Shaleen Pic1. Tell us a bit about yourself. Are you a fulltime writer?

Writing has always been my passion and now with both my children in school I have more time for it. My current occupation is Property Developer – something that’s not very different from writing as they both involve creating something out of nothing.

2. When did you consider yourself a writer? What inspires your writing?

I have always loved to write. For years I used to go to Writing Workshops and Seminars and introduce myself as “The writer who has never written anything.” But it was only when my first book for children, “Baby Star”, was published in 2011, I began to consider myself a “real writer.”

3. How much impact does your childhood have on your writing?

I was an avid reader as a child; my love of books began at a very early age. While I was growing up there was no daytime TV in Kenya and I think this brought about a generation of ardent readers. I frequently draw on childhood events for inspiration. My short story “Packed Lunch” published in “All the Small Things” (United Kingdom) 2013 is based on an incident from my childhood.

4. Why did you enter the Golden Baobab prize? Were you surprised that you made the longlist?

I love children’s stories and so when I saw the announcement I couldn’t resist submitting something. I was extremely humbled and honoured to have made it onto the long list.

5. Do you only write for children? If so, why did you make that choice? If not, what else do you write?

I love writing for children. I have two daughters and I enjoy making up bedtime stories for them. I have also written several short stories and two romances! My latest work, which I hope will be published later this year, is a story for young adults and is part of Storymoja’s “Life Skills Series.”

6. What are your thoughts on children’s literature growth (or lack of) in Africa? Do you think there are enough children’s stories written by African writers for African children?

Recently there has been a whole lot of debate of what defines “African”. Is an African child one who lives in a hut in a rural village? Or is an African child one who lives in the city, wears jeans and converse shoes and they only thing she knows about the countryside is from what she has seen on TV? But whichever way you look at it, in my view there is a shortage of good children’s stories by African writers. It would be fantastic to see more stories in which children can identify themselves. I know that publishing houses like Storymoja are making a tremendous effort to promote African writing of world-class standards.

7. Which writer(s) do you admire?

This is a really tough question for me. I am a voracious reader and I love so many writers. Roald Dahl is one of my favourite authors of children’s books.

8. Do you have a writing schedule? What is your process like?

I write very sporadically, sometimes in huge bursts (usually when I have a deadline!) and sometimes not for weeks.

9. What advice would you give to a beginner writer?

To keep writing and then rewriting! And always believe in yourself.

10. What ambitions do you have for your career?

I would like to get better at my craft. This week I am beginning an online course, through Oxford University, entitled “Writing Fiction for Young Adults.” I am very excited about it as I’m sure I will learn a lot.

mwendeLiteratureNewsAfrican literature,children's literature,Golden Baobab Prize,Kenya,Shaleen Keshavjee
1. Tell us a bit about yourself. Are you a fulltime writer? Writing has always been my passion and now with both my children in school I have more time for it. My current occupation is Property Developer – something that’s not very different from writing as they both...