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The Lagos state
chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) got caught up in
the valentine love buzz last week as it organised a special Valentine
programme for its members at the National Theatre on February 12.

The book of the
month was Charles Ayo Dada’s collection of poems, ‘The Ghost of Zina’ –
while the theme of the month was ‘The intercourse of Literature and
love’. A couple of poets at the meet read from their works, all of
which had love themes. However, the main attraction of the event was
the session which featured spouses of some members of the association,
discussing the challenges of being married to their writer-spouses.

The spouses who
were called up, included,school teacher Ibukun Agoi, wife of Past Chair
of ANA Lagos, Folu Agoi; Ezinne Ekanem, wife of poet Kufre Ekanem; and
the only male in the group, filmmaker Solomon MacAuley, husband of
actress and published writer, Uche MacAuley. The writers also sat with
their spouses.

What the spouses think

On what they think
about their spouses’ craft, Macauley, who led the discussion, said
about his wife, “That’s what she does everyday. It is her passion. You
cannot fight against it, all you can do is support it.” “When Kufre
gets his inspiration, he shuts you out,” began his wife, as she made
those present laugh with her wittiness. “He has also indoctrinated our
daughter (to writing), so now it’s two against one,” she added
laughing. She admitted that she found the whole writing and seclusion
thing boring as she was more of a chatty person. However, when she saw
the joy on his face when he eventually got published, she realised how
much writing meant to him.

Ibukun Agoi
recounted her experience when her husband was ANA Lagos Chair and how
the position took its toll on him. However, “I noticed it gave him joy
and fulfillment, especially after the successful completion of any ANA
programme. When your man is happy at what he does, you have to support
him,” she declared. She readily admitted that it isn’t easy living with
a writer.

Paying the bills

The discussion
soon went in the direction of whether writers in Nigeria could earn a
living from writing alone without having another job on the side. “We
haven’t gotten to that point where writing can sustain a home. You have
to have a day job,” was Mrs Ekanem’s view.

Macauley, an
entrepreneur as well as a filmmaker, reasoned that artists need to
develop business savvy alongside their craft. “People think just
passion, not business”, he said. He added that “if you are a creative
person and you cannot make money out of your creativity, find a day
job”.

However Ekanem
opined that, “If what you are doing cannot feed you, then there is
something you aren’t doing right. Uche Macauley also concurred, saying,
“If I can’t make money from my passion I have no business doing it”.
There was a diversity of opinion on the subject.

A couple who both
happened to be poets turned out to be the prototype for cases where
both husband and wife are writers. The discussants cited some of the
challenges envisaged in such cases and the couple concurred, stating
some of their own challenges, like competitiveness and for the woman;
the clash between running the home and giving way to her creativity
while also resenting the man for his own freedom.

They however stated
that they have been able to find a balance that works and benefits both
parties. Ekanem advised that love could act as a buffer to some of the
challenges facing writers who married to spouses of the same
profession. Hence, “when it comes to love, don’t look for ant formula,”
he declared.

Writers as polygamists

“Someone once said
that a writer is a polygamist” said Folu Agoi as he gave a brief
commentary to wrap up the session. He acknowledged the challenges
spouses of writers face; and thanked the partners of poets for their
understanding.

There was a short dramatic performance of Ekanem’s ‘The Ant Eaters’.
A poem from Dada’s ‘Ghost of Zina’ was also acted out briefly. The
current ANA Lagos Chair, Dagga Tolla, said that writing could be a
healing process. He said this in regard to Dada’s collection of poems
which was a product of heartbreak and unrequited love. The association
gave out gifts to the attendees to commemorate the season of love. It
was indeed a meaningful and interesting event.