This interview features Hanat Oladele, our top columnist for the month of August. Let’s read her story and see how she was able to stay consistent with writing.

Kindly introduce yourself to our readers

I am Hanat Oyeronke Oladele. I am a 100-level law student at the University of Ibadan, a poet and a columnist for the Al-Faaedah Press, MSSN Akinyele.

Congratulations on emerging as our Top Columnist of the Month. How did you feel when you received the news?

Thank you so much. Alhamdulillah, to be honest, I was utterly surprised; I wasn’t expecting it at all.

This month, your articles stood out among many excellent submissions. Which of your published pieces this month are you most proud of, and what inspired it?

I would say my last published article, “Don’t be a Brunch Addict, Eat Breakfast Too”. I usually receive topics to write on from the Deputy Editor-in-Chief, so it wasn’t an original thought, but what helped me in writing it was my love for breakfast, and I also wanted to research the health implications of eating breakfast.

Every article begins with an idea. Where do you usually draw inspiration for the topics you write about?

Experience or introspection, I would say. Past things I’ve heard, read and watched are my foremost source of inspiration.

What message or impact do you hope readers take away from your writings?

I write on different topics, so I want my readers to be aware of a wide range of things and have a sense of versatility. I want them to be able to speak a bit here and there.

Was there any article you initially found challenging to write? If so, what made it difficult, and how did you overcome it?

Yes, there are quite a few. What made them difficult was that I had limited knowledge of the topic. I mentioned earlier that I draw my inspiration from introspection, and it fuels my creativity. Once I have limited things to introspect upon, I find it difficult to write at first.

As much as I find research quite demanding, I had to research those articles’ topics because I had a deadline to meet, and I also tried every possible means to look at it from a creative angle, even if it is a topic on investment in renewable energy. I would say those are how I overcame the challenge.

How do you balance originality, accuracy, and engaging storytelling whenever you write?

I don’t quite have a specific answer to this, but I try to infuse poetic line(s) into my articles for originality; for accuracy, I do my research well, try to avoid plagiarism, and I always make my articles engaging with my readers, especially in my conclusions. I just ensure that all three are visible in my articles.

Reader engagement is an important part of writing. Have you received any feedback or reactions to your articles that particularly encouraged or challenged you?

Yes. I have received feedback/reactions that encouraged me and none that challenged me.

Looking back on your writing this month, is there anything you have learnt that will influence your future work?

For this month, not really, but it might be how to conduct credible research.

If you could give one piece of advice to fellow columnists and aspiring writers in Al-Faaedah Press Organization, what would it be?

Al-Faaedah Press Organization is patient with its columnists and has a positive working environment, so I would tell them not to take it for granted. I did at some point; I have been working on an article for quite too long. Also, find your voice, and the only way to do that is to write continuously and work at your pace, but ensure you meet your deadlines.

Finally, what can our readers look forward to from you in the coming months?

First, the article that I have been working on for the longest time, a more committed columnist and maybe poems.