If you win the NLNG prize for literature. And isnt a card carrying member of the sisterhood of intellectual writers. Your name would barely be mentioned when intellectuals talk shop, except in passing, maybe. Dont expect to get invited to any shindig where intellectuals gather to explore the merits of the Nobel literature prize going to an previously unknown but now very important writer. Expect to chop your dollar rain in peace and beyond the initial gra gra, everyone forgets what it was all about in the first place. If you win the Caine prize? Wahyooooo! You will become an instant celebrity and get life membership pass to the intellectual club meetings. The interviews will chase you until the quality of your first milk teeth is known to all. You will be feted, analysed and awwwed at, until your fame is overtaken by another Caine Prize and then the process begins anew. Truth? Dont believe anything you read above. The truth is more simple than that and it says were a nation of fame worshipers. You are not really considered a great writer worthy of anything if youre not published--whether by the printers in Shomolu, after your wife edits your scrawl--or won, or was nominated for, that award. The truth speaks of a need for validation that means many writers never get to write what they love to read, because to win prizes, they have to follow certain scripts. The truth speaks of corruption that makes it impossible to administer a multi-million Naira prize in a way that reflects world best practice. The truth speaks of many truths, most of which are so close to the surface that you dont need to get into intellectual scratching to dig them out. The truth stares at most of us in the face when we look at ourselves in the mirror every morning. The truths says were part of the problem.
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 07:16:55 +0000