Breaking the jinx--and writing

Today I celebrate the penning of the first three hundred and sixty-three words of my non-fiction book on the assassination of Godwin Agbroko, my friend, mentor, cashcow and yes...father.

He is pictured here at an outing with his wife a month to his death three days to Christmas 2006.
At 2:03 am this morning, this was one reason to be thankful for the insomnia that I have battled for the past three years since he was killed. It has been a horror to watch these thoughts do the merengue in my head, start a foxtrot about my clavicle just when I need my wits about me in public, and beat out a vigorous makossa routine in my brain just when I think I have achieved sanity.
But today, asides the big 363, I have a name for the book, I have mapped out sequences, and see light at the end of this tunnel. It is a surreal experience, to feel this way. And not food, wine or that comes close...only journalism has brought about something akin to what I feel right now.

I also have to thank Temi, Adaobi Nwaubani and Tolu Ogunlesi especially for taking the time to talk to me on making a start, any start...instead of bottling it all inside. I thank and plead with my mum in advance, for I will be winding her up and taking her to times she would rather forget but I want to make certain the world doesn't.

This is a small step, painful in turns...I do not guarantee any speedy churn of words, because this is non-fiction; it has my flesh and blood all over it...but I can guarantee that my three friends were right; once you start....you won't want to stop.
Will go easy on the celebratory booze tonight so insomnia can once again, make a fastidious writer of me.
R

NEXT (daily) takes off; newspaper design experts Mario Garcia and Ron Reason get a look-in

Timbuktu media, publishers of NEXT newspaper, which has published online since December, Sunday editions since January, goes daily in a few weeks!! [Cue the drum roll, please!]

The excitement can only be imagined, as this is a project I have a personal and professional stake in, as a reporter. In a country where there are more losses than gains for practicing journalism transparently, it is only a passion for change that has kept the team at NEXT (led by Dele Olojede) striving. To continually match the thrust of our stories with world-class standards, newspaper content and design experts Dr. Mario Garcia [pictured] and Ron Reason have been here at NEXT for all of two weeks to train and share and encourage all of us. There's one more week of their visit to go but already, the newsroom is changing for even greater heights, right before our very eyes!

Dr. Garcia is actually huuge, in the professional sense! He has been a professor at the Syracuse University Newhouse School of Journalism and worked with over 450 news organizations worldwide. Added to that is his contagious passion for journalism that has been so inspiring. Catch him on http://garciamedia.com/

Mr. Ron Reason is a newspaper consultant-designer-editor and has been in the business for over 20 years. Visit http://ronreason.com/ and see why we wish he'd just migrate permanently to these parts.

It's been a pleasure (and privilege) meeting these guys and learning from them...NEXT sure is the best place to be as regards journalism in Nigeria right about now!