I was privileged to attend the AWW14 African Women's Creative Non-Fiction Writing Workshop hosted by the AWDF and FEMRITE in July 2014. The workshop lasted 10 days and was facilitated by Yewande Omotoso and Mamle Kabu. My fellow participants were amazing (read more about them here) and the facilitation was excellent. I had known about… Continue reading Read Women Write 2014/15 Book 1: Yewande Omotoso, Bom Boy
Read Women Write – Every day!
In 2014 I decided to read only African women writers from September 2014 to August 2015. This was truly one of the most exciting projects I've ever embarked on and I must admit that in the year since I've stopped the project I've hardly read anything else. Reading African women writers meant reading about experiences… Continue reading Read Women Write – Every day!
Exciting news! I’m going to Vermont
A few weeks back I heard that I was accepted to a Vermont Studio Centre writing residency. I am completely thrilled about this. I'll be going for the month of March 2017. A WHOLE MONTH OF WRITING. I am also incredibly grateful because I received a bursary towards the fees for the residency. I haven't… Continue reading Exciting news! I’m going to Vermont
On living inside and outside lives: why I listen to podcasts
I've been listening to a lot of podcasts lately. Mostly, these are not podcasts for learning, or developing a new skill. They're podcasts featuring fictional or true stories. I have heard stories that suck me in and sometimes leave me emotionally affected for days afterwards. Stories are great for helping you to learn about people's inside lives.… Continue reading On living inside and outside lives: why I listen to podcasts
Productivity as a threat to writing
Last Tuesday I finished the first draft of my second novel. Ta da! I thought, as I pressed save smugly. It's done. Look at me go. Onwards to literary fame and fortune. And then on Saturday, when I held the printed manuscript in my hand, I remembered that a first draft is generally something that… Continue reading Productivity as a threat to writing
A whirlwind tour to Johannesburg
Last week I travelled to Joburg for the launch of The Peculiars at Love Books in Melville, and for some interviews. I love that space so much - mostly because it has a HUGE shelf of South African fiction, as well as a pleasing selection of feminist texts throughout the store. It was a chilly day, but… Continue reading A whirlwind tour to Johannesburg
Jen Thorpe 