After The SHFK – Time to write, learn and grow, again.

I truly hope that you attended enjoyed and benefited from the Storymoja Hay Festival. If you did, and would like to share some of what you experienced, your pictures from the festival and so on, please send in your stuff to blogs@storymojaafrica.co.ke

I was very pleased by the response I got from you during the period that the Storymoja Hay Festival Story of the Month was running. I got so many submissions that it was not possible to include all of them. Because some of the pieces were very well written, I have decided to include them in the writers’ blog over the next few weeks. I hope that you will continue to send in your pieces, to critic and rate each other’s writing as we help each other develop into world-class writers.

Just before I send you into this week’s reading, I have a call out for all of you. There are certain things that every writer can do to not only help them improve on their writing skills, but also to increase their visibility and open up doors for earning money through writing. I am going to list three, but I would like all of you post in the comments section of this post, the things you think have helped you personally in this endevour.

So here goes my five –

1. Keep reading – to write well, one must read well. The quality of material you expose yourself to will also be indicative of the kind of writing you will be capable of producing.
2. Set up your own blog. It does not hurt to explore the options you have to set up your own online presence. Remember your blog, is your brand name, so make sure it represents what you want the world to think of you.
3. Contribute to online forums. This not only increases your visibility, but also allows you to interact with writers just like you who may be ahead of you or just a little behind you in the process. It ensures that your journey is not lonesome.

And with that, please allow me to herald this week’s readings.

Every woman has something that has been with them through life’s joys and trials. For Moraa Gitaa, it might be The Dress.

Stephen Mwangi Ichungwa explores the mind of a weed head in A day in the life of a Weed Head.

And what happens when your entire perspective is changed by the realization that the one you love most is capable of utter and complete brutality? Mufasa and I by Wairimu Mukuria.

The Post-election violence exposed a lot of things about our mentalities, but did those events have anything to do with the failed courtship in this young lady’s life? I fear my dreams by Nyasili Atetwe.

Save a child’s soul and he might hold your hand tomorrow? Hmmm… read this little thriller and see if you believe that. Day of the African Child by Sarah Manga.

I hope you enjoy your reading and have a wonderful week!