Writing & Stuff: Recent Episodes
Chidi Ebere
A writer talks. About-to-be-published author, Chidi Ebere, examines the up and downs, and in and outs of the writing process through a series of short-form and easy-to-digest podcast episodes. Ego-boosting references, fancy words, and unnecessary intellectualism are all banned, as he expresses what needs to be expressed in an open, down-to-earth manner.
We begin with a zebra-crossing incident; one that made wonder what visitors to Amsterdam think of our traffic style. Then we look at some of the changes made in my approach to writing — changes that ultimately led to the publication of my first novel.
We ease into today’s episode with a reminder of how experience can keep you out of trouble. Then, we turn our attention towards rejection (also known as ‘the confidence crusher’, ‘the ego emasculator’, ‘soul incinerator’ or ‘the big R’). It’s a very familiar subject to anyone who has tried to get onto an agent’s list or have publisher take an interest in their work.
We start the episode with a visit to an old favourite spot and the curious ritual I discovered on my return. Then, we have a look at why it’s been impossible to podcast for the last few months…
Two and a half weeks of writing — the act, and not the content — is the reason for this episode. You know the one where you become so involved in whatever it is you are doing, everything else disappears, the door to the zone opens wide… that’s where we’re headed today.
This episode begins with a fragment of two passing cyclists’ conversation; the topic is whether one of them went through a red traffic light, and a few words about tourists confused by Amsterdam traffic behaviour. Next, we have a look at some of the effects getting ‘in the zone’ has on writing. It is, as you know, the most beautiful, exciting part of the process. Time warps as you slip into a groove; you build a world and populate it with landscapes, cities, characters…
The last episode reminded me (as if that was really necessary) how important observation is to my storytelling. With that in mind, we take the time to visit a few of the scenes I remember from the recent and distant past.
The billowing coat from a cartoon-like character; getting lost in thoughts generated by fallen autumn leaves; a post office worker with a phenomenal form-stamping action; a grown man battling with kids for free goodies; rejoicing Ajax supporters’ celebrations; a father climbing a tree with his kids. You can hear all about that, and more, in this episode.
Coffee in the right mug, the writing pad angle shuffle, the “Am I standing in the right place?” all get a look in. And let’s not forget the “Hey! What’s that over there?” or the “Might be time for a walk.” Given there’s nothing unusual about the combination of writer and ritual, why not an episode about just that?
One of the often ignored facets of the writing process is… the write position, also known as the location/position in which you like to do your writing. Recent studies have shown the write position to be of greater importance to the writer than previously understood. Because of this I felt it worthwhile putting together an episode that touches on my relationship with the write position.
Rather than numb the mind with hardcore dissection and analysis of the write position, we visit a few of my favourite write positions. Our dining table gets an honourable mention; there’s a window corner in the Central Library; my old neighbourhood, Gaasperplas, gets some attention; we visit a Westerpark tree; hop across the river to IJ boulevard; say farewell to Steiger 14, before ending our journey on a De Ruijterkade pier.
Even though I’ve been writing for ages, and have become quite used to this activity, there’s one aspect of the writing process I’ve never been able to shake: the sense of dread. Whenever I pick up a pencil or pen, with plans to begin a new story or chapter, I’m hit with an uncomfortable fear.
The length and intensity of my relationship with this disquiet has proved an opportunity to study my ‘writer’s fear’ –from close quarters. This episode contains a few of my observations.
The question why I write seemed like the perfect, easy-to-handle theme for the first serious episode of Writing & Stuff. As it turned out, rather than find one specific reason for writing, I came a cross a whole bunch of them. Some are shared in this episode.
I touch upon the escapist and self-entertaining qualities of writing; the power that comes with the ability to create populated worlds; the addictive joy of writing gets a mention, as does the role of the ego in driving me to write. Of course, these reasons are just the tip of the why-do-I-write iceberg: there’ll be more in future episodes.
Here, I talk about various aspects of writing, as seen from this (my) perspective. In an attempt to be open and straightforward about the things I believe are worth talking about, they’ll be no academic or intellectual flim-flammery, minimal use of fancy words, references will be used to enlighten and not intimidate.
The set-up –due to the the time-challenged nature of our lives– will be short, easy-to-digest chunks. Over the coming days, weeks, months, subsequent episodes will appear. Episodes garnished with more specificity and sharper focus. Listen on…