How to Write: Tips from Niq Mhlongo

by Damaria Senne on Mar 9th, 2010

Inspired by the Guardian’s article bringing together “how to write” tips from prominent authors, ReadSA and BOOK SA introduce a similar series a bit closer to home. Watch out for top tips from stars in the SA Lit firmament!

Niq Mhlongo is the author of two critically acclaimed novels, Dog Eat Dog – which, in Spanish translation, won the Mar des Lettras prize – and After Tears, both published by Kwela, an imprint of the NB group.

Read an excerpt from After Tears here.

Niq Mhlongo’s tips:

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Always write for yourself. Don’t listen to your publisher telling you to write for a particular audience.
Delete every game on your PC or laptop before you get addicted.
Write to express and not to impress. My first manuscript had absurd words such as inter alia, comprehend, and bourgeoisie. Maybe it’s because of the law thing that I was doing at that time, but now that I look at it I feel embarrassed.
Avoid talking about your next project with your drinking buddies. South Africans always think that all writers are celebrities and millionaires.
Do not try to write like your favorite author. Every writer has his or her own voice.
The best way of not losing your work is to E-mail it to yourself every time you write something.
Avoid people who want to give you their manuscripts to read and comment because this might distract you from your own project. Always refer them to your publisher.
Keep your day job. Writing only makes you poorer.
If you write in first person, people might call you by your main character’s name even at international writer conferences.
If publishers reject your work, curse them in your heart and aim for self-publishing.

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