One of the things I love to do for myself as a part of selfcare is talk to myself. It is not that I like the sound of my own voice but I am mostly alone and talking to myself is how I stop myself from overthinking. I am sure you will be able to relate to this if you have a mind that just wants to work round the clock!

Four years ago, when I dived into creative writing ── not like I did on my own accord. I was standing by the edge of the waters and gloom nudged me in. For the first few months, I nearly drowned, but I learnt how to swim. It was my only option to stay afloat!

I started off my writing journey with only passion in tool box. As time went on, I saw it wasn’t enough. Passion is a fine propellant but engines need other oils for lubrication and water for cooling. So I tried to talk to people who in my own eyes were established poets and creative writers. “Please, I need someone to hold my hand and guide it into poetry, I don’t want to go doodling in lines and verses.” I told one of them.

His reply was a one liner. “That’s what I do as a writing coach, but you’ll pay me monthly!” Oh wow! My eyes rolled in its socket. I was just a year two university student who unlike most students had no monthly allowances. Who got alerts only when I called home to say I had hit the rocks. I survived by sandwiching myself between contentment and prudence. It was clear that the guy did not understand the place where my request came from. And I didn’t want to be taken reluctantly, hence I restrained myself from begging or explaining.

I called myself aside one windy evening in 2015. “Ehi, you can do this on your own. You just need to brace up to stumble, sustain some injuries in the process. But one thing is sure, you will learn and your chances of being original are even higher.” With this I got on the internet and downloaded teaching materials on poetry and digested them one after the other. I read many of you very consistently, even though I don’t say it.

It has not been an easy journey but I know that I have grown and I am still growing. My growth curve is progressing and I am a testimony that you can hone your craft without ‘mentors’ and coaches. It only requires extra extra efforts!

Read Also: The Best Writing Advice I Ever Gave I

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