In this edition, Lise Nova Berwadushime interviewed Grace Tendo from Uganda. Grace is the 2nd runner-up in the 2023 Wakini Kuria Prize for Children’s Literature
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Lise: It is my pleasure to have you, Tendo. Please tell us about yourself.
Tendo: I’m humbled too to be hosted by you. I am Grace Tendo commonly known as Tendo. A mother, writer and veterinary doctor by profession.
Lise: Tendo, a vet who writes! When did you start writing?
Tendo: A vet who writes. Yes.
Many people find it hard to believe. Anyway, my writing journey started a long time ago when I had just joined my secondary school. I think it’s about 15 years or more but then it wasn’t so serious as I would say it is now.
Lise: I see. When would you say that it became “serious?”
Tendo: Well, it became serious the moment I realised I can write children’s literature and that is 2019 when I had just joined WSA.
Lise: Oh, that is almost five years ago.
Tendo: Yes.
Lise: Do you only write children’s literature or there’s another genre you find easy to write?
Tendo: Well, sometimes I consider myself a multitude genre writer because I can easily say that I’ve tried all genres. Initially when I had just started writing (that is in my secondary school) I was into poetry and essay writing so much. In the same years, I ventured into novel writing and that was in my second and third year of high school but recently, I found out that I can as well do write short stories with much ease.
Lise: That’s awesome. You can write so many genres!
Tendo: I do and I think everybody should try them as well…
Lise: Yeah, it’s good to try everything.
Tendo: It widens one’s scope on what they can. Also, it gives one a wider perspective of what literature and writing is all about. The fun hidden within!
Lise: Definitely. Last year, you emerged as second runner up of Wakini Kuria prize for Children’s literature. Before I ask you a lot about it, why didn’t you submit under poetry or short stories category? You know, you can write many genres.
Tendo: Well, I learnt to ask God first on what to do and that’s what exactly happened. I prayed and asked Him to direct me on what to write about and He was faithful enough to give me a go ahead on children’s literature.
It didn’t matter how many times I had tried out previously.
Lise: Wow! Such a beautiful thing! God is the source of creativity anyway.
Tendo: Always on point.
Lise: Sure. Can you please share with me the process of writing, submitting and waiting for results? Were you nervous or?
Tendo: For starters, I had the title for my story right from 2022. Actually, I had a collection of titles because every time I get a hint, I write down a relatable title in my notebook. When I wrote that award winning story, I remember talking to someone about submitting. I was almost quitting since it was paid for submission but then I said no, I should write. So, I wrote and shared with a few people of course for editing purposes. Actually, I shared two stories with these people (about 4).
Lise: I see…
Tendo: Some took time to give me feedback and I got anxious. Then at last somebody mentioned I should share it with a lady who has also won once the same award. Marjorie helped me all the way through the editing process.
It took time since she’s a busy lady but it was worth it.
We didn’t change a bit in the story except for a few events but everything that was initially there remained.
When it came to submitting, at first, I fidgeted but eventually I was able to submit. I was never anxious at all as I waited for the results.
The only time I got nervous only when the long list was shared. I panicked, only God knows.
Lise: I get it, I get that adrenaline rush. Tendo, I was lucky to read through various CL you have written and I am always amazed by your creativity. How do you do it or better, what inspires you?
Tendo: Personally, I love children. This alone pushes me to write for them. I put myself in their shoes and go back in life to those years when I was little. Think about what would excite or frighten or seduce me to do something then I go ahead and put it into writing. Also, I must say that I didn’t really have that posh childhood would wish to have and that must have pushed me to do better as well.
Lise: You have good reasons to write. Now tell me, Tendo. What are the feelings you had when you received the news that you were the second runner-up of the Wakini Kuria Prize for Children’s literature?
Tendo: Frankly speaking, I knew I would be among the winners.
Lise: That’s interesting! How did you know?
Tendo: The reason why I say so is because I had had a dream previously about it. I had prayed to God about it and He was generous enough to give me a hint about the winners in the dream. That is why I was confident about it. I didn’t tell anyone except my family who continued to pray with me all the way through till the end
Lise: Aww! “Lay your plans before the Lord and He will direct your paths” I hope my Sunday school teacher will not see how I paraphrased this. Anyway, since you knew beforehand via a dream, did you still got excited by the news?
Tendo: Like all winners of course I got excited. The only thing I didn’t know was the position I would be in. But it was a whole vibe. I remember calling my aunt who had introduced me to reading at a very young age. She was very excited. I could hear it over the phone call, and when I called my family, the excitement grew bigger. I heard my son speak in the background about it. He too got excited and immediately wanted to talk to me.
Lise: Such a supportive family you got! It must have been so nice to them to receive such news.
Tendo: Yes. They were so much excited. Actually, my mother had to tell her friends at church about my award. My boy has never stopped reminding me about it as well.
Lise: I like your boy’s energy hhhhh. Anyway, we’ve just arrived to sweet little questions. Who is your favourite CL writer?
Tendo: I haven’t yet read so many books from writers for children but I would say that Dr Seuss is. I haven’t read many books from him but he was a really noble writer. May he rest in peace. When it comes to Africa, I can’t fail to mention Nahida from Tanzania. I can tell you mama is really good.
Lise: Shout out to them! What are your hobbies?
Tendo: I love sports. All kinds of sports. At least I’ve tried out most of them.
For soccer/football I once was a goal keeper for my team. Then there’s volleyball, netball, handball, board games/puzzles, chess and then my favourite sport ‘athletics Funny, not so?
Lise: Really? Wow! So very funny! You should be named “Active Grace”
Tendo: Sometimes I think like you but unfortunately, it’s not like that hahahah.
Lise: Hahaha. Before we close this, is there anything else you would like to say related to writing be it an advice to other writers or something?
Tendo: Yeah. I would say one must never give up. It took me a whole lot of years to discover that I could be a potential writer for children in a world where others think its hard to write for them!
The only thing to do is practice. You can’t get anything without practicing. No. Also, let’s not think about writing as though we shall be punished for not being good at a certain stage. But still, we shouldn’t relax.
Lise: This is great advice. There’s always a room for learning and perfecting one’s craft.
Tendo: Sure. Nobody is born perfect!
Lise: Thank you so much for your time and patience, Grace Tendo.
Tendo: It’s been my pleasure to be here. Thank you as well.
Read – Adedokun Ibrahim – Winner of the 2023 African Teen Writers Award (Poetry)
