Writers Lie

You see that shady chick in class everyone agreed on her shadiness? Yap, the one who even teachers thought was off. I am not saying blondes are not human too, but you think back to this girl and she defined that. 

Now I want you to think back to how Ngugi wa Thiong’o or Tolstoy described women (especially in first person) who their characters fell in love with. You remember how vivid it was? What am I driving at?

It has always bugged me how writers can make you wish you married that village girl-think of Okot p’ Bitek’s song of Lawino. Kitambo I used to think it is because writers have good, nay great taste in women. Then one day it hit me-the only reason why I never met women who fit their description is because....they don’t exist.

That whole beauty and beholder thing is SO true, holds truer for artists, and in this case for writers even more than anyone else.

maogo!

 Side comment: Everyone becomes an artist when they fall in love. Expressions of love/emotion are all poetry. Sweet nothings, they call them. It is quite fascinating really. Think of high school love-letters with perfume and moshaino. In fact, I dedix this song to you the reader-it’s by Jason Reeves (related to Jim Reeves). It’s called Old Fashioned Letters.

Back to writers-it is unfair! They can convert something so mundane and flat and make it seem like something you would desire. Related in a way, are musicians. Kevo has beef with artists who impress with how they technically pull off their twists and melodic vibratos but cannot chuck the emotion needed in a song. 

That last sentence is out of the blue, don’t worry about it.

For your homework this week, Class...I want you to read Ngugi wa Thiongo’s a Grain of Wheat. We will discuss it next week. Kamau, don’t forget to bring the answer sheets to the staff room at 4 o’clock.