Name: Mihret Adal Gidi
Career: Author, designer
Educational level: BA
Novel: Bleeding hearts of a butterfly.
Mihret Adal Gidi is a young Ethiopian author. She graduated from Kotobe Metropolitan University College in English Language and Literature. She developed love for writing starting from her childhood. It is her mother that laid the base for where she is now turning a standard-bearer.
Miheret grew up dreaming big— stamping her fingerprint on Ethiopia’s literature as well as the world’s. She is a dedicated young author. She did win a book cover critic competition. Winning an award she managed to get her first novel entitled The Bleeding Heart of a Butterfly published abroad by one of the best publishers in the world Austin Macauley Publishers, London, United Kingdom.
The Ethiopian Herald had a time of togetherness with this emerging young author Mihret Adal Gidi.
Herald: When and how did you develop the love for literature?
Mihret Adal Gidi: I have been smitten by the love of reading and writing starting from my early childhood. My mother is the secret behind my success. She is my idol. She was an avid reader of literary books. She still has a huge appetite for such books. She wielded influence on me. Thanks to this influence, I got a chance to read and love writing.
I started writing when I was a 7th grader. In addition, often my friends and I were prone to the habit of coming up with literary and imaginative stories to compliment and criticize one another organizing petty forums. Also, I had an amazing teacher who helped me to be where I am and encouraged me to go for my calling—writing. These were the motivational factors that made me adore literature.
Herald: How did you hone your writing skills in English?
Mihret: Again back to my childhood. My very first world of English started with dancing and watching movies. Starting from that, I started falling in love with the language. In addition I used to read lots of books in English and to try my hands at writing literary pieces.
Such bents helped me to develop and hone my English language.
Herald: Tell us about the up and downs you passed through in the publication of your novel “The Bleeding Heart of a Butterfly”?
Mihret: My first challenge began while I was looking for publishers. In Ethiopia, it is pretty tough to find publishers for English books. Finding a good publisher is really hard. That was really a terrible challenge for me. To choose a genuine company, I had approached different challenges.
The second problem was the absence of the means here for effecting financial transaction with foreign companies. Unlike other countries, even neighboring countries, we do not have easiest ways to complete payment. It was not about lack of money but we do not have systems. I was really frustrated to foot bills to be delivered in foreign currency.
It is only on media people appreciate writing books in English. But backing such moves
should be translated into action.
In addition, the culture of reading in the country is really underwhelming. So, as an author deciding to confront such challenges presupposes love for literature. Introducing English books in Ethiopia could be greeted by a cold shoulder. My book has won international acceptance but here people may have no information about it.
People love stories which are simple to decode. We have to start imaginative stories like fantasy and science fictions. So, here, there seems to be a paradigm shift from what we have experienced.
Herald: What is the message you want to convey to younger Ethiopians who want to follow in your footsteps. Some say, writing in English is unthinkable. What is your take on this?
Mihret: Regarding spoken English, it not really hard. Speaking in Amharic is very hard than speaking in English. In Amharic, you have to carefully select words for what you are speaking. But English is easy and you can easily communicate.
As the saying goes the sun never sets on the English language, it is an international language. If one keeps on practicing, things will prove alright. True to the saying skill comes with practice, practice makes one perfect. So, I want to embolden them not to be afraid.
For those who have a dream for literature, I would like to say no dream is big and no dream is small. It means, when one dreams big, one should know one can actualize it if one works hard. No dream is small because once one started taking steps, one will face challenges. It is not going to be like something one has imagined it costs one. So, one should get ready to face challenges to get his dreams. Do not fear to dream and do not fear to start. Work on your dreams genuinely and continuously. Your dreams will gradually take shape.
Go beyond the line. For me authors have no given country. Every given country and culture belongs to authors. Such mentality helps to develop and grow more in the field. Observably, most Ethiopian authors are confined to politics and mobs’ areas of intrest. We have lots of things to write about. We have to work on many issues that could draw the attention of foreign readers.
Here, we do love only happy endings. We have to try horror to terrify. We need to practice different jobs and see things from different perspectives. We need consider the culture of the entire world.
Herald: Give us the synopsis of The Bleeding Heart of a Butterfly?
Mihret: It is a romance-charged Novel. It deals with a girl who faces layers of challenges. The genre is fiction (a novel) entire of the book is fictional character. It is all about the decisions she made and the betrayal she faced.
In addition, it about friendship and family.
Herald: How did you assess the reading culture of Ethiopians?
Mihret: Frankly speaking, our reading habit is lacking. Moreover, most people are scouting for political staffs.
Currently, the trend is getting a turn for the better. We have to work on it. Reading is the foundation of everything. Whoever reads and brushes up his/her mind can do things easily and could bear a torch for generation. New technologies and innovations are found in reading.
We need to have events in different schools, universities, and different places to cultivate the reading culture of the generation. In other countries such events are held in different schools. Since, schools are base for everything; I think they should incorporate reading programs and events in their curriculum.
Herald: What plans do you have down the road?
Mihret: I want to grow more on this. My book is my very first brainchild and I want to see it as a great success. I know it is a great accomplishment but I want to release many other books. This is just a beginning and I do have so many other works pending to see the light of day.
In addition, I want people to advise me what to do and how I could fully unleash my potential. A person cannot just grow because he wants to grow. It needs the encouragement and feedback.
Currently, I am working on the sequel of the book and a Horror story is coming up. I am working on them.
Herald: Readers say your figurative speeches are stunning? Also your diction is nice. What can you say about that?
Mihret: Honestly speaking, I would like to hear while others are talking about that. I have been fighting and giving my entire life for creating such a vibe. What I know is I did all what I could.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge my entire family, especially, my mom. You are the super mom all over the world. Thank you for showing me women too could do anything. She is my first coach and reader.
The Ethiopian Herald July 14, 2019
BY AMBO MEKASA
