Introduce Yourself: Introducing Guest Author Khaya Ronkainen

Today, I’d like to welcome Khaya Ronkainen. Welcome to The PBS Blog! Let’s get started.

What is your name and where are you from?

My name is Khaya Ronkainen. I was born and bred in South Africa, and I now call Finland my second home.

South Africa in the houusee. What was your childhood dream?

To become a teacher. I have huge respect for teachers. I talk this, and also the reasons why I never took up the occupation after all, in the “About” page of my site.

Nice. We’ll be sure to link that below. In your own words, what is humility?

Humility is not a low opinion of one’s self but an awareness that there’s always room for improvement, even if one is confident in their abilities and skills/talents.

Absolutely agree. Who’s your favorite Historical figure?

Nelson Mandela, because he gave me a voice. Most people are aware of apartheid system and its laws that prohibited many things in South Africa. For those who do not know what apartheid is, I suggest a read that sheds some light on the nature of racial injustices at the time, Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton, a South African author. I read somewhere that if one wants to understand a country, they must read its authors. So I hope you’re inspired to pick up the book if you’ve never read it.

Awesome. What is the most thought provoking book you’ve ever read?

Animal Farm by George Orwell. It’s the first influential book I read that showed me the power of a written word, and opened up a whole new world. I have to thank my English teacher, Mrs. Roos, during my high school years. She knew how to activate young minds and keep them engaged through literature.

Available now on Amazon

Loved Orwell’s 1984. What’s the most difficult thing about being a writer?

It’s often difficult for me to describe what I do to people who don’t write or create in any other form. Because what I do, writing, largely depends on an exaggerated inspiration or the elusive muse that holds me hostage, but with no promise of real money.

The most exciting thing?

Dreaming stories into being, that is, the gift of imagination.

You said, there’s no promise of real money in writing. With Indie Publishing being as successful as it is these days, do you think that’s changing? In what way can we improve how writers are paid?

Certainly, there’s no denying the success and benefits of indie publishing; total creative control, higher royalties, supportive indie communities, and so on. More importantly, indie books are doing well as traditionally published books, when it comes to e-publishing, in some genres.

When I talk about no promise of real money, I’m not speaking for all writers but my own writing, which is mostly poetry. Let’s face it, poetry is a difficult genre to sell. My observation is that people love poetry or at least, the idea of poetry, but are not so eager to buy poetry books.

We also know that no one goes into poetry for money. Poets still have to hustle and take regular jobs in order to earn a living. So, perhaps, I’ll rephrase your question, “In what way can we improve how writers are paid?” with “How can we support poets, as readers, and stop undervaluing their work by expecting to get it for free?

As you can see, I’m passionate about this topic. But I’ll stop here.

No, keep going! I love the passion and you are absolutely right. While no one should “poet” for money, no one should do anything else for money! You shouldn’t embrace any path for money specifically and yet we must eat. Looking at it this way, why is poetry or writing…why is Art in general, not expected to be profitable? Something to think about.

I suppose I don’t have to ask what genre you write in…

Poetry, because I like its brevity and the immediacy it creates. Fiction (semi-autobiographical works) because I like to blur the line between fact and fiction. I’m also a horror genre “visiting writer.” As a matter of fact, I’ve recently published my second poetry chapbook, a small collection of dark poetry.

Available now on Amazon

Outside of writing, what are some of your passions?

Nature is my playground and a playmate, my husband. Seriously, I do all sorts of outdoor activities, and I draw huge inspiration from nature.

I can see that about you! Beautiful. What would be the most amazing adventure to go on?

Taking a sabbatical in order to go backpacking through Asia.

Thank you Khaya for spending this time with us. We enjoyed you!

Copyright ©2019. Khaya Ronkainen. photo used with permission.

Bio

Khaya Ronkainen is an independent author, writer, poet, public speaker and many other things. She currently lives in Finland with her husband.

Her work often examines duality of an immigrant life, cultural identity, relations among immigrants, and nature. She is the author of two poetry chapbooks, Seasons Defined and From the Depths of Darkness, both available at Amazon Kindle.

She is currently at work on her debut novel about growing up in South Africa during apartheid era. Learn more about the writer and her work or connect via her blog at www.khayaronkainen.fi.

You can also find/connect with Khaya at:

Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B07DGT7683

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khaya.ronkainen/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18097702.Khaya_Ronkainen

Blog: http://www.khayaronkainen.fi/

Are you an author? Looking for more exposure? Learn more about my Introduce Yourself Feature HERE. 

Published by

Yecheilyah

Writing to restore Black historical truth through fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

34 thoughts on “Introduce Yourself: Introducing Guest Author Khaya Ronkainen”

  1. Reblogged this on Khaya Ronkainen and commented:
    I recently sat down for a chat with Yecheilyah of The PBS Blog, where we talked about writing and also touched on the subject of not “poeting” for money. Head over to read more about my writing and influences!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    2. Just read your interview on yecheilyah’s blog and I already feel like I know you just a little but I will check out your blog and certainly I will know you better anyway big shutout to south Africans who are making it big like you and representing us as a country.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

  3. Liked your interview with khaya and what I mostly like about your blog is the fact that you give platform to artists out there which means you help them to build their brands which under normal circumstances people would want to be paid for that considering views and followers you have by the way big shutout to all south Africans who are making it big out there.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much. Appreciate the love. While I do have paid services, I genuinely enjoy doing my part to empower the Independent Author Community by offering my platform. I also think it’s a good idea to offer something for free alongside the paid services as a thank you to the authors who do support my work. Big ups South Africa!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    2. That’s so true, Tsepo :-). Yecheilyah is doing a sterling job in highlighting Indie authors. I’ve met some amazing writers through her. I can’t thank her enough!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      3. Khaya there are new posts on your blog and I would like to comment on but I can’t anymore as the commenting option is no longer there so I don’t know what’s going???

        Like

        Reply

        1. Hi there! That’s worrying because you should be able to comment via WordPress.

          There’s only one post “On Not Poeting for Money” that comments are closed as I interact through Yecheilyah’s blog.

          But on all other latest posts you should be able to comment. Please try again, and let me know if the problem persists.

          Liked by 2 people

          Reply

          1. Unfortunately the problem is still persistent which means I can only like your posts so hopeful very soon we’ll find the solution. Most of my followers are not south Africans so having south African on my blog is nicer that is why I don’t want to stop communication with our so easily.

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply

            1. Hi There! Thanks so much for your patience. I really appreciate that you’d like to continue the conversation, I’d like that very much myself. I’ve update the settings, and you should be able now to comment via WordPress.com, Twitter, Facebook, or Google+ accounts…*crossing fingers that you succeed* 🙂

              Liked by 2 people

              Reply

          2. It may just be a few posts that aren‘t allowing comments it happens. @Khaya, try going to your dashboard and editing the post not allowing comments (using the new editor). In the sidebar, scroll down until you see discussion. Check to see if your allow comments box is checked on the post.

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply

            1. Indeed, the allow comments box was off. Thank you so much Yecheilyah for your suggestion. See I’m self-hosting, and I sometimes forget to check settings on WordPress.com side 🙂

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply
  7. Pingback: On Not “Poeting” for Money & Such – Khaya Ronkainen

    1. Aww Maga! Lovely to see you here. I guess there’s so much to keep learning about each other. As for ‘horror genre visiting writer’, it came from initial my refusal to see myself as a horror writer and after insistence from my critique partners. But look at me now…trying my luck with dark poetry! 😀

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.