As a new author i have this goal in sight and that goal is to be a bestselling author. The passion arises from this amazing desire to have millions of people read my stories, enjoy them and discuss them over coffee and a croissant. I suppose that is the desire of every writer - i.e for their work to be read, all over the world, by millions. If that was not the case then why do we publish and more so, why do we blog?
In my quest for achieving 'bestsellerdom' ( The Kingdom of the Bestsellers), i spend my time learning from the masters of the craft. What is it about a bestselling story? What is it about a bestselling writer? What is it about the bestselling author (i.e. their attitude/personality) - Why do some people like them? What sort of people hate them?
Therefore, i have lined up the three books above on my desk - Barack Obama's Dreams from My Father, John Grisham's Playing for Pizza and Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist.
I have one hundred pages left of John Grisham's book and already i've learnt a lot and am looking forward to posting a review of it. Just from brief browses through Obama's and Coelho's books I immediately see the reason for these author's star quality. Their books have easily flowing language, making for the ultimate page turner!
Through surfing the net and my sister's great efforts to publicise my first book (in fact my first attempt at writing anything in my life), i have met some authors, publishers and journalists from Zimbabwe and afar - to name a few, Sarudzayi Chifamba Barnes ( Reviewed her novel Endless Trail- read it on this blog), Emmanuel Sigauke (Not a fan of poetry - i prefer the biblical psalms but i reviewed his poetry collection Forever Let Me Go and it was not bad) and Jonathan Masere (who seemed a bit offended by one of my Christian Book Reviews but we managed to have a civil discussion about it).
Then out of the blue i got an email offer for a free proof copy of a novel by Zimbabwean author Brian Chikwava - called 'Harare North'. If i'm honest i had to surf the net in order to find out who Brian Chikwava was. Bearing in mind that prior to my churning out a 736 page novel i never used to read and i certainly never used to write. I barely scraped a C grade at O'level English. Anyway from reading the proof, i decided that i needed to buy the real published copy. I plan to buy it this week. The reason is because i think the proof had real bad grammar mistakes - meaning i did not understand the English. I mean, i thought i was bad ! However, from reading some of the reviews that people have written, the language in the book was deliberate. Anyway, i'm buying my copy to see for myself. In addtion, i'm still smarting from the toilet paper joke on page one. My first thought was it's ok for the diaspora to laugh - they have real toilet paper. But it might not be so funny for those who have to use the newspaper in real life and then have to pay out sums of money that they don't have to unblock the toilet or flush out the septic tank. - But then again it's all fiction (at least for some) - and i'm getting my copy.
Then i've now come into contact with a blog of another newly published Zimbawean author called Petinah Gappah. I had never heard of Petinah either. Do you blame me? I mean i did'nt even know that Charles Mungoshi wrote poetry or had written many books (I got that information from Emmanuel Sigauke and then i had to do some serious net surfing so as not to look stupid). I only knew Mungoshi as one of the actors in the local drama's - which i must say i thoroughly enjoyed.
Anyway, i will add Ms Gappah's collection of short stories to my library and read them - i am certainly sure to learn a lot from her as well as all the authors and publishers mentioned.
Anyway, my goal may seem to some an unachievable one in the midst of inexperience, the need for supposedly aggressive editing needed in my first novel (pointed out by some readers/authors in both public and private arena's), the fact that i have extremely few contacts, no invitations to literary events and very few flocking to read my blog posts.
However, a characteristic that i am learning from the great achievers is that you keep believing in yourself even in the face of staggering oppositions. And believe me the oppositions are staggering. However, despite this, You maintain your confessions and never give up !
Like Barack Obama i too have dreams from my Father. And because of the powerful spirit of faith within me i believe that i will manifest that goal and many a people, in fact millions of different races, will have a smile on their face whilst they drink coffee and eat a croissant buried in the pages of a novel by Sarudzai Mubvakure!
Be expectant for a review of every single book mentioned in this blog post ! - happy reading !
I am going to respond to this part of your blog-
ReplyDeleteAnyway, my goal may seem to some an unachievable one in the midst of inexperience, the need for supposedly aggressive editing needed in my first novel (pointed out by some readers/authors in both public and private arena's), the fact that i have extremely few contacts, no invitations to literary events and very few flocking to read my blog posts.
Sarudzai, never let people's negative comments dampen your spirits, or make you feel inferior. I am yet to see any book by any other Zimbabwean author that comes closer to your book in both quality and quantity. What I have seen with most of the Zimbabwean authors/editors is that they think they can write better English than others. I certainly don't see anything wrong with your book. I think you are the first Zimbabwean author to pen a novel of more than 500 pages, yours being 736! Writing a novel is a challenge that many authors may never achieve.
Don't worry about blog followers. Some people follow secretly.
I was advised by one of the seasoned authors in Zimbabwe to believe in myself and tell myself that I am the best. I will not bother about what someone else thinks or says about me.
When I am down, I remind myself of Bob Marley's words,maybe he took them from the Bible, I am not sure, "The stone that the builder refuses shall be the head corner stone."
I am organising a festival for Zimbabwean writers in Coventry. I will invite you. Your book is a masterpiece,you are a rising star,and certainly the Danielle Steel of Zimbabwe. Keep it up.
Sarudzayi, thanks so much for your comment and your amazing encouragement. It's people like you that lift others up when it is necessary. And yes, the words that Bob Marley chose are from the bible.. it's in 1Peter 2v7. When you get a bible, check it out. The stone that the builders rejected has now become the chief cornerstone. In a sense it is rejection that somehow gives some people the fire power to soar !!!
ReplyDeleteYou may not realise it, but you have just prophesied into my life. You have given me a word of encouragement as we call it. God bless you!
Dear Sarudzai
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your book! It is huge. I read the excerpt on Amazon and it sounds good and intriguing. I am believer like you, writing a memoir and what you said about never reading other people's books- that was me. But because friends looked at my first draft and asked where are the metaphors... it is not catchy… la la la. I asked my daughter where can I get metaphors (I am an analytical chemist) you make them up Mum (she is art) and added with glee- ha this is good you thought science was tough now you know! I started reading other people’s memoirs, Maya Angelou she is very good etc and just good books and am so much better for it. I too have found the Zimbabwean authors you talk about on the net, never having been one to read secular books except years back at school! Since you serve The Author and Finisher, He shall surely open the doors for you in Jesus' name. That’s my prayer for you. Chin up and march to victory- It shall be done.
Queen
Wow Queen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and giving your wonderful comments. I do hope that you get to read the book and enjoy it. In addition, i really look forward to reading your book. God bless you