It took 28-year-old author Ferdinand Maniraguha seven years to publish his first book ‘Undi Munsi’. He later realised that he has more to offer to society through book writing. That is a quarter of his age. The novelist, who works for a local media outlet as a news editor, has been writing the novel since 2011 when he was a Senior Five student pursuing Literature, where he drew inspiration from renowned novelists Chinua Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, George Orwell among others. His appetite for literature grew when he was admitted by the University of Rwanda to pursue journalism and communication. The author spoke to The New Times and shared his passion for writing books, how journalism is shaping his novel writing and what he has in store for novel readers. What drives you to write? I think it's innate, you get inspiration to write from various experiences. It's like singing, once you discover something different which can help society be it entertaining them or teaching them, you write. How did you fall in love with writing books? It started long ago when I was in primary school, it increased once I entered literature class in my upper level of secondary school. The more I got closer to literary works the more my appetite increased. What are your preferred themes that you write about? My preference is society; you know that they say literature is the mirror of society that is what I stand for. Whatever society is reflecting; I will write once I find it attractive enough to be written about. For example, when you read my book ‘Undi Munsi’, you may think I was writing about love, which is not true. I tried to mix love, murder, social life, religion, school life into one novel. So I don't say these are my preferences, it depends on what society needs and then I transform it into a well-structured novel. Has journalism inspired you to write your own book? What does it contribute to your writing? Journalism has contributed a lot to my success in writing books. First, at Journalism school I was taught how to write a good story which will arouse people's appetite to read. It has also helped me to meet different people including those who are experienced into book industry, they helped me to integrate. What’s the story behind your book ‘Undi Munsi’? It's the story about a lost love, the story of a man called Gisa and a girl named Naila. Their love story started when they were at University, upon graduating, they promised each other to remain loyal. Wealthy men were tempting Naila so that she can leave Gisa but she remained loyal. Gisa didn't find a job after graduating which complicated his life and the oath he took over Naila. Wealthy men who wanted Naila tried to kill Gisa but he survived. Wealthy old women wanted Gisa, they did whatever to be theirs including killing Naila. Gisa, after Naila’s death, he went on to become a priest. That is where he learnt of the people that were behind Naila's death and he plotted revenge. Is writing books your hobby or an adventure you want to turn into a profession? My profession is journalism and communication. That is what I studied and do. Writing is a hobby but when something generates money, it becomes a profession. So I opt to call it both. Do you have more books in the pipeline? I have two more novels in the pipeline which I wish to publish early next year. Have you faced any challenges since you started writing novels? My dream is to write as many books as possible in Kinyarwanda, so people can find our language beautiful. The only challenge is financial support to make the dream come true. Book writing is not an attractive market for some investors.
