Interview With Mayowa Fagbure – A Nigerian Writer Who Writes for People Who Feel Deeply

Mayowa Fagbure is a Nigerian writer whose articles are always thoroughly and meticulously detailed; they make an insightful read. I have personally enjoyed reading her content. Read on to learn more about her writing journey.

Tell me about yourself: 

I’m a Nigerian writer. I like to say that I tell stories for people who feel deeply. I write because I have all of these thoughts running around in my head, and writing them down is a way for me to get them out. 

When did you know you wanted to be a writer? 

I remember the exact moment I decided to start writing. Before that, I only wrote things for school. I remember winning an award in primary school for a creative writing essay. But writing wasn’t something I did outside of school.

When I was in JSS1 (Grade 7) in secondary school, I experienced some changes in my life. Mainly, my sister had gone to boarding school. We fought a lot back then, but her moving away really affected me.

On top of that, I was in a new school environment. So, I needed some release and wrote a poem about my feelings. I actually found that poem recently, and I must say that it was so badly written. But yeah, that was my first time writing and seeing the value in writing creatively.

I remember winning an award in primary school for a creative writing essay. But writing wasn’t something I did outside of school.

Did your parents, friends or teachers support you on your writing journey?

My family have been really supportive of my writing. Like most African parents, mine value education and academic success. But, I’m quite lucky that they understand that it’s something I’m good at and enjoy doing.

As for my secondary school, well, it wasn’t focused on supporting any extra-curricular activities. Later, I realised that my secondary school did very little to hone our skills. For example, some of my classmates were amazing at art and singing, and so many other things, but there was no opportunity to develop these skills any further.

Despite the lack of support from my school teachers, I continued to write and even applied for some essay competitions for secondary school students. I never won any, but it was good practice. Back then, I wrote stories about American teenagers in high school who were cheerleaders or nerds. It seems silly now that I look back on it, but my classmates and friends really enjoyed reading them, which was encouraging. 

..I realised that my secondary school did very little to hone our skills. For example, some of my classmates were amazing at art and singing, and so many other things, but there was no opportunity to develop these skills any further.

What is your main writing genre?  

Mainly, I write short stories, essays and articles. I dabble in poetry from time to time, but I feel like I need more practice. So recently, I’ve been staying away from poetry – but I will get back to it once I have upskilled.

Do you have a regular writing schedule that you stick to? 

I used to be that writer that only wrote when inspiration struck. Now, I’ve trained myself to write because I have to, not just because I want to. It comes down to understanding the goal of your writing.

If writing were just a hobby for me, I wouldn’t do it as often as I do. I would like to be a writer who impacts people through my words, and for that to happen, I need to do it consistently. But I wouldn’t say I have a set schedule or anything because I can get quite busy as a university student. I make sure that I write at least three times a week.

I used to be that writer that only wrote when inspiration struck. Now, I’ve trained myself to write because I have to, not just because I want to.

Do you publish everything you write? Or do you like to keep some things that you write to yourself?

I definitely don’t publish everything I write. Sometimes, I overshare in a post and get anxious that people know too much about me, so, I delete the post from my page.

I go back to the feeling of writing as therapy. I get satisfaction from just writing my thoughts down. So, I don’t always want to share that. Sometimes, there are very personal things I’ve written about and that stops me from sharing as well.

It’s funny because for as long as I’ve been writing, I’ve been sharing it online. I love reading people’s comments and feedback on my work, and hearing how it made them feel. I like to know when other people can relate with what I post.

I definitely don’t publish everything I write. Sometimes, I overshare in a post and get anxious that people know too much about me, so, I delete the post from my page.

Do you have plans to monetise your writing? 

In the future, yes, I would like to publish a book. I have a loose idea of the plot and topics I want to address, but it’s nothing concrete yet. I’m in no rush, though.

What motivates you to keep on writing?  

I have many things that I would like to say. I learn new information every day, so it helps to get that all down in writing. I feel strongly about many issues, too, like feminism, the current state of Nigeria and racism, etc. I write so that I can share those thoughts with the world.

I feel strongly about many issues, too, like feminism, the current state of Nigeria and racism, etc. I write so that I can share those thoughts with the world.

What advice will you give an aspiring writer who is anxious about starting their writing journey?  

Just write.

I know it seems like a simple response, but I know first-hand that writing is the hardest part. You don’t have to share it yet if you don’t want to, but start writing. The more you write, the more your confidence will grow.

Mayowa can be found on Instagram as @mayowafagbure . You can also read her content on her website – www.mayowafagbure.com.