Ola W. Halim and Iheoma Uzomba were the speakers at the creative writing masterclass organized by The Muse Journal on Saturday, October 21st.

Halim, a shortlistee of the Common Wealth Short Story Prize and the Gerald Kraak Prize, shared knowledge on prose genre with the audience. He deftly broke down what makes good prose writing, from synopsis to conflict to characterization to sentence compositions and the need for a writer to write from a place of interest and curiosity. Commenting on the session, a listener at the event says, “Halim is a teacher, a good one.”

Iheoma Uzomba, award winning poet and editor of The Muse Journal no 50, took the audience on an insightful journey into the poetry genre, highlighting the indispensable role of metaphors in its making. An excellent literary critic herself, she also led the critical writing session, expounding what it takes to do great critical writing.

The audience were in great spirits after the sessions to tackle an on-the-spot writing challenge. Chimezie Umeoka, a first year student of the English and Literary Studies Department impressed both judges and audience with his poem written under five minutes and emerged winner of the contest, leaving with a cool cash prize. Ugwuoke Eunice Kasimobi, a final year student was the runner up, and another first year student, Favour Ezeani was notably mentioned.

Presently, the Muse Journal has opened her call for submission and enjoins everyone who wishes to make an entry to carefully follow the guidelines. The special Spotlight category for unpublished writers is still open and will close by midnight, October 31st.

CHIMEZIE UMEOKA, the winner, WITH THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF THE MUSE JOURNAL.

UGWUOKE EUNICE KASIMOBI, the runner up, with The Editor-in-chief.

More photos from the event.

In all, it is safe to say that the event was a successful one. Congratulations once more to the winners!