Adamu Kyuka Usman has said he was able to write over 40 books because of his passion and understanding that while it takes a head to write a book, only a heart should be needed in reading it.
He said he is not done writing, adding that his latest book will be presented to the public soon.
The professor of law who is also the Chairman Board of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) said if writers understand this, their writings will be presented in a simple manner that the readers can easily understand, adding that authors cannot force anybody to read their books, “the book has to force the reader; no amount of talk can make anybody read your book,” he said.
He said every sentence must carry a magnet that holds the attention of the reader. “No amount of hyping will make a good out of a bad book, and if the book is actually good, if it is not noticed today, it will be noticed tomorrow, that is just how the business goes.”
“Writing is a gift and it is not everyone that has it. 30 years of my life, I have been writing, what money have I made from it? Many people would have just fizzled out,” he said, adding that writers must be ready to embrace poverty, “particularly at the beginning, because writing is not a money-spinning venture but eventually it may turn in your favour and you make the money.”
“They should take writing seriously because it is a serious business. Writing is about one of the most serious businesses because you are writing and you want somebody to read and gain something from reading you.
“My advice to upcoming writers is to take the business seriously and if you don’t have the talent, don’t venture into it because I believe writing is a gift and it is not everyone.”
He said he writes fictional works as an expression of emotions, and law books to either contribute or extend the frontiers of knowledge.
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