What inspires you to write?

Being an introvert I find my power and voice through writing. I am endlessly questioning things – what if, and it is through those questions that I find ideas and inspiration to write. It is in asking the hard questions that I create. Characters and words become a tool I use to articulate my experiences. 

Do you think there is a difference between a writer and an author?

Whether you call yourself an author or a writer, when all is said and done, these are just rented titles we take up and I personally do not see the difference between the two. Both use written words to communicate ideas or share stories – officially published or not. 

 What is it about the diaspora experience that made you want to contribute to this anthology?

The culture shock and discovering how easy it is to forget or lose yourself and your values once you move to the diaspora. A lot of people outside Africa are so ignorant to the smallest facts about the continent and this is partly because we have taken a back seat and allowed the hunter to narrate the lion’s story. It is in telling our own stories that we will perhaps begin to recover the parts of ourselves that we lost on the way and this anthology is one way of getting back those important parts of ourselves. 

How do you think your works in this anthology contribute to the history and future of the Zimbabwean dispersion? 

I believe my work is a step in the right direction towards getting back to our roots and finding those parts of ourselves that we lost on the way. 

Briefly describe your writing journey, from how you started to where you are today.

I cannot remember a time when I was not writing. Words have always been the equivalent to a best friend of sorts that allows me to create a world I want to be in. I used to ghost write love letters for my friends at school and back then I did not understand or realize the power words held. Thanks to people like Stephanie Kapfunde from Enthuse Afrika who saw my love for words and nurtured it. Currently I have a blog called Nashe Has Issues and I am also working on my first novel. 

How do you want your work to be remembered?

My idea is not to build a fan base or a loyal audience, but a community that strives on communicating and encouraging each other. I want to be remembered as someone whose writings provoked conversations that matter to my people. I want my work to inspire the much needed conversations.  Conversations that will make us better as a people.

Would you like to share anything about yourself to help your readers connect with you?

Being an introvert, for me writing is equivalent to a great friend and this way I get to bring out my points without someone else speaking over my voice. When not writing stories, I have a blog called Nashe Has Issues that I put some of my work and use as a platform to address and break African stereotypes. 

Who is your favourite writer and why?

I have always been a huge fan of John Grisham’s novels and have with me most of his works. Thanks to African Book tubers like Rudo Manyere who are constantly promoting African authors I am now discovering my love for African literature as well. Writers like Yaa Gyasi and Jennifer Mansubuga Makumbi have become some of the best writers whose works I love.

What are your future writing aspirations?

To one day soon, publish my own book.

 What is your biggest dream?

To create and be part of an Africa that supports its creatives, an Africa that allows its creatives to live off of their work and not need to get a ‘’regular job‘’ to make a living.

***

BRILLIANCE OF HOPE

Editors’ note on Flavian's 3 stories:

Power is an intriguing and thrilling story about a political asylum seeker. Pastor Mavhura, a former soldier in the liberation struggle is now seen as an enemy of the state because he is calling out their shortcomings. It gets him abducted and tortured to spill information on who is sponsoring his agenda. The collocation of dislocation to Mozambique during pre-colonial Zimbabwe vis-a-vis running away to South Africa in post-colonial Zimbabwe is an exceptional detail within a story where the intrinsic connection between politics and religion is well presented. 

Painted Feelings, a beautifully written love story layered with relatable issues affecting Zimbabweans and other nationalities living in the diaspora. It highlights an evolution of Africans breaking through generational barriers - the use of therapy, for instance, is not usually considered worthwhile back home. Exploration of the Gukurahundi genocide is necessary and intriguing - an issue that continues to divide Zimbabweans. A shocking revelation presents a conflict that might make or break a young couple’s relationship as they edge closer to their wedding.

My Father’s Shoes explores in multiple layers the burdens of following in your parents’ footsteps. The unfortunate dance with depression brings out superstitious views of bad spirits and their consequential power. This is a poetically presented tale of intergenerational trauma common in African families. The reluctance to address mental health issues, the habitual passing on of blame to things beyond our control. The imagery is exceptional and the story will resonate with many immigrants.