The Value of a Great Story!

"I value story above all else. I'm talking about my written work-in the movies I value the images-but in the books I value the story. The story has its own meaning. A story has its own significance. And sometimes the characters in that story can almost become transparent. This is true in fairytales, for instance.…

Balancing Vulnerability with Transformation

"African narratives in the West, they proliferate. I really don't care anymore. I'm more interested in the stories we tell about ourselves -- how as a writer, I find that African writers have always been the curators of our humanity on this continent. The question is, how do I balance narratives that are wonderful with…

You have to give everything away every single time!

Writers, we fear so many things. That we won't have what it takes. That we will run out of words. Perhaps that great idea should go in another book. "Often the writing process is filled with a sense of jeopardy because, in essence, with every book I turn myself inside out. One of the things…

There’s not a single second of my life when I’m not thinking story…

"So I don't keep a notebook of good lines, good thoughts or dreams. I have too many stories in my head rather than too few. Until very recently I had to grab whatever time I could because I worked at one full-time job, three part-time jobs and so on. When I was ready to sit…

Messages, Dreams & Omens

"So much of what I do is unconscious. I choose not to dissect why certain images appear when I'm writing. I just let them lead and take me where they will. I attempt to make connections. I often feel that my connections are just as good as someone else's in that regard. Because, when the…

Day 77: Show Up Every Day! #wewrite

This is the last of my writing mantras... SHOWING UP everyday is truly the hardest and most important part of the writing process. Its about showing up even when we aren't inspired. Showing up when the writing sucks. Showing up when we have nothing to say. Its about sitting in front of the blank screen/page and…

Day 76: What Would My Character Do? #wewrite

#16 Writing Mantra: What would my character do in this situation? One of the most important things we must do in the creative process is get out of the way. We must get out of our own way! We must get out of our characters way! I am constantly reminding myself that this is not…

Day 75: It’s Fiction! Pose A Question… Don’t Give It Away! #wewrite

I have always wanted to write fiction. After picking up my first historical fiction novel, Isabel Allende's, The House of the Spirits I knew that I wanted to create worlds that celebrated the stories I never read in primary or secondary school. It wasn't until I attended university that I began to see a world…

Day 74: Move The Story Along! #wewrite

#14 Writing Mantra: Move the story along. The story keeps moving. One event leads to the next. What are the things (moments/experiences) that must happen in order to move the story along? Writing Prompts: (1) The scene I am working on is building up to… (Ask of your story, character, scenes, symbols or themes every…

Day 73: What Is At Stake? #wewrite

#13 Writing Challenge: What is at stake? What is my character willing to do to have what she wants? Raising the stakes requires endurance, risks, obstacles and challenges. What will our characters go up against? Writing Prompts: (1) How far will my character go… (Ask of your story, character, scenes, symbols or themes every question…