Anger, frustration led me to write – Garricks
Chimeka Garricks is a lawyer and author of the novel ‘Tomorrow Died Yesterday.’ He spoke to about being a first time author and the hidden secrets of his book.
on Sunday
What inspired your novel, Tomorrow Died Yesterday?
A bit of frustration, some anger, and the uncomfortable burden of carrying the weight of an untold story.
How long did it take to come up with the title, and why did you settle for it?
It just came to me one day after I had written a scene where a character said something that sounded close to it. I settled for it because it sounded right at the time for some of the thoughts I was trying to express.
Who would you say you were writing for?
Myself first, then the whole world. Apart from some exceptions, for example, children’s stories, I’ve never believed in, or quite fully understood the concept of writing for a particular demographic. Stories are meant to have universal appeal, which also means that anyone is free to tell any story so long as they tell it well. The English salesman, René L. B. Raymond, wrote tens of stories on American gangster culture, using the pseudonym, James Hadley Chase. If he tried that today, some politically-correct jokers would probably Daily Trust accuse him of cultural appropriation.
This was your first novel. What common traps are aspiring writers exposed to?
Making themselves characters in their stories, not doing faultless research, assuming everyone will be enamored by their stories, disagreeing with editors who wish to do life-saving surgery on the stories, failing to have a proper plan for publicity and marketing, etc.
Would you say someone could be a writer even if they do not feel emotions strongly?
I would like to say no. I would like to say that deeply-felt emotions inspire the best writing and stories. But there’s a lot of information out there, which confirm that super-computers, algorithms and AI can write novels, stories, articles, news reports and even jokes. My point is, the writer’s ability to feel strong emotion has its place, but what is more important, I feel, is that the writer’s work inspires strong emotions in as many readers as possible.
Did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
I’m still discovering my ‘process of writing.’
Which was the most difficult part of your book to write and why?
Any scene involving a description of a person or place was difficult for me. I could take weeks to write a sentence. I don’t know why. Please share with us, one of the literary pilgrimages you have embarked on and what the experience was like. I haven’t embarked on any literary pilgrimage.
Have you ever experienced reader’s block?
Yes. She and I are good friends; we hang out all the time.
Would you say a big ego helps or hurts writers?
Kendrick Lamar says it best: “Sit down. Be humble.” Because appreciation for writing is largely subjective, and there are elements of time and chance in writing success, having a big ego as a writer doesn’t quite make sense. That said, I believe most writers I’ve met have a mix of humility, self-doubt and self-confidence. It’s the ideal mix, I think.
Are there hidden secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
First, I’ve only published one book. And no, I didn’t have any hidden secret in it. That said, most of the reviews of my book focused on the theme of the Niger Delta struggle and how it affected the characters. It is only Lindsay Barrett’s review, I can remember, which pointed out that the central theme of the book is the true meaning of friendship. It’s no coincidence that it’s my favourite review.
What was your favourite childhood book? Did the author influence you in any way?
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. I’ve long respected Samuel L. Clemens’ deceptively simple skill of using humour and a keen observation of human nature to camouflage socially conscious work.
How many unpublished and halffinished books do you have?
I have one unpublished and one halffinished novels. The unpublished novel was actually the first novel I wrote, back in 2003. I read it now and I cringe and laugh at myself and get reminded of how I’ve grown as a writer.
What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
Finishing what I started.
When will your next book be out?
I’m not sure. I need to finish it first.