Q&A: Author Rashmii Amoah Bell
We talk to editor of My Walk to Equality: Essays, Stories and Poetry by Papua New Guinean Women, the first anthology of PNG women’s writing.
Q: Where did the idea for My Walk to Equality come from?
A: I was a guest speaker at the Brisbane Writers Festival in September 2016, and one of the questions my panel asked of the audience was: ‘ What would you like to read more of regarding PNG?’ The overwhelming response was that people wanted to read more positive stories, particularly from Papua New Guinean women. Phil Fitzpatrick from Pukpuk Publications jumped on board with the idea and, by the end of that month, I’d put a call out for potential contributors.
Q: The journey from idea to publication happened very quickly, didn’t it?
A: Yes. Submissions closed just three months later, with the finished product featuring the work of 45 Papua New Guinean women writers. The book was published in paperback and digital download in January, and we launched the book in both Australia and Papua New Guinea in March, to coincide with International Women’s Day.
Q: What’s the best thing about My Walk to Equality?
A: The book fills a void, celebrating the work of so many Papua New Guinean writers, and their commentary on PNG life. A fantastic side-effect of this has been that some of the contributors have also gained the confidence to go on and continue to express themselves creatively. Vanessa Gordon’s performance poetry clips are a great example. The book’s both a platform and an advocate for PNG literature and creativity.
Q: Where are you from?
A: Sio village in the Tewaii-Siasi local level government area, Morobe Province. I was born in Lae and studied in Australia, where I now live.
Q: What got you into writing?
A: I’ve always loved reading, so writing was just a natural progression. I’d always read the New York Times online and just practise writing. Raising young children, I’d create word lists for them, and I used to have a personal blog. After some unsuccessful attempts at publishing my work, I finally had success with Keith Jackson’s PNG Attitude – an online platform focusing on Papua New Guinea–Australia relations, which discusses contemporary Papua New Guinean issues.
Q: Do you have any advice for beginner writers?
A: Read everything and anything, and don’t be afraid to get into different genres. I’m reading a lot of science texts at the moment, which has helped to broaden my vocabulary, scope and technique. Write for yourself. People might be offended by your work, especially if it’s a critical or satirical piece, but you can’t let that bother you – and it won’t, if you write for yourself.
Q: What’s next?
Hopefully, another anthology – I’d like to showcase Papua New Guineans’ expertise in critical thinking. I’ll also be a guest speaker at this year’s Brisbane Writers Festival, talking about My Walk to Equality. ■ My Walk to Equality: Essays, Stories and Poetry by Papua New Guinean Women is available at amazon.com.