By Tinashe Mushakavanhu (Kent,UK) - Zimbabwe has suffered a poverty of female writers. With the exception of the late Yvonne Vera, Tsitsi Dangarembga, Kristina Rungano and more recently Petina Gappah, fewer women writers have made it on the grand stage of Zimbabwean literature.

Male writers have been the flag bearers of our literary heritage.

NoViolet Mkha Bulawayo’s recent achievement in the 2009 PEN/Studzinski  Literary Award is a sure sign that Zimbabwe’s young women have got talent too. The 28 year old Tsholotsho born writer, who spent her childhood and youth in Gwanda and Bulawayo is a gifted writer who’s skills are being honed at Cornell University in America where she is currently studying for a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) creative writing degree. She has had poetry and short stories in various American publications and elsewhere.

She describes the special commendation from JM Coetzee as an ‘encouraging boost’ that is set to make her work even harder and the accolade is a stamp of approval from one of Africa’s great man of letters. Though she could not reveal to artsinitiates when Zimbabwe should expect a book from her, she could only hint that she’s busy at work on something.

The story which has brought out the star in NoViolet, Snapshots, is summarily a story about things falling apart in Zimbabwe and centers around the life and challenges of the main character, a girl and her family. In NoViolet’s words, the story was ‘an attempt to create a literary vision equivalent to a camera and take “snapshots” hence the title.

But besides writing, NoViolet is also aspiring to be a filmmaker. ‘I also have an interest in film so I’m taking film classes. I see writing–career–life as the same for me in the near future, I can’t think of separating those. Writing, especially, is my life.’ Below is a question and answer sequence with NoViolet Mkha Bulawayo.

Do you have a writing community, ie, other Zimbabwean or African writers you interact with or you find the place isolating and if so is this isolation good or bad?

I’m in an MFA program so yes, I have a writing community. I have no interaction with Zimbabwean and African writers on a workshop level, so on that basis, I am “isolated.” It’s a double-edged sword—In the past I would crave that specific common ground that would come with interacting with writers from my own background, and that happened when I felt like my mates didn’t “get” what I was trying to do. I’m over that now, not having that common ground means I have to forge a new one, and for me that is humanity. It means I have to stand on another level, to go beyond “Zimbabwean-ness” and “African-ness” in my writing, that space without the “burdens” of identity. Actually I’ve come to appreciate it as liberating, so I guess I can confidently say, it’s good, very good, even though it took me a while to get here. 

What is your inspiration and does that influence what you write about? Any favourate writers?

Humanity. “Womanity.” My homeland. As for writers I’d say Yvonne Vera inspires me more than any other writer because I care about the same things she cares about; from the poetic grace of language to (feminist) themes to the writer’s spirit of courage, that bravery to say things that would not normally be said. If she wasn’t in the picture I don’t think I’d have the courage to write about things I’m writing about. In as much as she is an influence, however, I believe I’m also my own writer and doing my own thing. Don’t get me started on my favorite writers but they include Maxine Hong Kingston, Edwidge Danticat, Jean Toomer, Barbara Kingsolver, Daniel Defoe, The Brontes, Jhumpa Lahiri.

The late Yvonne Vera, Tsitsi Dangarembga and now more recently Petina Gappah are the most internationally well known female writers from  Zimbabwe. Why do you think there are fewer women writers from Zimbabwe who write?

That is true, and sad. Of course there are a host of reasons, but I think it also speaks to the trying circumstances of African women, not just Zimbabwean women by the way, as the group that comes last in everything and writing is no exception. Of cause this is compounded by the politics of the publishing industry. Still, I believe Zimbabwean women have compelling stories and those who are writing are doing a good job representing, and I’d like to especially thank those who are writing from Zimbabwe, the little known and unknown ones. To me those are the bad-ass writers, imagine knowing you will never be read beyond your borders, never be an international star but still writing all the same! That’s writing as speaking, as insisting on one’s presence and I think that’s deep.

What has being shortlisted for the PEN/Studzinski  Literary Award, let alone highly commended mean to you as a young writer?

It’s an honor and a necessary boost and I am very humbled and grateful for the recognition. I can only hope it also means something to other young writers out there; and I’m speaking as one who would not have dreamt of entering a couple of years ago because I wouldn’t have thought my work was good enough. This is our time baby, and “Yes We Can!” 

When do we expect your first book and what will it about?

I am working on a novel and a short story collection, and I’d say I’m worried about rendering them in best form than when they are coming out, so I have no idea. Right now my priority is to write-write-write. As for “about-ness,” hmmm, may I keep that as a surprise?