EDUCATOR/AUTHOR

Liberian Literature Review conducted an interview with K. Moses Nagbe, an educator and one of Liberia's most published authors in the last decade. Mr. Nagbe currently resides in the United States of America.

LLR: First, we would like to thank you for granting this interview. Let us kick off this interview with you telling us a little about you- your early childhood, upbringing, education.

 I was born in Bishop Brooks, central Monrovia (Liberia, West Africa). I began early schooling in Sasstown, then a territory—sub political division—under Sinoe County. Dad had completed the University of Liberia (esp. William V.S. Tubman Teachers College), got an educational leadership assignment, and moved the entire family back home. I completed Sasstown Government School; went on to Sinoe High School; Modern Commercial Institute for business studies; University of Liberia for English and Accounting, Glassboro (now Rowan State) University for graduate education—combined studies in supervision & curriculum, media, and literature & linguistics; ended with the Louis A. Grimes School of Law. Presently completing a PhD in Education (esp. Instructional and Curriculum Leadership) at the Northcentral University—interested in influences on teacher support system. Rowan and Northcentral are based in America.

LLR: What inspires you to write generally?

 I grew up in a home of books and a reading culture, and a community fascinated with human-interest stories.

LLR: Who are some of the people/things that influence you? 

 My dad for hard work, keen attention to intellectual life, generosity, and a God-sense of the world.  My mom and her mother for empathizing with diverse groups, for taking keen interest in womanhood, and education for all. American Peace Corps Volunteers for strengthening my reading and writing skills, and for expanding my worldview.

LLR: Can you talk a bit about the inspiration for your first book?

 PCV Maryann Caraboolad saw my first poem, loved it, and guided me to expand on my interest in writing; PCV Dennis Ryan read my first essay question assignment, took tremendous interest in me and offered me several opportunities to strengthen my critical thinking skills; Professor Robert H. Brown took me under his wing in my undergrad work at the University of Liberia, constantly honing my editing skills. By publishing his After Long Silence and other Short Stories from Liberia, Professor Brown inspired me very much. Professor F. F. K. Gbedemah groomed my interest in linguistics. His book on language issues in Ghana also made me take interest in writing.

LLR: What is your writing process? How do you do it? How do you pick your topics?

 I carry a “mental desk.” Words or phrases spark my interest and I work and rework ideas in my mind. When I become a little more restive about such ideas, then I hit the computer keyboard. In that way, I really take comparatively lesser time to complete key bodies of work. There’s no solid pattern of choosing a topic. The selection of each topic is driven by time and circumstances.

 LLR: Let’s talk books. What are your favorite Liberian books? Why do you love them?

 I won’t attempt naming any. But let me speak in generic terms. I simply love books that attempt a balanced interpretation of the cultural chemistry that exists in the West African nation. In addition, I love books by Liberians in which a significant attention is paid to language use. If sentences are mangled, punctuation marks are loose, word forms are confused, and the logic is mishandled, I rarely take any interest—except of course I want to use such work as a material for teaching editing skills.

LLR: As a Liberian author, what advantage/disadvantages are there?

 Liberian writers have a virgin territory for writing materials, but they need to be very observant; they need to keep a focus. Continuous exposure and therefore the need to create or strengthen a reading and awareness culture in the country and communities of Liberians around the world remain the challenge.

LLR: How has Liberia influenced your works, and what do you think of the future of writing in Liberian? Where do you think it is headed?

 (A) Most writers draw materials and emotional and psychological energy from the countries and cultures of their nativity. I am no exception. Liberia has influenced me particularly in terms of thematic interests—diversity, issues of poverty and bigotry, work ethics, God-sense of the world, lotto mentality (e.g., expecting more for less), the insanity of political and economic amnesia, etc.

 (B) The future of writing in Liberia should be bright, considering the many more Liberians that aspire to authorship, considering the few persistent Liberians bent on showcasing Liberian writings, and considering the rise of information technology.

 (C) Of course, not all authorship is good authorship. Themes, the skillful handling of content and language, etc. are determinants, which can create a significant fan base. A writer without a fan base needs to think twice. Or, let me put it this way: One who writes without concern for the quality of what’s written has a serious problem.

LLR: What are the greatest challenges for a modern Liberian writer especially in terms of publishing, distributing and promotion, in just getting out there?

 Quick self-adulation—the idea of thinking that whatever lands on paper is immediately good to hit the public eye. Quick satisfaction and celebration are the worms that easily consume the greenery of our dreams. Surmounting such psychological weaknesses, leads to better writing skills, better distribution and promotion opportunities, etc.

LLR: What do you think of the future of writing and publishing in Liberia?

 It should get better when the immediate goal is really not for attention but for satisfactory performance. Indeed, in any activity when someone puts adulation before the strong ability of performance, grave humiliation and depression will lie in ambush. Seek ye first the capacity of quality performance and all amenities of adulation will be added unto you. The future is out there waiting.

LLR: What do you think of digital media in general?

 It has an empowering effect. Hardly any gatekeeping hurdles. But therein lies the danger. The “everybody for himself, God for all” opportunity, which digital media has created, may lead to complacency and reduce the need to produce good quality work.

LLR: What is your view on E-books and self-publishing? Have you used either?

 (A) Both concepts are fascinating. But without the appropriate guidance and expertise, the hope they hold out for many people may become a disappointment. For example, self-publishing without knowledge and skills of editing can become frustrating. Many of these self-publishing entities do not really publish; they simply print, thereby producing a product that demonstrates the catch phrase of “garbage in, garbage out.”

 (B) e-books are handy and convenient. Anyone always on the go should find e-books satisfying.

LLR: Would you advise writers [published/aspiring] to use E-book or Self-publish?

 Yes, but with caution.

LLR: What advice would you give aspiring writers?

 Write, write, and write. Partner, partner, and partner.  Consult, consult, and consult—networking increases quality performance.

LLR: What are you currently working on? What are some of your future projects?

 As a writer, I am working on three projects—a second major autobiographical account documenting my life in the Diaspora; a third book of poems in the millennium; and a sort of textbook for secondary school writing for Liberian students; as a publisher, I am working with two authors—one doing a book of folktales, the other doing a book of a sociopolitical context.

 On behalf of our team, here at LLR and your fans, we would like to take this time to thank you for your kind consideration in sparing time for this interview. It is most appreciated. We wish you well in your endeavors and we anxiously await your next book. 

 Thank you and have a great day.

 You can find the authors' titles on any major book website. Here are some of his works:

• Between the Scissors [Growing Up as an Afrestern Liberian] (2012)

• Tugging Whispers (2008)

• One Saturday In August (2007)

• A Mall Group of Young People in the 1970's (How They Changed Liberia Forever) (MS-05-1) (2008)

• NUGGETS OF THE AFRICAN NOVEL: With Notes on the Liberian Literary Heritage (2005)

• A Scream in the Storm (2004)

• The Road to Romeo (Junior Readers Series, 14, 14) (Apr 2001)

• Bulk Challenge (1996)

• Books on Liberia by nationals and foreign nationals: (with a panorama on writing in Liberia) (1992)

• Thinking through the times (1991)

• The Liberian literary voices: A guide to Liberian literature (1988)