Adedayo Oluwaseyi Emmanuel
Why did you submit to trash to treasure lit?
If I were to be honest, I submitted to trash to treasure lit because of what I'd seen on their submission page: submit your trash here. I decided to give submission another trial. Because yes I see my works as trash. I have zero hope in them. They've been rejected a lot of times but I couldn't bring myself to stop creating more of them, though, I knew they will not get accepted anywhere.
How would you describe your writing practice?
How I practice writing is simple. It involves reading. I read lessons about writing process and also advices then I read books, a lot of them. Afterwards, I do writing exercises where I put the things I've learnt into action. It could be a flash fiction. But the most important part of the practice is feedbacks. Getting feedback is one of the requirements to deliberately practice writing or any other craft. Feedback can look like listening to the reactions of your readers or asking for constructive criticism from editors and other writers.
What is the biggest thing that stops you from submitting work to lit mags/journals/publications?
Well, the biggest thing that stops me from submitting my works for publication is basically fear of rejection (what's the purpose of submitting if it wouldn't get accepted anyway). Yes, I'm a type of person who freaks out once a rejection mail arrives. I typically get this anxiety. Then questions like ‘Am I even a writer?’ ‘Does any of my works even compel the editors?’ begin to run through my mind.
Do you think the writing industry has an impact on your confidence in your work (good or bad)? Why?
As far as I am concerned, I think it does. The writing industry, over the years, have become a ground for rivalry. Personally, I get intimidated, like really quick. Seeing all of these achievements of other writers, I begin to lose confidence in my works (I just can't help it). I begin to think my works are really bad that they cannot seem to find a place in the industry.
When do you start to doubt a piece that you are working on?
This doubt issue happens all the time. For instance, I'm working on particular piece, then I take a break and browse the net. Boom! I'm seeing other brilliant pieces of other writers. They're all flourished with beautiful words. In the moment, I begin to doubt if my piece is any match for theirs’.
Once you trash one of your pieces, what makes you come back to it (if ever)?
Writing advices. On the net. When I supposedly dump a piece, I come back to it have encouraged by those advice. Another reason why I might come back to it could be after reading the pieces of my favourite writers, I'd be like, these people started from somewhere. They probably had doubts in the works too, so it's okay for me to have doubts too. But if they had been held back by it, they'd not be where they're now. That's me basically encouraging myself and reopening the abandoned piece.
How many pieces do think you have currently in your 'abandoned' folder?
They're many. 40, maybe.
What is the ultimate reason that you trash your work?
Doubt. I have it all the time. It just won't stop resurfacing everytime.
Is there anything that would stop you from trashing your work? (More education in writing, more publications/less rejections, a change in the industry, etc)
More publication would be a a good idea. I'm not saying it's bad for a lit mag should open for submission with a particular theme or genre. I think there should be more of lit mags that would accept different pieces (regardless of their themes or genre) at least, it would make a writer feel confident about what h/she has written. Also I feel like a writer has a part to play, when their works get rejected, they shouldn't lose hope in it or begin to doubt, I think they should try to build self confidence and also pay close attention to the reasons why it was. They should read more, get more educated in writing, in other to expand their skill and write better.
What writing advice have you been given that has changed your perspective on how you treat/view your work?
I was told that whether your work was published or had spent years in your abandoned boxes, you'll always be a writer. I was told that rejection from lit mags doesn't mean my pieces were trash, there's was always room for improvement. Keep learning and reading and practicing.
If you have any upcoming work (books, publications, features, art, etc), feel free to mention them here, so that we can support you!
I've been working on my possible debut young adult novel, ‘Things You Cannot Outrun’ for the past four months. I don't intend on rushing the process. But I hope it gets published some day. Topics such as drug abuse, domestic violence, toxic relationship, mental illness, and sexual orientation would be explored.
Adedayo Oluwaseyi Emmanuel (he/him) is a creative writer from Lagos, Nigeria. His writing includes fiction, poems, essays and reviews. For him, writing is an expression; a written transcription of his wild imaginations, feelings and thoughts. He runs a blog where he writes short stories, essays and books/movies reviews.