2018 was the year it all began, just a few months after I graduated from university. I had joined a WhatsApp group named “Singles & Married,” and was always thrilled by the series of short stories shared on the platform. As I read through the stories, I felt a nudge deep within me, beckoning from the abyss of my soul, whispering, “You can also write engaging and thrilling stories.”
Back in primary school, I had written several short children’s stories which I compiled into a storybook. That was the plan, but it didn't work out, and that's a story for another day.
However, I knew I had a flair for writing, which I had buried and shoved aside due to the disappointment of my childhood storybook never seeing the light of day. The more I read the stories on the platform, the more the voice of a writing gift cried out from within; a blend of purpose and desire pleading with me to pick up the gift I had abandoned.
So, I decided to dance to the tune of that inner voice. I scribbled a six-episode story titled “LOVE AND PAIN.” With joy bubbling within my soul, I carefully wrote the story, aiming to share it on the Singles & Married WhatsApp platform.
When I posted the last episode, the group members refused to accept it as the end. They were so glued to the storyline that they wanted more, and I realized I could actually give more. Responding positively to their enthusiasm, I announced a part two of the story would be out the following month. So, I strolled back into my writing mode and produced part two with twelve episodes. The readers were engrossed, always dropping comments at the end of each episode, and the feedback was massive. That was when I decided to start my writing journey.
I merged the twelve episodes in part two with the six episodes in part one; the plan was to turn it into a novel. However, due to financial constraints, I didn’t pull through with that project. Instead, I started writing other stories I wanted to turn into novels, and I ended up self-publishing three books. However, “Love and Pain” wasn’t part of the three published books.
In 2021, I decided to revisit the publication of “Love and Pain.” I discovered I had to do a rewrite because, by then, I had honed my writing skills and didn’t want to publish a book of lesser quality than those I had already published. By this time, my freelance writing job was flourishing by the grace of God. I had clients from different countries and became too busy to focus on my own writings. However, to give attention to “Love and Pain,” I took some time off from writing for clients.
As I commenced rewriting “Love and Pain,” more fascinating ideas began to crawl into my subconscious. I had included some Warri Pidgin English in the original version shared on the Singles & Married platform, and thought to myself, “To give this novel an indigenous touch, why not add some Nigerian languages?” So, in addition to Warri Pidgin, I decided the rewrite of "Love and Pain" would include a touch of the three major ethnic groups (Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba) in Nigeria. This was a huge task, but I rolled with it. The more I wrote, the more the storyline took a different curve, becoming totally different from the initial one I wrote in 2018. Recognizing this new development, I came up with a plan, which I believe will be revealed in due time. I then resumed my freelance writing while continuing to rewrite my novel.
In 2023, I relocated to Canada. I wasn’t done rewriting “Love and Pain,” but I became concerned about the concept, especially the use of different Nigerian languages. Several thoughts raced through my mind: how will I publish a novel with Nigerian languages now that I live in Canada? Would that affect its acceptability and marketability? What would people say? These thoughts almost made me discard the novel “Love and Pain.”
Towards the end of 2023, I published my fourth book, but the desire to complete the first novel I started writing kept burning within my soul. So, I decided to complete what I had started in 2018. "Irrespective of where I live, it would be nice to showcase my origin in my writing." I thought to myself.
As I continued writing, the title evolved from “Love and Pain” to “The Blend of Love and Pain” and finally to “The Dance of Love and Pain,” as I wanted a more engaging and evocative title. For the subtitle, I went from “The Beginning” to “The Spark” and finally settled on “Ignition.”
Crafting this novel has been an extraordinary journey. What began as a small idea blossomed into something far more intricate and profound than I ever imagined. This journey of six years has taught me never to give up on my dreams, and I hope everyone who reads this write-up will learn the same, and a few more lessons.
The novel is available on Amazon.
If you would like to get a copy, kindly contact us and we'll be glad to help.
Thank you for reading about my journey with “The Dance of Love and Pain.”
JS Havilah
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