Still Living on my Feet is the follow up to Tichaona Chinyelu’s first book, In the Whirlwind, which was rooted in a sense of hard-hitting revolutionary black love. However, in this sophomore effort, Tichaona brings the revolutionary essence from deep
I love writing, and the way in which words and ideas on a page or canvas reshape the inner world and send (often small) ripples of change to the external world.
I love poetry. I also write commentary on social, organisational and cultural issues. In creative writing, I merge my personal and public voice; I also have a great deal of fun in the process.
Background
Information
In my writing, I seek to explore the interconnection between artistic creativity and moral conviction. Having a view is easy, but expressing it in a creative and life-giving manner is more difficult.
Undertaking such exploration leads to new insights, brings dilemmas to the fore but ultimately strengthens the view that life is about exploration, pushing the boundaries and continuous renewal. It is also about love, genuine connection with others, and about balancing a fervent commitment to social justice with humility and a sense of humour.
My influences are writers such as Yevgeny Yevtushenko, Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, Earl Lovelace and, among voices from Africa, authors such as Dambudzo Marachera and Yvonne Vera.