Books are like clothes. I do not know about you but for me I read books according to my mood. The same way I decide what colour of clothes I want to wear on any particular day. If I am moody, I might wear grey or sky blue or white. I am not a loud person so I wear red sparingly and with trepidation. I would wear royal blue, coffee brown and black if I am feeling really good. Same with books. If I miss my mum so much, I read sober books and if I am in a good place I read comical books, training manuals and biographies. A novel only when I can find the time or when I am on vacation. So here are the books on my desk right now that I would recommend as good reads. I am in training mood to impact on others and currently in the middle of organising training for creative entrepreneurs with Nollywood veteran Segun Arinze and training for those struggling to find a job with special training on employability skills. So here are the books I am currently reading and honestly they are absolutely brilliant resources.
The definitive guide to Screen writing by acclaimed writer and film director, Syd Field.
Described as “the guru of all screenwriters” by CNN, Syd Field speaks to me in more ways than one. As a screen writer myself contributing to many NTA great dramas in the past including, Behind the Clouds and many children’s plays and dramas, I am particularly taken in by this book. Screen writing is a special art and must be handled by only the best. Not everyone is able to convert a good storyline to engaging dialogue and therein lies the challenge of cut and paste screen writers who just write dialogue into a script that is not meant for speaking by human beings. Screenplay is about conversation, humanity and reality. A lot of times when watching new soaps or dramas on Nigerian TV stations, I literally feel like swatting the characters when they say something clunky but I always remember blame it on the screen writer, they provide those dialogues that cannot make it to the bank. Syd Fields book, the definitive guide to screen writing provides the tools to make you a better screen writer and I recommend it highly. It is a book that is perfect for all levels of experience, and makes film writing accessible to novices as well as helping practiced writers really improve their scripts.
When we were young, we often used a particular bath soap which was very famous in most Nigerian homes. One day, a new bath soap was being advertised by celebrated artist, Ben Enwonwu’s daughter. An absolutely brilliant advertorial on TV that displayed a smiling and beautiful girl. She was utterly charming and she was advertising Joy soap. Those in my generation will member the song, the advert and her entrance. It was attention grabbing. My dad went out and bought cartons of the soap and this made my mum mad… lol. But I mean, we remember adverts from those times on television. Today what we see is mostly shambolic, bad copies, bad acting and silly songs. The advertisements like a lot of things we see on TV these days are not airworthy. I have beside my bed an excellent book on writing copy that everyone in the broadcast, advertising and journalism field should be reading. How to write better copy by Steve Harrison. From the How to academy collection, this is an easy to read step by step guide to writing copy that gets noticed, engaged with and acted upon. It includes how to make your writing interesting, how to create a brief and make your copy flow and how to write an impactful headline. This is a practical book on messaging that should interest everyone.
Because I teach public speaking, I literally fall off my chair when I hear public servants speaking in their heavily accented voices so much so the message is lost. Everyone should take at least a weekend training on public speaking so they improve whatever they have and consolidate on their public speaking while banishing their heavy tongue and first language interference. I have met very few persons that are not trainable. My go to book until I write mine for Public speaking resource among others is Stephen Lucas’s book, The art of public speaking.
I have been thinking that writing a memoir might be just the thing to occupy me in the latter part of the year. Mmm… thinking about it. What a wonderful career I had by the grace of God and I am still out there been relevant and touching lives. This is definitely something to be thankful for. A book to be read and savoured is the career of 89-year-old American veteran broadcaster and Interviewer, Barbara Walters titled, Audition. It has given me an insight into how she managed her career and everyone particularly broadcasters should dive in.
The focused and well respected former American secretary of state Madeline Albright continues to be relevant in American politics. At over 80, mother and grandmother, she still makes comments about the American state of the nation. Much admired and much respected, all her books have amazing currency. Grab any of Madeleine Albright’s books to keep you focused and relevant. With many lessons to pick up in governance and public policy issues, her books including the one on jewellery,” Read my Pins” are collector’s items.
