is doing it, or because we experienced a transcendental moment where we received word from our divine creator that writing was our calling. Even if we believe writing is our calling, we should at least learn the art before deciding to try our hands at it, and the best way to learn how to write is to read the writing of exceptionally good writers. And not reading with the intention of just entertaining ourselves, but reading to emulate the quality of their writing. And even when we feel we have learned enough, we should first compare our written work with the writing of professionals before we decide to potentially embarrass ourselves by uploading them on a public forum for all to see and read.

I really hope my message has been received.

No replies yet. Does the truth hurt so bad that it paralyses the fingers of those who hear it?

You are saying the obvious, dear OP

Most times, we the Writers here, are not imaginative...

If I should point an accusing finger, the wahala lies mostly on the doorsteps of the romance writers.

Hardly any figure of speech. Seems every one was reading or had read James Hardly Chase before writing on this section.

Bland sentences.....boring Plot.....Predictable endings......downright plagiarism from Tele Mundo

However, The author of Rain in this section is extremely creative with evoking world settings but unfortunately her story dwindled to a half-hearted love story and an unwillingness to KILL beloved xters

Okay. Thank you for obversing. I Will look into it.

Have you read any of mine?

Any of Skarlett?

Any of Fiyah?

Kayo80?

Ghostwritter?

Souloho19?

Lilyjoe567?

You're simply impossible!

I took the time to reply you 'cos your command of the Queen's language isn't poor. If you want the nicest stuffs, create them. Since you can write so well, why not pick your phone and write? You don't fvcking pay anybody here and everyone has a point to start with. No one was born with the skill in him. Excellence is no one's birthright but a reward for hardwork, determination and consistency. So, if you can't cope with them, simply get the hell out of the section and go buy better books by better writers. Shît!

This got me laughing real hard (I have a weird sense of humour). I know you've probably heard all or some of these before but I will still say it all. Some folks here are not aspired to be great authors, they write for fun. Sure their stories could make them famous (this get them high, making them run to Okada) but that is it!
Someone complained that the common genre here are mostly romance and most of the stories are a copy of Telemundo series, before nko? There are no new storylines! Stories are like matter, it can't be created out of nothing, only transformation occurs (inspired). A lot of writers are science students and so, only want to try their luck. I, however, hate bad grammar but correction may sound cruel, so I just ignore.
My point is, if you want a story that'll educate you, go get from well known authors and choose whatever genre you like

Dan Brown doesnt write in beautiful lines.

James Patterson is out to entertain, not educate..

AMYEmber said science student are out to try their luck. Fine. But since art is now a restricted area, I have not seen any writer on nairaland that is proud to say he or she is an art guru.
Why?

I dnt want to start sha. Because you will never understand my arguement.

Then.... ENGLISH IS not ours. WHY ARE WE EVEN aspiring to be better than those white head idiots? You forgot to mention african authors like Ngugi Nwathiongo( spell check pls)

romance from Mills and boons?

Repeated stories?

What is happening in this world that has not been written of?
Well sha. Itswell o.. E pain me small

Though you may be correct but it is so much easy to criticize.

As someone recommended, you shouldn't expect much and if you are eager to read good works, go for the published ones. How many people who have their works here have good editors? Writing and editing is tasking. Anyway I hope we take your criticism in good faith.

AMYEmber said science student are out to try their luck. Fine. But since art is now a restricted area, I have not seen any writer on nairaland that is proud to say he or she is an art guru.
Why?
[/quote]I am not but I wish I had not ignored the class just 'cause most people think lowly of art students

Writing is not just what you think it is. . . To know more, get to follow [url]facebook.com/inspirenthrall[/url] and get writing tips, lessons, informations etc.

It's a new facebook page for all writers in need, indeed and in deed.

If you write too well, you get banned by anti-spam bots multiple times. A secret rule of NL literature section.

OluwabuqqyYOLO:
Have you read any of mine?

Any of Skarlett?

Any of Fiyah?

Kayo80?

Ghostwritter?

Souloho19?

Lilyjoe567?

You're simply impossible!

I took the time to reply you 'cos your command of the Queen's language isn't poor. If you want the nicest stuffs, create them. Since you can write so well, why not pick your phone and write? You don't fvcking pay anybody here and everyone has a point to start with. No one was born with the skill in him. Excellence is no one's birthright but a reward for hardwork, determination and consistency. So, if you can't cope with them, simply get the hell out of the section and go buy better books by better writers. Shît!

You are vexing oh.

Lawlahdey:


You are vexing oh.

I totally understand her. I am vexing too. The OP thinks it is easy to construct a story. Yes, his English is great (and it is clear he is more concerned with prose than plot), but let him take out time to write a short story and see how brain tasking it can be.

OluwabuqqyYOLO:
Have you read any of mine?

Any of Skarlett?

Any of Fiyah?

Kayo80?

Ghostwritter?

Souloho19?

Lilyjoe567?

You're simply impossible!

I took the time to reply you 'cos your command of the Queen's language isn't poor. If you want the nicest stuffs, create them. Since you can write so well, why not pick your phone and write? You don't fvcking pay anybody here and everyone has a point to start with. No one was born with the skill in him. Excellence is no one's birthright but a reward for hardwork, determination and consistency. So, if you can't cope with them, simply get the hell out of the section and go buy better books by better writers. Shît!

Thanks for this comment. You said my mind.

kayo80:


I totally understand her. I am vexing too. The OP thinks it is easy to construct a story. Yes, his English is superb (and it is clear he is more concerned about prose than plot), but let him take out time to write a short story and see how brain tasking it can be.

I absolutely agree with you.
Don't vex eh? I'm a fan,btw.

Lawlahdey:
I absolutely agree with you.
Don't vex eh? I'm a fan,btw.

Thank you jare.

OluwabuqqyYOLO:
Have you read any of mine?

Any of Skarlett?

Any of Fiyah?

Kayo80?

Ghostwritter?

Souloho19?

Lilyjoe567?

You're simply impossible!

I took the time to reply you 'cos your command of the Queen's language isn't poor. If you want the nicest stuffs, create them. Since you can write so well, why not pick your phone and write? You don't fvcking pay anybody here and everyone has a point to start with. No one was born with the skill in him. Excellence is no one's birthright but a reward for hardwork, determination and consistency. So, if you can't cope with them, simply get the hell out of the section and go buy better books by better writers. Shît!

It's worrying how badly most people react to constructive criticism. If our conspicuous errors aren't pointed out to us, how then can we grow? How do we expect to move forward and improve in areas we've insinuated ourselves into? Wouldn't we just be wallowing in the muddy waters of mediocrity, all the while existing under the blind illusion that we are swimming in the warm springs of proficiency and progress? We should develop a different response to criticism. One that doesn't further illuminate our ignorance, but one that deems us worthy of further correction and guidance.

Your response to criticism is as appalling and as pathetic as the writing in all the stories I have read on this board, and it bespeaks of a tacit acknowledgement of the poverty of good writing inherent in this forum.
People respond this way when their ego is hurt from seeing the painful truth about themselves. When the ego is wounded it can push a person to react angrily, as someone possessed by a vindictive poltergeist, rambling incoherently without making a modicum of sense, spiting vitrols, casting aspersions and employing the use of swear words, just to heal it's wounds, but all the while forgetting that the only way to heal itself is to accept the truth and make concerted efforts to receive and apply correction.

How can I enjoy reading when I have to write the material that I'll read? And where is the diversity in reading when all I read is material written by established writers and foreigners? Shouldn't I be able to say that I have read something of worth from young Nigerians as myself? Do you know how painful it is to discover the so called biggest forum in West Africa only to arrive at it's literature section and be greeted by writing that evokes the feeling of vomiting?

Yes. Excellence is a product of skill, hardwork and determination. But you failed to include practice. And one doesn't practice by crafting an unimaginative and poorly written story and uploading it's full content on a forum that's essentially a microcosm of Nigeria, and one that can be easily accessed by anyone in the world, thereby potentially reinforcing the narrative that black people, especially the ones residing in Africa, have low IQs, since it would require some level of intelligence to write something that doesn't make people puke at.

AryEmber:
I am not but I wish I had not ignored the class just 'cause most people think lowly of art students

I'm an art student.

OluwabuqqyYOLO:
Have you read any of mine?

Any of Skarlett?

Any of Fiyah?

Kayo80?

Ghostwritter?

Souloho19?

Lilyjoe567?

You're simply impossible!

I took the time to reply you 'cos your command of the Queen's language isn't poor. If you want the nicest stuffs, create them. Since you can write so well, why not pick your phone and write? You don't fvcking pay anybody here and everyone has a point to start with. No one was born with the skill in him. Excellence is no one's birthright but a reward for hardwork, determination and consistency. So, if you can't cope with them, simply get the hell out of the section and go buy better books by better writers. Shît!

seconded!

Lawlahdey:


You are vexing oh.

I have to. The guy even had the guts to ask if our fingers had gone numb 'cos of his silly composition. It's pure shît, I insist!

AryEmber:
This got me laughing real hard (I have a weird sense of humour). I know you've probably heard all or some of these before but I will still say it all. Some folks here are not aspired to be great authors, they write for fun. Sure their stories could make them famous (this get them high, making them run to Okada) but that is it!
Someone complained that the common genre here are mostly romance and most of the stories are a copy of Telemundo series, before nko? There are no new storylines! Stories are like matter, it can't be created out of nothing, only transformation occurs (inspired). A lot of writers are science students and so, only want to try their luck. I, however, hate bad grammar but correction may sound cruel, so I just ignore.
My point is, if you want a story that'll educate you, go get from well known authors and choose whatever genre you like

Everything that's worth doing is worth doing well. Even if a person is writing for fun, he should at least write well. If he can't write well, then he shouldn't be wasting his time writing stories no lover of good writing would read past a paragraph.

You dare say that there are no new storylines that can be crafted? Please don't justify the lack of creativity and unoriginality you apparently share with the lot on this board.

THT80:


It's worrying how badly most people react to constructive criticism. If our conspicuous errors aren't pointed out to us, how then can we grow? How do we expect to move forward and improve in areas we've insinuated ourselves into? Wouldn't we just be wallowing in the muddy waters of mediocrity, all the while existing under the blind illusion that we are swimming in the warm springs of proficiency and progress? We should develop a different response to criticism. One that doesn't further illuminate our ignorance, but one that deems us worthy of further correction and guidance.

Your response to criticism is as appalling and as pathetic as the writing in all the stories I have read on this board, and it bespeaks of a tacit acknowledgement of the poverty of good writing inherent in this forum.
People respond this way when their ego is hurt from seeing the painful truth about themselves. When the ego is wounded it pushes a person to react angrily, as someone possessed by a vindictive poltergeist, rambling incoherently without making a modicum of sense, spiting vitrols, casting aspersions and employing the use of swear words, just to heal it's wounds, but all the while forgetting that the only way to heal itself is to accept the truth and make concerted efforts to receive and apply correction.

How can I enjoy reading when I have to write the material that I'll read? And where is the diversity in reading when all I read is material written by established writers and foreigners? Shouldn't I be able to say that I have read something of worth from young Nigerians as myself? Do you know how painful it is to discover the so called biggest forum in West Africa only to arrive at it's literature section and be greeted by writing that evokes the feeling of vomiting?

Yes. Excellence is a product of skill, hardwork and determination. But you failed to include practice. And one doesn't practice by crafting an unimaginative and poorly written story and uploading it's full content on a forum that's essentially a microcosm of Nigeria, and one that can be easily accessed by anyone in the world, thereby potentially reinforcing the narrative that black people, especially the ones residing in Africa, have low IQs, since it would require some level of intelligence to write something that doesn't make people puke at.

Dude, your criticism wasn't constructive in any way, shape, or form. You just came here to shhit on the whole Lit section. And from reading your comments, it is very clear you have a case of superiority complex and you love to flash big grammar here and there.

You are not satisfied with the writing here, go and "buy" books with money. Or just write your own story and read since it is clear you get off of reading your own "impeccable queens english."

kayo80:


Thanks for this comment. You said my mind.

No need, it was my duty to do it.

You too, Souloho19.

The problem i have with people like OP is that they are good at tearing things down, but when it comes to creating, they fail abysmally.

kayo80:


Dude, your criticism wasn't constructive in any way, shape, or form. You just came here to shhit on the whole Lit section. And from reading your comments, it is very clear you have a case of superiority complex and you love to flash big grammar here and there.

You are not satisfied with the writing here, go and "buy" books with money. Or just write your own story and read since it is clear you get off of reading your own "impeccable queens english."

You guys will never be able to compete or stand shoulder to shoulder with the denizens of developed countries if you continue to oppose and deflect criticism in such a pitiable manner.

If my initial write-up wasn't as polemical as it was, it wouldn't have inspired the reaction it has inspired and I am glad it has, because this indicates that my message has been received and understood. All that remains is for the lot of you on this board to transcend your egos, educate yourselves on how to write, study the writing of better writers and try to use this acquired knowledge to improve your writing before deciding to upload it on a globally accessible forum.

THT80:


It's worrying how badly most people react to constructive criticism. If our conspicuous errors aren't pointed out to us, how then can we grow? How do we expect to move forward and improve in areas we've insinuated ourselves into? Wouldn't we just be wallowing in the muddy waters of mediocrity, all the while existing under the blind illusion that we are swimming in the warm springs of proficiency and progress? We should develop a different response to criticism. One that doesn't further illuminate our ignorance, but one that deems us worthy of further correction and guidance.

Your response to criticism is as appalling and as pathetic as the writing in all the stories I have read on this board, and it bespeaks of a tacit acknowledgement of the poverty of good writing inherent in this forum.
People respond this way when their ego is hurt from seeing the painful truth about themselves. When the ego is wounded it pushes a person to react angrily, as someone possessed by a vindictive poltergeist, rambling incoherently without making a modicum of sense, spiting vitrols, casting aspersions and employing the use of swear words, just to heal it's wounds, but all the while forgetting that the only way to heal itself is to accept the truth and make concerted efforts to receive and apply correction.

How can I enjoy reading when I have to write the material that I'll read? And where is the diversity in reading when all I read is material written by established writers and foreigners? Shouldn't I be able to say that I have read something of worth from young Nigerians as myself? Do you know how painful it is to discover the so called biggest forum in West Africa only to arrive at it's literature section and be greeted by writing that evokes the feeling of vomiting?

Yes. Excellence is a product of skill, hardwork and determination. But you failed to include practice. And one doesn't practice by crafting an unimaginative and poorly written story and uploading it's full content on a forum that's essentially a microcosm of Nigeria, and one that can be easily accessed by anyone in the world, thereby potentially reinforcing the narrative that black people, especially the ones residing in Africa, have low IQs, since it would require some level of intelligence to write something that doesn't make people puke at.

'No replies yet. Does the truth hurt so bad that it paralyses the fingers of those who hear it?'

Adding this made everything silly.

And, definitely, that's not how to criticize. If you want to satisfaction of eating pounded yam with egusi soap from a cup of garri you didn't even pay for, you're the worst joker around. Go and read the better stories from better writers for now, I tell you, and, someday, you'll beg one of these 'useless' writers for a response to your message.

How many stories have you even read here? Admitted, a lot of stories here are poor and bland, does that give you the reasoning to qualify the section with such pejorative adjectives? Does it And here you are claiming you understand a pinch about writing.

If you want though, I will give links to some excellent stories. Right here on this section. Don't just open a thread 'cos you intend to spit some shît.

THT80:


You guys will never be able to compete or stand shoulder to shoulder with the denizens of developed countries if you continue to oppose and deflect criticism in such a pitiable manner.

If my initial write-up wasn't as polemic as it was, it wouldn't have inspired the reaction it has inspired and I am glad it has, because this indicates that my message has been received and understood. All that remains is for the lot of you on this board to transcend you egos, educate yourselves on how to write, study the writing of better writers and try to use this acquired knowledge to improve your writing before deciding to upload it on a globally accessible forum.

So, wait, you expect everyone to upload his best works on this forum Do you know what plagiarism means? Have you ever been battled by it? Have you woken up someday to find your works being sold in online stores without even the barest form of permission? Someone here can't put his work on Amazon simply 'cos he once uploaded it here. Does that sound funny or what?

You are what comes to mind when I hear of those who come online to bleat and argue about issues they know nothing about. Virtually nothing!

THT80:


You guys will never be able to compete or stand shoulder to shoulder with the denizens of developed countries if you continue to oppose and deflect criticism in such a pitiable manner.

If my initial write-up wasn't as polemic as it was, it wouldn't have inspired the reaction it has inspired and I am glad it has, because this indicates that my message has been received and understood. All that remains is for the lot of you on this board to transcend you egos, educate yourselves on how to write, study the writing of better writers and try to use this acquired knowledge to improve your writing before deciding to upload it on a globally accessible forum.

It is clear you are the one that needs to transcend your ego. Even with how unnecessarily insulting you were with your initial post, I would have overlooked it. But when I read where you said there is not one good writer on here and that you read 60 stories and couldn't get through their first paragraphs, I knew you were the one with the problem.

The baton was passed to you and you had to cop out the responsibility instantly. Write if you want pleasure. You bring up a weak defensive wall containing no sense at all. These guys who write here get nothing albeit the compliments from readers whose senses haven't become moth-eaten. They get no pleasure; no cash; no shît. When there was something to be won (in the Seun Osewa competition), you should have been here. Know before typing. Don't say some rigmarole merely 'cos you use a phone.

Omo see english. .. All I am seeing is Gbish... Tagbai... Agbim!!

ME THAT CANNOR SPOKE NA, lemme comman be waka.

BTW OP, Abeg my next book you will edit for me , but please dont scare the readers with too much grammer..

Who grammer epp sef?

IN ANOTHER NEWS : NNPC SCHOLARSHIP 2017/2018 FOR 100 LEVEL AND 200, Ongoing...

OluwabuqqyYOLO:

'No replies yet. Does the truth hurt so bad that it paralyses the fingers of those who hear it?'

Adding this made everything silly.

And, definitely, that's not how to criticize. If you want to derive the pleasure of eating pounded Yamuna with egusi soap from a cup of garri you didn't even pay for, you're the worst joker around. Go and read the better stories from better writers for now, I tell you, and, someday, you'll beg one of these 'useless' writers for a response to your message.

How many stories have you even read here? Admitted, a lot of stories here are poor and bland, does that give you the reasoning to qualify the section with such pejorative adjectives? Does it And here you are claiming you understand a pinch about writing.

If you want though, I will give links to some excellent stories. Right here on this section. Don't just open a thread 'cos you intend to spit some shît.

Let me tell you an interesting story. A week ago, I was slogging through the threads on the home page as a guest. A few of the threads I encountered were interesting and informative, while majority of them were just excruciating to read, especially the banal topics on the subject of relationships. I can't quite remember which was more painful to read; whether it was the quality of the original post or the comments in response to it. With every thread I opened on the subject, cultural and racial stereotypes I had tried to dismiss as false and ill-informed, were gradually being bolstered.

I was already losing the will to continue the now exasperating act of scrolling through a pile of lexical rubbish, when I came across a post that was captioned with what appeared to be the title of a story. I was legitimately excited because I thought I had been provided with some respite from my self inflicted punishment. With profound optimism, I hurriedly clicked on the post, only to be met by arguably the worst piece of writing I had ever seen. I exited the post with the same degree of swiftness with which I entered it, but unlike the later, I was accompanied with an overwhelming feeling of shock and disgust.

I immediately realized that the story I had the misfortune of reading must have emanated from some section, since the threads on the subject of domestic politics originated from the politics section. This was when I discovered the literature section. I won't kid you, I felt a pang of anxiety as I skimmed across the varied story titles. I didn't know which to click on because I didn't want to experience the deeply horrifying unforeseen experience that I encountered in my last adventure. However, I summoned enough courage and clicked on a story. I had a similar experience to the previous one. I reflexively exited it and clicked on another story before the terror that was now slowly building up in me gained control over my body and obliterated the last sliver of optimism that I had, but I encountered the same depressing writing a third time.

Weirdly, I realised that with every successive exposure to the kind of bad writing I was encountering, I was slowly becoming desensitized to it's effects, and as a result the sensations that accompanied such exposure were slowly fading away. This armed me with the courage to explore more stories until I had opened close to sixty stories.

Now tell me Bukky, after having read more than 50 stories on this board, and given my experience in reading, am I not qualified enough to give an evaluation of the quality of writing on this board?

Please do send me the links, and pray to whatever diety you worship that they aren't like the ones I have read.

THT80:


You guys will never be able to compete or stand shoulder to shoulder with the denizens of developed countries if you continue to oppose and deflect criticism in such a pitiable manner.

If my initial write-up wasn't as polemic as it was, it wouldn't have inspired the reaction it has inspired and I am glad it has, because this indicates that my message has been received and understood. All that remains is for the lot of you on this board to transcend your egos, educate yourselves on how to write, study the writing of better writers and try to use this acquired knowledge to improve your writing before deciding to upload it on a globally accessible forum.

You have a point,a good one and I agree with you.