Ask the Author: Mokokoma Mokhonoana
Answered Questions (10)
Mokokoma Mokhonoana
I do not really have any.
Here is why I always refrain from answering that question:
Your question presupposes that I know more than you with regard to writing and/or being a writer or I know something about writing and/or being a writer that you do not know. Obviously, it is possible for you to know less than me with regard to the aforementioned, but even if that is the case, I—for me to give you advice that will be of value to you in particular—need to know what you know so I can know what it is that I know that you do not know … lest I omit what you do not know only to tell you what you know.
Here is why I always refrain from answering that question:
Your question presupposes that I know more than you with regard to writing and/or being a writer or I know something about writing and/or being a writer that you do not know. Obviously, it is possible for you to know less than me with regard to the aforementioned, but even if that is the case, I—for me to give you advice that will be of value to you in particular—need to know what you know so I can know what it is that I know that you do not know … lest I omit what you do not know only to tell you what you know.
Mokokoma Mokhonoana
Yes, it is.
Source/Book: N for Nigger (p. 160)
Source/Book: N for Nigger (p. 160)
Mokokoma Mokhonoana
Hi, it is from one of my books.
Source: "N for Nigger" page 219
Source: "N for Nigger" page 219
Mokokoma Mokhonoana
First thing first, I'm sorry for such an embarrassingly late reply. For some reason, I did not get notified when you made that enquiry. Anyway…
I get ideas from the mere acts of studying and observing human beings.
I get ideas from the mere acts of studying and observing human beings.
Mokokoma Mokhonoana
First thing first, I'm sorry for such an embarrassingly late reply. For some reason, I did not get notified when you made that enquiry. Anyway…
Although I have been writing for almost 8 years, I recently started (about 3 months ago) writing every single day — for at least 4 hours. That is the best decision I have ever made. Sadly, I used to write only when I felt like it, only when I felt inspired — worst decision I have ever made.
Anyway, the problem with waiting for inspiration is that you are unlikely to write regularly, even if you have a billion ideas and a million stories that you want to turn into books and essays.
What inspired that decision? An essay, "On the Shortness of Life," by Seneca and a book, "Daily Rituals," by Mason Currey.
I have shared a few extracts from that essay and that book on this website of mine: http://highlightsandnotes.com (feel free to browse if you have the time and the desire).
Although I have been writing for almost 8 years, I recently started (about 3 months ago) writing every single day — for at least 4 hours. That is the best decision I have ever made. Sadly, I used to write only when I felt like it, only when I felt inspired — worst decision I have ever made.
Anyway, the problem with waiting for inspiration is that you are unlikely to write regularly, even if you have a billion ideas and a million stories that you want to turn into books and essays.
What inspired that decision? An essay, "On the Shortness of Life," by Seneca and a book, "Daily Rituals," by Mason Currey.
I have shared a few extracts from that essay and that book on this website of mine: http://highlightsandnotes.com (feel free to browse if you have the time and the desire).
Mokokoma Mokhonoana
First thing first, I'm sorry for such an embarrassingly late reply. For some reason, I did not get notified when you made that enquiry. Anyway…
I have about 4 books and 4 essays that I'm sort of writing. Although I focus on one book or essay at a time, once in a while I add a sentence or paragraph to one or two of the essays and books I plan on focusing on (one by one, as I've said) once I have published the book or essay that just had my almost undivided attention.
PS: A few hours ago I published an essay titled, "The Selfish Genie."
I have about 4 books and 4 essays that I'm sort of writing. Although I focus on one book or essay at a time, once in a while I add a sentence or paragraph to one or two of the essays and books I plan on focusing on (one by one, as I've said) once I have published the book or essay that just had my almost undivided attention.
PS: A few hours ago I published an essay titled, "The Selfish Genie."
Mokokoma Mokhonoana
First thing first, I'm sorry for such an embarrassingly late reply. For some reason, I did not get notified when you made that enquiry. Anyway…
Try your best to be you. That is, of course, effortless (all you have to 'do' is 'be' yourself) yet extremely difficult (it's difficult, impossible for most, to make a living as an artist without telling people exactly what they want to hear).
In short, be inspired by whomever inspires you the most, but resist the temptation to mimic them (their subject matter, style of writing, etc.). For you cannot be a better [insert any writer's name] than [that writer], regardless of how much you know more than them or how superior your writings are to theirs.
Try your best to be you. That is, of course, effortless (all you have to 'do' is 'be' yourself) yet extremely difficult (it's difficult, impossible for most, to make a living as an artist without telling people exactly what they want to hear).
In short, be inspired by whomever inspires you the most, but resist the temptation to mimic them (their subject matter, style of writing, etc.). For you cannot be a better [insert any writer's name] than [that writer], regardless of how much you know more than them or how superior your writings are to theirs.
Mokokoma Mokhonoana
First thing first, I'm sorry for such an embarrassingly late reply. For some reason, I did not get notified when you made that enquiry. Anyway…
Once I have an illusion, or a collection of illusions, I'd like to expose if not shatter, I try to arrange the major opinions and/or facts I have with regard to the subject or subjects of the book into chapters, and then I confront one of the most challenging literary endeavors: writing a page—the very first of the book (excluding the introduction, of course)—that will leave me with enough pride and excitement to fight whatever obstacles that lie ahead.
Once I have an illusion, or a collection of illusions, I'd like to expose if not shatter, I try to arrange the major opinions and/or facts I have with regard to the subject or subjects of the book into chapters, and then I confront one of the most challenging literary endeavors: writing a page—the very first of the book (excluding the introduction, of course)—that will leave me with enough pride and excitement to fight whatever obstacles that lie ahead.
Mokokoma Mokhonoana
Hi Michelle,
First thing first, I'm sorry for such a reply, which is probably no longer necessary. For some reason I did not get a notification when you made that inquiry.
Anyway, that aphorism is published as follows, "Needs are imposed on us by nature. Wants are sold to us by society." (slightly different to what you quoted), in my third book titled, N for Nigger (page 245).
Again, I apologize for such an embarrassingly late reply.
One Love :)
First thing first, I'm sorry for such a reply, which is probably no longer necessary. For some reason I did not get a notification when you made that inquiry.
Anyway, that aphorism is published as follows, "Needs are imposed on us by nature. Wants are sold to us by society." (slightly different to what you quoted), in my third book titled, N for Nigger (page 245).
Again, I apologize for such an embarrassingly late reply.
One Love :)
Mokokoma Mokhonoana
I stop writing.
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