Wow, what an honour to be awarded anything – plus this is my first author interview!
I am happy to share the full interview below.
Thank you again Radiant Crown Publishing!
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First, tell us a little about yourself. What inspires you to do what you do?
I am inspired to do what I do, to write, because I truly believe storytelling is one of the most powerful forces for changing the world.
Everything and everyone has a story, so we need to listen and if we choose to participate in shifting the narratives we live by each day.
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Tell us about the book you are currently writing. How did it come about?
Currently, I am writing a book of science fiction about the apocalypse happening in the modern-day. As worldwide devastation continues to be ever-present in news-media, rather than repeating tired clichés and tropes, this story is about characters who endure the crisis and do so with opposing interpretations of the events.
The idea for it came about because there are so few depictions of dramatic social change occur where, instead of violent dystopias, honest and beautiful transformations arise.
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The Neuri Award wants to “cultivate literature from the margins about the margins.” What does that mean to you?
Cultivating literature from the margins about the margins means actively resisting the ideologies of capitalism, white supremacy and domination that coopt so much of the world’s creativity – art should be about inspiring one another to remember each of us hold inherent value. It means acknowledging complicated identities and relationships across society while still striving for a new vision that empowers.
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How has writing affected your outlook on things? Has it made you take chances or see things in a different light?
Writing has changed my outlook quite a bit actually.
Previously, I had been far more involved in public activism and community organizing. But with my own chronic illness and general fatigue, I desperately needed a new outlet for helping others. Writing accomplishes that for me and is better at articulating and sharing possibilities I imagine inside my head every day.
I see things differently insofar that I believe a true metamorphosis of the human spirit is possible – not in politics, media or other institutions, but through recognizing ourselves in others, animals and the Earth. And that mutual recognition happens most often in storytelling.
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Finally, do you have any advice and or tips for aspiring writers out there, especially disabled writers?
My humble advice for other aspiring writers would be to persevere with integrity.
Find the things in life that make your heart flutter and breath vanish, excites you with chills or works you up in a fury. Work hard to capture those moments in a way that others can experience it too.
Our time in life is always uncertain, but finding a way to be heard and cherished through what you have to say is, in my opinion, one of the best gifts we can leave behind.
As always, thanks for reading!
archie.
archie writes 