I first came across the incredible stillness and power of Yaa Gyasi's writing some years ago when reading a short story penned by the Ghanaian-born author in Guernica Magazine. Inscape, narrated from a daughter's perspective, told the tale of a woman and her Ghanaian mother, weaving between themes of religion, culture and mental illness with… Continue reading What an evening with Yaa Gyasi taught me about inspiration
Tag: creativity
Feature: In conversation with Sanjida O’Connell
Thoroughly enjoyed being interviewed by the ever eloquent Dr Sanjida O'Connell and featured at Writersmosaic this past month. Sanjida, along with her PhDs in zoology and psychology, is an award-winning novelist and a gorgeous non-fiction writer. Which is partly why I was so excited about the opportunity to talk shop and dive into the nuts and… Continue reading Feature: In conversation with Sanjida O’Connell
I Thank Whatever Gods There May be
It was the ancient Greeks who first coined the idea, and word, ‘icon’ – or eikenai – meaning ‘to seem’ or ‘to be like’, and in so doing captured the symbolism of the religious practices through which supplicants were drawn onto some higher ideal. Their gods – who were in essence their values abstracted –… Continue reading I Thank Whatever Gods There May be
Reasons to write
Although my love for writing came late, I think I’d always had a special regard for the power of the written word: the way life – with all its colours and vicissitudes – can be funnelled into the cool, clinical science of grammar and syntax, sentences and spellings; a domain of rules and laws. I… Continue reading Reasons to write
Life, Learning & The Secrets of the Universe
Probably the most fun I’ve had being interviewed to date. I had the very rich and real pleasure of chatting with Rachael Kearney of the Call on Courage podcast (highly recommend). In short, we take in everything from Thundercats to the education system to philosophical ruminations on the creative process, on the way to talking through my… Continue reading Life, Learning & The Secrets of the Universe
From Realism to Fantasy: A Writing Journey
I had great fun recently talking with academic and writer, Elaine Aldred, about my writing journey. We discussed some of the nuts and bolts of writing and being published; from creativity to craft, to the editorial process itself. So, if you're interested in peeking beneath the hood to see what being an author can look… Continue reading From Realism to Fantasy: A Writing Journey
The Durban Book Launch
Well... where to begin. There are all kinds of words I could use to try to describe the experience that was the Durban Book Launch of Lost Gods, and absolutely all of them will sound hyperbolic to anyone who wasn't there - transcendent, incredible, life-affirming - that kinda thing. But it's all true. It was… Continue reading The Durban Book Launch
Creating Legends
Sooo... my very first time doing an author interview. I'll admit I was a tad nervous but Anton Marks was the perfect host. We sat down on a typically wet and chilly Manchester evening to discuss life, family, culture, writing, and my soon to be released debut novel, Lost Gods. And, I have to say,… Continue reading Creating Legends
Tales Mama Would Tell
Originally published at Fantasy Faction to accompany the press release for Lost Gods… When I was a kid my mother would tell me and my siblings fables, these sort of half made up Nigerian folktales-come-bedtime stories that often began and ended with a fantastical twist. Like the tale of how the sky came to be so… Continue reading Tales Mama Would Tell
Chaos Theory
Current headspace: I wake up at 5:30am this morning, write this on my phone in about 5 mins, then go back to sleep. Go figure. Think I'll call it Chaos Theory. Seems apt somehow... There's a season for the sun And a season for the rain There's a season to have fun And a season… Continue reading Chaos Theory
Micah Yongo 