Experience
Mr. Fortunes:
Greetings Madam Brenda Mhlanga. It is a great pleasure having you this noon as we celebrate along with you the success and birth of your new book. What is the title of the Book you published and is it a Novel or Poetry
Miss Brenda:
TAUGHT BY EXPERIENCE…..ITS A MOTIVATIONAL BOOK
Mr. Fortunes:
Interesting. When was it published?
Miss Brenda:
31 June this year
Mr. Fortunes:
I’ve just been stealing an eye on your book cover which somehow raked my breath and connecting from our previous conversation, when did you start writing? And I’m sure the world is curious to the motivation behind TAUGHT BY EXPERIENCE:
Miss Brenda:
I started writing when I was in form Six.
Ok yeah the book cover is a compilation of many things but alone it speaks on its own………
I chose green because it is a colour of hope to affirm that nomatter what happens in our lives hope is there. Then White denotes experiences. All colours mixed together forms white which is bright and beautiful so whatever that comes in your life, pain or happiness must blend in to make something beautiful…… The watch then denotes time. Experience comes with time and healing also comes with time.
Ok, the motivation behind the book sterns from my life experiences. As child with albinism l experienced a lot of pain growing up. l was segregated by my own family which I was painfully trying to remember growing up, gaining exposure and learning to even life myself l discovered that self love is the only way to go further in love as it comes with esteem and confidence. So Now l am confident I can go anywhere without looking down upon myself BUT my other peers with albinism needs to know how to navigate life and still be confident….so l wrote the book to empower them….and in case they lack self esteem, how to build back and stand the ground
Mr. Fortunes:
Thank you for reverting Madam Mhlanga. This is a very common yet gruesome phenomenon especially in an ever discriminatory society where the majority fails to appreciate the essence of humanity in it’s all versions. And the explanation of the Book title is very clear now that the author herself has unveiled it. In life we go through a lot, but I liked most how you turned your experiences into a document in quest to inspire others.
So how long did it take you to finish this whole book?
Miss Brenda:
At first I just thought I was documenting my life in a diary till l met someone who has a nearly similar story with mine…so l thought maybe l can help a soul from form 6 till part 3 so thats something like 4 years.
Mr. Fortunes:
Wow! That’s sounds like you had dedicated yourself towards this cause. I a’m trying to understand how was the feeling when you first published this book. Considering that a lot of writers who have same bitter stories to tell but because they live in a society which is quick to judge and point fingers, they’re scared to write and publicize their works in fear of what the family would say or what friends would think about them. Did you ever come across such a situation? If so, how did you manage to navigate in such a storm?
Miss Brenda:
Kkkk the feeling was mixed ….l still have my interview on the book launch in audios…l can share with you if that is fine with you
Mr. Fortunes:
Yes ofcourse, I would surely love that. So tell me madam, after the publication of your book, what was the reaction of your family members and friends especially those who were dissociating you initially?
Miss Brenda:
Yeah I am personally one of those guys you know (laughs), my story has a part that speaks a bit about issues around my birth which is a family issue…at first I didn’t want my family members to see my book (laughs) but later l told myself that even if it’s not too good to them but for my book to reach out people should be motivated from the truth. Now l discovered that it was my fears only…the family now take that as a lesson because I was actually their first experience of a child with albinism.
Mr. Fortunes:
You really broke through and I can relate how it was. Similar to my case where I used to write and hide my Writings under the bed for a very long time. So from what you’re saying… It’s all about telling the truth that sets free and listening that inner you who keeps saying JUST DO IT! your story is very inspirational and I am sure one person somewhere in the world will find strength from your conquest.
So madam tell me this; apart from drawing your Inspiration from life experiences, who is your role model?
Miss Brenda:
Am so much inspired by motivation from Mitchelle Obama and the late Dr Myles.Munroe…..l can say their messages always straight to the point and speaks direct to my heart
Mr. Fortunes:
It’s been long indeed and we thank God for the fallen Angels who showed you the other brighter side of the tunnel. So since then you have been Writing and Writing?
Miss Brenda:
(Laughs) usually when motivation hits
Mr. Fortunes:
From this you say: when motivation strikes, you normally write well when something motivates you to pen down something?
Are you currently working on something else or you have stopped since you are at school?
Miss Brenda:
These days I am not really serious on something else but whenever I find inspiration l am writing poetry. Though am really a baby in poetry l hope one day lwill speak a lot through poetry. I always pray… even if it’s for one person let them find the book in the right time
Mr. Fortunes:
And with energy in marketing the book, the world over should gulp from the packed message contained therein. I like how you explore these Literary avenues. One day you’ll be there.
Miss Brenda:
Yep …. for that book yes….
Mr. Fortunes:
There’s this saying which says real writers do not wait for inspiration for them to write, they just do it. What’s your take on this notion?
Miss Brenda:
I don’t have any questions with the saying… actually l feel like I must also try it … this one being my first book and l really didn’t know much about writing is actually something that I should learn from…
Mr. Fortunes:
During Publishing process, did you face any challenges? If yes, how did you overcome them?
Miss Brenda:
I think the only challenge that I really faced was finances …. which prolonged the process.
Mr. Fortunes:
A lot more people are quickly to publish their works, and get demotivated along the way when they harvest less than what they invested in their publishing process. What insights can you give to a newly published Author so that they enjoy their royalties because I understand we write to inspire and entertain, but we can’t run away from the fact that we need money.
Miss Brenda:
(Laughs) personal at this stage l think I need that motivation…..But what I can say is when writing your book u must know your target audience….so that u won’t waste energy in trying to sell a book to the old when it actually belongs to ama2000
Mr. Fortunes:
There’s someone out there who wish to get hold of TAUGHT BY EXPERIENCE, how best can they access the book , both local and abroad readers?
Miss Brenda:
Right now The book is readily available in Harare and soon Bulawayo Zimbabwe….but l was still consulting on how to publish online
Mr. Fortunes:
As a published Author, where do you see yourself in the next coming 10 years in the Literary industry?
Miss Brenda:
My desire is to advance and invest in myself so that in 10 years time my voice will be louder and people will know me as a reliable a source of motivation from my books
Mr. Fortunes:
What a visionary. As long as you dream it, you’ll achieve it.
Any words you would give to other people who wish to be writers like you?
Miss Brenda:
Sit down and write your mind on paper, corrections will always be made whilst on paper….no one can write something perfect in one sitting and there is no right time to write but now is the best time.
Mr. Fortunes:
I like this perspective. So that’s where most people get it twisted because they always want to wait for that rightful time to start writing. So was the book launched physical or virtual?
Miss Brenda:
It was virtual. I opted virtually because of financial constraints.
Mr. Fortunes:
It’s good because nomatter the obstacles you managed to sail through
And we hope the book will penetrate the market countrywide very soon
Miss Brenda:
Yeah plans are that it must be fast
Mr. Fortunes:
While we are getting to the tail of our conversation, I am sure one after going through our conversation would be left asking him/herself who this Brenda really is. Could you please tell the world who this phenomenal woman is?
Miss Brenda:
BRENDA MHLANGA is a young self motivated young lady from Chipinge ZIMBABWE persuing her first degree in Forest Resources and wildlife Management with NUST . She is a climate change activist who found herself volunteering with Environmental Buddies Zimbabwe, an organisation that advocates for tree planting to reduce the effects of climate change and she also advocates for the rights of people with disabilities as a volunteer with FREEDOM TO THE DISABLED PEOPLE IN ZIMBABWE (FDPZ) The young lady is also the current community leader for the people with disabilities in her community .
She is always quoted saying ” Advocating for trees is advocating for the disabled , with the rise in temperatures and heat waves people with albinism especially are the most vulnerable so planting a tree is saving an albino child from cancer”.
Brenda is also the author of the book *taught by experience* which is based on her true story as a child with albinism and is dedicated to the albinism community especially to motivate the young growing kids who might find themselves in such situations.
Brenda believes that being different is not an excuse for failure but its an opportunity to prove to the world that we can do it also.
Mr. Fortunes:
What a powerful and packed profile! Otherwise, it has been a great pleasure interacting with you madam Mhlanga. We hope you will be one of those who will stand to tell the tales of history. Continue reviving Zimbabwe Literature.
Miss Brenda:
Thank you a lot, your support keeps us afloat. And I would also like to thank you more for the patience to listen and follow my story….to me having people who can listen like this is a great honour even before it gets to the next person.
Mr. Fortunes:
You are more than welcome dear writer extraordinaire, stories should save lives. I am more than honored for such accolades. God bless you and your family. And we enjoyed having you in the Session.
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