“We have not created an environment for the best writers to thrive.” Nicole Asinugo, Chief Storyteller of Write Good Stories, shares the overarching problem with storytelling in Nollywood. It is the fundamental reason she created the storytelling studio and writers’ lab: Write Good Stories.
After winning the 2020 AMVCA best screenplay for ‘Living in Bondage: Breaking Free’, Asinugo’s DMs were flooded with mentorship requests. Surprised by the inflow but amazed by the hunger for knowledge, she started The Writer’s Room, Write Good Stories’ predecessor.
The Writers Room was a community for writers, a safe haven where they could drop their writing headaches on the discussion board, pick the brains of other writers, and get the best screenwriting book recommendations. While the community served a meaningful purpose, Asinugo soon felt it was missing something: “Craft.”. Thus, Write Good Stories was born, building on the foundation of The Writers Room. “It is one thing to inspire people; it’s another thing to teach people,” she notes.
Many workshops before the Write Good Workshop have come and gone. What makes the lab’s present workroom standout is the time period. Asinugo posits that not enough time is given to writers to create good stories. Having an idea and scripting that idea are two different things. Anyone can have a good idea, but can that idea translate well on the pages of a script?
While most workshops usually run for two to three days, the Write Good Stories Workshop has a twelve-week time limit. Within this period, the writers get the opportunity to really dive into what makes a good story. From character development to plot outline, they sit with the story, harnessing feedback from the Write Good Stories’ writers.
In an industry where writers are often paid the sum of one hundred fifty thousand naira for a screenplay, Asinugo is setting new standards for the industry with the workroom. The selected writers for the workroom are supported by The Osa Okunbo Foundation with a sum of three million naira each. She believes this financial security helps them focus on the screenplay. They are able to give their best in the absence of a thousand side jobs hanging over their heads.
Ultimately, Write Good Stories aims to create stories rooted in authenticity and relatability because those are the secret ingredients that make good stories. “I don’t think you need to tell a big story to tell a good story. Small stories can still have a lot of impact.”.
