Welcome to yet another edition of the Writers Space Africa Magazine interview corner.
In this edition, I had a chat with the young Tanzanian Writer, Ammar Somji.
Do read along. – PPBlessing
PPBlessing: Let’s start with an introduction. Who is Ammar Somji?
AS: I’m a 13-year-old boy who moved to Tanzania after living in Dubai my whole life. I’m passionate about exercising and reading and occasionally writing.
PPBlessing: Seeing these diverse combinations of what you are passionate about, what career do you want to get in to?
AS: Criminal Lawyer. However, while I’m in University I will volunteer as a firefighter.
PPBlessing: Nice. Why these?
AS: I highly enjoy debating, I even joined the debate club in school. I watch videos in court where the lawyer does his part to defend his client and I just see myself doing that as it interests me. I enjoy studying law. As for firefighting, I want to give back to humanity and do my part to help save people to the best of my capabilities.
PPBlessing: That’s wonderful. May you live to save as many people as you can.
AS: Thank you.
PPBlessing: On writing, your short story, Dear diary was published in the March edition of our magazine. How did that make you feel?
AS: Ecstatic. I was very proud that my work had been published so others could read it. It was a milestone for me.
PPBlessing: What level are you at currently in school?
AS: Grade 8
PPBlessing: How long have you been writing?
AS: Not long, about 2 years
PPBlessing: What made you start writing?
AS: I have been reading books for the longest time, so one day I decided to write and I surprised myself, I enjoyed it and I wasn’t too bad at it.
PPBlessing: Have you been published elsewhere else?
AS: No.
PPBlessing: What are your plans concerning writing?
AS: I will continue writing to the best of my capabilities. My goal is to publish my own book someday.
PPBlessing: We look forward to that. What is your main reason for writing?
AS: For fun.
PPBlessing: Is it only stories you write?
AS: Yes.
PPBlessing: What do you hope to achieve with your writing? I mean, when you write, what do you want a reader to take away after reading your work?
AS: I would want them to be entertained and inspired.
PPBlessing: Do you have any writer(s) that inspires you?
AS: Stuart Gibbs, Darren Shan, and John Grisham. These are my top 3 favorite authors. I even emailed Stuart Gibbs once and he responded, I was euphoric.
PPBlessing: Way to go! What made them your favourites?
AS: Thank you! The books they wrote were amazing and unique.
PPBlessing: What book has made the most impact on you?
AS: Theodore Boone by John Grisham. It’s about a kid lawyer.
PPBlessing: Aha! Was it part of your inspiration for wanting to study Criminal law?
AS: Very much.
PPBlessing: You mentioned earlier that you are passionate about reading and exercising, why are you passionate about these things?
AS: Health and fitness for exercising and I enjoy it. And for reading I also enjoy it and I like expanding my vocabulary and I learn a lot from reading.
PPBlessing: If you meet someone who wants to write but is unsure how to, what will you tell the person?
AS: I would tell them to write on a device that only they can access, so there is no fear of someone finding their work without their consent. I would then tell the person to write what’s in their heart, and use the best of their vocabulary. As to what to write, it will come to them as they progress. Once they are done and want to identify whether it is good or not, I would tell them to do something else for at least 20 minutes and then come back and read their work as if it was a book someone else wrote. Then they should decide whether it is good or not. Then once they are done with their self-assessment, they could ask a family member to read it and give them advice.
PPBlessing: Great tip. Was this what worked for you?
AS: Definitely.
PPBlessing: Thank you for sharing.
This brings us to the end of this month’s interview. Until next time, keep reading the Writers Space Africa Magazine.
Read – Gordon Bernard Aywa Anjili – Winner, 2021 African Writers Award (Drama category)
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