nilichoandika

Updates on the writing, reading and social life

April 10th, 2021
So, the Corona Virus is still here and the only person who seems to be gaining more during this period, somehow happens to be borrowing money drowning a nation in debt and I’m all sorts of angry and disappointed, forgive my inability to punctuate my frustration.

Well, hello, so I have been trying my best to stay healthy, eat right, drink lots of water, keep my thoughts positive and it’s taking a toll on me.

On reading: I am reading a lot and buying more books, like this dandy collection I got yesterday.

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On writing: I have three writing projects that have been causing me sleepless nights and two have been on hold for the longest time as I work hard on the final piece, a story The Adventures of Kiti and Kata, for Oaks & Crown Leadership Program.

Here are some awesome blogs that I have been irresistible company this week:
- SuckerforCoffe
- Nanjalawrites
I am also loving the thought-provoking and honest conversations by Dr. Wandia Njoya on the YouTube Channel, Maisha Kazini.

And then let’s just say that I have always been drawn to Korean Drama from the very first time I watched Boys Over Flowers, so imagine coming across such a vast collection on Netflix! I absolutely swooned over and enjoyed every bit of Tale of the Nine Tailed and now, I am watching Goblin: The Great and Lonely god.

I am drawn to mythical creatures and anything that involves a tale or legend will have me looking not once but twice, and if it’s good enough, then I’ll watch it. This however still stumps me because for some reason, I am not loving the Chinese production, based on the book, The Ghost Bride as much as I truly wished I could.

All in all, I am taking each day, each moment as it comes. Have a great weekend!
Dear Sir

April 8th, 2021

I hope this finds you

utterly bothered, restless,

unsettled,

anxious…I hope it sets your veins ablaze,

So your dear heart may restart.

Or maybe it burns the ice that preserves your heart.

Dear Sir,

I hope you…

Forget it!

I just wish you’d live on your terms,

Not the world’s.

Sincerely,

True.

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Tender

April 4th, 2021

I got flowers today,

a gift from my soul to my body,

white roses.

I got flowers today,

and the sun came with them,

my heart is full,

it is tender.

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Answers

March 30th, 2021

I thought I owed you,

‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’

‘Where are you going dressed like that?’

‘Who is he?’

‘When are you coming over?’

‘Can I buy you a drink?’

‘Will you take minutes?’

‘Could you listen to them?’

‘When will you have kids?’

‘Why aren’t you married?’

I truly thought I owed you,

So, I walked while looking over my shoulder,

Kept the memory of your hands, body on me, hidden,

a gift to the demons that plague me.

I thought I owed you,

ANSWERS.

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Requests

March 27th, 2021

I asked for time,

You wanted to dine.

I asked for time,

You asked why,

Is it worth a dime?

So, I watched you squirm, watched you act like you were building a castle.

I watched you tell everyone we were okay.

I watched you remind the world that:

“he who finds a wife…”

Wife?

I asked for time and when you closed in on what I had,

I left.

Now, here I am listening to the sound of the fridge, reaching out for my phone as it charges,

Counting the many ways I tried to show you,

Love, what seemed like a minute request to you, was an eon of freedom,

to breathe, think, question, re-align, mold, challenge,

every fibre of my being.

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Still

March 25th, 2021

We will find a place,

A shelter from the world,

From the likes, comments, tweets, retweets, re-posts, screenshots.

A world where you and I,

Dwell in solace.

We will find a place,

Where you and I would be,

Still.

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Conversations

March 24th, 2021

Dear Stardust,

How are you?

How does the sun look like where you are?

Is she bright yellow up above you, or tangy orange as she travels home? How does she look like?

And you?

How do you feel right now?

I spend my days writing these letters to you, talking to you the best way I can, using what I have.

Sometimes, I feel like I could pour my heart on paper more than on a device.

The internet never forgets.

I want you to behold my handwriting, to see how I slant my consonants, hide my vowels…

Stardust, I guess I just have better conversations with you when there is a pen and paper between us.

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Eight Letters to a Young Writer by Teju Cole

March 23rd, 2021
Writing like every other art, takes time and I have always yearned to know how to write better, sell better and inspire other writers as well. So when I came across a recommendation on Scribd, Eight Letters to a Young Writer by Teju Cole I had to read it.

What started out as a weekly column grew into this small booklet full of wisdom, that draws from the African experience and love for story telling. Teju writes on eight key areas that he’d love Aburo, the young writer to focus on and these are: Simplicity, Freedom, Voice, Inwardness, Artistry, Home, Interviews and Fearlessness.

So, I’ll share my favorite insights:

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1. Keep it simple. There is no need to use big words when a simple word could do.
2. Avoid adverbs; like seriously!
3. Read! Read more than you write. And my absolute favorite part was when he said, “Read slowly, like someone studying the network of tunnels underneath a bank vault in preparation for heist. What can you steal from the techniques of masters?”
4. Rely on observation– your environment is interesting for its own sake. To achieve this, keep a journal, carry a notebook and write daily.
5. Be courageous, nothing human should be far from you.
6. Continue to fail better-it is wise to keep writing, to keep improving, learning and connecting with other writers and grow in your skill.
Mr. Cole went ahead and made his work public hoping to inspire more young writers like me and I’ll share the same work here for you to read as well.

Have a great week and keep writing!
Adorn

March 22nd, 2021

You,

You are like a wave,

swift, resilient, powerful, refreshing,

To be conquered by none but yourself.

So, here I stand, unhinged

Do as you wish,

Destroy me only if it means that you’ll let me adorn you with love.

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If

March 10th, 2021

I am not this person,

I just enjoy playing her once in a while.

So, if you, my love are truly sorry,

Then let your remorse be accompanied by a book,

Or books.

I could plant a garden of flowers,

So, no more red roses or white roses,

Say ‘sorry’ and add ‘I got you this!’

My love, if…if truly you are sorry,

Then do as you wish, and hope that I’m pleased.

If…

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