Zwnews24: Briefly describe yourself (background, personality, passions, dreams and aspirations etc.) so that the readers (audience) can have a clear picture of who you are and what you stand for as a writer.

TS: My name is Nomater Tichaona Shambare. I was born on the 1^st of July 1986. I am an Author of one published book titled Baby Steps and I also have novels that I am currently working on. I make use of biblical texts in my writing in order to teach the truth as it is, without fear or favour. I am a devoted Christian whose desire is to be an inspiration to others using my life experiences and the motivation that I get from those who have done better in life. My motto is Speak to Empower. This is because I believe that every word which I say has an impact on people who read or listen to my content. As such, I have to make sure that what I speak or write is a true representation of my personality. 

Zwnews24: What is the motivation behind your writing career? What do you seek to achieve and why? Do you think you have achieved your goal or do you see yourself achieving those goals through your literary work?

TS: I am motivated by the desire to write simplified text which can be easily understood by people of all ages. This philosophy is inspired by the scriptures from the Bible in the book of Luke 1:3. Most readers who have given me feedback on my content, be it after reading my book or after listening to my broadcasts have said that the message that I share is simple and easy to understand. 

Zwnews24: When and how did you start writing and what has been the impact of that move on you and on the people around you, including family and friends?

TS: I started to write books professionally in 2018. I kept on pursuing my passion and I continued to explain my writing passion to my family so that they can have a clear picture of my love for literature. At last, I brought home a hard copy of my book and this made them to realise that I am serious about writing. Now, they are very supportive and they even check on the progress on my next book. 

Zwnews24: Take us through the book which have published and describe what it is all about and its intended benefit to your audience? 

TS: Baby Steps is my first published motivational book. It explains the journey of a Christian using the ‘baby’ metaphor. The book talks about how openness to learning can lead one to grow as a healthy Christian. It’s a book which shows that a spiritual journey is not automatic since it requires us to move daily in the right direction, one step at a time from conception to maturity, while getting help from other Christians to edify our growth. 

Zwnews24: Tell us more about other literary projects that you are currently working on. 

IS IT WORTH IT? (Final draft – now ready) – This book is based on a question that we constantly ask ourselves when we are submerged in trouble. For example, we sometimes ask ourselves, is it worth it to keep the faith? Taking lessons from biblical example of Paul’s thorn in the flesh and Elijah when he ran away from Jezebel. Based on circumstances that we go through, in the pursuit of a certain objective, you may ask yourself, is it still worth it? 

OTHER SIDE OF TRUTH (Draft) – This book is centred on how broken marriages can affect the unborn child. The church can play a critical role in promoting forgiveness and dealing with bitterness which may affect the child. It is work of fiction with a bit of reality in between.

Zwnews24: If people want to buy your books or invest in your work, where can they find the books and how do they get in touch with you, either for feedback on your work or any other related correspondence?

My book Baby Steps is available on the following platforms:

Websites: www.muckem.com/bookshop, www.library.globtorch.com

Books Shops: Best Books, Anchor house along Jason Moyo Harare  ( from the 25th of June ) 

People can also get in touch with me through Social Media, Email and Telephone:

Social Media – Faceook (Personal Account): Tichaona Shambare, Facebook (Author Page): Tichafaraa; Instagram: Tichaafara, Twitter: Tichafaraa; Email: [email protected] 

Telephone: + 263 775 126 463 Call / App / Text:  +263 719 126 463 calls only 

Zwnews24: What are your guiding values which determine what and how you write? Are there things that you do not write about at all or is there a certain approach to writing, which you do not use because of these values? Share your insights. 

TS: Writing is leadership. I believe that what I write influences perceptions and that, as a leader, is how I want my followers to relate to me as they read my work. Character, passion and motivation play a vital role in my script writing. I write what I can relate to. I am factual as much as I can. I also write poetry which is mainly based on imagination, sci-fiction. I avoid politics, I rarely write about it.

Zwnews24: How did you feel when you got published for the first time and what has been the effect of that moment on your writing career now? 

TS: Words will never suffice to explain how I felt. Getting published has fuelled my passion for writing and my love for literature. I am now also mentoring juniors, so that it will be close to a smooth ride for them. Publishing in Zimbabwe is a bit expensive and most publishing companies don’t offer printing facilities which means it’s an extra cost and so, when you get published despite all these challenges, you experience real joy and excitement. 

Zwnews24: What has been some of the most cherished and memorable feedback that you have received from your readers so far and how has it impacted you in your pursuit of literature? Please share some of the priceless feedback that you received from your readers.

TS: One of the readers said ‘your book encouraged me’. Another reader said ‘Keep up the good work’. More so, someone asked where I get such inspiration and the other guy said he read my book and he wishes to talk more about it with me in person. Based on such feedback, I intend to keep writing and give more books to the readers.

Zwnews24: What are some of the challenges that you face in your writing and what is it that makes you to continue writing regardless of these challenges?

TS: I write using my tablet which has limited space but the desire to write has kept me going. I make sure I save my drafts on Google Drive in case I lose my phone. At the moment, because of less disposable incomes, the issue of the market may be concerning since people are more focussed on bread and butter issues and thus they be forced to consider buying books as a luxury. However, despite all that, my passion for literature me overrules the need for monetary gains. 

Zwnews24: What are your words of advice and motivation to other writers, both established and aspiring ones in their pursuit of literature, either as their hobby or profession?

TS: Keep writing, don’t stop, and believe in yourself. If you don’t feel like writing, you can rather even edit a written draft. Take criticism as an improvement initiative, don’t throw everything away without proper introspection. Someone once said to me “someone is waiting to read your book”, so don’t take long, someone needs those nuggets in that piece of literature.

Zwnews24: What do you think is the relevance and impact of literature in your community, in your country or across the whole world? Do you think literature should be recognized, celebrated and be promoted?

 TS: The world is a product of literature. Scientists, doctors, engineers and many other professions that you see are a result of literature. Without books, we have no religion or education. I am a Christian today because of a book, The Bible. So we can’t do away with books. Literature should be celebrated and more should be done to promote a reading culture in our communities. Imagine a world without books! It would be tough to survive in it, I tell you. Theories and inventions are all a result of Books. 

Zwnews24: How deep is your passion for literature? What have you already done, what are you planning to do and how far would you go to promote literature in your community, in your country or across the whole world?

TS: I love books, my life is centred on books. It is my desire that we should promote the concept of community libraries. Encouraging reading from early child hood, not just reading for academics but also for edutainment. The book fair is a good initiative but it needs sponsorship for proper outreach to communities. The program needs to be organised and managed by authors, not by mere office bearers without a passion for literature. 

Zwnews24: Besides writers, who are the other active players that you can think of in the field of literature? In that regard, is there a person, group of people or organization that you know which is helping to develop and promote literature in your community, in your country or across the whole world? Who are they and what is it specifically that they are doing in this context and how is it inspiring you and positively impacting individuals and communities?

TS: Zwnews24 is promoting literature through author interviews and book reviews. Our local dailies are also doing a lot namely Newsday, Daily News and the Zimpapers group. Most of the articles that I have read on these platforms are so informative, though the cost of buying a newspaper may be prohibitive.

Zwnews24: What has been some of the best works of literature that you have enjoyed so far (Books, blogs, poems etc.)? Share the reasons why you rate them so high and value them so much. Based on what you have benefited personally, what do you think must be done in order to broadly develop, promote and celebrate literature in your community, country or across the world?

TS: How To Stop Worry And Start Living by Dale Carnage, the lessons in this book are simple and easy to apply. Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki, this book is a narrative of two fathers and one child. Sydney Sheldon, John Grisham and Danielle Steel to mention but a few.  Minister Munhuwo , Takadini , Mabvumira Enhetembo, those were study books. Life will humble you By Audrey Chirenje, The way the characters blend, it surely deserves a NAMA by my standard. Words of life by Lingiwe Patience Gumbo poems, I like the fantasy created when you read poems, it’s like a pictorial slide show.

zwnews24: What are some of the local, national, regional and international literature awards that you know of and what do they seek to reward or promote? What is your take on their criteria? If you were to give awards in literature, what would be your prizes and the related criteria for selecting recipients and awarding such rewards?

TS:  I would take into consideration the impact a book has made in the country first before giving awards. It must be clear to all to avoid bias in the selection process. 

Zwnews24: Are there people or organisations that you would like to acknowledge and credit, be it for their emotional and material input or contribution (support) towards your works of literature? 

TS: Ms. Lucia Taruvinga who introduced me to reading at an early stage, My brother Fungai Shambare, Mr. Phillip Chidavaenzi, Lifestyle Editor at Newsday and founder of the Writer’s Clinic, a platform to mentor published and aspiring authors. Lindiwe Patience Gumbo, Audrey Chirenje, Arthur Marara, The inspired 365 group initiative content shared is very informative and educational. Mr. Noah Mangwarara the way he exemplifies using nature makes reading enjoyable and fun. 
The questions in this interview are adapted from the book, General Emeritus – Wisdom, Mysteries and Dark Sayings, a poetry anthology written by Brian Kazungu: https://amzn.to/2T8sEQX

The novel, Life Will Humble You, written by Audrey Chirenje is a touching and yet beautiful story of the miraculous healing love that mends broken hearts in the journey of life.

With Riko and Ronda as the main characters who fall in love under the most unlikely of circumstances, Audrey’s imaginative and rare storytelling ability keeps you under suspense as she unpacks surprise after surprise in her narration of love and hope that conquers pain.

Even though the main plot is centered around Harare, in Zimbabwe, the gripping story takes you to many places including South Africa, Kenya, the UK, and Canada among other countries as you get introduced to these love birds past as well as to their friends and relatives.

As you read through, you will be drawn by some glitters of opulence that sparkles in the lives of some rich folks in the same way that you will also have a glimpse of power struggles in our society and the trapping jealous of an ex-lover that sets in when you find new love.

The beauty of a loving and supporting family during the time that one goes through a rough patch in life is also well depicted in this gripping story, as the writer, fuses both the high and the lows of life in a way that helps readers to look at life from different angles.

In the interview below, zwnews24’s Brian Kazungu talked to Audrey about her book and other projects that she is working on.

Zwnews24: Would you briefly describe yourself? Your personality, ambitions, and inspiration.

Audrey:  I am a very chilled goal-getter whose inspiration comes from people around me and even from my own life though I have been labeled as weird and a structured introvert.

Zwnews24: What is the motivation behind your writing career? 

Audrey: I seek to motivate and encourage people out there that we might have erred according to the set norms but I believe that you may fall seven times and yet still rise again. As such, through my writing, I am motivated by the need to let people know that they must not give up on their dreams, since if they hold on and plan again, ultimately their dreams will come to pass.

Zwnews24: When and how did you start writing and what has been the impact of that move on you and on the people around you, including family and friends? 

Audrey: I started dabbling with writing in High School. A few years back, I had two incomplete projects. This novel, Life Will Humble You, I wrote it July 2019 and it’s soon coming spin-off which I started in August 2019. Writing has had a tremendous impact on me. It has been very inspiring to both me and those around me since others now want to write and I am cheering them on. 

Zwnews24: What do you seek to achieve through what you write and why? 

Audrey: Through literature, I want to help and encourage people to know that the sun will always shine despite the storms. In short, I want to instill hope in people everywhere I go.

Zwnews24: Your novel, Life Will Humble You is a beautiful and intriguing love story full of suspense and surprises. What is it that inspired the story and how did you imagine all those characters and places which form such a gripping romantic tale?

Audrey: Well, firstly I am a hopeless romantic at heart, and then I looked at topical issues being faced by people in our society and then I came up with tainted leading characters who then find solace in each other. With their own minds, they would have passed up the opportunity, but I imagined God directing their steps despite the numerous hurdles they face. Ultimately my concept of faith-ever-after prevails. 

Zwnews24: The title of your novel is really very engaging. What is the motivation behind this title? For example, from the title alone, what message did you want to convey to anybody who would see the book in a bookshop or in the hands of somebody else? 

Audrey: Somehow, we seem to all experience this phenomenon where you have all your ducks in a row and you are thinking that all will work out as planned, but boom, it doesn’t. That’s the moment when life humbles you, but thereafter you become a better person, less judgemental and more empathic since you now know that sometimes you don’t control everything. What then matters is your reaction to circumstances, and then you move on.

Zwnews24: Are there any other novels or books that your readers should look forward to soon? If yes, would you tell us a little bit about what your new work is about?

Audrey: I have a book ready which is a spin-off to Life Will Humble You, whose main characters are Ropa who is Riko’s sister and Agent Raphael. If you read Life Will Humble You, you will remember that I did give them extra attention as I had already outlined their story. We will begin the publishing work with my Publisher in May 2020. I am working on my 3^rd book now, and let’s just say, in this one, my angle is on appearances and class societies and the impact thereof through the story of Farai and Margot. I will publish this one before the end of the year, plus I also have other story outlines on standby which only needs some flesh.

Zwnews24: If people want to buy your books or invest in your work, where can they find the books and how do they get in touch with you either for feedback on your work or any other related correspondence?

Audrey: For now, they can get the Life Will Humble You from Best Books, Three Anchor House, Jason Moyo Avenue, in Harare as well as from some selected Innov8 Bookshops. People can also find the same online either as paperback or eBook on Amazon. My twitter is @anchirenjethe, Facebook: A.N. Chirenje The Author, Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/audreychirenje.

Zwnews24: What are your guiding values which determine what and how you write? Are there things that you do not write about at all or is there a certain approach to writing which you do not use because of these values? 

Audrey: I try to watch my language because I have kids who also read my books.  I am also trying to keep it at the Parental Guide age of 13 years. More so, I am a believer who is also a realist and that has an effect on the content in my writing.

Zwnews24: How did you feel when you got published for the first time and what has been the effect of that moment on your writing career now? 

Audrey: It still feels surreal up to now. I am grateful to God for the support of family and friends. It has encouraged me to keep writing. The feedback I get is like the air under my wings, it’s encouraging me to soar to higher levels. 

Zwnews24: What has been some of the most cherished and memorable feedback that you have received from your readers so far and how has it impacted you in your pursuit of literature, either as a profession or as a hobby? Please share some of the priceless feedback that you received from your readers.

Audrey: I had one lady who sent me pictures of her engagement and she captioned it #MyRikoProposedScars&All#. That was awesome. Another lady also shared how she never knew how people feel when they have been cheated on up until she read about Ronda’s ordeal. I also get priceless about my writing style which most people are saying that they are really in love with it and that has encouraged me as I wasn’t sure that people would embrace it.

Zwnews24: What are some of the challenges that you face or that you faced in your writing and what is it that makes you continue writing regardless of these challenges?

Audrey: Challenges will always be there and these include time, finances and negative perceptions from people. What will make me continue is the positive impact that the stories which I write are making on people? That on its own is priceless.

Zwnews24: What are your words of advice and motivation to other writers, both established and aspiring ones in their pursuit of literature, either as their hobby or profession?

Audrey: As my Publisher from Royalty Books, Phillip Chidavaenzi says “we have to just keep writing”. So start today with whatever you have in your hands, a page a day. Nike says do it NOW, so just do it!

Zwnews24: What do you think is the relevance and impact of literature in your community, in your country or across the whole world? Do you think literature should be recognized, celebrated and be promoted? Share your reasons.

Audrey: Literature shapes norms and values and as such it has to be recognized and be promoted. When literature is well embraced, it makes this world a better place.

Zwnews24: What have been some of the best works of literature that you have enjoyed so far (books, blogs, poems, etc.)? 

Audrey: Internationally, I like all Jackie Collins books, Maya Angelo – Still I Rise poem and Dudu Busani-Dube based in South Africa. Locally, I am in awe of a lot of Writers, Shimmer Chinodya, Tsitsi Dangarembga, Valerie Tagwira and Philip Chidavanezi.

Zwnews24: Are there people or organisations that you would like to acknowledge and credit, be it for their emotional and material input or contribution (support) towards your works of literature? 

Audrey: My friends, family and fellow Church members and The Writers Clinic. 

The questions in this interview are adapted from the book, General Emeritus – Wisdom, Mysteries and Dark Sayings, a poetry anthology written by Brian Kazungu: https://amzn.to/2T8sEQX

Audrey’s Novel, Life Will Humble You, Gives a Taste of Healing Love to Broken Hearts