Interview with ERNEST MAKULILO
Published 2013-09-08.
What are you working on next?
Currently working on the following projects
BOOKS: The Scholarship Guy: a memoir
Scholarship Opportunities in America and Europe: The Secret From Makulilo
Broken Dreams
230lbs to 130lbs (Weight Loss Decision)
The Benedikt Factor
AUDIO: Scholarships for International Students (series)
Ask Makulilo (FAQ on Scholarships)
What is your writing process?
For me, first thing is thinking. When I'm in such situation I usually take some hints on the subject matter. Later start to develop ideas in my head, and slowly put into paper.
Now I purchased the Dragon software, so I just write some points and I only talk dragon types for me
What do you read for pleasure?
I like reading true stories books. I want to learn some other people's challenges, success etc rather than imaginary world all the time. Books like Gifted Hands, Blind Side, Stolen Life, Dreams from my father etc are some of what I like to read. This is the reason The Scholarship Guy book is a memoir.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I was born and raised in Tanzania, East Africa. My cultural, family, religion, education...now American life all these have greatly impacted my writing. It's not one thing to influence.
Example: The Benedikt Factor book which is in last stages of writing...been influenced by my son who is 2.5 years old. I was writing him letters in every special occassion of his life like birthdays, independence, baptism. Also how has influenced me to lose weight (100lbs) to join the Navy and be a better person. So that book is not where I grew up, rather who is inside my life to influence me
When did you first start writing?
I officially started writing in 2011 after graduating with my Master's in Peace and Justice Studies from the University of San Diego. I decided to develop my research into a scholarly article
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Smashwords is where I published my first work...Thanks. From there I started writing more and more
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
First of all...You dont need to be Steve Jobs to write something about yourself. Every person has a unique story which needs to be shared. The greatest joy is when you put your story or something you mostly like into papers and turn to be a book. Even though you dont sell...at the end it gives you the joy and happiness. You leave a legacy to the next generation
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Family time and work. I'm not full time writer...so I have other professional work to do and taking care of my family
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
I dont recall as first story I wrote...but something which I wrote and letter brought a story to write was my first letter to my son titled You are the reason, Benedikt. It was a very special letter to my son on his 1st birthday
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
Dreams from my father has a great lesson. It impacted me in such a way not to wait until my child to find a dream through me...I have to be with my children all time, helping their talents and discover their own dreams.
The happiest moment to a person is when you reach your dream..whether big or small
What's the story behind your latest book?
In Tanzania, there is a high rate of Albino Killings. The killings are associated with witchcraft and racism. The eradication of such killings has become a very difficult and complicated process. The absence of witchcraft law and policy, lack of government readiness, increasing racism on cultural sphere (“we” and “they”), to mention a few make prevention methodologies to fail and ultimately increase of the killings. It is until and when all these are addressed and “fixed”, albinos in Tanzania will be safe.
The characteristics of witchcraft beliefs and practices as well as effects to socio-economic and political affairs of the country are important issues in the ongoing killings. The most dangerous effect of witchcraft identified so far is albino killings (murder) for “get-rich-quick conceptions”. This provides challenges to anti-witchcraft measures in Tanzania especially in the legal point of view.
If Martin Luther King Jr., wakes up today, he will die right away for the shock for what is happening to albinos in Tanzania in the 21st century. While King Jr., was fighting for civil rights in America, in Tanzania is beyond equal rights. Not only albinos are segregated with social norms and system, are now hunted and killed. Worse enough is their body parts are taken and sold in black market on witchcraft belief. .
This research article (One chapter article) is calling for attention of the International Community to protect rights of our fellow human beings. And those who are responsible to protect albinos as well as murderers should face justice for their actions.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.
Books by This Author
Ph.D. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR AFRICANS IN THE UNITED STATES
by ERNEST MAKULILO
There is a vast difference between the United States of America and the rest of the world when it comes to admissions and scholarships for Ph.D. Studies. Thousands of students from Africa and other Developing Countries are mostly used with application processes and scholarships for Ph.D. in Europe. This book, therefore, provides the guideline for those who want to get admissions and scholarships.
ALBINO KILLINGS IN TANZANIA: Witchcraft and Racism?
by ERNEST MAKULILO
In Tanzania, there is a high rate of Albino Killings. The killings are associated with witchcraft and racism. The absence of witchcraft law and policy, lack of government readiness, increasing racism on cultural sphere (“we” and “they”), make prevention methodologies to fail and ultimately increa
