Pacella: Good day, Sa’ada Isa Yahaya. We are very grateful that you accepted this interview. It is no news that female writers have been breaking boundaries and suppression over the years, and we want to contribute to uplifting these great feats in the littlest of ways we can. That being said, we would love for you to tell us about your writing journey through the years.
Sa’Ada: Good day to you Pacella. Thank you so much for having me. I must express my profound gratitude to the Arts Lounge magazine for this wonderful privilege. Over the years, my writing journey has been quite an interesting one. I wrote my first poem in class six at the age of nine on the theme -” The Sun.” My class teacher then used to read us some of his poems too. That day, he gave us a project to write a story. Upon completion of the project, we were asked to read the story in front of the whole class. When I finished reading mine, every single person in the class including my teacher was on their feet applauding me. And in my head I’m like ” What have I done? Is it not just our project?” I mean I was only looking for ten marks as at that time. Later on, my class teacher explained to me how nice and mature my story was and how he did not believe it could come from a nine year old child. Long story cut short, I became more conscious about the art when I got to SS1 after struggling with inconsistency, after countless attempts by my mentor, Blessing Omeiza Ojo, to help me discover the love I have for the art. I’ve come a long way now by God’s grace. I have clinched some awards, won contests. I’m also a teenage author and some of my works have been published by literary magazines.
I can proudly say I am very intentional about my art now after seeing the joy that comes from it. It would be shame to speak about my journey without making mention of other writers, whom I’ve met along the way ( Fortune Simeon, Victor Bella, Okpe Divine). They have made the journey easier.
Well, I’m just glad I started this journey and I know it is not one to end soon.
Pacella: As a writer, what would you call your greatest motivation?
Sa’Ada: Uhmmm, I get motivated by a lot of things from reading other writers works or even attending creative writing classes and literary events. However, my greatest motivation for me would be looking back at how far I’ve come. When I think of all the struggles, the little wins, I just have that strong desire to continue. I mean, we’ve made it to this point, why stop now?
Pacella: Do you think being female has affected your writing in any way? If yes, don’t hesitate to share your experience with us.
Sa’Ada: No, not really. I do not think that my gender has affected my writing in any way. In fact, I am pleased to know that female writers are busy carving their niches in the literary world.
Pacella: What is the funniest response you have gotten after telling someone that you are a writer?
Sa’Ada: “A writer? How? Is that even a thing?”
Funny how most people refuse to believe in writing, in art as a whole. Whereas, other people are living on writing, making waves, money and a life off it.
Pacella: You have graced many stages and won a good number of contests, including the Annual Festival,Hadiza Ibrahim Aliyu Schools Festival #HIASFEST’s On-the-spot Poetry Writing Category. Twice! How do you feel about this? What do you have to say about your success story?
Sa’Ada: Thank you so much. That one was honestly memorable. It was a very beautiful experience for me, giving me the opportunity to make my school and everyone else who has believed in me proud. It’s all thanks to God, rigorous classes from my mentor, support from friends and consistency.
Pacella: What are your aspirations as a writer, and where and how would you see yourself and your art in a space of five years?
Sa’Ada: Okayyy, so I’ve always believed that consistency is key!
That is one of my favorite quotes because I’ve seen it come true over and over again. My biggest aspiration as of now is to leave a huge mark in the literary world, to connect with the whole world through this same writing.
As for my art and I in the next five years, I see myself still growing in the art, still loving and enjoying the art. Like my mentor would say “Go for the name first, money would follow afterwards.”
Pacella: Thank you so much for this beautiful interview, chain- breaker! We can’t wait to see the beautiful things you have got to offer!
Biography
Sa’ada Isa Yahaya (she/her) is a Nigerian teen writer of Ebira descent. She is a student of Jewel Model School, Kubwa, Abuja and a member of Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation, Abuja. She is a two time winner of the on-the-spot poetry prize at HIASFEST, a runner up for the bkpw contest and a finalist for the Dawns Project. Sa’ada is a passionate lover of art and regards herself as God’s own piece of art. Her works appear on Blue Marble Review, Kalahari Review, Conscio , Stripes Lit Magazine and elsewhere.
