MyWeku

MyWeku: What first inspired you to write?

BA:I started writing when I was 10 years old as a way to cope with what I was going through at the time. The very first person who inspired me to write was my mother.

MyWeku: How has your Cameroonian heritage played a role in your poetic life? Growing up in Cameroon weighs heavily on the person I later became. I write about the things I know; about love, pain, heartbreak, courage, overcoming, gratitude, God and life. Being a Cameroonian is my identity but it is not who I am; my experiences in Cameroon and beyond make me who I am.

MyWeku: Some of your work seems to be influenced by love – you’ve written some of the best contemporary poetry on it. Can you tell us a little about love and poetry?

BA:Ah, love! Thanks for the compliment by the way, I’m sure everyone can tell that it’s my favorite topic to talk and write about. I used to think I knew what love was when I was younger and somehow that notion sustained me through my early adulthood. It wasn’t until I found love—not as in a person per say, but in words that became flesh– did I realize what love truly is. God is love. I have and will continue to learn from the ultimate poet, Jesus Christ, what love is all about. There is a love that cannot be touched by man, one that is so beautiful that if you let it fill you, it will eventually spill out of you and unto others. When you’re in a constant state of this amazing gift there is nothing that you cannot do. But without it we are merely just existing, wasting and dying.

MyWeku: Is there a well established contemporary African poetry scene in the United States?

BA:I think we can always do more. There is always room to grow isn’t there? The better we get at communicating, supporting and encouraging one another, the more we shall arise. Thanks to people like you who care enough to extend a hand, we can begin to expose the wonderful talents that emerge from Africa.

MyWeku: How long did it take you to write the well acclaimed Lemonade Street and what is the significance of the title?

BA:Lemonade Street was compiled under two weeks. I was tired of procrastinating and telling people I was a writer when I was not actively seeking to have my work published. My work was everywhere on the internet, I had countless followers and readers who kept asking when I would publish a poetry book. So I went back to my box of ‘treasures’ which held countless books of poems and songs and several diaries filled with words ready to come alive. I chose a few from there—as you will see a poem or two in the book which were written when I was 13—and together with a few recent titles, Lemonade Street was born. The original title was going to be “My beloved is mine”, but unfortunately there was another author in the same publishing house with a similar title. I was then asked to change it. At first I was a little upset but I am glad that happened because now no other title fits this book like Lemonade Street. I started thinking about what could be sweet, bitter and sour at the same time and then it came to me, lemonade! I imagined all these people going through so many different emotions, all living on the same street et voila! Lemonade Street: Love is like Lemonade, sometimes it’s sweet, sometimes it’s sour.

MyWeku: Do you think poetry can be used as a means for social change in Africa and elsewhere?

BA:The written word is much stronger I believe. A person by themselves, physically, can never do what words written in many different languages and circulated can do. Take for example, even though Christ may not physically be here on earth, his spirit through his words—which is still him—is here and very present. I believe poetry can be used as a means for every kind of political, academic, economic, spiritual, mental and physical change. When we look at the grand scale of things we may get overwhelmed and remain stagnant, but if we just thought of change as being one word—one kind, encouraging, loving word—from one person to the next, we can do the impossible.

MyWeku: Where do you see yourself going creatively in the future?

BA:I am going to be burning up the bestseller list in poetry, children’s books and non-fiction novels. My songwriting skills will be put to great use as I have written, among many, a song specifically for one of my favorite artists of all time; Prince. All my efforts will be geared towards stopping world hunger—a cause very near and dear to my heart– building orphanages and providing opportunities for those who need it. In everything I do, my purpose is to share God’s light and love.

MyWeku: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

BA:I am always writing. I always carry a pen and a note book with me. There is so much to write about and I never want to miss a thing. I sleep with a pen and pad by my bedside because many nights I’ve woken up with stories and songs I’ve dreamed up which need to be set free. In between my bouts of writing I read a lot of non-fiction books. I like movies, photography, fine arts and I love to exercise. Exercise is like breathing air for me, it rejuvenates and energizes me. Far more importantly, I love spending time with my family—my beautiful daughter, Nina and my wonderful husband, Rick.

MyWeku: Do you have any suggestions to help aspiring writers?

BA:Write, write, write and then write some more. It doesn’t have to be a constructive thought, it could be something random you saw on your way to work, a feeling you have in the pit of your stomach or the dress you saw on sale at the mall–just write. Make time to write a little everyday. Study everything you can about your craft, read from your favorite authors and network with other writers—this is very important—don’t be afraid to share your work and ask for an honest review. Learn from your mistakes and correct them. When someone says they don’t like your work, remember it is only their opinion. If what you have written matters to you, there will be people out there who you were meant to reach and those are the people who will be your audience. Last but definitely not the very least, write about what you know.

MyWeku:Anything else you’d like to add?

BA:My upcoming book WHEN A WOMAN LOVES A MAN, will be in stores shortly. I just finished my first children’s book and I’m collaborating with my daughter on our first Children’s poetry book. I am also working on a Children’s book series with my aunt in-law and editor, Cathlene Sares and a FOREVER YOUNG REVOLUTION cook book with my husband, Rick, and my mother in-law, Darlene Lakota. To stay posted you can visit my site here: Bernice Angoh Website. Thank you for letting me share a little piece of my world.