Interview with Tshegofatso Maine

Published 2020-08-04.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I was born in a village called Dryharts around Taung in the North West province, which is situated alongside the international route(N18). It maddened me a lot because of the society I grew up in, the lack of literacy, opportunities and the lack of reading and writing. Having a lot of unpublished work brought some certain insecurities of undermining my ability, but that didn't finish me up, I asked myself a question “Why not me?”. I started reading books and also writing poems in Setswana. The love of writing grew bigger as time went on.
When did you first start writing?
I started writing at a very young age when I was still in primary school. I think I was 8-9 years of age.
What motivated you to become an author?
As I was growing up I realized that there was a minimum number of young published authors especially in our African languages. I decided to make pen and paper my friends and seek for creative writing opportunities like this one of Via Afrika.
What is your writing process?
Reading and writing tend up to be my favourite hobbies. Every time I grab something to read it becomes a motorbike which drives me to my pen, I immediately start creating stories on my head and jot down points on how to structure my own story. Even though most of my work is unpublished, my writing process Is coming up so well.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote? What was it about?
The story was about experiencing difficulties and parenting at a young age because of death. Katli was the main character and she was the first born at her home. Katli's father left her mother after impregnating her with the two unborn twins. After his departure her mother was suffering with a chronic disease(heart attack) and she died. Katli had to leave school and look after her siblings until they went to the pre-school. The girl went back to school and passed with flying colours. She pursued her studies and changed her family background.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Writing accelerate a positive change in how I see things and how things should be done. Visualizing things in a certain way, playing and manipulating words is what grabs my readers attention and entertain them to read more of my pieces.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
It was an English novella for youth which my teacher gave me as a surprise to enjoy reading. The book which was written by a well- known author Prof. Zakes Mda. The book made me realize that despite the background of other people, if you intend to make a difference by having faith you will make a difference. I am now quite assertive like one of the authors in the book because it brought about change in my life.
What are your five favourite books, and why?
Social media platforms. It allows my work to go viral and be shared as many times possible even though the work was not published. My favorite books are: Ntlhomole mmutlwa, Leba seipone, Melville 67, Mmualebe, Dreaming of light. These books shows a great transformation from one level to the other and the language displayed is also magnificent.
What do you read for pleasure?
Short stories, Drama and newspapers.
What do your readers mean to you?
They mean the world to me, they deserves an ovation. Their demands motivates and inspires me to read and write more.
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Books by This Author

Ke Na Le Bokgoni
Price: Free! Words: 4,140. Language: Tswana. Published: August 3, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Cultural & ethnic themes » Cultural interest, general
Rotlhe re a itse gore Ramasedi ga a re abela ditlhaloganyo ka go lekana e bile ga re tshwane re le batho.Re kopana le moeka wa dingwana di le someamabedi tharo yo e saleng a tsena sekolo kgale fela ga a bone phetogo kgotsa pharologano ya dipholo ngwaga le ngwaga, moeka o dula a itlhophere a ipotsa gore totatota ene o sekisetswang mo lefatsheng.