LLR:   Tell us a little about you- your early childhood, upbringing, education.

I was born May 6, 1972, unto the union of Mr. Robert G. W. Azango and Mrs. Bertha Baker Azango. I was the youngest of three children and we lived in the family home in Paynesville, outside of the capital city of Monrovia. We were brought up in a Christian manner and attended church every Sunday. If by any chance a person did not go to church, you would be punished to cut grass or clean the entire house of seven rooms, six bathrooms, a living room, dining room, a big fountain Area, kitchen, laundry room and store room.

We were taught moral discipline and how to be independent in life.  

LLR: What inspires you to write generally?

I am inspired to write for positive changes to take place in my country. As journalism is also intended to create a debate, so I write to create a debate so that more changes would take place for the common good.

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

People that influence me are the everyday people, because they are always around during the rise and fall of regimes and they feel the pinch more. I am also influenced by human rights violations, poverty, health and education. I write about violence against women and children, because they are the most vulnerable group in any society, and if I do not write what they feel, nobody will know.

LLR:   What role does your family play in your writing?

My family gives me the moral support whenever I am writing about any issue.

LLR: Why did you choose your profession? When did you know you wanted to be a journalist?

In fact, I did not choose to become a journalist, because I always said I did not want to die poor. But instead, I wanted to be a hotel manager to make my own money and live a luxurious life, but life has a way of choosing for you what you least expect.  The beginning of the civil war in 1990 changed my plans, because I was forced to run into exile and lived as a refugee, or less than a second-class citizen. My rights were violated on a daily basis and when I arrived in Ivory Coast 1996, there was no more refugee camp, so I had to rent from the Ivoirians. And at the end of the month, when you delay in paying the landlord his rent, you do not cook, because he will kick your pot from the fire and say: “If I do not eat, you will not eat as well, unless you pay my rent”   I had nobody but UNHCR to speak for me as a refugee and UNHCR already had dockets full of cases to solve and mine wouldn’t have made a difference, so I swallowed the bitter pills until I returned to Liberia.

But when I returned home and met citizens living the same life I lived in Ivory Coast under the elected government of Charles Taylor, I felt sad and decided to do something in the future.     .    

LLR:  All things considered, do you wish you had chosen differently?

Even though I did not want to die poor as a journalist but equally so, I do not regret being a journalist at all. Because I believe that the pen is mightier than a sword, and that pen has help shaped the destiny of my country.

LLR:  If you could change/improve one thing about you, what would it be?

That would be to put a lock on my mouth, because I talk nonstop for hours, without knowing it.

LLR:    What’s the biggest mistake you almost made?

When I almost got myself killed for writing about FGM.

LLR:   What character traits do your friends use to describe you?

The controversial Mae Azango, Troublemaker, Mamie talk-talk, the fearless and big mouthed journalist, aunty Mae, one of the best female Journalists of our time, among many others.  

LLR:    How would you describe yourself using five words? I know it is not much but…

I am no-nonsense, fearless, forceful, consistent and persistent.  

LLR: Tell your fans two things about yourself they don’t know about you.

I am passionate about what I do and I do not take no for an answer.

LLR:   Would you consider yourself a big-picture person or a detail-oriented person?

I would consider myself as a detail-oriented person, but Wikipedia has made me a big-picture person because I wrote on FGM and received threats.

 LLR: There's no right or wrong answer, but if you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be? What would you be doing?

I would like to be on a cruise in Europe right now and sightseeing.

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

I like a book called: Murder in the Cassava patch, by Bai T. Moore, and a book called Why Nobody Knows When He Will Die, by Wilton Sankawolo. I love those books because they teach moral lessons of life.

LLR:  Can you talk a bit about the inspiration for your writings? How you select your assignments? What were some of the things that motivated you and kept you going?

What inspires me is when I write and it makes an impact in someone’s life. Like for example, when I wrote about a 12-year-old girl who was raped by her 22-year-old neighbor, a kind-hearted individual and his American partner volunteered to school the child through college. It changed the girl’s life as well as her mother’s life, because she could not afford to send her kid to the mission school that her daughter now attends. Seeking justice for the voiceless and seeing change motivates me and keeps me going.

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

As I said, I write about the everyday people because they are always around during the rise and fall of regimes, and their opinions matter. Whether you like it or not, they too form part of the society and the government.  

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

I would say the advantage in being a journalist is you write to point out ills in society for a change. However, the disadvantage is, people attack you for writing sensitive issues and many people shy away from you.

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

Liberia has influenced my work, because it set the stage for a debate, but the future of the press in Liberia is muscled. Because the Government wants the media to dance to their tune and if you tend to go contrary, you go to jail or your printing house is shut down, as my editor Rodney Sieh was jailed for criminal libel and our newspaper office was shut down for months.

LLR: What is your impression about Liberian women journalists? Why aren’t they speaking out more?

We are not very many female journalists in Liberia and half of the number we have, are speaking out, while the other half is silent due to different factors like, cultural practice of women not speaking out, fear of threats, being looked down on by male journalists and lack of self-confidence.

LLR: Now this here is tricky but…. Many consider you as having established yourself as the primary female opponent of FGM in Liberia, why? Why take that position Can you talk a bit about the inspiration for your writings?

Point of correction, I am not the primary female opponent of FGM or female circumcision, but as a journalist, one of my roles is to educate the public. I took on the topic of female circumcision to point out the medical implications according to a doctor and a midwife because the procedure had claimed the lives of many women and girls in my country.

The forty-eight-year old lady in my story called: “Growing Pains” disclosed that she was taken to the Sande bush at the age of thirteen and was held down by four women while the fifth woman cut her with a knife that had been used on 25 other girls.

The doctor said the procedure of using unsterilized instrument on two or more persons is dangerous, because it transmit diseases, such as HIV/AIDS from one person to another and causes tetanus at some point.

 Liberia has the third-highest rate of maternal and newborn deaths in the world and female circumcision is a contributing factor, so this was why I was inspired to take on the topic that nearly cost me my life.   

LLR: We have a female president and women have made up strides in Liberia, but in hindsight do you think that we have done enough all things considered? Or could we have done more?

We would have done more if our president, who is Africa’s first female, was fighting for women in Liberia. I am saying this, because when I was in hiding in 2012, my president did not speak for me, but instead, against me.  She told the Columbia School of Journalism that I wrote the story to get political asylum in the United States whereas I had visited the US two times in 2007 and 2010 before I even took on the story in 2012.   

LLR: What are the greatest challenges for a modern Liberian journalist especially in terms of social justice, freedom, professionalism etc?

Liberia is said to have freedom of speech, freedom of movement and expression but those things are only on the books but not implemented. Social justice and press freedom is another ball game, because journalists are not free to write about corruption without being harassed, intimidated and jailed. Professionalism is another thing, because it is usually said journalists are the watch dogs of society, but who watches the watch dogs? Many media houses do not pay their employees sustainable salaries, so many of those journalists get handouts or bribery from politicians. Yet the Press Union of Liberia is yet to address this main issue.      

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

It is very difficult right now, because you are either for or against.  

LLR:  What do you think of digital media in general? Would you advise writers [published/aspiring] to use E-book or Self-publishing?

Digital media is zero in Liberia, because the internet service is very, very poor. When it rains, we do not get internet service for three or four days. Therefore, I won’t encourage writers to take advantage of those service, because they won’t write their books using digital service in Liberia.

LLR:  What advice would you give aspiring journalists?

I would tell aspiring journalists: “If you came in the field of Journalism to make money, you better think again, because there is no money in the profession, unless you want to do yellow journalism to prostitute the profession and make money from other people. You have to have the passion.

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

I am not working on anything because I am visiting the US presently.

LLR: Tell us a little about you- your early childhood, upbringing, education. 

I was born in Kolahun in northern Liberia. I went to school there, learned English and Arabic. Later I moved to Kuwait to pursue my high school studies. The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait forced me to flee to Jordan first, then Syria, and later I ended up in the Netherlands. It was in the Netherlands that I began to write what would become my first novel, The Land of the Fathers.  

LLR: What inspires you to write generally?

I am inspired by stories of my childhood, by my own experience and by the books and stories I read or hear. Reading The Kingdom of this World by Alejo Carpentier, Bound to Violence by Yambo Ouoluguem and My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk partly inspired Bound to Secrecy. What inspired the novel foremost was Liberia and my experience in that land.   

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

My mother and grandmother influenced me a lot, as well as some people in my family. One of my brothers who was an avid reader had an impressive collection of Heinemann African Writers Series, all of which I read. Writers like Sankawulo, J M Coetzee, Camara Laye, Isaac Bashives Singer, Amos Oz, Thomas Mann, Chekov, Tolstoy, Bakunin, Alejo Carpentier, Orhan Pamuk and many others influence and inspire me.

LLR: What role does your family play in your writing?

My family back home plays a supportive role in my writing. My father was a poet in his own right, as was his father before him. Though some family members understand and appreciate my choice to become a writer, they do not always understand how much patience and time it costs. They associate writing with great financial wealth, which is not always the case.

LLR: Why did you choose your profession? When did you know you wanted to be a journalist?

Since childhood, I wanted to be a writer. I mean I wanted to tell stories, and I told stories from The Arabian Nights, stories about American Indians and European legends; stories from Wilton Sankawulo’s collections of stories. I was not trained as journalist and I only practice it on the sly. It is not my profession. I studied Law but chose to write stories and novels.

LLR:  All things considered, do you wish you had chosen differently?

I cannot imagine a life other than that of life writing and reading, and of pausing to admire the great works of the masters of world literature. If I had to choose differently, I would become a doctor and a writer. Writing is what gives value to my life.

LLR:  If you could change/improve one thing about you, what would it be?

I always work to improve on my writing. I hope that I become better with each book.

LLR:    What’s the biggest mistake you almost made?

I don’t want to dwell on mistakes. They are a part of my life as well my successes.

LLR:   What character traits do your friends use to describe you?

I am optimistic, easy going, and I attach great value to friendship.

LLR:    How would you describe yourself using five words? I know it is not much but… 

A citizen of the world!

LLR: Tell your fans two things about yourself they don’t know about you.

I appreciate cuisine from different parts of the world. I like Gbandi Quick Service, Cassava Leaves, Tobogi, you name it. But I also appreciate Italian, Turkish, Indian, and Asian Cuisine. I forgot to mention Senegalese cuisine, and the Mandingo peanut sauce…

LLR:   Would you consider yourself a big-picture person or a detail-oriented person?

I am a big picture oriented person. Details come later.

LLR: There's no right or wrong answer, but if you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be? What would you be doing?

I would be in Kolahun, in a house on the hilltop overlooking the town, writing.

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

My favorite Liberian books are Murder in the Cassava Patch by Bai T. Moore, which was adapted for the screen by Yor-El Francis. I like the picture it evoked. Actually it’s a simple story but it has the flavor and taste of Libera. The Marriage of Wisdom and other stories, Why Nobody Knows When He Will Die, and The Rain and the Night by Wilton Sankawulo. Sankawulo was one of the greatest writers of the world. His writings were clear and infused with wisdom. I met him once, and when I was preparing the novel which I am about to complete, The Black Napoleon, I consulted him on the right spelling of Kpelle names. The main character of this novel is called Zaiwulo. So you see, I owe him a lot. And then there is Narratives of a Journey to Musadu, Capital of the Western Mandingoes by Benjamin Anderson published in 1870. It’s a book that should be read by all Liberians, for it gives insight into a world that would have become Liberia but due to circumstances are now parts of Guinea. The book would educate many people about how things stood then. Many discussions today regarding who belongs to Liberia would be avoided by reading this book.

LLR:  Can you talk a bit about the inspiration for your books? How you select your titles? What were some of the things that motivated you and kept you going?   

The books I’ve written came about because of my connection to Liberia. I wrote my first novel The Land of the Fathers because of the civil war. I wanted to explain Liberia to myself. My second novel, The Kingdom of Sebah, is about a migrant Liberian family. My life is a life of migration: first to Kuwait, then to Syria, and then to the Netherlands where I now reside. My third novel Bound to Secrecy explores the theme of power, and once again it’s based on my experience in Liberia. My fourth, The Witness, deals with changes in the world, with the accuracy of memory. What motivates me most is the urge to deal with aspects of my life in a novel.

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

I write in the mornings and go on till late afternoon. The topics are always connected with my life, or they are themes that interest me very much: migration, Liberia, history, war, power, and the world at large.

LLR: Let us talk about your latest published book. What is the story behind the story?

Here’s the synopsis of my latest book- Bound To Secrecy. It was published first in Dutch. I published it in English in April. Currently, I am promoting it.

William Mawolo arrives in a small Liberian town with a secret mission: to investigate the mysterious disappearance of the police chief.

The locals, however - police force and citizens alike - are far from happy about his presence, and their hostility is increasing daily, threatening to boil over. At the same time, Mawolo is drawn to the departed chief's daughter, Makemeh, who for some reason doesn't seem to be too concerned about her missing father. Intrigued, Mawolo decides to stay longer than required - and even attempts to take charge of the town. Little by little, he starts to behave like the despotic man whose disappearance he came to investigate. His desire to uncover the town’s dark secrets puts him in danger . . . but will his heart rule his head?

LLR:  How has Liberia influenced your works? How has Holland influenced your work?

All my novels are connected one way or the other with Liberia. It’s an obsession! Two of my novels are set in Holland but are connected to Liberia: The Kingdom of Sebah which is about a writer who tells his family history and their migration from Liberia to Holland, and The Witness, which explores the civil war and the accuracy of memory.

LLR: Now this here is tricky but well we like tricky, lol. You now have the opportunity to address five issues or topics that really matter to you; they could cover any area. It is entirely up to you? 

1. I hope to see many writers emerge from our country.

2. I hope to see poverty decreased;

3. I hope to set up a library for people to read books of every kind.

4. I hope to be a diplomat for Liberia like the Mexican writer Octavio Paz was for his country.

LLR: What are the greatest challenges for a modern Liberian writers [aspiring] especially in terms of access to information, publishing, etc.?

Liberian writers are facing difficulties especially after the war. New writers don’t see role models. I hope to work with some of them so that they can have stronger voices than I do, so that they can writer better books. 

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

Publishing is in a poor state in Liberia. But there is the Cotton Tree Publisher founded Elma Shaw which has published a posthumous novel by Wilton Sankawulo, Sundown at Dawn. I found this very encouraging. Wayétu Moore has founded One Moore Book, which publishes children’s books. I hope these publishers thrive, and I hope they can find means of collaborating on other books. I would love to read other novels by Sankawulo, so I encourage Elma to publish another book. I hope to see Liberian writers being published by Liberian publishers.

LLR:  What advice would you give aspiring writers/authors?

Work hard, never give up. There are many stories of writers whose works were at first ignored and who later become some of the greatest writers in the world.

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

I am currently working on The Black Napoleon. Regarding future projects, I leave that to the future.

Here’s the synopsis of the book. It will be published first in Dutch. I hope it is published in English soon.

The Black Napoleon: Zaiwulo is thirteen when he leaves his home town Haindi in the forest in present-day Liberia and travels with his father to Musadu, an old city in the savannah in present-day Guinea. He comes to study under Talahat, a great scholar and head of a prosperous and legendary family, the Haidarahs. This family traces its origin to Timbuktu. It is believed that the source of the family wealth and vast knowledge are found in an ancient manuscript that Talahat keeps in his study. What is that manuscript and how powerful is it? And why no one else seems to have read it but Talahat?  Zaiwulo feels that there's more to his presence amongst the Haidarahs than his father, who leaves him in Musadu, is willing to let on. Throughout his life he's plagued by that secret and its implications, by the silence on the part of his teacher and everyone else. Zaiwulo’s story unfolds in a period that was largely determined by the will of a single man, Samori Toure. Once a trader, Samori became a slave to save his mother and rose up to confront his slave master. Samori became the only leader in Africa who confronted the might of the French and the British in an attempt to hold onto his empire. His campaigns against these powers lasted nearly twenty years, affecting many parts of West Africa, including Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Mali.  The French admired Samori so much that they nicknamed him, The Black Napoleon. Zaiwulo comes in contact with this great man, who takes to him. Samori sees in the child traces of his mother's world. Her family hailed from the forest of present-day Liberia. To Zaiwulo, Samori embodies freedom, a man who elevates his followers, some of who were once slaves, to rulers in the greatest African empire in late 19th century. Zaiwulo follows Samori throughout his campaigns, fighting side by side with him, leading his armies. He goes to France to represent to Samori and to meet the French president. He returns and fight alongside Samori until the latter is captured and exiled by the French to present-day Gabon. Then Zaiwulo flees the French and returns to the forest, where he hopes to find clues to the secret that had led him to Musadu. What he finds has far reaching consequences on his life.

LLR RECENTLY INTERVIEWED HENRY JOHNSON. Henry is an upcoming Liberian poet. He recently completed his second book which is a collection of poetry.

LLR: Henry, welcome and thank you for doing this interview. Our first question covers the basic- YOU. Kindly tell us a little about you­ your early childhood, upbringing, education. 

Well, I was born in Monrovia, Liberia. I left Monrovia when I was 6 years old. I have been to other places around the world. But, I was pretty much raised in Aurora, Colorado (USA) I attended Side Creek Elementary School which is located in Aurora, Co. Attended Side Creek in the 5th grade and then I moved on to Mrachek Middle School through 6 to 8th grade then on to Rangeview High School for a year and then did the last 3 at Gateway High School In Aurora, Colorado (USA.)

LLR: What inspires you to write generally? 

I write for the voiceless.  Never thought I'd say that as it sounds so wanky but it's true. The desire to get something down on paper that I can feel in my gut. Dreams, Nightmares, Vision, Life, Peace, Love, what could be, what could not and fantasies. Emotion, imagination and a need to create something. Not just something, but something that will live forever.  

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

Life in General, but I am mostly influenced by Martin Luther King Jr, Bantu Stephen Biko, Thomas Sankara, Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, Rosa Parks, W.E.B . Dubois, Hale Salassie and the list goes on 

LLR: What role does your family play in your writing?  

They are the center of everything. 

LLR: Why did you choose your profession? When did you know you wanted to act or do 

movies? 

I chose my profession because Liberia is way back in everything. I want to be the first person to put Liberia’s film on the world map. I want it be known across the globe, that kids in Australia, Asia, Europe or South America can even know about it. I want the world to see that there are also positive sides to Liberia regardless of the 14 years civil war and the stigmatization of Liberians due to the Ebola crisis. I do believe that art is a way in order to form a more just society. 

LLR: All things considered, do you wish you had chosen differently?  

Nah, it was the right chores, because art is life. I want to live forever through my works.

LLR: If you could change/improve one thing about you, what would it be? 

None, because those things make me who I am.

LLR: What’s the biggest mistake you almost made? 

None, I live life as it comes. 

LLR: What character traits do your friends use to describe you? 

Goal oriented, positive, educated, brilliant, masterminded and determine.  

LLR: How would you describe yourself using five words? I know it is not much but…  

Driven 

responsible 

social 

dedicated 

intelligent 

patient 

reliable 

friendly 

achiever 

positive 

organized 

energetic 

ambitious 

bold  

LLR: Tell your fans two things about yourself they don’t know about you. 

I am a Patriot, dedicated first to my family and second to my country. “Liberia gave life, America gives me a dream.” I want to see good come out of Liberia. 

LLR: Would you consider yourself a big­picture person or a detail­oriented person? 

Detail-oriented 

LLR: There's no right or wrong answer, but if you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be? What would you be doing?  

Number one on my list would be home. I would be in Liberia, helping poor kids that’s in need and working with the Liberian government on ways to better our citizens life. Secondly, I would also travel to the Philippines because my son mom is from there. But my main reason would be to help Filipino poor kids that might be in need. Because there are more poor people in the Philippines and it’s sad. Because their government is just like ours.

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

“This child will be great.” By President Sirleaf. That’s the only Liberian book that I will read over and over. Because in the future, I would like to sit down with President Sirleaf in order to bring her story to the big screen. But when it comes to it, I like me some Maya Angelou, she’s soulful. 

LLR: Can you talk a bit about the inspiration for In Delight? Why that title? What were some 

of the things that motivated you and kept you going? 

“IN DELIGHT” comes from the soul. It is a strong feeling of satisfaction. Something that  draws attention. I pick this title, because anything we do in life we must do it out of “delight.” With great pleasure of doing what one love, success follows. The title also comes with life experiences that I have had. “ In delight” is also a poem that’s written. A poem that got my soul all out.

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

I write at night when it’s quiet, that way I can focus. Writing for me is a way to get away. It gives me hope when I am hopeless. Most of my topics touches on life experiences and current situation we are facing in the world. Whether it’s racial, corruptions or injustice.

 Most of my poems were written 5 years ago, when I was just getting into college. 

Fresh outta High school. Some are a ways down to around Middle school days. 

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

The advantage is that, expression is the key to open up dialogue. The disadvantage is that some Liberians, not all, does not love to support each other. Some hate to see the next man successful. But my focus is the world market. I would love to reach others with my work then just Liberians. I want the world to feel me. 

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

Liberia is the root of everything. Without Liberia, there’s no existence of “ME.” Liberia has played a huge part in how I  view the world. But being that I didn't grow up in Liberia, there are distinction of approach in how I paint a picture. It comes through the Americanization, the twist of words and the whole 9. Writing in Liberia would be great, but first I want my name to be out there. When it comes to“art”, I don’t really think about tomorrow. Because the greatest American playwrights,  Edgar Poe died before his work even became famous. So I go with the flow until one day that big break will come.  

LLR: What is your impression about Liberian movie industry? Where is it headed?  

The Liberian movie industry could be great. It would do way better if we start focussing on Liberian stories instead of trying to copy Nigerian/Ghanaian/Hollywood movies. We should Liberianize the industry, by telling Liberian stories but at the same time, getting world audiences to relate. The Liberian government also should take some responsibility by helping the industry. Because filmmaking would create jobs for the youth of Liberia. It could also help in the rebuilding of Liberia. Because film educates and can also change and transform lives.

LLR: Are you working with any Liberian literary group [home/abroad]? Or any Liberian author? 

No. 

LLR: We have a growing movie/film industry in Liberia; we have made strides, but in hindsight do you think that we have done enough, all things considered? Or could we 

have done more?  

We can do more,  In America, entertainment is big business. We can also make it a million dollar business in Liberia and create revenues. We can create the emergence of cinema and not just make films to sell in our markets but make films for festivals around the world. Films that will also do well in world markets and would have people saying “You should buy that film, it’s a Liberian made movie.” We should work together on common goals to give Liberia a positive “IMAGE” in the world. And I believe through the “Arts” Liberia could be reborn.  The industry haven’t done enough, because we have failed to get our work recognized by international film committee, a great film industry must learn to compete on international level .And I do believe if we keep on working hard with great actors, writers, producers and directors who have earn a B.F.A. One day, we will get there. 

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

Haters, because our own people would hate to see one succeed. But at the end of the day, we have haters in every culture and at the end of the day it’s up to you to push on and make your dream a reality. 

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

Anything is possible and the future belongs to God. 

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

In my opinion, the Media could be accused of “Sensationalism.” 

LLR:  What is your view on E­books and self­publishing? Have you used either? 

I have not used E-books, but I have heard wonders.  

LLR: Would you advise writers [published/aspiring] to use E­book or Self­publishing? 

Of Course, because it puts the power in your hands and taking publishing to the next level. 

LLR: What advice would you give aspiring writers?  

When you write, write from the gut, heart, mind and soul. Put your soul all out,  

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

God, willing in May of 2015, I should be in Bangkok working on an Indie International Thai Film. I am hoping it all goes well.  

OPHELIA LEWIS is perhaps one of the most published Liberia female writers in recent times She is also a poet and an essayist. She kindly granted LLR an interview.

Thank you Madam Lewis for squeezing us into yourschedule. We are most grateful. We don't take any more of your time so, let us start this interview with the obvious- your story and right from the beginning. Tell us a little about you- your early childhood, upbringing, education.

My biggest blessing is the family into which God placed me; to have a set of parents who supported us in every way. My siblings and I (two brothers and five sisters) were always given the freedom of expression. Both parents participated equally in our upbringing; they attended our school functions and encouraged extracurricular activities like piano lesson, or sewing class, and we always had a tutor. It was near impossible to skip homework.

They gave us confidence, we made eye-contact with our parents when we communicated with them. They taught us moral values; to respect other people’s basic human rights—no one had the right to look down on us, and at the same time, we were not to think we were better than anyone else. We were taught to earn respect and give to those who earn them.

When you meet any of my siblings—Aaron, Marie, Veronica, Joann or Akitee (my brother Jenkins passed in 2009) —their life will tell the same story as mine. We had the best set of parents—Jeanette and J. N. Lewis (passed in 1981)—in the whole world.

LLR: What inspires you to write generally?

Life inspires me. Writing is like breathing to me. I have a notepad with me at all times, even an app on my phone. As life unfolds, I like to take notes; whether it’s people, nature… anything.

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

My parents have had the most influence on me; as an entrepreneur, they always had their own business while they held down a regular job. And then, those people I admire; Maya Angelou (a phenomenal woman), Mr. Massaqoui (my high school economics teacher), the rappers from the 80s (when no one would give them a record contract, they created their own record label and made rap music a success). I practice what I’ve learned from these people.

LLR:What role does your family play in your writing?

 I could never have done it without my family participation and their support; my mother, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, the grandchildren, family-friends and relatives. They have all supported me in one way or another. My biggest fan is Cousin Bunch, (Gloria Grove-Akinsiku). I would keep writing even if she was the only person who buys my book.

LLR: Why did you choose your profession? When did you know you wanted to mold minds?

When I chose nursing as a profession—right out of high school—it was more of other people’s desire than my own. My passion has always been in art; writing, mainly. I’ve always known this, but at times situations compel you in directions, and decisions, that are certainly not from the heart. Since I can remember, my imagination has always served me well.

LLR: All things considered, do you wish you had chosen differently?

I wish I had studied English Literature in college, rather than nursing; then I would have had a writing career sooner. Then again, no education is useless. I’ve used my nursing skills when needed, and best of all, I got to meet some wonderful people along the way; some who are part of my life. I would never change that.

LLR: If you could change/improve one thing about you, what would it be?

I could socialize a little more. I’m always too busy to hang out with anyone or for any event. If I’m not sitting before my computer, I’m sleeping. There are so much to do because of the many hats I wear as project manager at Village Tales Publishing.

LLR: What’s the biggest mistake you almost made?

To continue with nursing and not follow my true passion, which is creative writing.

LLR: What character traits do your friends use to describe you?

I am quiet, and that’s because I’m painfully shy. I guess I do all of my ‘talking’ on paper.

LLR: How would you describe yourself using five words? I know it is not much but…

I’m a perfectionist.

LLR: Tell your fans two things about yourself they don’t know about you.

I love to play video games and consider myself a true gamer; I absolutely love my PS3. And, I hate to fly. If you see me on a plane, that’s because someone’s life depends on it.

LLR: Would you consider yourself a big-picture person or a detail-oriented person?

Detail-oriented… I don’t mind doing a hundred re-writes.

LLR: There's no right or wrong answer, but if you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be? What would you be doing?

I’ve never thought of this until now, but there has never been a time when I wanted to be somewhere other than where I was. I’ve always done those things I wish to do, at one point or another. One of the things I always ask God for is being patient, and I thank Him for that. I am a very patient person, and self-discipline. I set a goal for myself, always has, and work toward that goal. The reward is truly in the journey.

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

I know it is everyone’s favorite, Murder in the Cassava Patch, by Bai T. Moore; and that’s because it was so brilliantly written. I actually own three copies… because one of my crazy hobbies is to collect out-of-print books written by a Liberian author and books written about Liberia.

LLR: Can you talk a bit about the inspiration for Heart Men? Why that title? What were some of the things that motivated you and kept you going?

The inspiration for my first novel, HEART MEN, comes from the ritualistic murders we were all exposed to growing up in Liberia. Other than ritual practice, I wondered if human organ trafficking was indeed carried out as it is now in parts of the world. I thought of many possibilities, including a justice system, in any part of the world, to be transparent in fairness. And, I thought about the accused, their families who survived them… especially their children. It is a daunting thought.

Heart Men is based on fiction, of course, because I found no one willing to discuss the affairs of those involved. Also, there were no documents I could research. The book is not a thriller nor is it horror. People would be surprised to find it is a romantic novel.

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

I write every day, if not on paper, in my mind. In fact, I have written some of my short stories, the entire work, in my mind before putting to paper. A topic is taken from something I saw on the news, or heard in conversations, something I came across during the time of reading. I observe everything around me, I guess that’s why I hardly speak. I’m too busy taking note of something… someone.

I write everything down. I have a notebook filled with titles I could use for my book, or my blog.

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

There are no specific educational requirements needed to become a writer. Anyone with a pen or a computer can attempt to become a writer, but the quality of your work is very important. Writing is more ubiquitous today than ever, so a Liberian writer is no different from writers everywhere. Earning an income as a writer is far more challenging when you have to think about important benefits like health insurance and retirement plans. So for most writers, you have to have a full-time, or part-time job at least, to make ends meet.

The advantage is you are following your passion, and as a freelance writer, you can produce and sell your written content, using the internet. You also have the freedom to write on topics that interest you.

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

As a descendent of Liberia settlers, I am drawn into that part of Africa with a sense of pride deep rooted in my heart. I never get involved in any discussion of rightful claims to the land, as that would be an argument luring to one’s opinion rather than history. This is my opinion, indeed. I believe, had the pioneers not been allowed that particular spot on Africa’s west coast, they would have acquired land at another spot, thus forming a country they had every intention of doing. And that spot, in which Liberia occupies today, would have been divided among the western powers as they were doing.

Having said that, 90% of my writing is something about Liberia, fictitious, or otherwise. I find it refreshing to see that nowadays, many Liberian literary works are no longer just political. I’ve met many Liberian writers among the generations after me, who are more than capable of taking the future of Liberia literary works further. We’ve won a Noble Peace Prize, just wait and see, soon one of our own will win a Nobel Prize in Literature.  

LLR: What is your impression about Liberian women author? Why are there not many?

There are many Liberian women-authors out there; I can name a few… Elma Shaw, Patricia Wesley, Helene Cooper, Hawa Golakai, Louise Barton, Mae Azango, Meah Tweh, Wayetu Moore, and of course, our president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. There are many others who aren’t in the news, but we are many and that number is growing.

LLR: Are you working with any Liberian literary group [home/abroad]? Or any Liberian author?

Yes. I’ve partnered with the MaryMartha Education Foundation to create the Liberia Literary Society, an online database library of every book written by a Liberian author and those written about Liberia by any author. It’s in its infancy stage; right now we’re building the website. I encourage people to sign up for free membership and we need volunteers and financial donations… even $1 would make a difference. www.liberialiterarysociety.org We also have a Facebook page, which isn’t doing too well at the moment. I wish we get more ‘likes’ and ‘shares’. The goal is to connect readers with Liberian literature, each book is linked to the Amazon website where they can be purchased, giving the author an opportunity to sell. It is a win-win project.

Our long-term goal is to build one digital media library in each county in Liberia—15 total— giving folks at home access to not only Liberia literature, but books and research articles. I’m jumping ahead here, but I pray for God’s blessings on this project. We (about three of us so far) are working very hard.

LLR: We have a female president and women have made up strides in Liberia, but in hindsight do you think that we have done enough all things considered? Or could we have done more?

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, first elected female head of state in Africa, Leyman Gbowee (Nobel Peace Prize winner), Matee Ajavon (pro athlete with WNBA), Izetta Wesley (first female in Africa to head a football association), Korto Momolu (international fashion designer), Frances Johnson-Morris (Chief Justice). Chou Logan (Olympian Bronze medalist 2011 All-Africa Games), Helene Cooper (Journalist), Antoinette Sayeh (economist with the World Bank)… we do not lack “Girl Power”. We’ve made history—Angie Brooks-Randolph, first woman Liberian lawyer and President of the General Assembly, UN 1969.

Women throughout the world—and in history—have faced the same challenges, fighting for their rights as well as other people’s rights. All things considered, I think Liberian women have played important roles in and out of Liberia; Could we have done more? Well, I promise you, we are not done yet. Every generation of Liberian women will, in fact, make this world a better place, one way or another.

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

We have to deliver on quality and stop being “aspiring” writers. Find your target audience, and not just write for a Liberian audience, expecting, and then complaining about not getting the Liberian people support. Write with passion, and create that great content that is unforgettable. Do this, and you will attract those people who are passionate about what you are passionate about, and you won’t waste any time on people who are not interested in what you are writing. Seventy-five percent of my readership is non-Liberian, and surprising enough, the twenty-five percent of readers who are Liberians, the majority are men. Now, I need to figure out what Liberian women like to read so I can expand my readership. I am working hard on earning their interest. I want to win them over.

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

Liberia has always been a beacon of hope in Africa, why not? You are making a difference, so are many others like Stephanie Horton, founder of Sea Breeze Journal. It is heartbreaking to see it go on hiatus at the moment. I hope that wouldn’t be for too long.

I’ve come across so many Liberian blogs and online magazines, and try to read as many as I can. There are many good ones on the internet, which we will have their links on the Liberia Literary Society website.

As for publishing, e-publishing does keep that hope alive, and that’s why LLS will be a good investment for Liberian literary works. 

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

There’s a time for everything; and in this age and time, digital media continues to prove content-driven opportunities are more accessible and affordable for more people than before. However, you have to be willing to learning something new every day. It changes so quickly and it takes serious commitment to keep up.

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

I make a living using that platform of publishing. As publisher and project manager at Village Tales Publishing, we offer support services that help self-publish authors get their manuscript ready for print or ePub.

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

Someone living in Africa, or South America, can write a book and sell it for 99 cents to a billion people worldwide. Magic, isn’t it? Nowadays, you could never reach the number of readers exposed to your work without digital publishing. Then there are readers who rather turn the pages, smell the paper and fall asleep with the physical book in their hand. Why not take advantage of both worlds… when POD (print-on-demand) makes it feasible?

LLR: What advice would you give aspiring writers?

 Read everything you can get your hands on, then write as much as you read.

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

I’m working on the next book in my Liberia-County series, Down Side Up, which settings are in Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Sinoe and Gbarpolu Counties. The first book in the series was published in 2012, Montserrado Stories,  included Montserrado, Margibi, Maryland and Lofa Counties. I hope to complete the series with all 15 counties.

As project manager at Village Tales Publishing, I’m looking forward to working with those aspiring writers in Africa, especially those who don’t have access to the services offered on the internet. I’d like to give them an opportunity to see their work in print.

Today, LLR sits with the vibrant Liberian author, Elma Shaw. Elma wears many hats. She is a professional Broadcast Journalist  and Publisher, amongst many other things. Elma is a rising star on the Liberian Literary scene. 
 

LLR: Thank you for agreeing to this interview, we appreciate your efforts. Could you tell us a little about you- your early childhood, upbringing, education.

I spent my early years in Liberia, where I attended The Hilton Van Ee School until my parents moved us to England. I was 5 years old. Cousin Corinna, proprietor of the school and a good friend of my grandmother Eugenia, gave me a book to travel with. I have been an avid reader ever since. Getting an excellent education was always a central focus in our family. A few years after our return to Liberia, I graduated from 9th grade at J. J. Roberts, then went to CWA for a short while. I later went to Cushing Academy in Massachusetts and American University in Washington DC, and completed two Study Abroad programs in France. I continue to seize every opportunity to learn.

LLR: What inspires you to write generally?

Words have the power to inspire people and to bring about an end to the injustices of the world. Most of my writing is creative nonfiction, but I do write poems and stories when those seem to be the best avenues of expressing something. I love to use my skills and my understanding of people to tell the truth in a way that draws readers in and spurs them to action.

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

I am influenced by Biblical principles and anyone who embodies them. In addition, when I became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 1987, I promised to uphold certain ideals of living, learning, and serving. Together, these things are the foundation of all that I do.

LLR: Why did you choose to study Journalism and Film? When did you know you wanted to be a professional in that area?

My first degree is in Communication Media (with an emphasis in Broadcast Journalism), and my second is in Film and Video (with an emphasis in Screenwriting). When I was growing up, literature, visual media, and real life all had a profound impact on the way I saw myself, and the way I saw the world. I wanted to be able to impact others in the same way: reaching, teaching, healing, and inspiring using various ways of communication.

LLR: If you could change/improve one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I am constantly evolving! There is always some new revelation about my psyche, and some new skill to learn. I love being me at every stage.

LLR: Tell your fans something about yourself that they don’t already know.

I’ve been training in the powerful and beautiful art of pole and aerial dance, and recently became a certified instructor.

LLR: There's no right or wrong answer, but if you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be? What would you be doing?

If I could be anywhere in the world right now, I’d be enjoying a writing sabbatical at a tropical resort known for its fabulous cuisine.

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

I love Wilton Sankawulo’s Birds Are Singing because it’s an epic novel that reveals valuable information and insights about indigenous Liberian culture and about a crucial era in our nation’s history. I love Patricia Jabbeh Wesley’s powerful collection of beautifully written and arranged poems in Before the Palm Could Bloom. I love Cracking the Code: The Confused Traveler’s Guide to Liberian English, by John-Mark Sheppard. It’s a fascinating, entertaining, and important guide to our language, culture, and history.

Can you talk a bit about the inspiration for REDEMPTION ROAD? Why that title?

Redemption Road was inspired by real stories of the Liberian civil war. I wanted to tell those stories as a way to document our experiences for history, and to help survivors with the healing process. When I started to write, killers lived with impunity in post-war Liberia although we knew who they were and what they had done. There were very few programs designed to help survivors at the time, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission had not yet been established. I talked to both fighters and survivors to research for the book, and as I wrote the novel, the characters revealed the complexity of living through a war. Redemption Road tells a story through the eyes of Liberians from all walks of life, and from the view of a survivor and a fighter. The title comes from the name of the road where 12 prominent government officials were executed on April 22, 1980, shortly after the coup. In context of the novel, I hope it encourages us to look at ourselves and be the change that we want to see in a new Liberia.

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

I tend to think superficially about an idea for too long. Things start to happen when I actually sit down (with those bare bones ideas) and actually put my fingers on the keyboard. With , it was as if the spirits of the departed – from all walks of life  – lined up eagerly to prod me and make sure that side came out. I don’t really pick topics to write about, but my heart tends to follow themes of social justice, women’s empowerment, and personal or spiritual development.

LLR: What advantages/disadvantages are there to being a Liberian author? 

The advantages and disadvantages of being a Liberian author are one and the same: At this point in our literary journey, a Liberian author is still considered a pioneer in the field. We’re still learning from those who came first, and trying to work lots of things out for the future. We have the power and the responsibility to forge a publishing industry and inspire a stronger culture of reading with and through our work.

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

I believe all of my work has been influenced by pivotal events in our country’s history.

I enjoyed a privileged life in my early years, and returned from England to Liberia just in time for the 1979 Rice Riots and the 1980 coup d’état. After boarding school and university in the US, I returned to live in Liberia during the administration of former President Charles Taylor (and the continuing rebel insurgency). I was also living in Liberia during the election of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as Africa’s first female president, and the establishment of the national Truth and Reconciliation Commission. I’ve always been fascinated by our history and by our personal and collective journeys into the future. I believe many Liberian writers will continue to explore these topics for a good number of years. In the meantime, it’s refreshing to see more general fiction being written by Liberians. We really do have a good mix out there already.

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

I think the challenge for many begins with the mechanics of writing. Good, traditional publishers want well-written manuscripts and will work with authors to help them meet acceptable standards. Vanity publishers will publish anything submitted to them with a payment. Liberian writers who have challenges with English or with story structure might find themselves rejected by good publishers and turn to companies who will publish their work for a fee. Unfortunately, many of these books do not go through a thorough editing process. Fortunately, Liberian readers are hungry for books by and about us, so the quality of printed books is not always a consideration when deciding what to buy.

LLR: What is your view on E-books and self-publishing?

E-books are a great option to have when you need a book. They’re easy to download, and cost less than printed books. Self-publishing is often confused with vanity publishing. If you pay someone to publish your book, it is not self-publishing. In 2008 I established Cotton Tree Press to develop and publish the literary and nonfiction works of African writers. My own Redemption Road was the first book we published. We later published Wilton Sankawulo’s last novel, Birds Are Singing, and Mardia Stone’s memoir, Konkai: Living Between Two Worlds. Redemption Road won an Honorable Mention in the mainstream fiction category of the 17th annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards. This means I was in the top 6 out of over 350 entries from around the world. Self-publishing is not the right choice for everyone, but it works for me because I’m an entrepreneur with a specific vision and I need to be in control.

LLR: What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Find opportunities to improve your craft. I learned a lot from books about writing, magazines and newsletters for writers, and online writers’ blogs. Another way to improve your craft is to constantly seek and read excellent writing.

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

I recently finished collaborating on Big Belly Business, a Liberian women’s guide to a healthy pregnancy (published by The What To Expect Foundation). I’m currently working on new titles for Cotton Tree Press. Future projects include starting a children’s book imprint, a magazine, and a dance studio. Life is too short!

   The Liberian Literary Review recently caught up with Prof. Dudu. Prof, as he is often referred to was kind enough to answer our interview questions. He is a rising voice in the Liberian literary sector. Below is the interview. 

   Thank you for doing this interview. It is much appreciated. Since this section is about showcasing the authors and their work, a good place to start will be from the very beginning. So, tell us a little about you- your early childhood, upbringing, education.

   Well, first, let me thank you for having me as a guest. I am truly honored to be here. I was born in the interior of Liberia, in a village called Gordorlahun in northern Lofa County. Initially, I was not destined to go to Western school. My father, a local chief and devout adherent to Islam, had all but settled on having me study only the Quran so as to become a Karamon—Islamic scholar in the path of many in my ancestral line. As fate would have it, however, I ended up pursuing Western education through a confluence of circumstances beginning with the arrival in early 1975 from Monrovia, of my paternal uncle, to our village right on the cusp of my departure for Quranic School.

  So, I left the village in 1975 and started a new life and a determined pursuit of Western Education in Monrovia under my paternal uncle’s guidance. My academic journey began at the Barclay Annex Elementary School on McDonald Street (which later moved to Clay Street). When my uncle moved us out of the city to the suburbs of Gardnersville in 1977, I continued my early education at the United Pentecostal Church School and then at the Lewis Community School. In my ninth grade year, I enrolled at the E. Jonathan Goodridge Memorial High School in Bardnersville. In 1982, in the tenth grade, I enrolled at the William V.S.Tubman High School on 12th Street in Sinkor from where I graduated in 1984.

   After high school, I matriculated to the University of Liberia where I studied for a degree in Economics and Management until 1989. When our infamous civil war erupted in December of that year, I fled the country for exile. Initially, I stayed in Sierra Leone. When the Liberian war spilt over into that country, however, I ran yet again to another country: the French-speaking nation of Guinea. I stayed and worked in Guinea for the next several years. In late 1997, I was blessed to win a competitive scholarship to study at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City, New York. I graduated therefrom in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management. In the fall of that same year, I enrolled in graduate school at the Peter J. Tobin College of Business at Saint John’s University in the borough of Queens, New York from where I took a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree with emphasis in finance in 2001. 

   Always in search of knowledge, in 2013, I enrolled in the doctoral program in Public Administration at Hamline University in the city of Saint Paul, Minnesota. I look to enter the candidacy stage of this program by the spring semester of 2016.

LLR: What inspires you to write generally?

I am driven, foremost, by an innate passion for the written word, an insatiable desire to ably express myself on paper. Ever since my high school days, I have had a soft spot for writing. Some of my instructors back then—Leticia Balajadia, Marie McKay, and Dr. Celestine Kasasa, to name but a few,—early on, pointed out to me my potential and encouraged me to develop it, cultivate it.  Years on, at the University of Liberia, I had the extraordinary luck of sitting in courses taught by the likes of Professors Althea Romeo-Mark, the late John S. Varflay, Sr., and Patricia Jabbeh-Wesley. These professors, with astonishing effortlessness, had their way with the written word. In earnest, they inspired me more than I can say.

Further, I am an avid reader. So, obviously, part of my motivation for writing can be credited to other people’s writings. The more I read and fall in love with the twists and turns with which ideas are sculpted into form on a written page by others, the hungrier I become to be a part of that process.

Finally, I am inspired by the freedom inherent in writing itself: the freedom to roam with ideas, to test uncharted territories, and, to say things in ways that they may have never been said prior.

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

Nature, people, problems, and so much more influence me. I get up each day, look out my bedroom window and just marvel at what I see. Whether it is the sun rising over the horizon or the darkening clouds of a threatening overcast or heaps of whitish snowflakes, it does not matter; I am enthralled all the same.

My parents, the memory of the late Mary Anne Schwalbe—my benefactor in America for many years, my teachers—past and present, my wife, my children, my students, my friends, politicians, writers, people of all class and circumstance influence me in their own unique ways.

Each time I figure out the most precise phrasing—stylistically and context wise—to capture a thought burgeoning in my head, I am influenced; influenced by solving the problem of communicating on paper in a language that is not my mother’s tongue.

LLR: Can you talk a bit about the inspiration for your book "HARROWING DECEMBER?

"Harrowing Deceomber", a memoir, was inspired by my own life story, and by extension, the life stories of many other Liberians. In a way, it is an elegy for the human condition, a story of war, of peace, of perseverance. More than that, it is a story of Good Samaritans—those special breed of people who see beyond color, religion, tribe and all other such social constructs—and recognize their fellow human beings for what they truly are: creations of God and treat them accordingly.

‘Harrowing December’ is, also, a clarion call to action, peaceful action. It beseeches all mankind in general, and Liberians in particular, to learn to build viable relationships, relationships that are not defined by parochial interests or tied to race, color, creed, religion, or tribe; relationships that promote trust so that when we disagree, we can accept to do so agreeably. The kind of relationships, that when cultivated properly, ensure that we can sit across the table from each other and resolve our grievances without resorting to the destructive force of arms.

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

I’d say my writing process is, actually, a non-process. Like most other folks, the constraints I have on my time—family, work, school, community,—do not afford me the luxury of establishing a set routine for writing.  I write when I write. I write in my home basement office mostly at odd hours: early mornings when the kids are off to school and the wife is gone to work and I have time to spare before I go off to teach my first class. During late nights when my family is fast asleep and the whole house is as quiet as a mouse.  Or just whenever and wherever the bug hits me and I have a few minutes or hours to burn and with writing implements of any sort within reach, I write.

My topics so far have revolved around my life and the life of my country—Liberia. I truly believe there is so much to be said in this regard. "In addition to my memoir, Musings of a Patriot: A Collection of Essays on Liberia, my self-published work, contains, as the title gives away, insights into the workings of government in Liberia documented over a decade, one commentary at a time.  

I hope, however, to move beyond Liberia as a subject matter and take on other cultures and peoples in due course—when I am convinced that I have ‘cut my teeth’ sufficiently. 

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

I’d have to say first among equals, for me, would be Bai Tamia Moore’s 'Murder in the Cassava Patch.' I love this work for its simplicity of language and the manner in which the author skillfully sewed into its basic fabric a plethora of Liberian expressions without turning the novella into total Liberian-speak. Even as a sixth grader many, many years ago, I appreciated this book for the lessons of the story it tells, for the language, and for its entertainment value.

But as I say, it is only first among equals for I like other Liberian books very much as well. Among them, Wilton Sankawulo’s 'Marriage of Wisdom' and 'The Rain and the Night' for I delighted in reading these too in Junior High School.

As I cannot list all the Liberian authors I enjoy reading for the want of space, I will suffice it to say I am a great fan of them all, if for nothing else, for their effort in putting us on the literary map.

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

The wealth of untapped angles to interpretations of Liberian culture and subcultures, I’d say, is both the advantage and disadvantage for the Liberian author.  There is so much there to write about. However, being able to delineate and focus on a coherent theme, without taking the bait of using a broad brush that could muddle the narrative and lose the reader, is the ultimate challenge.

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

I have made no secret of how Liberia and Liberians form the basis for my writings so far.  In that way, there has been no bigger influencing factor for me. I really believe there is something good that is going to happen for Liberian writing and Liberian writers as we progress into the future. With strong commitment not just to writing for writing sake, but also to learning the craft of writing—insofar as mechanics, context, content, and so on,—we can only be headed in one direction, upward.

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

Getting noticed! Because we (as a country) are not particularly known for our writing culture, it is a lot harder for us to get the level of exposure necessary to make waves out there initially. Having said that, however, I still believe that if done right, over time, the resources will avail themselves and the rest, as they say, will be history. Sweet history at that!

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

Like I have said, I harbor not a doubt that the future holds great promise for writing and publishing in Liberia. This, though, will take a commitment of Liberian writers, Liberian investors, the Liberian government, and the Liberian people to work in concert to invest time, energy, and financial resources in this industry.  Liberian writers must use Liberian publishers when available, for example. We must coalesce and work together to make a headway. The efforts at the Liberian Writers Network, for instance, could be a great starting point in this direction.

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

I think the world of digital media. I hope it flourishes. In sort of a way, it eliminates most of the hurdles associated with traditional brick and mortal media. It, without much trouble, expands exponentially in many cases, the reach of a media entity or an individual author. If utilized with caution—for all things have their downsides—it could represent a true renaissance (or does it already?) in information dissemination.

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

Yes, both of my works, in fact, do have E-book versions. I have also self-published. I believe if used appropriately, these are avenues necessary to give new authors a foothold, a readership, and much needed notice in the ever-toughening publishing industry.

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

Yes, I would but with a caveat. No matter what, put your best foot forward. The channel utilized in getting your work out there should not lure you into complacency, into creating a substandard product as that could totally ruin your chances of ever making it to the mainstream.

LLR: What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Be life-long learners; do not ever get swollen-headed. We all can always improve. Seek the professional input of more ‘tried and tested’ writers in your midst. Pay attention to details; do not settle for mediocrity; master the craft of writing in recognition of the fact that merely filling up page after page with words does not necessarily mean you are a writer.

Finally, don’t give up, keep at it; be persistent, for the journey of writing, like so many undertakings in life, is not without its fair share of difficulties.

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

At the moment, I am working on my maiden novel which I have tentatively titled: 'Forgotten Legacy‘. Set in a fictional clan akin to where I come from in the heart of Lofa County, the story is knitted around the myths, conceited traditions, and intrigue attending to the life and times of the young protagonist who survives grave dangers to become a person of eminence among his people only to lose it all once again. Without giving away too much, I’d implore you to keep an eye out for this work by year’s end (hopefully).

As (God willing) I will be at work on my doctoral dissertation for most of 2016, writing for fun will not be a big part of the equation for a while following the publication of ‘Forgotten Legacy’.

 We have with us today a Liberian author, that literarilly has a story to tell. His first book is that story. Over that, he has stories to tell from his creative resevior. Welcome Nvasekie. Thank you for granting us this interview; it is much appreciated. I am sure that anyone who has read your book, The Land of My Father's Birth, know this but I will still ask;  Where do you come from? Tell us a little about you- your early childhood, upbringing, education.

      I was born and raised in Nimba County where I attended schools beginning with Traditional Quranic School, the Liberian Muslim Union School, then Johnny Voker Elementary School, Kpaytuo Public School and Johnny Voker High School in Saclepea, all in Nimba County. My post high school studies include Zion Community College in Monrovia in the early 90s prior to my travel to the US in 1995. I currently hold BSC in Comparative Literature with emphasis on African, African American and Carribean literatures.

LLR: What inspires you to write generally?

      As far back as in grade school, I have always been fascinated by written words, beginning with the Holy Quran, the Holy Book of Islam. When I read "Murder in the Cassava Patch" by Bai T. Moore, "Why No Body Knows When He Will Die" by Wilton Sankawulo, "Things Fall Apart," by Chinua Achebe and other writers, I thought that if I could read other people's stories, I too get stories to tell. The first time I ever showed someone one of my creative pieces of writing was 1989. Being a lover of music, I started writing first as a lyricist with the hope of becoming an artist.  I took couple of my lyrical poems to the late Clifford Flemister and he was quite impressed with them. He gave me an anthology of writings by the African American poet, Langston Hughes. Reading this great African American poet opened me to the African American literature where I read many of the writers of the Harlem Renaissance such as Claude McKay, James Weldon Johnson, Alain Locke as well as those of the Black Arts Movement such as Amiri Baraka, Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, Haki Madhubuti and many others.

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

      There are countless number of people from diverse backgrounds who have inspired me beginning with my mother and father, my traditional upbringing as a Muslim. In the area of literature I have been inspired by many writers including some of those named above. I draw great inspiration from music as well and some of the artists who have inspired me including Bob Marley, Alpha Blondy, Peter Tosh and a long list of others. In the area of Politics, I have been inspired by key figures in the universal African people's liberation struggle such as Malcolm X, Kwame Nkrumah, Sekou Toure, Thomas Sankara, Marcus Garvey, Nelson Mandela and many others. So you can see that I draw my inspiration from diverse sources.

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

      My first book is a collection of poems written about my experience from the Liberian civil war as well as nine years I spent in the US Navy. Both of these expereinces inspired my first book, "Going to War for America." These poems are about war, peace and love. My second book is "The Land of My Father's Birth," a memoir of the Liberian civil war. Unlike the first book, this one is a prose, a memoir. Thematically the two books are similar except that one is poetry and the other one is a prose.

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

      I always make sure I have some papers and pen to jut down ideas as they pop up in my head whether in the day or night. Sometimes I have to pull up if I am driving to jut down ideas on paper so I won't forget them. I don't have any specific time schedule for writing. It happens whenever I feel something and feel that it needs to come out, I make the time for it. I write poems, short stories but I also write commentaries on current political issues as well as write books reviews. I am a voracious readers, always looking for something to read. The more I read, the more I am inspired to write.

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

      Of course those will have to include Murder in the Cassava Patch, Why No Body Knows When He Will Die. Contemporary novels will include Behind God's Back by H. Boimah Fahnbulleh, Redemption Road by Elma Shaw, One Saturday in August by Prof. K. Moses Nagbe. I just read a memoir written by a fellow Liberian author, Prof. Momo Sekou Dudu, it's a beautifully written account of the Liberian civil war and migration to the US. Of course my own works but I can't be the one to make that call. My last book, The Land of My Father's Birth, has received rave reviews from many people, so that convinces me that it is a great contribution to Liberian literature, particularly Liberian war narratives.

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

      As a Liberian author, the advantage is that we are telling your own Liberian stories which is an honorable thing to do but if there is any disadvantage it is that we come from a society where there is no literary culture. Where works of arts is not given due regard, not being recognized or celebrated. So for those of us who are lovers of letters, it's a long arduous journey but we can't give up. We must continue to carry the torch, comes sun or rain. That's our contribution to the development of our country.

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?

      As writers and creative people we are all influenced by where we come from and as such my work is very much influenced by my Liberian experience of growing up and of course the war that has defined my generation of Liberians more than anything else.

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

     The greatest challenge for Liberian writers is the absence of a literary culture which inspires and promotes literary activities. In my recent remark at the launching of a book written by a fellow Liberian author, Prof. Momo Dudu, this is what I said with respect to literary culture: When I say literary culture, I mean a culture which celebrate works of arts and literature; where literature is truly valued and writers are celebrated for their works, be it novels, short stories, poetry, memoirs, or other works of non-fiction. A true literary culture is symbolized by literary awards on national and regional levels, book clubs, especially in schools, libraries where people can go and read books and other publications, book reviews in newspapers and magazines, book fairs etc. It is unfortunate that a country as old as Liberia there's none of such activities as enumerated above. That's the greatest challenge faced by Liberian writers.
    

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

      Whether there is a bright or bleak future for writing in the Liberian society depends largely on the Liberian writers themselves. At this moment, everyone is interested in himself or herself. There is no strong organization among Liberian writers where we promote each other's works. Some years ago, I came out with the suggestion of organizing ourselves as Liberian writers here in the US. The result was the Liberian Writers Network. We had Prof. K. Moses Nagbe, Ophelia Lewis, Robert Sesay, Stephanie Horton, the late Wilton Sankawulo. At some point Prof Sankawulo and Stephanie withdrew because they said they prefer working on their own than being part of a group. When they left, we kept going for a while but little by little everyone started going away and now we are back to everyone doing his or her own thing. All we have of the Liberian Writers Network now is a page on Facebook. At least in Liberia, the story of the Liberia Association of Writers is encouraging because they organize workshops at various schools, encouraging budding writers in various schools and of  course We Care Library is serving as a base for Liberian writers in Liberia. Who know some of the kids participating in the various workshops may write the greatest novels or short stories ever written by Liberians. When I spoke there the last time I was in Liberia, that was my message to these young people from the various writer clubs in high schools.

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

      Digital media is a great opportunity for writers everywhere. While the print media may be limited in term of circulation, or even while electronic media such as radio or TV may be limited, digital media has made the world one place where we are all able to follow development in nearby and far away places as well as share our own creativity with people everywhere. You could be living anywhere now and share your creativity and views with people everywhere. You can easily reach to audience outside of your own locality so easily because of digital media. It's a God-sent opportunity for everyone, including writers.

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

    I will consider E-book the same way as digital media, even though for me, I still like the physical books in my hand. I prefere it to E-books. On the other hand, I embrace the idea of self-publishing. Over the years, those people who are only writing for money and fame have looked down upon self-publishing, making it look like if you are not published by major publishing houses in New York, Paris, or London you have no right calling yourself a writer but such thinking is being challenged by success stories of many self-published writers. John Grisham comes to mind. For me I see writing as a duty and commitment to my cause of advocacy. There are people whose stories I have been telling since I started publishing articles in newspapers in Liberia in 1992 and those that have admired and supported my writing are in Africa, Europe, America and Australia. So we have reason to write and are not going to be sitting waiting for good luck of being published by these big name publishing houses. We have to tell our own stories for our own people. Even if we don't become famous for the rest of the world but if we are appreciated by our own people for telling their stories, that's where our success lies as writers.

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

Of course. Do whatever that good for you.

LLR: What advice would you give aspiring writers?

      Believe in yourself and don't give up no matter how tough the journey may be. There may be many nay sayers but you have to believe in yourself and always seek the opprtunity to improve the quality of your works.

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

      I have several projects I am working on now. Two books and a documentary. The books are collection of poetry, "The Love of Liberty Brought Us Together," and "Liberian Voices," a collection of book reviews and interviews with Liberian writers done over the years. I am looking forward to a busy summer between the US, Europe, and of course , Liberia when those projects will be launched. 

LLR: What character traits do your friends use to describe you?

      For the past 20 years since I have been actively writing and publishing articles on both electronic and print media and because of my active involvement in various community organizations and activities, many friends think of me as being inspiring, couragious, committed to whatever I want to accomplish. If you follow me on social media you may form your own impression of me based on my various activities and how people respond to me and what I post on social media. I feel like a real celebrity among my people because we draw our inspiration from our daily interaction with our people everywhere.

LLR: How would you describe yourself using five words? I know it is not much but… 

      In our culture, people frown on self-praise because we will always be positive when we have to describe ourselves to others. We may want to hide our shortcoming and deficiencies. So the best judge of who we are should be others.

LLR: What do you do for fun in your spare time?

     I read, listen to music, sometimes go to the movies, take my kids to the playgrounds or the malls, especially during the summer, as well as attend music concerts. I also do like to travel a lot. 

LLR: Tell your fans two things about yourself they don’t know about you.

       I am deeply religious personally and very conscious of doing the right thing but I dispaly a very strong liberal attitude towards others. I rarely watch TV nowadays, I catch all my news and infos from the internet or my car radio. Instead of flipping from chanel to chanel, I search from one website to another for news, information and entertainment.

LLR: Would you consider yourself a big-picture person or a detail-oriented person?

      Depends on situation or circumstances under consideration.

LLR: There's no right or wrong answer, but if you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be? What would you be doing?

      As a writer and cultural activist, I see myself as a global citizen and will certainly love to have the freedom to travel to as many places as possible. I will like to maintain constant presence in Liberia of course between Monrovia and Saclepea, my home town in Nimba County.

My last words for this interview: I thank you very much for undertaking this wonderful project for Liberian arts and culture. We need more of such efforts instead of everyone doing their own, thing thinking that he or she is better than others. We complain that our society does not promote literature but we are the ones that should be up and armed to show how our society should appreciate the creative efforts of its creative people. How many times do you see our "esteemed writers" leading efforts to promote or even talk about or promote other Liberian writers?

But on the bright side, I hope your efforts here can be a wake-up call for all of us to develop a group thinking in promoting the creative culture in our country. Once again, thank you very much for this effort.

LLR finally got hold of Berenice Mulubah US Who granted this interview. BM, I often call her is well known in the entertainment circle of Liberia. When she is not writing, she is an atcively blogging and radio presenting. She runs the C-Liberia Clearly website.

LLR: Tell us a little about you- your early childhood, upbringing, education.

I was born and raised in Harper city, Maryland Co, Liberia. I was raised in a Christian family. My grandfather was a Methodist preacher. Most of my family member worked with the Methodist as preachers or teachers. I attended Methodist school in Liberia. Moved to the United States in 1997, graduated Simon Gratz High school, Philadelphia. Moved to Missouri, attended Forest Park Community college for a year and the half, dropped out and joined the United States Marines in 2002 to present. I graduated from United States Staff Academy. I'm currently advancing my education.

LLR: What inspires you to write generally?

My inspiration generally comes from life experiences.

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

My family, my friends, King David and King Solomon from the bible, they were amazing writers. My daydreams as influence me, I spend more time in my head dreaming about a better world than I do hanging around in reality.

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

I took a creative photo of me jumping on a rock in my heels. The photographer was amazing, he capture me why I was in the air. I those who came across that picture was curious to know I how I landed in those heels. I said to myself, "Hmm, Landing Safely on a Solid Rock, great type for a book.".

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

I write to inspire others, I pick my topics based on what aspect of a human life I want to touch with my words. I like simple, easy to penetrate the heart and that's what I look at for. 

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

Finding Your Frequency by Saye Zonen. It is my favorite Liberian book because it is something different. Most Liberian writers write about politics, the war and social issues. Few writes about motivational stuff, fun stuff and just something that is not tense. This book is motivational and we need that.

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

Because of the world, we have had the opportunity to experience other cultures, the more cultural experience you have as a writer, the more advantage you have. 

The disadvantage, like everything else that relates to arts in Liberia, we lack support from our people.

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?

Liberia is a romantic country. I grew up right next to the ocean in harper. At night, I could hear the water beating on the rocks in Liberia and that expanded my imagination. I still use those images to create an imaginary world. Liberian writers have a bright future, especially for my generation. We are the blessed generation. Even though we missed a lot growing up because of the war, we are the generation responsible for rebuilding Liberia. How cool is that? We are going to be the pioneers for great writers to come. We have a great responsibility to be brilliant role models. Someday, kids are going to study our work.

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

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

Digital media is perfect for the fast pace generation that we are.

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

My first book is a self-publishing book, great opportunity for new writers but I rather have a publishing company do the dirty work for me. As for me, E-books are not my cup of tea. I enjoy reading the old school way.

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

I say, do your research and pick what best for you. 

LLR: What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Find your own voice and be yourself.

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

I'm working on another poetry book. I see some fun, inspiring novels in the near future.

This week, we are having a sitdown with author James Nyemah. He is the pastor and founder of Africa Faith Expression.. We want to know about you. What can you tell us about you- your early childhood, upbringing, education.

I was born in Monrovia unto the union of a high school girl and a run-away father. I was taken to Gbiso, Maryland County, one week later to live with my grandparents. I was raised by Ma Phebe of Gbiso and her husband Pastor Peter Nyemah - the two best people in the world to bring me up.

LLR: What inspires you to write generally?

The call to be a blessing to others greatly inspires me to write.  Beyond funny stories and life-changing sermons, something on the inside of me keeps pushing me to give out what has been deposited in me, something that can somehow make a difference in the world.

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

Ma Phebe of Gbiso and Pastor Peter Nyemah (my grandparents) have greatly influenced my life.  Ma Phebe taught me to have faith and believe that God can do anything and that each one must put off falsehood, come clean and follow God.  Pastor Nyemah taught me about education and hard work.  We are what we know and benefit from it; he clearly stated that 'no food for lazy man'.  Besides my grandparents, Dr. Dick Stafford of North Phoenix Baptist Church, Pastor Larrie Fraley of Christ Church of the Valley believe in me and helped establish the platform I perform on today.

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

Upon my return from a mission trip in Liberia where I planted two churches and did a lot of community work, the Lord began to deal with me about His place in our daily lives and in the world today.  Hence, the title of the book "Where is God?"; I discovered that knowing the place of God and acting upon it changes everything.  I preached it as a sermon back then; but couple of years later the same message began to weigh heavily upon me not as a sermon, but in multiple dimensions.  I frowned on the idea of a book at the time because I did not consider myself an author; but as time went by, I yielded and began to pen the words in a topical manner until it became what it is today.

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

I like simplicity.  I take time to think about what I want to say and begin to jot down points in a thematic approach on my phone or computer. I revisit those points over and over again and begin to relate them to each other.  Like from “Where is God?” I began “BORN TO TAKE CHARGE”.  In this dual, God and man have a responsibility; and that has become my focus.

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

“Rise, Redefining the Future of Liberia” by Magdalene Ayorkor Matthews. Besides knowing the author, she did an excellent work to discuss practical ways to move Liberia forward.  This involves education and empowerment of our youth and establishing sustainable developments.  It is a good read.

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

Because there are not that many Liberian authors, I believe our Liberian authors get can good publicity and less competition.  On the other hand, there is a big problem because many Liberians are illiterate so they would not be able to read the books, even many of the educated ones do not like to read.  We have to fight hard to sell our books to others.  It will be a hard sell.  In Liberia, there are not enough bookstores and distribution services.  Besides, people in Liberia cannot purchase books online because they do not have standard bank cards or credit cards; they can only pay cash for the most part.  And, books are bought generally during the launching program.

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

There are lots of themes in my books that stem from my association with Liberia.  The blessings and problems of Liberia form part in some areas in my books.  I believe writing is an open market in Liberia that will thrive.  Nevertheless, the government needs to protect authors and artists by establishing a copyright center.  And, I believe, with good promotion, the Liberian authors would be in better position to tell our stories than foreigners.

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

In Liberia, a writer does not have professional editors; besides this, a writer has to pay for everything up front out of pocket.  There are only a handful of bookstores nationwide with no branches or distribution services.  So it is very difficult to get the book into the hands of readers.  Outside Liberia, especially in the West, it is an opened field.  Every writer has equal opportunities yet it is a bit challenging because Liberians do not like to support Liberians.

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

I look forward to establishing a full service publishing company in Liberia in the near future.  Liberia is a great country.  I believe as we evolve as a nation and make progress, writing and publishing will be an attraction to international authors.

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

Digital media is everywhere and makes life easier; almost everything becomes accessible.  We must do our part to guide the process and find innovative ways to improve on current systems.

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

I love Ebooks. All my books will be Ebooks as well as hard copy.  They are easily accessible and quite cheaper.  I am not involved in self-publishing; I went the traditional route.  Whatever one picks, good promotion is definitely required. 

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

I will encourage every author to have Ebooks and hard copies to get every possible reader.  When it comes to self-publishing and traditional publishing, it is up to the author to choose what is best.  I know million dollar authors from both worlds; what matters is content and promotion.

LLR: What advice would you give aspiring writers?    

Write, rewrite and write!  Write your best, not just anything because your words have power.  Why authors need money, do not focus on money; write because you have passion and because you have something good the world should know and benefit from.

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

“BORN TO TAKE CHARGE” – Discover, Leadership, Purpose - is coming out this Spring!  My third book “POWER OF THOUGHT” – Unleashing the Power within – is underway.

About church and ministry

I am the senior pastor and founder of the church Africa Faith Expressions, which is based in Phoenix, Arizona and has three branches in Liberia.  I am also the founder and president of Missions Liberia (ml) a non-profit organization about leadership and community development.  I do leadership conferences across Liberia with 500 to 1000 pastors and community leaders.  We believe God for partnerships to run programs for youth, women, children, small business, education, among others to help rebuild Liberia.

We take this time to thank you for responding to our questions.  We appreciate it. We are optimistic we will see your next project out soon. We hope your ministry grows and that work you are doing bears fruit.

Thank you and have a blessed day.

Liberian Literatuure Review recently held an interview with Liberian author Lorriane S. Mason. She is a freelance writer, blogger and past contributing editor to the online magazines, US Africa and Time.

Good day Lorriane, it is good of you to answer our questions. I know that this was a bit rushed on you, but you found time to do this interview. We are grateful for that. 
 

 LLR: I am going strait for the throat here, lol. Who is this amazing woman that skillfully weaved the tales in the "Sassywood Man"? Tell us a bit more about you.  

The first part of my early childhood was spent in Marshall City, now a part of Margibi County.  There are many fond memories of that seaside town nestled between three rivers and the Atlantic.  Marshall was a close-knit community where everyone looked out for one another.  My values were shaped there.  It was there, too, that my early childhood education took form, attending the Rose Reeves’ Marshall Kindergarten School.

In the late 1960s, I moved to Monrovia with my mother where I enrolled into St Teresa’s Convent.  It was at St. Teresa’s that language and phonetics became a mainstay for learning and where I first delved into reading-spending vacations buried in books borrowed from the school library and exchanged amongst other avid readers.

LLR: What inspires you to write generally?

A major turning point was leaving Monrovia for Lofa County and the Lutheran Training Institute.  I would like to think that my inspiration for writing took root in that pristine village of Salayea.  Perhaps it was the serenity of the landscape, the distance from home, or the phase of life.  I wrote home often, enjoyed creating poetries for loved ones, and came to discover that doing research papers were a favorite pastime.  Another favorite pastime that often got me in trouble, was scribbling during class lectures.  An idea/thought would come to me and before long I’d lose myself in it and set adrift in a sea of contemplation. 

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

I especially enjoyed American literature...the likes of Washington Irving, Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Thomas Paine.  I would later come to appreciate Bai T. Moore’s Murder in the Cassava Patch and Achebe’s Things Fall Apart in early adulthood. 

LLR: Can you talk a bit about the inspiration for the Sassywood Man?

Sassywood Man was birth of an actual event witnessed in the early 1970s.  The phenomenon of that experience was obviously long-lasting; enough that I decided to put the proverbial pen to paper and share with a friend who urged me to share that which few city dwellers had been privy to witnessing.   And since I did not want to publish a single subject story, I selected a few other pieces in my repertoire of literary works.

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

The writing process!  I love to say that I live in my head and in the world around me.  My imagination is a constant flow.  Early on, before the advancement in technology, I would sleep with a notepad next to my bed and awaken at odd hours to write whatever ideas came to mind.   Similarly, there were ideas scribbled on notepads and sticky notes, strewn everywhere in my home waiting for the opportunity to be used.  The Blackberry was the best thing that happened to me.  Because then, I could consolidate my thoughts in one place and not have to deal with misplaced papers.  Although I am a license grief therapist and have a compilation of works in that area, I decided to pursue folklore as a way of sharing Liberia’s way of life with the relationships I’ve formed over the past 34 years of living in the United States.  It is imperative that we debunk the myths of who we are as a people.  And since my experience as a Liberian spans all social economic groups, it made sense that I’d speak to the issues.

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

I am a Liberian child of the 60s and 70s.  During that time, not many books were available for leisure indulgence.  I remember Elwood Dunn’s writings; but they were historical in nature.   Ultimately, I was given Bai T. Moore’s Murder in the Cassava Patch as a gift and a friend would later introduce me to the works of Wilton Sankawulo.   So in essence, those are two favorite folklorists.

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

As a Liberian author, I would wish that our works were more consolidated and received the national recognition they deserve.  I learned that school children in Liberia are using books written by Ghanaian and Nigerian writers.   I find that somewhat appalling, since there are many established and emerging Liberian writers to fill the gap…more than we’ve ever experienced as a nation.  One advantage is the opportunity to invite readers into a world-yet unexplored.

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?

My work is Liberia.  My fondest memories are all about Liberia.  My experiences might not have all been remarkable, but they are at the core of who I am.  Unless there is a collective effort to establish a network of Liberian writers, we will continue to operate on the fringes; writing for our own benefits-not as an amalgamation of literary force.

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

Most Liberians self-publish which is par for the course until we can achieve a certain readership and get picked up by a publishing house.  Our greatest challenge is standing in our own way.  It’s obvious that there is an impressive number of gifted Liberian writers who need only to continue to refine their skills…as do I.  Writing is a fluid skill-always in motion.  And as such, the more time put into it, the more astute we’ll emerge.

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

I cannot speak to the future of publishing in Liberia since I no longer live there.  I do hope we arrive at a place where we do not have to import writers from other countries to do our bidding; but invest in what we already have in place.

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

Digital media is a tool whose time has come.  It is convenient and provides quick and easy access to information-a necessary expediency.

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

Sassywood Man was self-published and is available as an Ebook.  I believe self-publishing allows writers, who would not otherwise be able to, to get their names in print.  The drawback to that is the quality of work can sometimes be lacking when writers fail to expend all the services available through self -publishing. 

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

I recommend both especially for first time authors.

LLR: What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Aspiring or not, writers should be readers.  “Read 10 books, write one,” I’ve heard some place.  It helps develop skills, vocabulary, and writing style.  If not a diploma(ed) creative writer, it’d pay to devour all the elements of writing, develop a style, commit to writing often, and find your voice.

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

 I am currently working on a picture book for girls called Who Will Speak for Me?  Who Will Speak for Me gives voice to situations in which young girls find themselves…daily.  The hope is to create awareness through a myriad of scenarios on safeguarding them against sexual abuse and rape without guilt.   Couple with that are other short stories trekking through parts of Liberia…outside of Monrovia. 

Thanks for the opportunity to be showcased and much appreciation for your tireless efforts in identifying and creating a consortium of Liberian writers.

Once again, we here at LLR really appreciate your participation in our projects. We look forward to working with you again.  

You can find Lorraine's book on Amazon and every major bookstore. She is on the following social media:
 

http://www.lorraineshermanmason.com/

https://twitter.com/mmwfoundation

Facebook: LORRAINE SHERMAN MASON (Author Page)

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SassywoodMan

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)