Young and Cerebral holds maiden creative instinct writing workshop

In a bid to improve and encourage creative writing amongst youths, Young and Cerebral recently held its first Creative Instinct Writing Workshop event in Lagos. Hosting over 120 writers across Nigeria on Saturday, March 23rd, the workshop with the theme “Writing Beyond A Hobby,” aimed to improve their craft and take their writing career to the next level. The crowd was filled with representatives from literary organizations, illustrators, authors, writers as well as students from schools and colleges.

Young and Cerebral is a clan of curious and imaginative storytellers based in Lagos, helping enthusiastic 18-35 year olds triumph by providing inspiration, empowerment and opportunities to help achieve personal fulfillment.

The event featured authors, editors and publishers who lectured on the journey to writing the first line, what it takes to publish and writing as a trade with a musical performance by Femi Adekoya. It was a day filled with inspiration, humour and passion.

The first speaker was blogger and bestselling author, Sally Kenneth-Dadzie. With books such as In the name of Papa, Fourth finger, The little black book, Fish brain clan, Immortals code and many more, she said, “I was scared taking that first step but I started writing step by step because I had a story to tell,” divulging to the rapt audience as she spoke on the topic, ‘The journey to writing the first line.’ She spoke on the need for consistency and a well written content as one is to be careful of what one puts on social media because it always leave a paper trail. “Your social media is your resume. These organizations are looking for people that will represent their brand,” she concluded.

The next speaker was Ufuoma Emerhor-Ashogbon, who spoke on “What it takes to publish?” revealing that one has to have a vision, message, talent, skill as well as passion to begin to publish. “When it comes to publishing do you want to read your own story or does your story make sense?’ she asked. The self-published author and writer revealed that her faith in God guided and inspired her to let it all out. With numerous books to her name, Ufuoma took care to explain the journey behind each of her books even as she did not hold back in sharing her story. “You don’t put walls up when writing a story,” she advised.

Seun Odukoya, writer and author also presented “Writing as a Trade” which was about believing in oneself and putting value on whatever one does. “If you are good at something, don’t do it for free. The further you go in your career, the more you charge a premium”. So write, read, watch movies and meet people. There is nothing more of an inspiration than life”, he stated. He further advised participants to be focused and consistent. “If it is one fan you have, focus on that person and if you give him reason to believe in you, it will become five, five will become 10 and 10 will become 15”, he concluded.The event was supported by Okadabooks, Ignite Africa, Fastizers and Rite foods.