Rongo Art Residency: A Conversation with Oladosu Michael Emerald
- How did you feel when you got accepted for the Rongo Art Residency?
When I received the acceptance email for the Rongo Art Residency, I felt like I was on cloud nine! The elation was palpable, like winning a prestigious award. Knowing I’d been selected from a pool of talented applicants made the moment even sweeter. I couldn’t wait to dive into this incredible opportunity and make the most of it.
- What’s your favorite moment at the residency?
My favourite moment was when our tutor finally arrived, despite the delay. It was a pleasure to finally meet Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Eze. The award-winning writer, editor and great tutor.
- What is the most important thing you learned from your facilitator during the residency?
One of the most significant takeaways from Mr. Eze’s mentorship was his emphasis on the importance of precision and creativity in writing. His advice to ‘avoid umbrella words,’ ‘start with a trigger,’ and ‘animate your words’ has been particularly transformative for me. I’m also grateful for his encouragement to ‘own my writing’ and experiment with unconventional approaches. His wisdom has not only refined my writing but also empowered me as an editor. Mr. Eze’s expertise has been a game-changer for my career.
- After this residency, what next?
The residency has propelled me to the next level of my writing career. Moving forward, I’ll focus on completing my full-length poetry manuscript, crafting new stories, refining my editorial work for the magazines I currently edit, using the insights and skills gained from the residency, and pursuing more significant opportunities in the field, leveraging the skills and network built during the residency.
- How has the residency impacted you as a writer?
The residency has been a transformative experience for me as a writer. Collaborating with talented co-residents has been incredibly enriching, and I’ve gained valuable insights from their diverse perspectives. What’s more, the program has helped me develop a more nuanced understanding of my audience, allowing me to craft writing that’s more engaging and relatable. As an editor, this new perspective has also enhanced my ability to refine content that resonates with readers.
BIO:
Oladosu Michael Emerald is a writer, artist, photographer and actor. He is the author of “Every Little Thing That Moves,” an editor at Uncanny Magazine, Surging Tide, and MAAR Review. A 2X Best of Net nominee. He is the winner of the Off the Limit Contest, Garden Party Collective Neurodivergent Poetry Contest, and Sine Qua Non Inaugural Poetry Prize. His works have been published or are forthcoming in Chestnut Review, FIYAH, ONLY POEMS, Temz Review, and elsewhere. He is a Pioneer Fellow of the Muktar Aliyu Art Residency and Rongo Art Residency. He tweets @garricologist and @oladosu_michael_emerald on Instagram.
