SNIPPETS (60)_ BY SUMAILA UMAISHA

_From my chats with writers_

Write to express yourself, not for money or prizes. Don’t even write for fame; it will come naturally if you write well enough. Have a focus in the expression of self. Start from home; write country, write Africa, if you must (want), but there is nothing compulsory about it. Personally, I write with a purpose to impact my community of readers, hence, every subject matter that comes to my mind asking to be explored is quickly analysed by that part of my brain that is responsible for framing the theme for the story. I say the same for the film(s) you make. In the film school, and in the industry as a whole, the emphasis is the money you can make, since you must spend money to make it. So, you are told that “film is business” - which is a fact if you are borrowing money or investing your savings. But if you are making the film as an artist, do it to make an impact even when you are borrowing the money; it gives your film a longer shelf life.

© DUL JOHNSON