Geraldine Sinyuy Interviews Ngong Grace Fien, Female Cameroonian Educator and Published Creative Writer with an Unflinching Courage
Geraldine Sinyuy: In your opinion, what makes a good story?
Ngong Grace Fien: A good story begins at media res, goes back to the beginning and exposes the conflict. The plot continues with a mixture of comedy and tragedy culminating with a resolution and a morale.
Geraldine Sinyuy: Writers are also believed to be ardent readers. When did you start reading?
Ngong Grace Fien: Yes, I started reading in Form one, secondary school. As far back as 1985.
Geraldine Sinyuy: What kind of literature did you read when you were growing up?
Ngong Grace Fien: I read Romantic stories and trillers. Mills and Boon and James Hardly Chase respectively.
Geraldine Sinyuy: Where do you get your inspiration for writing?
Ngong Grace Fien: I got it from DH Lawrence's Sons and Lovers. That's the main text I used for my Master's thesis in 2007.
Geraldine Sinyuy: Do you ever get inspiration from your dreams?
Ngong Grace Fien: Yes, a lot.
Geraldine Sinyuy: What is your favourite genre to write and why?
Ngong Grace Fien: Prose and Drama. Novels and short stories. I like stories.
Geraldine Sinyuy: Who is your favourite author, and what is it that actually touches you about their work?
Ngong Grace Fien: DH Lawrence. Romance. I like romantic fiction.
Geraldine Sinyuy: Have you ever experienced what is called a writer’s block? If yes, how did you get out of it?
Ngong Grace Fien: No.
Geraldine Sinyuy: What themes do you write about?
Ngong Grace Fien: Love, morality plays
Geraldine Sinyuy: Do you in any way write about human rights? If yes, what aspects of human rights?
Ngong Grace Fien: No I’m a creative writer.
Geraldine Sinyuy: Can you share an instance where you drew from real-life events to write your story?
Ngong Grace Fien: Yes.
Geraldine Sinyuy: Have you published any books? How have they been received in the society?
Ngong Grace Fien: Yes, A positive feedback.
Geraldine Sinyuy: That’s very encouraging. What is the most inspiring feedback you've ever received from a reader?
Ngong Grace Fien: Late Peterkings Manyong once said, my novel was so interesting and kept him glued to the pages like a palatable dish.
Geraldine Sinyuy: How has your writing evolved from when you started writing till now?
Ngong Grace Fien: Much. I was the author and editor when I published my first two novels. But at moment I’m writing with Global Writer. Short stories.
Geraldine Sinyuy: What are some of the challenges that you face as a writer?
Ngong Grace Fien: The main challenge is that many people don't read like in the past. Even my closest collaborators haven't gotten the time to read
Geraldine Sinyuy: What advice will you give to young aspiring people who want to become writers?
Ngong Grace Fien: The young should write specially to expose some societal ills. They shouldn't be too interested in the stories of people online.
Geraldine Sinyuy: What writing project are you currently working on now?
Ngong Grace Fien: I’m working on a short story for Global Writers. A romance fiction.
Ngong Grace Fien was born of peasant parents in Njinikom Boyo Division, North West Providence Cameroon. She obtained a Master's Degree in English Literature in 2007 from The University of Yaoundé I. She published her first novel entitled NOSTALGIA (Sweet Bitter Memories) in 2014. She published two short stories entitled, “All That Ends Well”: and “Akem Turns Over a New Leaf” in 2020 (The World Bank sponsored this). She also participated in a compilation of stories in two Anthologies entitled White Christmas and Gruesome Blast directed by Sarawrites in 2024. She also attempted writing a poem that has been published in an Anthology that is edited, compiled and published by Nkwetatang Sampson Ngueke. She has many works awaiting publication. One of them is an adorable Drama piece. She is presently a literature and English Language teacher in the private sector.
