Taking South Africa to the international stage
Kurt Ellis chats to Carla Lever about his undying love of words
Congratulations on your latest book, Kurt! Can you tell us a little about what to expect from it?
In the Midst of Wolves is a dark, psychological thriller set in Johannesburg. I intended to write a uniquely South African story with international appeal.
It’s the story of a man struggling with his personal demons who must now battle the very real criminal demons who plague society. The reader will delve into the world of muti murders, African mysticism, police corruption, unethical journalism, loss of faith and the search for redemption.
If you’d like a taste of what you can expect from In the Midst of Wolves, please visit the Penguin Random House website and read the free short story titled Star Crossed. It’s a wonderful introduction to the main character, before the events that take place in the book.
It was your grade 5 teacher who first spotted your talent. How did your parents react to the suggestion of buying you a typewriter?
They got me a typewriter! It was an ancient machine that I struggled to use, but I used it nonetheless until the ribbon ran dry and we had no money to replace it. My family has always been supportive of my writing — I’m very lucky with that. So often teachers are fundamental in nurturing creativity in our children. What advice would you give to educators and parents caring for a child who loves storytelling?
Just let them be. Let your child be a little weird, let them think out of the box and let them create their own worlds.
They may not end up as storytellers, but the creative thinking you’re nurturing will serve them well, even in the business world.
The tale of writing your very first book is an odyssey in itself! Against the odds, you wrote while still in school and often while working full-time. Why was this goal so important to you?
It really wasn’t a choice for me. It was more of a deep need to write. That’s what being a writer is, I think.
Were there any resources or organisations that helped you develop your talent, as well as pitch your first manuscript to prospective publishers?
Unfortunately, there were none. Or at least none that I’d heard of — it would have made it so much easier.
This is why I run creative writing workshops on weekends; not only to help prospective writers improve their craft, but also to advise them on the long, lonely and sometimes painful road of finding a publisher.
Reading and telling stories with your children is a powerful gift to them. It builds knowledge, language, imagination and school success! For more information about the Nal’ibali campaign, or to access children’s stories in a range of South African languages, visit: www.nalibali.org.