Suitcase books of thoughts, memories and desires, ideas or regret may direct one to have an inventive mind. However, study, research and life experience help one to have a clear scope and train of thought on varied topics and fresh perspectives.

 Frequently I wear different suits to fit the occasions and change them as quickly when I am in my creative zone. 

Vimbai Tafara is Elizabeth Taderera’s main character in The Beautiful Hell Part one and Part two. In these two books, I walked with her in the dusty village of Chivi to her flamboyant lifestyle in Jo’burg. The three of us (Elizabeth, Vimbai and myself) laughed and cried together while going through Vimbai’s self discovery adventure. That is just but one of the masterpieces which Elizabeth has easily crafted for her readers.

Through our interactions with the Midlander, Elizabeth Taderera also known as Aries Rage, she has become the younger sister I have always wanted. She is a 28-year-old international award-winning poet and author from Gweru and today I feature her so we can explore her journey, achievements, prospects, and other future goals.

Elizabeth said she is initiative-taking, and she has always been a writer throughout her school days but never took it seriously.

“I am an enthusiastic human who takes everything she does seriously and love collaborating with people and learning new things, though I am a little bit of an introvert, I am down to earth and love making new friends. I am a driven woman who is self motivated and inspired by the environment around me.”

“I remember penning down my emotions in a diary not realizing that these were some forms of poetry. An idea to get my diary published, gave birth to wanting to be a published author hence the book, A Beautiful Hell coming to life. I started typing one day and knew that I wanted to get it published and have it read with someone other than myself… I joined writer’s groups on Facebook and took and posted about my desire to become a published author…I was lucky to find a publisher Michelle from Grammar House, a South African Publisher who took a chance on me and it paid off,” said Elizabeth.

 Personally, I believe that for one to write or create certain scenes, you need to have an accurate understanding of the topics involved. The character development process though varies.

Elizabeth added that: “When I create my characters, I usually become the character. I imagine what they would speak like, walk, chew, everything, once I give my characters emotions, I connect with them better. I just struggle with naming them lol, but then it just happens that the names I give them coincides with the themes.”

“When I am working on a novel I listen to music, old school RnB, the likes of Toni Braxton and anything beyond her time, it gets me in the zone…then when I am writing poetry, it’s my surroundings that inspired me. My creative juices do run out, I usually get terrible writer’s block and just do not want to write and sometimes, I fail to get the right words on paper,” she said.

Elizabeth has authored several books both fiction and poetry collection, but what I would want to know is can she easily separate her characters from her own personality, or she unconsciously includes some of her own traits.

“I have realized that I create alter egos every time I write. I bring out a personality that could be hidden in me, I let out a different kind of me and explore that personality and I give that character a little bit of me so that I do not get lost.” she said

As we all walk through life’s journey, we learn many lessons and Elizabeth has many to share about her journey so far.

“The first lesson I have learnt is patience, having confidence in myself and knowing that mistakes are not the end of the world. It is not only in school that one can find valuable lessons and advise. To the younger generation, follow your dreams, sometimes it does not feel worth it but keeping your dreams alive and following them is the best thing that can ever happen to you. Be open to criticism it only makes you better. To parents, be open minded, give your children the chance to show you what they can do at the same time offer them guidance.”

Besides being an author, Elizabeth enjoys learning new stuff and trying out new projects.

The cry of my heart is for all creative artists to own their craft just as Elizabeth is evidently doing. Each day must be an opportunity for growth in your art while also teaching others to do the same. Unless there is individual enlightenment, many will keep on moving aimlessly like a headless chicken or chickenless head.

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