INTERVIEW: CLARITY AND DUALITY IN THE FANTASTICAL REALM

 

My interview from the James Currey Prize series via Africa in Dialogue and the probing Davina Philomena Kawuma. Though 'Bones & Runes' didn’t win (congrats to Ani Kayode Somtochukwu!), things are afoot with the manuscript…📖❤️ 

The interview process was really enjoyable and I learned a lot about my own process through Davina's questions.

Stephen’s manuscript, ‘Bones & Runes’, explores traditional African beliefs, mythology, and the supernatural through the points of view of iSangoma, a Druid, and a Hindu Warrior-Magician.

Stephen discusses how documentary filmmaking helps him write persuasive fiction, social-media-induced anxieties, stream-of-consciousness ranting, conversations with Sangomas, the importance of listening to our ancestors, a lifelong fascination with birds – he even takes a secondhand potshot at my favourite birds, but (miraculously!) emerges unscathed (hooray! hurrah!) – and serving up real-world situations and emotions for his fictional characters.

– DAVINA PHILOMENA KAWUMA 

Read the full interview here.