Patrick Shyaka, a Rwandan author, has released a new book, Where women meet boys, a collection of 11 short stories centered on the emotional experiences of the youth. Published in May by Nigerian publisher Masobe Books, the collection was written over two years and explores everyday moments and relationships that shape young people as they grow up. ALSO READ: 23-year-old author on helping youth find deeper purpose in life The stories explore a variety of relationships, romantic, platonic, and family, through themes of love, heartbreak, grief, and self-discovery. According to Shyaka, each story reflects how young people navigate difficult emotions and the complexities of changing circumstances. “I knew I wanted to write about the emotions and situations we go through while growing up. I imagined something broad. But as I kept writing, the stories naturally gravitated toward relationships, the love of it, the pain of it, the beauty and confusion of it all,” Shyaka said. The fiction book includes a range of scenarios. For instance, one story follows a man who tries to fix his marriage using Viagra, a medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction in men. Another captures the moment a boy and his cousin discovered pornography while staying at their grandmother’s house. In one of the more challenging narratives, a girl, affected by her father’s disappearance, seduces her sister’s boyfriend. While the settings vary, from Kigali to unnamed locations, the stories focus on emotions that Shyaka believes are widely relatable. His goal was not to shock readers but to reflect everyday experiences. “These moments make up our daily battles and joys, from the anxiety of impending fatherhood to the sharp sting of being friend zoned.” The stories began with a broad idea about growing up, but over time, Shyaka said, they evolved into a more specific exploration of relationships. “I kept thinking about the younger kids who haven’t experienced loss or heartbreak or what it feels like to have a baby. I wanted to offer them something that might prepare them or at least give them a clue about what in the world is happening to their minds, bodies, and emotions,” he noted. Shyaka added that part of his motivation was to offer a mirror and a window as he has always wanted to tell stories that entertain, but also teach something about life and experiences. While the book deals with sensitive topics, Shyaka aimed to write in a tone that is reflective rather than sentimental. “The stories are told with restraint, even when the subject matter could have led to drama or exaggeration. Each story captures something real, the joy, awkwardness, chaos, and the vulnerability of growing up,” he explained. The book steers away from defining heroes or villains, presenting young characters navigating confusion, hope, and emotional struggles, without offering conclusions, the author added. Asked about the title, Where women meet boys, Shyaka said it points to emotional crossroads, moments where innocence meets experience, where boys transition into adulthood, and where women encounter them, sometimes offering support, sometimes causing pain, and at times walking away. Each comes with its own story, he noted, and each moment leaves a lasting impact. Shyaka hopes that younger readers might see themselves in the pages of the book. For older readers, it might serve as a reminder of emotions that once felt overwhelming. “Not to be told what to feel, but to feel less alone in what they are going through,” he said. The book is available in hard copy for Rwf20,000 directly from the author. It can also be purchased through masobebooks.com and Amazon, for international readers. This is Shyaka’s second book. In 2021, he released I will get drunk which he says was a response to the idea that alcohol can solve personal issues. In the book, he challenged that view, reflecting instead on the limitations of using alcohol as a coping mechanism. His interest in writing began during his time at Byimana School of Sciences. In senior two, he started writing rap lyrics and filled two counter books with songs inspired by his favourite Rwandan artists. He went by the name “Driverman,” a name he said was inspired by Riderman, a well-known local hip-hop artist. By the time he reached A-level, Shyaka’s interests began to shift. General Paper lessons helped him discover a love for essay writing, which eventually led him to explore poetry. After high school, a friend started a blog, which encouraged Shyaka to do the same. His early posts were based on personal ideas and reflections. As more readers engaged with his content, he began to seek more depth in what he was writing. Early in his writing journey, Shyaka penned a blog post exploring the idea of choosing emotions over logic. This reflection became a turning point, shaping the emotional depth that defines his later storytelling. Beyond writing, Shyaka is a software engineer who, in his free time, enjoys watching movies and playing basketball.
