In this edition, Liza Chuma Akunyili speaks with Chipo Chama. He is a Zambian creative who strongly believes writing is the best way to preserve and communicate the present to the future generations to come. ‘If you don’t write it, time will erase it’.
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Hi Chipo,
It is such a pleasure to meet you. As I prepared for our tet-a-tet, I couldn’t help getting excited about today.
How are you doing? Tell me how your day is going
Hi Liza, thank you for having me. I’m doing great, and I hope you are as well. Interestingly, my day has taken a turn for the better after a chaotic morning. Maybe this interview is just the thing to brighten up my day!
Awwwn. That’s so lovely to know. Nothing makes the evening more restful like knowing you have no carry-over chaos. I’m glad.
Let us talk about you.
I love your name Chipo Chama M. What does it mean? Because a lot of Zambians have the same name and I got curious.
I should actually mention that the ‘M’ stands for Moono, so my full name is Chipo Chama Moono. I am a child of an inter-tribal union; my mother is Bemba and my father is Tonga. ‘Chipo’ means ‘gift’ in my father’s language, and ‘Moono’ is a clan name derived from the name of a traditional fishing basket called ‘Moono’, from my father’s side too. On my mother’s side, ‘Chama’ is a name that I haven’t yet found a direct meaning for, but in other translations, it’s said to mean ‘intelligent’ or ‘sharp’.
So, you are essentially a sharp gift! I totally could work with that. Consider the intelligent work you’ve been doing in the creative space; I think your name tracks.
Tell me: When did you first fall in love with creative writing?
My passion for creative writing began to take shape in high school, where I was inspired by my teacher of English through composition assignments. However, my love for words and language started much earlier, as I fondly remember reciting poems and memory verses during Sunday school meetings as a child. Although I wasn’t able to write my own pieces back then, those early experiences laid the foundation for my future interest in writing.
Considering how tough composition was for some students and how difficult memorizing for recitals usually are, what made you explore that love?
As an ambivert, my extroverted side only emerges when I’m with people I’m comfortable with or in situations that require me to be outgoing. Memorizing; reciting verses and poems covered up my shyness, I felt free and at ease whenever an opportunity to speak was presented.
I’m mostly an introverted person. Engaging in creative writing has been incredibly beneficial for me, as it allows me to share my thoughts, fears, and aspirations. You see, from those composition days, every piece I create is inspired by one of the following: my personal experiences, surroundings, inner conflicts, or opinions on specific topics. I find that writing is the most effective way for me to communicate with the world and express myself, far more so than if I were to be placed in the spotlight on a stage.
Oooh! I think every writer can relate with communicating effectively through their writing. When you’re upset or excited, do you write letters to people (on a personal level)?
When it comes to personal expression, I don’t typically write letters to others, even when I’m feeling upset or excited. However, I do have a unique approach to processing my emotions. When I’m overwhelmed, I channel my feelings into poetry. Most of my poetry pieces are infused with strong emotions that I’m trying to convey. Writing has always been my go-to venting strategy when I struggle to express myself verbally.
That makes perfect sense. If you could start your writing career from the beginning, what would you do better this second time?
I would publish my first book that I wrote while I was in primary school. I think that would be great. But learning more about the craft can be the path I would take.
That’s interesting. You sound very sure of this book. Did you have a book idea in primary school and what would the book have been about?
That’s an interesting question! While I didn’t have a fully formed book idea in primary school, I can recall a spark of inspiration. If I were to write a book back then, it would have been about my childhood experiences. The title might have been “She Still Cares”, which reflects the unwavering love and support my grandmother showed me despite my mischievous behavior. She played a significant role in raising me, and I’m grateful for her influence. Looking back, I realize that my childhood was a defining period that shaped me into the person I am today.
Oooo! We love Grandma already. Send out love to her. Your latest book has a phenomenal title: Behind the jokes and stories. What inspired the anthology?
I believe that we are acting about 90% of the time when we’re around others, rarely showing our true selves. This is the idea behind my title “Behind the Jokes and Stories”. Even when we share stories and jokes, there are often deeper, more personal stories that remain hidden, known only to the individual. These unseen stories may involve fears, secrets, shame, fantasies, convictions, and more. While we may not openly share these things, writing allows us to express them honestly.
I’d like to mention that I have other titles to my name, including “Tales of a Drunkard”, “Silver Lining”, and “I am my Own Painting”
For the sake of those outside of Zambia, where can we get your books online?
My books can be accessed through Amazon and Utushimi platforms. Follow the links below:
When did you make up your mind to monetize your writing skills?
It wasn’t until someone asked me to write a poem for them and inquired about my rates that I considered monetizing my writing skills. That’s when it hit me – I could actually get paid for my writing! From then on, I began publishing books for sale, offering freelance writing services, and completing paid projects such as articles, essays, research papers, and business concept papers. My rates are Godly, so feel free to engage me!
That is so fantastic! People usually ask writers to write for free. Again, where can we book your services?
I couldn’t agree more! It’s time to shift the narrative and recognize the worth of our craft. Writing is a skill that demands dedication, creativity, and hours of hard work. As such, it’s essential to place a fair value on our services and avoid writing for free whenever possible. Let’s cultivate a culture that respects the worth of our craft and provides fair compensation for our expertise.
If you’re interested in booking my services, please feel free to reach out to me on WhatsApp at +260979484262 or via email at chipochama94@gmail.com. I’m eager to explore potential collaborations and bring ideas to life.
How has a writing community shaped your creative skill?
The writing community has significantly contributed to my creative skill. As the African proverb goes, ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ and this is truly reflected in my craft. I’ve learned more from others in the writing community than I have through personal research. They’ve challenged me to improve my writing and maintain ethical standards, and I’m grateful for their guidance and feedback. Although, I must admit that sometimes I can be stubborn and resistant to change my writing style, I’m working on being more open to constructive criticism and direction than I have been in the past.
How many writing communities have you been a part of since you started writing professionally? Can you recommend some to our audience?
Throughout my writing journey, I’ve had the pleasure of being part of various writing communities that have contributed significantly to my growth as a writer. Here are some of the notable ones:
- Zambia Book Club
- Writers Space Africa
- International African Writers Association
- PoeticAfrica Magazine
- UNZA Catholic Magazine
- The Nib Hub Community
- Southern Writers Bureau
- Support Zambia Literature
- Closet of Mixed Minds
- Colour Culture Community
- Global Platform Zambia
I highly recommend these communities to our audience, as they offer a wealth of knowledge, support, and opportunities for growth. If you’re looking to hone your craft, consider joining Writers Space Africa, Support Zambia Literature, or the International African Writers Association. Book enthusiasts and those who enjoy reviews and critiques will find Closet of Mixed Minds and Zambia Book Club to be excellent destinations. For those interested in performance poetry or other creative expressions, Colour Culture and Global Platform Zambia are great options to explore. Most of these communities, you can search for them on Facebook.
If you were mentoring a young writer, what top 5 advice would you give that person?
- As the famous saying goes, “If there’s a book you want to read and no one has written it, write it yourself.”
- Learn to accept criticism from others if you want to grow as a writer. Constructive feedback is essential to improving your craft.
- Understand the rules of writing, but also know how to break them effectively. Don’t be too rigid with yourself – creativity has no limits! Explore and experiment extensively.
- If you’re passionate about a particular topic or genre, recognize that there are others who share your enthusiasm and may be more experienced or skilled. Seek out those communities and learn from them.
- Finally, read widely and write regularly. The more you read and write, the better you’ll become as a writer.
I’ve enjoyed every part of today’s conversation. Thank you very much for obliging when Writers Space Africa reached out; you’ve honoured us greatly.
Read – Mimi Machakaire – Zimbabwean-Born Writer Journalist, Writer, and Publisher
