How long have you been writing?
As long as I can remember the sun shining on my youthful face in a beautiful garden etched in my memory as a child.
Reflective. Can you tell us about your writing journey?
My journey. Oh, that is a big one! Well, I guess my story and that of others are quite similar in many ways as well. I didn’t graduate with a writing degree but I knew in my heart when I was young that I wanted to become a writer. It was like a solid thought that I pierced on an imaginary rock in my head that no matter what happens I will become one, in the present or the future. So my writing journey has been composed of a lot of ‘shoulds’ Like should I become a writer now? Or should I do this some other time around? And up until now those thoughts would still play in my head.
What has writing been to you?
Writing has been my constant companion in dark times and good times. It served as my best friend. My source of comfort and joy.
Tell us about your writing process.
My writing process involves just like any writer would say. Lots of headaches. Minutes of staring at a blank page dreading every minute that passed not knowing what to right. Writing I must say is one of the scariest professions one can have. Well, its not just about the pay and the so-called starving artist. We have already known too much of it.
But its really that moment where you have to be brave enough even if there are no words soaring through your thoughts and you have to stick your butt in the chair and just write. It is especially difficult when there are deadlines to meet, a thought where I need to please my readers not in a way that I’m a people pleaser. Bravery in beginning is the toughest and when your baby comes out, you are filled with pure joy upon the outcome.
What have you learned as a writer throughout the years it has shined on your youthful face?
I would excitedly like to share that I finally learned what the word busy means when you are a writer or editor. They say editors are busy people. I may not be an editor yet but being a writer and self-editing my work takes a lot of quiet time. I don’t like to be distracted superbly. And for some reason I noticed that I wont reply to people right away even weeks and months not unless I finish what I am doing in writing. Understanding that’s the writer stage where I am now felt like a tiny rock hit the back of my head and that oh I’m like a real writer now. I now know how it feels like to be an editor! I now get it what’s important to them. What’s important in my time.
Okay, so too much explanation on that, the other stuff I learned throughout the years as a writer is that it’s important to tell my story. One of the genres I mainly write is memoir or stories of other people. I realized that nothing could ever ever replace the stories that people have. That each story matters. This may sound cliche but then again there are days when I feel like writing my own story is a waste of time. Then there are days when I learn that my story and that of others is the most important thing in the world other than science, technology, and what not.
There is beauty in the art of writing. I guess what also makes it worthwhile for the writer is when they get the words right out of their heads the way they want it to be. And so, I believe I’m not answering that much your question. You know I’m a writer and I tend to get carried away with my own thoughts and excitement.
No worries at all. Is there something else you would like to add before we proceed to the next question?
Oh, one very good thing I learned as a writer is that you have to be conscious of your ‘aha’ times. And what I mean by that is the time when your brain is overflowing with words. Sometimes for writers it becomes innate to our nature to just let the words flow and enjoy it by ourselves but as I grew older, I have come to realize that I should have the consciousness of writing down what was inspiring me with no excuses of laziness otherwise there’s a possibility that it won’t come back. Take hold of those changes and never let the writing stop.
That’s brilliant advice. What else do you want to write in the future?
Well before I answer that, I remembered one more thing! I’m so sorry. But as I mentioned earlier, I write stories of people, so that means I interview them first before I write. And that my friend has always been like partly a tedious task for me because I always wanted it to become perfect. And yet, of course definitely things won’t be all flawless during interviews. Like there are interviewees who you would love and there are those who you would like to curse because they edited your work the wrong way.
Anyway, all I want to say is aside from being a writer, being an interviewer of these people is also one of the best experiences ever. It has touched my soul in a way I never thought it would. I would cry with my interviewee, they would instantly become my answered prayer with a current struggle I was facing, and they give more meaning to life as it is. I dread each time I need to feel like I need to perfectly write their story but then again, I always resolution to let go and let the God of my understanding complete the message of these people through me.
Okay, so much of that, to really answer your question. I would love to write about fiction, I want to write a book where stories of different people are compiled. I don’t really have a solid idea yet as to what type of fiction I will write but I am interested with detective stories.
Can you tell us crazy writing hacks you do before it sets you in the mood of writing?
Oh yes, definitely. One is, to drink matcha. Everybody knows that. Okay let me try another one to make the answer even useful here. Well, this isn’t exactly a hack to set the writing mood but its more like what I do so that I could write even if I’m asleep.
What is that? Now, I’m curious.
Well, I put a notebook and pen under my pillow, not to dream about what I write but to write what’s in my dream. Its either I would force myself to wake up after a beautiful dream or a writing thought that came during sleep or I would immediately jot it down when I rise in the morning, late morning that is.
Thank you so much for your time! Before we end do you have any last words to aspiring writers, burned-out writers or writers writers.
Don’t give up on your dream. Life happens. You may not like where you are right now but declare to yourself that you are going to be the best writer in the world. Whether it happens at age 13, 14, 40, 60 or 75. Writing is the truth that only you can see. You know that there is a truth in this world which doesn’t eliminate fiction in the picture. There is a way you write that only you can, no one else does. And that’s you, that’s your uniqueness. That is why writing matters in this world.
Very well said! Let’s give it up for writer Nichelle!
Thank you. Thanks to the Almighty above!