By Ekaete Usoro, Special Correspondent, Lagos
Nigerian writer, born and raised in the United States of America (USA), Tope Folarin, won the 2013 Caine Prize for African Writing.
Folarin received the £10,000 prize money, equivalent of N2.5 million, in July 2013 for his short story Miracle, a story about a Nigerian Church and its congregation, who gather to witness the healing powers of a blind pastor-prophet in Texas, USA.
From when he started writing stories, winning the prestigious Caine prize was far from his imagination as he never thought he will be a recipient so quickly.
Receiving this prestigious prize was dream come true for him after following the Caine Prize stories for a long time.
In a telephone interview with Sunday Independent, he had this to say: “It has been an amazing experience. I have been following the Caine Prize stories for a very long time and to be the one who actually won, it is that moment when your dream comes true. I just feel incredible and grateful.”
Growing up, Folarin referred to Elizabeth Winthrop’s children’s fantasy book, The Castle in the Attic, as one of the first literature books he read.
He implied that reading the book at that tender age in school impacts his literary life.
”There was a book called The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop. I read it when I was in the first grade I think. It was one of my favourite books.
“I have not read it in 25 years if I can remember correctly. I really remember reading this book over and over again. It had a deep impact in me,” he said.
Deciding on who he celebrates as a favourite author was a tug of war, saying he could not decide because they are so many. However, he identified at the moment, with icons such as American writer, James Baldwin and Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.
“At this very moment, I will say James Baldwin and Wole Soyinka,” he said. Even as a short story writer and an assistant to a board member in a financial regulatory organisation back in the US, he specially declared his love for reading poetry and lots of financial news.
“I read a lot of poetry. For my day job, I have to read newspapers to keep track of what is happening. And I have to read a lot of financial news,” he said.
Speaking on what inspires him to read and write, he explained that he naturally loves writing.
“I have to do it. I love the process of trying to translate what is inside my head to paper. I love trying to create beauty as well. I like to read at night when everyone has gone to sleep. When everywhere is quiet so I can focus,” he said.
Who then is Folarin’s mentor? He said: “I am not sure I have a mentor. I think I just read as much as I could. I read everything I could and when I found something I like, I read deeply.”
The post I explore poetry, financial news –Folarin appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.