A couple weeks ago I was interviewed for one of our national papers, The Voice, the same one I write a weekly column for- It's All Write. Here is an excerpt from the interview:
Q. You are one of Botswana’s renowned writers, where did the love for writing come from?
My love of writing comes from my love of reading. I had a problematic childhood and books were where I found refuge.
Even now there is no better way for me to spend the day than reading a well written novel. Because of my love for books I was always fascinated by authors. One of the first letters I ever wrote was to an author of one of the books I’d read. I remember the book was about monkeys. My teacher posted it for me and when the author wrote back my teacher laminated the letter for me (lamination was a big deal in the 1970s), that letter was one of my most prized possessions for a very long time.
Q. What else do you do besides writing?
I’m a full time writer. I make all of my income from writing and things associated with writing (running workshops, speaking, etc.) Seven years ago when I decided to see if I could make a living as a writer, I wrote everything that came along. I freelanced for many local and foreign publications, I wrote radio scripts, I wrote for television. In quite a short time I was making a good enough income to live on and sold my business. But always my main goal was to try to live on my fiction writing. I’m not sure how sustainable my current situation is but I’m working hard all the time to reach my goal of living exclusively on my fiction.
Read the rest of the interview HERE.
Always illuminating reading about the experiences of other writers vis-a-vis the writing sphere/ journey - interviews are a mine of introspection and perspective and what not. Enjoyed your interview Lauri.
ReplyDeleteThanks Writerdelic. I also love reading about other writers' journies. I'm surprised how we find different ways to get to a similar place.
ReplyDeleteThe comment section wasn't working when I read your interview earlier. I'm glad to see it working now.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your interview and seeing a photo of your husband too. I think you're from Canada originally if I recall correctly. I'm Canadian and I'm always interested in Canadians who are lured to Africa ;-)