An upcoming Kwara based poet and writer, Penwarlord has disclosed that he wrote his very first poetry piece on a sick bed explaining that the pain he felt inspired him to give vent to his thoughts. He said one of the major reasons why he writes is to unburden himself of powerful thoughts and also calm himself.
In an interview with Witty News Hub recently, he explained that, “I write for many reasons. Infact, the very first reason for writing and the first time I wrote something was when I felt a great pain in life. I had health challenges when I was much younger. On one account, I wrote my first piece of poetry, on a sick bed. The pain I felt inspired me so I write to free my mind of powerful thoughts, it calms my mind to put my troubling thoughts into writing. Also, I write for fame, I write for money and I believe I am creating something iconic.”
On his family background and growing up, the Penwarlord said, “There are loads of memories surrounding my childhood. I remember so many things you wouldn't want me to start mentioning. Of course, there are times in the present day when an occurrence would trigger memories of my childhood and make me reminisce. If my brain still serves me, I was happy being a child, life was fair and I had my parents who were God, under their tutelage, I grew and flourish.
The Penwarlord who disclosed that he discovered his writing prowess between the ages 12-14 said he started writing short stories for the "Press Club" while in the secondary school which would be pasted on the notice board. “I never thought of being a writer, our club patron tasked every member. I didn't want to act drama or cast the news on the assembly ground, so voluntarily I submitted ‘once upon a time stories’.
By Rowland 'Shuwa
An upcoming Kwara based poet and writer, Penwarlord has disclosed that he wrote his very first poetry piece on a sick bed explaining that the pain he felt inspired him to give vent to his thoughts. He said one of the major reasons why he writes is to unburden himself of powerful thoughts and also calm himself.
In an interview with Witty News Hub recently, he explained that, “I write for many reasons. Infact, the very first reason for writing and the first time I wrote something was when I felt a great pain in life. I had health challenges when I was much younger. On one account, I wrote my first piece of poetry, on a sick bed. The pain I felt inspired me so I write to free my mind of powerful thoughts, it calms my mind to put my troubling thoughts into writing. Also, I write for fame, I write for money and I believe I am creating something iconic.”
Born Saliu Ahmad Toyin, the Penwarlord is a writer and a spoken word poetry artist who is also described as "a king who bears a ring of powerful thoughts". The author of The Eye Opener and Extract from the Hourglass, Penwarlord is the State PRO of the Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA), Kwara state chapter and a prominent member of the Alliance of Muslim Authors.
On his family background and growing up, the Penwarlord said, “There are loads of memories surrounding my childhood. I remember so many things you wouldn't want me to start mentioning. Of course, there are times in the present day when an occurrence would trigger memories of my childhood and make me reminisce. If my brain still serves me, I was happy being a child, life was fair and I had my parents who were God, under their tutelage, I grew and flourish.
The Penwarlord who disclosed that he discovered his writing prowess between the ages 12-14 said he started writing short stories for the "Press Club" while in the secondary school which would be pasted on the notice board. “I never thought of being a writer, our club patron tasked every member. I didn't want to act drama or cast the news on the assembly ground, so voluntarily I submitted ‘once upon a time stories’.”
Asked how he came about his moniker; Penwarlord, he explained that, “Hmm, I always remember a dear friend anytime I have to answer this question. Allow me to withhold his name, please. I have a very close friend who is a sickle cell patient, through some of his crisis I have been by his side. He is indeed courageous and would refer to himself as a "sickle cell warrior". I was with him in one of his episodes around 2013, he was in pain, great pain and he shed tears, his mother was there too on that day and he held her arms very close and told her "Mother, don't worry, I am a sickle cell warrior and I will fight my ways through this". Those words rang in my head when I got home. I wrote him a poem on that day and that night, I told myself I am a Pen Warrior...Then it lead to Penwarlord. So I retained the pen name Thepenwarlord till date.”
Speaking on challenges faced as a writer, the Penwarlord agreed that being a writer is challenging at times but averred that with determination and self motivation one can easily overcome.
On how he gets inspiration for his works, he explained that inspiration is natural and there are no special strings attached to it. But he however explained that “Aside from the whole family, my mother is the source of my inspiration, the beginning of my intense fascination, a builder of my ambition and a guardian against my damnation. I am also inspired by nature, society and 'Pain'.”
The Penwarlord also disclosed that he is presently working, “on another collection of poetry, a flash fiction and a spoken word poetry album. And at leisure currently, I read “Sambisa Squirrels and the Clueless Zoo-keeper” by Sheriff Olanrewaju,” he said.
Asked where he hoped to be in the next five years, he explained that “God’s willing, I would want to be at the peak of my career. Only God knows what lies ahead but my wish is to be an award winning writer, bestseller, and an international spoken word artist. Plus in five years time, I want to be able to grant my family members their heart desires: pull young writers from bottom to the top and be happy with myself. God’s willing.”
He advised aspiring writers and other upcoming authors and spoken words artistes, the Penwarlord said, “If you want to be a writer, be a writer. Write, Read, learn more everyday. Be motivated, be determined and be hardworking. Rome they say wasn't built in a day, and Success Pele said "Is no accident, it is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing. Set the stage on fire and always keep the fire burning.”
April 12, 2018.