The collection of The Tapestry

| Wednesday November 5, 2008 00:00

The writer is often described as a mirror of society, and Charmaine fits the description. In her collection of stories, she writes about many of the social issues within our society - HIV/AIDS, the challenges of a materialistic society; identity issues; and the changing nature of relationships, to name a few.  However, if there is one thing that emerges from the 12 stories in the collection, it would be the focus on human relationships. This is poignantly summed up in the biography of the author: 'Charmaine Muir passionately believes in human relationships and that every experience is part of the soul's lessons to teach us to be kind, especially to ourselves.' 

Mmegi: Who is Charmaine Muir?

I'm a mother, daughter, sister, friend and writer. All of these roles are very important in my life and I believe I have to be the very best that I can be in all of them. I know that in the world out there, I've been known as Charmaine Revaka for nearly 15 years now, but I am Charmaine Muir. That is my identity.

Mmegi: Tell us about The Tapestry?

It's a collection of short stories that I put together from the beginning of this year. I've been writing and telling stories for more than 35 years. I worked on an action plan in January 2008 with the aim of publishing some of my writing. The Tapestry also includes some stories that have been published before in magazines.

Mmegi: What challenges did you face going the self-publishing route? What were your challenges and experiences?

One of the biggest challenges was putting the stories together and choosing which of the piles of stories and poems I have written over the years to include in the anthology.

As I read through some of them, I also did a great deal of re-writing. I write from inspiration, so there were weeks in which I did nothing, and just stared in frustration at an action plan that had been reduced to mere deadlines. However, when I was inspired, I woke up at 3 o'clock in the morning to write and for days would spend all my spare time writing. Writing is actually very hard work. When you've been sitting at a computer for more than five hours at a time your eyes and body ache.

Another major challenge has to be the financial one. Publishing is not cheap, and it is a risk. I don't know how many copies of my book will be bought, but this is a risk I just had to take. I've been reading Paulo Coelho, and his powerful statements about following your dream have been my inspiration. How would I know whether I am making the right choice if I am too afraid to take the risk? And you know that sometimes in life, you need to trust blindly in intuition!

Mmegi: Why did you go through all of that?

Because it is my dream to be a writer - writing is my identity. I write because it makes me who I am. As I said in the introduction to my book, writing touches my soul it makes my life complete. It was worth it, and I would do it all over again, even the financial sacrifice. Writing makes my life complete.

Mmegi: What message do you have for other aspiring writers?

There are many great writers in Botswana - I know that for a fact. I have taught brilliant writers whose compositions have made me cry. I am passionate about English Literature and about reading, and I believe South Africa has produced the greatest writers in the world today - and we are so close by. Where are our great writers hiding? I would like them to have the courage and confidence to emerge and take their place on the literary stage of this world! I know that brilliant writers are very secretive - they never share what they write with the world. That alone is a giant step. I hope that Batswana writers can be brave enough to stand up and be heard - just like our young musicians are standing up and making a mark in the world, our writers can do the same. I know it.