Who Do You Write For?

After reading my recent article on Bongos Ikwue, which I posted on this forum, a friend of mine in Nigeria, a very productive thinker with a sharp analytical mind and a beautiful prose to boot, wrote the following words to me: “I read your piece on Bongos. It was concluded on a very fine...

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[denker]

quietswami, what in god's name are you talking about? I do not understand whether you're discussing the topic of this thread -Who Do You Write For? or you simply wanna tell us you had memorised some words out of your chamber's dictionary. Pls., clarify!

[katampe]

Is this a question of cultural or intellectual anxiety?

An intellectual is perceived to have keener senses to discriminate issues and also make those easily palatable to his audience's or discourse community's predilections. So, right out of the gate, he formats, and conditions his message to suit/appeal to his audience/discourse community. Any intellectual worth his salt should never lose sight of this noble goal. He desires to be read, and read well by a wide audience, so that his ideas and subjects of ruminations are of benefit.

Yet, living overseas presents cultural opportunities as well as challenges for the Nigerian writer. He adopts a voice to be heard and digested to pursue his craft and contribute towards cross-cultural dialogue.This demands cultivating a voice that is easily comprehensible for his audience. I guess the moral of this or the need is better gleaned from the idea of when you are in Rome you behave like the Romans.

Still, a Nigerian writer overseas owes many of his ideas to his roots and will always share cultural touchstones with his home audience. This ideas come from an inheritance that serves as a bank for his shared references and resonances. Hence, his voice on the page would always be unmistakably Nigerian, yet with a marked affectation (possibly), or a distinct peculiarity that is also easily identifiable with a growing league of overseas Nigerian intellectuals.

That is one story. Another story follows.

I am not sure I would agree with the idea of cultural antiques in writing if espoused by any home based Nigerian intellectual. I believe new styles are acquired by an evolving Nigerian writer living overseas. This style comes from new insights (whether theoretical or philosophical) and meanings,and inherently adapted into his writing unconsciously and consciously, it enriches his discuss since his horizon continues to expand. Yet, his style should never be hard to comprehend , instead it should challenge and also expand the horizon of his reader. I think that would have been value added.

The world has so much globalized that culturally boundaries are blurred. We observe this everyday in Nigerian music that is being adapted for native listeners. So language of writers, just like artists that produce music should evolve and be formatted for the perceived audience. This can be achieved by regularly dipping into common experience to explain new concepts and ideas. It involves a careful balancing act.

I will part with Jay Z's insight in his "Moment of Clarity" song

Moment Of Clarity Lyrics
Artist(Band):Jay-Z

http://www.sing365.com/icons/ecblank.gif
.....

The music business hate me
Cause the industry ain't make me
Hustlers and boosters embrace me
And the music i be makin
I dumb down for my audience
And double my dollars
They criticize me for it
Yet they all yell "Holla"
If skills sold
Truth be told
I'd probably be
Lyricly
Talib Kweli
Truthfully
I wanna rhyme like Common Sense
(But i did five Mil)
I ain't been rhymin like Common since
When your sense got that much in common
And you been hustlin since
Your inception
**** perception
Go with what makes sense
Since
I know what i'm up against
We as rappers must decide what's most impor-tant
And i can't help the poor if i'm one of them
So i got rich and gave back
To me that's the win, win
The next time you see the homie and his rims spin
Just know my mind is workin just like them
(The rims that is)

The moment a writer or artist recognizes who he is writing for becomes his moment of clarity.He adapts his tone, his message,his text to that of the audience, this is important.All things adapted should resonate well with his perceived audience.

[Ikhide]

Citizen Ochonu,

Thanks for this and for your piece on Bongos Ikwue which I also enjoyed. I really appreciated your essay on Bongos Ikwue because it broadened and deepened my understanding of and appreciation of his overall contribution to the music of our people.

Are you a post modernist? I don't know what that term means, I need to consult your dictionary since I don't have one and I don't need one to write my yeye njakiri (hear my yeye detractor neighing "I rest my case!)" Actually I use a dictionary to referee my boys' Scrabble games ("Daddy! Is gbegiri a word, enh? He is cheating again!!!"). Besides, Google is my constant companion. In terms of the opacity (or lack thereof) of your literary style, it is certainly your style and your signature, one that many like my humble self actually enjoy. So you doth protest too much, the average reader is merely an average reader, not a dense dolt. As someone whose "u" fled his "colour" many winters ago, I must say that our literary styles are really a sum product of our experiences, and I personally have no apologies in terms of the obvious evolution of my writings from my days in Nigeria to my days here on the Internet ;-)

It is quite possible that the "density" of style that you attribute to Nigerian academicians living in the West is more of a personal failing than a cultural transformation. My sense is that many of us cry louder than the bereaved. Most of these writers that I read do not suffer the affliction you have reflected upon. However, there are several that amuse me no end. It is simply pompous prose by folks struggling to be what they probably are not. For many times, the opacity fails to mask the paucity of ideas in said tomes (Ikhide! You are now parodying your friends with your unnecessary akwukwo!). The writer should always address the intended audience using appropriate language.

Let me quickly add that it has my experience that the writings of American academicians are more accessible than what I was used to back home in Nigeria. In fact, I found American academicians more accessible than my university lecturers back home. These are observations of course, not conclusions. I have always thought that it is a refreshing attribute that our people should emulate. It is usually the case that the exotic is attractive; maybe that is what explains the various horrid "American" accents some of my fellow exiles wear proudly on their tongues ;-)))))

I have written about this ad nauseum; our Nigerian writers need to begin to slowly climb off their high horses and start writing for the people. The days of writing self-absorbed nonsense, stringing big big words together to look and sound like a deep thinker, those days are gone the way of the cassette tape ;-)))) If we don't change our ways, we will end up reading our own works and most probably dying of kwashiokor. No one will buy our books ;-))))))))

In any case, books are dying, words as we know them are being killed every day thanks to the great "texting" innovations of our brilliant pioneering teenagers. In today's word, if you can't text, you are illiterate. Citizen Ochonu, stop writing big big oyinbo, attend one of my teenage daughters' unviversity of texting and you are good! Good morning from my part of America and may the good fortunes of July smile on you and yours!

- Ikhide

[Anioma777]

@NWANZA

Europe & USA are constantly making it easier for the ordinary Joe to read and understand their books.

Nigeriatude is so Shakespeare's - old confusing tirade!

Well said. Personally I think depending on your target audience one should just write plain simple English or whatever language you use. Keeping it simple is the best policy, but as usual and rather unfortunate in the Nigerian context, most have the extraordinary ability to complicate things where simplicity is called for.


Anyway which one do I know, I am just a IT mechanic that only understands 0s and 1s

[eleniyan]

Originally Posted by Ikhide

Citizen Ochonu,


Let me quickly add that it has my experience that the writings of American academicians are more accessible than what I was used to back home in Nigeria. In fact, I found American academicians more accessible than my university lecturers back home. These are observations of course, not conclusions. I have always thought that it is a refreshing attribute that our people should emulate. It is usually the case that the exotic is attractive; maybe that is what explains the various horrid "American" accents some of my fellow exiles wear proudly on their tongues ;-)))))

I have written about this ad nauseum; our Nigerian writers need to begin to slowly climb off their high horses and start writing for the people. The days of writing self-absorbed nonsense, stringing big big words together to look and sound like a deep thinker, those days are gone the way of the cassette tape ;-)))) If we don't change our ways, we will end up reading our own works and most probably dying of kwashiokor. No one will buy our books ;-))))))))

In any case, books are dying, words as we know them are being killed every day thanks to the great "texting" innovations of our brilliant pioneering teenagers. In today's word, if you can't text, you are illiterate. Citizen Ochonu, stop writing big big oyinbo, attend one of my teenage daughters' unviversity of texting and you are good! Good morning from my part of America and may the good fortunes of July smile on you and yours!

- Ikhide

Gbam!!!, thank you Ikhide...these are my observations too. I do sense hubris (oyinbo repete) in the article of this thread and a misplaced observation. I think Nigerian writers (not all ofcourse but our great Wole Soyinka included) are more 'jargony' than their Euro-American counterparts. Some, if not most, of our very own believe in usage of archaic/outdated vocabulary as a better prose than usage of simple to the point and intricately well weaved together vocabulary. To think like this is to risk being stock in the past. It is a beautiful thing to adapt to time. It is quite dangerous to have stagnant knowledge and style, your audience will dissipate.

[NWANZA]

Originally Posted by Anioma777

@NWANZA



Well said. Personally I think depending on your target audience one should just write plain simple English or whatever language you use. Keeping it simple is the best policy, but as usual and rather unfortunate in the Nigerian context, most have the extraordinary ability to complicate things where simplicity is called for.


Anyway which one do I know, I am just a IT mechanic that only understands 0s and 1s

You are absolutely correct in your assessment, as well as many other commentators here - Writers should make their articles enjoyable to read.

There should be
1.) an interesting title.
2.) a balance in grammar - simplicity and big words.
3.) a flow of engagement - write as though you are talking to reader.
4.) use pictures to reinforce your point - diffuse some confusing narratives.

An engineer like me, do not have time for unworthy tirade - Nigeriatude.
There is nothing like negritude - I don't believe in that apart from skin color.

[quietswami]

Originally Posted by nigerdelta666

quietswami, what in god's name are you talking about? I do not understand whether you're discussing the topic of this thread -Who Do You Write For? or you simply wanna tell us you had memorised some words out of your chamber's dictionary. Pls., clarify!

Confession - didn't have to memorise the words - copy and paste jobby I'm afraid! To clarify my entry - some comic relief first.

Child: Think we are lost! Do you know where we are going? Why haven’t we travelled along the path of the others?

Teacher: No my child. Look behind you, and you will see how far we’ve come. Look ahead... look closer... it is revealed... where many will follow; where we want to be; where we ought to be, and how we will get there.

Child: I don’t see it! Think this is a fool’s errand journey to show-off how well-travelled you are – there really is no point to this journey! Shouldn’t we be heading in the same direction as the others?!

Teacher: Patience is a virtue my child. Many travel; many with a known destination; many who think they know the destination; many who should know the destination; many who know the way to the destination; many who think they know the way to the destination; many who follow those who think they know the way to the destination; many will seek the well-travelled road hoping to reach the destination; many are aware of the destination and the road to get there but get delayed by all that is to behold on the road to the destination; many will deliberately travel the long winding road to distract others; many will be without destination and would wish not to travel at all! Pay attention my child, persevere - the path reveals itself to those who seek it!

Child: But how do we know when we have arrived?

Teacher: Arrival for all that travel will be different... many will know they have arrived; many will think they have arrived; many will think they have arrived because they have followed those who think or think they know they have arrive; many will continue to seek neither knowing whether they have arrived or still on the journey. You will know my child... you will...

Clarification:
Only an extension of logic – if any exercise in communication fails to achieve the desired effect then a combination of factors could be responsible and ought to be considered – the message, the delivery, the messenger, the recipient - intended or otherwise, the context etc.

My earlier instance, and the initial one within this thread are alternative takes – bear with me here. If the assumption is that academic to academic, regardless of context, can communicate effectively across spatial and temporal borders why should this Nigerian context be any different? Except if some form of class complex is implied i.e. superiority or inferiority. Where this is not the case, perhaps the debate is not between like for like but more between opposing camps – working on the assumption that academics do get the message - then the remainder who don’t get it will be a combination of the intellectuals and the laypeople.

Hence, as these writings are not placed in an exclusive academic forum, one will assume that the intended audience will mostly be those of a certain level of intellect able to attain an appreciable level of comprehension – thus my spiel to head straight for the bull’s eye rather than the circuitous route of debating stylistics – hope you weren’t too put out by it all! You may have to read both previous entries for a full picture.

[Ebe]

I am troubled by an unintended consensus that seems to be forming here: that simple writing equals good writing and that complex writing equals bad writing.

Let me offer these thoughts:


There is nothing inherently virtuous or superior about simple writing. Just as there is nothing inherently bad about complex prose. And simple writing in and of itself is not a linguistic virtue to be coveted. There are subjects that lend themselves to simple diction and there are complex ideas that must be communicated in complex language. A good writer simply knows the kind of semantic choices that suit a subject matter and makes those choices for effective communication.

Then there is the other issue of the desire to impress and/or confuse vs an ingrained style.

Some of us employ big words and write complex, convoluted sentences to impress and appear linguistically and intellectually sophisticated. I am not naming names, but I know folks who do. Their prose is often tortured and forced, and they are frequently guilty of the grammatical sin of malapropism.

Some others, by virtue of their academic and intellectual socialization, write in complex, big-worded prose because that is their style. Big words and complex expressive techniques come naturally to them. They don't even have to make an effort. It's almost an unconscious process. I call this "strong writing" not "difficult writing" as some people call it. Wole Soyinka is the most recognizable example here. Although I sometimes wish he would write more simply, I read and enjoy his writings because:

1. I know that that is his style and that he is not just trying to impress

2. Usually, the sophistication of the analysis and the fresh insight outweighs and mitigates any mental effort I have to put into reading his material.

3. He has earned the right to write in any style he deems fit and to expect readers to meet him where he is, linguistically speaking that is.

4. Chances are that I'll learn a new word or rhetorical technique when I read him. They say to be a good writer you have to be a good reader.

The folks I admire most--and they are very few--are those like the British scholar Murray Last who can express complex ideas, even high theory, in a very accessible prose. But this is a rare gift.

So, to conclude, I am not one to knock complex writing simply because it is complex or to praise and recommend simple writing just because it is simple and easy to comprehend. I also read for the substance and strength of the analysis or the quality of the argument. Sometimes the content makes it worth my while to consult a dictionary or a therasus--or even to ruminate a bit before grasping the full extent of the thought being expressed.

Finally, as someone said, some of us derive aesthetic pleasure in encountering new writing, linguistic innovation and creativity, and strong, novel prose laced with unfamiliar words. Yes, a piece of writing can be "dificult" but aesthetically enjoyable.

[quietswami]

Ebe,

A perceptible smoothness and fluency to your piece, one that would have been a worthy note to end this debate on. However, couldn't resist an observation. Intrigued by the implied notion that "simple" or "complex" styles (no doubt Semanticists and Literary Critics will have a field day with such concepts!) can be manipulated -giving the supposition that some conscious deliberate style can be evolved and channelled as either simple or complex.

To evolve such a style would naturally require some mastery of the craft which some, no doubt, do attain. However, just as there is "Received Pronunciation" to obliterate regional dialects in English, idiolects, as a correlation of style, are nigh on impossible to shift! I err on the side of content, the essense of any piece - the relevant idea or thought being communicated. I'd rather favour the idea, thought, or theory to dictate or evolve the style rather than the other way round. Style is an afterthought which should not take precedence.

Naturally a blend of the writer's personality captured in their style will be transmitted but I'd rather have a great idea communicated poorly, than a great piece of communication with nothing to show for it! A stammerer (no offence) may not be the most eloquent of speakers but I'll take a stammerer with good ideas over a clueless orator! Of course the perfect blend will be both!

To concur, nothing like a well-constructed piece of writing with the balance of aesthetics, content, and style to get the old grey matter, and other senses revved-up! The holy grail! What use is there for any piece of writing that does not challenge or aim to challenge the intellect - like the muscle - muscle tears from hard training only make them grow stronger!

Regarding the audience, those who get it, get it - those who don't, don't! (no elitism intended!). Catering for acceptance is an illusion - you will never know why, when, how, or what will be accepted. All that matters is the conviction! The distractiion of anything else is unproductive - stunting creativity. Let the ideas flow, put some thought into it. Yes! put on some style but no delusory pretensions of grandeur, knowledge repository or literary mastery! Makes it hard to focus on the real deal.

[denker]

quietswami, listen, my friend, very well, you gotta stop clowning around in this NVS of no regret. The village is not for CLOWN...you know what...you're a BIG CLOWN!

[farooqkperogi]

It appears that Moses has just provided an outlet for some people to ventilate their pent-up frustrations with styles of writing that take a course outside the sadly familiar hackneyed and stereotyped phraseology that has become typical of much of Nigerian (newspaper) writing, what Adebayo Williams once memorably--and elegantly-- called "joyless writing." But I don't want to get started on that.

I just wanted you to know that your style is not by any stretch of the imagination "complex" or pretentious; it's only rich, elevated, inspired and scholarly. And there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, there is everything right with it.

There is absolutely no reason to suppose that everyone should write the same way. The old stylistic dictum that "style is the man" (itself derived from Sainte-Beuve, one of Matthew Arnold's heroes) is particularly apt here. Our styles convey our singularities. That is why, for instance, the richness and rightness of Pius' capacity for satire is unique to him. I couldn't attempt it because I will fail miserably.

And I think I have known you long enough to know that your style has ALWAYS been elevated without being exhibitionist or strained. I think you gave your Euro-American intellectual socialization way too much credit when you said that your sublimely elysian prose is a consequence of an unconscious adaption to its linguistic traditions. You neither write like Judith Butler nor like Derrida.

[Ikhide]

It is actually the case that several of our writers are already wired to write nonsense thanks to their educational influences at home. They come abroad and mangle their already atrocious literary styles with additional bad habits. They call this new product scholarship and intellectual discourse. I disagree. What some of our writers call academic writing is simply bad writing.

There is absolutely no need in my opinion to use several pompous words where a few words, or blessed silence would do. From the beginning of colonial history our people have been drawn to big words. Does anyone remember Bomber Billy in Ogali A. Ogali's riotous Onitsha Market Literature play, Veronica My Daughter? Bomber Billy was the carricature of the bombastic Nigerian wannabe "scholar." Here is what Bomber Billy has to say upon sustaining a bad fall:

"As I was descending from a declivity yesterday with such an excessive velocity, I suddenly lost the centre of my gravity and was precipitated on the macadised thoroughfare."

He goes on to assure concerned onlookers thusly:

"Don't put your mind under perturbation. But after my precipitation whereby my incunabula got soaked, it was made incumbent on me to divest my habiliments which were saturated as a result of my immersion in the rivulet."

When asked if he had gone for treatment he responded thusly:

"I don't care what the Medical Officer said but I assure you that this is nothing but a cocified agency, antipasimodicala producing nothing but voscandum, miscandum and tiscono. This medicine that I have in hand is called the GRAND ELECTRICAL PUNCHUTICAL DEMOSCANDUM which cures all diseases incident to humanity." ;-))))))))))))))))))))))

Our writers need to find their own collective voice, need to break loose of traditional shackles and start being really innovative. It is already happening though. Ignore all the yeye books and pretend-academic essays that are being written today and simply go on to the web to see what a new crop of Nigerians are cooking up. In the blogs, websites, and on Facebook, they are showing us the true face of their creativity, using the new media to create a fusion of voice, text, and dance in the oral tradition of our forefathers and foremothers. Nothin spoil my people, it is all good. As for academicians and motor park poets, and the search for that elusive audience, I say egbe belu ugo belu, let the eagle perch, let the hawk perch...

[quietswami]

Apologies to all villagers for this intrusive aside - a distraction from the worthy debate - a personal matter that had to be attended to! Ignoring the unsolicited attention proved elusive - like the embarassing attention-seeking recalcitrant child in a posh restaurant or during some adult conversation - something has got to give!

Originally Posted by nigerdelta666

quietswami, listen, my friend, very well, you gotta stop clowning around in this NVS of no regret. The village is not for CLOWN...you know what...you're a BIG CLOWN!

Not alluding to my physical appearance of course - could have felt insulted! Admire your stewardship for the village though! Given your engaging demeanour I feel I can only but share a story with you ... true story.

Once in the West End of London I was accosted by someone who blurted out the N-word to my face. The suddeness and the shock of the unprovoked action threw me for a split second, to be replaced, in equal measure, by a manic medieval turbo-charged testosterone-fuelled unadultrated murderous red rage prepped to commit some unwholesome act! All dissipated as quickly, now replaced by a wry smile brought on by a sense of pity. A cursory look at my intended GBH victim revealed an unkempt layabout with a crazed glint in his eyes!

The entire encounter was all over in an instant, and thankfully I had the presence of mind to avert a life-changing catastrophe. Many life lessons from this nano-second encounter - hope you got something out of the story!

Child: Monster! Monster!

Teacher: It is not a monster you see, my child! It is nothing but a figment of your imagination! For monsters only come alive if you choose to.

The denial of wisdom does not equate to the non-existence of wisdom - "I" don't get it, is not the same as, "we" don't get it!

Attention sought and noted, now bzzzzzzz off before I do an Obama on your ....!!! How's that for clowning!

[Shoko Loko Bangoshe]

An additional note:

I'm already clear on the kind of writing I enjoy and which I don't mind doing extra work to read - I've written all about it in this article:

http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/...-i-like-2.html

However, I should point out that I am not saying that the author should write articles in a particular way. The most important thing is for him to define his audience.

If he decides that he wants to reach as many people as possible, intellectual or not, then he should as much as possible avoid creating unnecessary work for his readers by sending them repeatedly scurrying to the dictionary or Wikipedia in order to understand him. It is unreasonable for him to expect such a mass audience to suddenly become consumed with the spirit of inquiry just because he is the one writing. Instead, he should deal with his audience as they are (possessing just an average knowledge of words and concepts, and too pressed for time to do extra research) instead of how he would like them to be.

On the other hand, if his articles are a case of the "deep calling to the deep", then he is free to be as esoteric as possible.

[Ikhide]

Originally Posted by Shoko Loko Bangoshe

An additional note:

I'm already clear on the kind of writing I enjoy and which I don't mind doing extra work to read - I've written all about it in this article:

http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/...-i-like-2.html

However, I should point out that I am not saying that the author should write articles in a particular way. The most important thing is for him to define his audience.

If he decides that he wants to reach as many people as possible, intellectual or not, then he should as much as possible avoid creating unnecessary work for his readers by sending them repeatedly scurrying to the dictionary or Wikipedia in order to understand him. It is unreasonable for him to expect such a mass audience to suddenly become consumed with the spirit of inquiry just because he is the one writing. Instead, he should deal with his audience as they are (possessing just an average knowledge of words and concepts, and too pressed for time to do extra research) instead of how he would like them to be.

On the other hand, if his articles are a case of the "deep calling to the deep", then he is free to be as esoteric as possible.

Folks, I wish to align myself 100% with all of the above. I say, find your voice, find your audience, and write on! Nothing to be apologetic about, shikena! Everything else is much ado about not much.

[person]

Originally Posted by quietswami

The denial of wisdom does not equate to the non-existence of wisdom - "I" don't get it, is not the same as, "we" don't get it!
!

True words. If you apply that to this thread you can say that the denial by some of the propriety of a particular style of writing does not equate to its lack of propriety to other readers.

quietswami you are one of the most engaging contributors on this thread. Every one of your posts here is a joy to read. Don't mind nigerdelta666, he is only playing with you. He is a bright man too.

[quietswami]

Originally Posted by Shoko Loko Bangoshe

An additional note:

I should point out that I am not saying that the author should write articles in a particular way. The most important thing is for him to define his audience

.

Like an irresistible game of engaging chess - you keep coming back for more with the vain hope playing a perfect game! Fair point SLB, however may have to disagree slightly. Defining an audience is virtually impossible - where do you start - age, gender, class, religion, tribe, education, speciality, race, sexuality, philosophy, marital status, location, linguistic capability ...? With such varying open class criteria and permutations, one may as well not bother! Methinks this will be a case of the cart before the horse!

So far on this thread, I have advocated for importance of focus on the ideas or thoughts being expressed as this ought to be reason for putting anything out for any consumption. Perhaps a salient point not quite coming to the fore is the intention of the writing - resisting to say "writer" to avoid having to define such which will ultimately imply the attainment of a professional level of craftmanship - somewhat exclusive. Intention of writing will be more inclusive with some appropriate closed class limiting criteria. Such would include to express ideas, thoughts, concepts...; to impress others; to show off range of diction, vocabulary, reading collection..., to amuse; to educate; to highlight issues; to put on display mastery of writing techniques; to comply with norms, requirements, mandates...etc.

Overtime, intentions will be the sustaining determinant of any writing - to misappropriate a saying by Warren Buffet - only when the tides come in do we know those that have been swimming naked! Misplaced intentions do not stand the test of time and are soon weeded out to make way for genuine and original writings. Like fine wine or good music - the laws of natural pendulum are always in play!

Crucially though, it would be a shame if folks are precluded from writing for fear of ill-defined audience base or non-conformity to a notion of acceptable style, technique, academic standards, simple, complex or otherwise. Given the immediate context of The Village and its vision,as well as the wider context of Nigeria, we can ill-afford to to be deprived of a flow of ideas, thoughts... such can be refined, repackaged... to suit audience as deemed appropriate!

Writing is a timeless form of expression - just like ideas until proven unworkable. To limit such by conceding priority to the "audience" could have, as in topical parlance, unintentional consequences. If Shakespeare had known that his writings would have such a global audience across the ages, who knows what the consequences would have been - he may not have written any works for fear of not being able to communicate to such a wide-ranging audience!

Agree, much ado about nothing indeed but then maybe an ado about a situation that has been highlighted to get to the point of, much ado about something!

There is no such thing as a stupid question - it takes a level of intelligence to ask one! Stupidity may be present in the context but not in the question nor the questioner!

[Shoko Loko Bangoshe]

Originally Posted by quietswami

Like an irresistible game of engaging chess - you keep coming back for more with the vain hope playing a perfect game! Fair point SLB, however may have to disagree slightly. Defining an audience is virtually impossible - where do you start - age, gender, class, religion, tribe, education, speciality, race, sexuality, philosophy, marital status, location, linguistic capability ...? With such varying open class criteria and permutations, one may as well not bother! Methinks this will be a case of the cart before the horse!

OK, fine. The writer may not be able to define his audience precisely. But he should at least know exactly what he wants to achieve with the writing. Does he just want to get his ideas out there, irrespective of who hears them and how they are heard? Or does he want to change the world with his ideas? Surely, he cannot complain if he wants to do A but ends up achieving only B because of his writing style.

So far on this thread, I have advocated for importance of focus on the ideas or thoughts being expressed as this ought to be reason for putting anything out for any consumption. Perhaps a salient point not quite coming to the fore is the intention of the writing - resisting to say "writer" to avoid having to define such which will ultimately imply the attainment of a professional level of craftmanship - somewhat exclusive. Intention of writing will be more inclusive with some appropriate closed class limiting criteria. Such would include to express ideas, thoughts, concepts...; to impress others; to show off range of diction, vocabulary, reading collection..., to amuse; to educate; to highlight issues; to put on display mastery of writing techniques; to comply with norms, requirements, mandates...etc.

I agree with the above. In fact, defining the audience is only one of the things the writer could do as part of clarifying his intention in writing (e.g. an intent such as "I am writing this article because I want Nigerians to know about X" implies that Nigerians have already been identified as the main audience).

Overtime, intentions will be the sustaining determinant of any writing - to misappropriate a saying by Warren Buffet - only when the tides come in do we know those that have been swimming naked! Misplaced intentions do not stand the test of time and are soon weeded out to make way for genuine and original writings. Like fine wine or good music - the laws of natural pendulum are always in play!

I don't know about this. I'm much more cynical - the enduring nature of a piece of work is down to two things: how many people find it sufficiently engaging to remember it and talk about it to others, and how many of those people are themselves in a position to influence society.

Crucially though, it would be a shame if folks are precluded from writing for fear of ill-defined audience base or non-conformity to a notion of acceptable style, technique, academic standards, simple, complex or otherwise. Given the immediate context of The Village and its vision,as well as the wider context of Nigeria, we can ill-afford to to be deprived of a flow of ideas, thoughts... such can be refined, repackaged... to suit audience as deemed appropriate!

Defining your audience only matters if you want your writing to get across to those people. I think we have already agreed (?) that this is a subset of intent. If the writer's intent doesn't include reaching any particular audience, then he is free to write whatever he likes.

Having said this, I find it strange that someone would actually publish their writing without any concern about how many people it reached. If this is the case, why not just keep a private diary?

[NWANZA]

Originally Posted by Ikhide

It is actually the case that several of our writers are already wired to write nonsense thanks to their educational influences at home. They come abroad and mangle their already atrocious literary styles with additional bad habits. They call this new product scholarship and intellectual discourse. I disagree. What some of our writers call academic writing is simply bad writing.

There is absolutely no need in my opinion to use several pompous words where a few words, or blessed silence would do. From the beginning of colonial history our people have been drawn to big words. Does anyone remember Bomber Billy in Ogali A. Ogali's riotous Onitsha Market Literature play, Veronica My Daughter? Bomber Billy was the carricature of the bombastic Nigerian wannabe "scholar." Here is what Bomber Billy has to say upon sustaining a bad fall:

"As I was descending from a declivity yesterday with such an excessive velocity, I suddenly lost the centre of my gravity and was precipitated on the macadised thoroughfare."

He goes on to assure concerned onlookers thusly:

"Don't put your mind under perturbation. But after my precipitation whereby my incunabula got soaked, it was made incumbent on me to divest my habiliments which were saturated as a result of my immersion in the rivulet."

When asked if he had gone for treatment he responded thusly:

"I don't care what the Medical Officer said but I assure you that this is nothing but a cocified agency, antipasimodicala producing nothing but voscandum, miscandum and tiscono. This medicine that I have in hand is called the GRAND ELECTRICAL PUNCHUTICAL DEMOSCANDUM which cures all diseases incident to humanity." ;-))))))))))))))))))))))

Our writers need to find their own collective voice, need to break loose of traditional shackles and start being really innovative. It is already happening though. Ignore all the yeye books and pretend-academic essays that are being written today and simply go on to the web to see what a new crop of Nigerians are cooking up. In the blogs, websites, and on Facebook, they are showing us the true face of their creativity, using the new media to create a fusion of voice, text, and dance in the oral tradition of our forefathers and foremothers. Nothin spoil my people, it is all good. As for academicians and motor park poets, and the search for that elusive audience, I say egbe belu ugo belu, let the eagle perch, let the hawk perch...

Your evidence is alarming, I think simple is the wise way!

I got dizzy reading all that crap - it is stupendous!!

What a waste of ink & paper!!!

[quietswami]

Originally Posted by Shoko Loko Bangoshe

I don't know about this. I'm much more cynical - the enduring nature of a piece of work is down to two things: how many people find it sufficiently engaging to remember it and talk about it to others, and how many of those people are themselves in a position to influence society.

Having said this, I find it strange that someone would actually publish their writing without any concern about how many people it reached. If this is the case, why not just keep a private diary?

Indulge my resorting to an allegory here - Like the sprinkling of seedlings, one never knows which will germinate and thrive in the harsh conditions of the open fields - should this deter the farmer? Yes, the land has to be prepared, in the end however, there is only so much that can be done in this regard. Quality of audience over quantity! Good seeds will find good soil - some may be immediate, others may take more time.

Why not just keep a private diary? A private diary may as well be kept and a shame that would be! Sometimes the purest form of writing there given the purity of thought and expression without the associated burdens of external influences. Then however, private diaries do make it into the open and gain audience regardless. Undue concern for the quantity of readers can only but dilute the import and integrity of the writing, and to some extent the idea, thought, or thinker. The writer who panders or succumbs to the allure of an "adoring" audience only betrays a pre-existing penchant for acceptance or adulation. Not entirely unwelcome but when this becomes the driving source of motivation, the game is up! Invariably the writer becomes entrapped by the style, the audience, and inevitably erodes the message!

However, we do seem to be in alignment on most of the key areas, order of priority may as well be the difference - a useful diversion that makes any conversation flow. Otherwise, perfect agreement may only require nods as a means of communicating. We of course speak of the ideal - the world will be perfect otherwise!