An Interview with Andre Mwansa

Andre Mwansa is our writer of the week and was kind enough to answer a few questions! If you'd like to ask him some yourself, you can find him here.

1. What is the first book that made you cry?

Haa! It’s strange, how I’ve never cried to a book before. Yes…I know 

Maybe nearly to tears, and that was after reading, ‘The Fault in Our Stars’

by John Green. I came to care so much about the characters that the ending

still hurts me.

2. Why do you write short stories? Do you explore other segments of writing?

They kinda remind me of life you know. Like, life is crazy funny and beautiful, but

short and that’s how I like my stories. I’ve written an 80 page novella though. Kind

of anyway ‘cause I only wrote half of the book and my colleague wrote the other

half.

3. Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Mmm…I’ve never being exhaust by writing. I think what would exhaust one from

writing is setting higher standards for oneself. So, I keep it simple and stick to what

I know and also I only write about the kind of books ‘I’ myself would read, so no

exhaustion at all. I enjoy writing them.

4. What are common traps for aspiring writers?

I think mostly it’s a lack of research and reading. I believe if you’re to be a great

writer, the number rule is to ‘read’ a lot.

5. What are your top three stories/books?

Ah! That would be, ‘The Old Man,’ ‘A Hollow Heart,’ and my newest book (Bart

& Jesse – a love story) co-written with an Australian author, Nicci Harris.

6. What is your writing Kryptonite?

I think my writing kryptonite would be me always trying to write a book better

than the last one? That always sets me off writing when I can’t find anything worth

writing about.

7. Have you ever gotten the reader’s block?

Yeah, yeah….a couple of times I would say. I’m very picky when it comes to the

type of books I read. But it happens mostly when I feeling a tad depressed and

can’t figure out why. During those days, I can’t even dare to touch a book. The

good thing is, recently, I have discovered a way to kick it off quickly. Like, picking

up something lighter. Say, a short storybook or a comic book, that always

does it for me. 

8. Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

Not really. It’s not like I’ve got the cutest of names, but not really. Lol.

9. Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

Original. Like I said earlier, I mostly write about stuff, that ‘I’ myself would love

to read and I always stick to the story. That way, I keep it original.

10. Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions

strongly?

No and Yes. It’s a two-way thing as it is something that develops the more one

practice writing, observing other people’s body language and expressions and from

reading. I say, you’re new to writing and can’t seem to capture the character’s

deep emotions…I’d say don’t quit…just read more and maybe try to use more of

your imagination. Something, I like calling, ‘putting yourself out there,’ like in the

character's position and over time…. It becomes natural.

11. What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a

better writer?

I’m friends with a lot. Should I name them? I’ll name them. Dora Miyato, Suzy

Stewart Dubot, Angela Hope, Nicci Harris, Melissa Szydlek, to name but a few.

I’m grateful to have these people as my friends, they always give me great

suggestions and ideas.

12. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Stop writing, your dream to make money out of it never came true. Haha! Just

kidding. I think I would tell him(me) to continue reading, it pays off eventually.

13. If writing was your job, what genre would you be in?

RomCom I guess  and a little bit of mystery and thriller. I like it when my

readers can’t guess the ending of a story.

14. Where do you get your inspiration?

Observing. I’m very good at observing. Also…shower thoughts. I highly respect those.