Signed, Hopelessly in Love
Young Adult
Publisher: Tafelberg (South Africa)
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I have just finished reading this wonderful book written by our very own blog pal and successful Botswana based author, Lauri Kubuitsile. Written as young adult fiction the story is about Amo and her friends, as they encounter and struggle with dramas, disasters and delights that entangle teenagers everywhere.
I read this book quite fast and found the story and dialogue to be entirely engrossing. Lauri takes you straight into the story through the gentle and confiding dialogue between Amo as the main character and you the reader. Like a sailing ship that leaves the shore - before you know it you are bobbing along in the story. There is plenty of humour and some anxious moments, as the characters deal with very actual situations - some as timeless as time itself, and some with a more modern twist.
But I shall say no more about the story for now. Monkeys on the Roof is very privelidged to be able to ask Lauri a few questions about "Signed Hopelessly In Love";
If you would like to ask her a question yourself, please leave a comment below. Lauri will be checking in throughout the day.
You can also read more of her writing here
but for now a small chat with Lauri
I read this book quite fast and found the story and dialogue to be entirely engrossing. Lauri takes you straight into the story through the gentle and confiding dialogue between Amo as the main character and you the reader. Like a sailing ship that leaves the shore - before you know it you are bobbing along in the story. There is plenty of humour and some anxious moments, as the characters deal with very actual situations - some as timeless as time itself, and some with a more modern twist.
But I shall say no more about the story for now. Monkeys on the Roof is very privelidged to be able to ask Lauri a few questions about "Signed Hopelessly In Love";
If you would like to ask her a question yourself, please leave a comment below. Lauri will be checking in throughout the day.
You can also read more of her writing here
but for now a small chat with Lauri
Please tell us where you found the inspiration for these characters. I know you have lovely young adult children of your own and so I am picturing Amo and Nono as being inspired by lives of young people you know.
No, they’re not really inspired by my kids. I’m not sure where these characters came from to be honest. I knew I wanted a story where a teen girl makes a mistake and thinks the world has ended because of it. Haven’t we all been there? From there I met Amogelang who introduced me to her friend Nono.
It is wonderful to read a work of fiction that takes you specifically into the lives of young people in Botswana. Although you have touched lightly on some of the bigger issues that they may have to deal with in their young lives – the rest presents them more or less as typical teenagers.
Yes, some kids in Botswana have tough lives. Just like some kids in UK and some kids in America. I tire quickly with the much repeated “sad African tale” and I try my best not to perpetrate it. Not that I ignore our problems in Botswana, I know that they’re there and in many places in my books and short stories I address them. But I want truth. I think we need to be careful to show the truth, the complete truth not the CNN/donor NGO truth. In Botswana we have fun, we love each other, we laugh, we watch TV, we eat cake, we dance, we dream of Prince Charmings, we want to fly to the moon- we live full interesting, loving lives like humans everywhere. It is not all AIDS and poverty and problems. In fact that is just a small part of it really.
I also wondered whether you had even been an Aunt Lulu yourself during your journalistic/writing career?
No, I’ve never been an agony aunt but I read the columns. I’m quite a nosy person in general and I love these columns as they really feed my addiction to get the inside info on people.
The agony Aunt pages of popular magazines are always intruiging and informative; and can be a good source of story ideas in themselves, for a budding writer. Were there any Aunt Lulu tales that inspired you in real life?
Nothing I can remember that inspired me specifically. You know you get to learn a few life lessons from the paths others have walked and that is always useful. I’m also a bit surprised how we all sort of worry about the same sorts of things. The human condition I guess.
Do you plan the plot before you start writing, or do the characters take you to a natural conclusion as the story unfolds?
For books I usually have a loose plan before I start. I wrote for television a bit and that taught me how useful it is to have write-ups of characters (character bibles) and a plan for where you’re heading. This also allows you to be sure that you keep suspense throughout the book. But I’m not crazy strict. Often the book that emerges from the other end of the process is quite different from the original plan.
My favourite character is Gran – I love how she can look right into their thoughts with her piercing eyes. How teenagers view elderly relatives must be the same the world over. Children being raised by their grandparents is an entirely normal situation in an African context . The two main characters always treat Gran with great respect suggesting what some cultures would call ‘old fashioned values’ – in your opinion are these alive and well amongst Batswana youth?
Yes, I do think respect for the elderly is still very much a part of Setswana culture and I hope it stays that way, especially that soon I will be described as elderly myself. But seriously, respect for elders is an integral part of Setswana culture and one I admire very much.
Does Nono make it to the moon? And most importantly – will there be a sequel?
Of course, Nono makes it to the moon! Nono is her nickname as you know. Her full name is Nonofo- strength. Nothing will be stopping her! I really am so pleased that people want a sequel. I like the idea of a sequel too.
About Lauri
Lauri Kubuitsile is an award winning, full time writer living in Botswana. Her short stories have been published on four continents and she has 14 published works of fiction, primarily for children. She’s also written six textbooks, two television series and numerous radio scripts. She has twice won first place in Africa’s prize for children’s writing, The Golden Baobab. Most recently she was shortlisted for The Caine Prize.
Email: HYPERLINK "mailto:lakubuitsile@gmail.com" lakubuitsile@gmail.com
Blog: http://thoughtsfrombotswana.blogspot.com
here's where you can buy the book online
Link for Book Depository: HYPERLINK "http://www.bookdepository.com/Signed-Hopelessly-Love-Lauri-Kubuitsile/9780624052883" http://www.bookdepository.com/Signed-Hopelessly-Love-Lauri-Kubuitsile/9780624052883
Amazon.com--http://www.amazon.com/Signed-Hopelessly-Love-Lauri-Kubuitsile/dp/0624052885 (limited availability)
Kalahari.com: HYPERLINK "http://www.kalahari.com/books/Signed-hopelessly-in-love/65197/41480273.aspx" http://www.kalahari.com/books/Signed-hopelessly-in-love/65197/41480273.aspx
Amazon.co.uk: HYPERLINK "http://www.amazon.co.uk/Signed-Hopelessly-Love-Lauri-Kubuitsile/dp/0624052885" http://www.amazon.co.uk/Signed-Hopelessly-Love-Lauri-Kubuitsile/dp/0624052885 (claims not released, preorder)
Loot.co.za: HYPERLINK "http://www.loot.co.za/product/lauri-kubuitsile-signed-hopelessly-in-love/vdxm-1637-g470?referrer=iosa" http://www.loot.co.za/product/lauri-kubuitsile-signed-hopelessly-in-love/vdxm-1637-g470?referrer=iosa
Monkeys on the Roof is proud and delighted to be part of the illustrious Blog Book Tour
previous stops on the tour can be found here
1. October 12: Selma in the City (http://selmainthecity.wordpress.com/)
2. October 19:Bordertown Notes: http://bordertownnotes.blogspot.com/
3. November 2: Myne Whitman Writes (http://www.mynewhitmanwrites.com/)
4. November 16: Straight From Hel (http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/)
Congratulations Lauri - wishing you every success with this and all your other projects that promote literacy among the young
12 comments:
Hi Val - great post! I loved getting some more insight into Signed Hopelessly in Love.. I also loved the Gran character!! We simply must have a sequel, Lauri, (if you're there!)
Hi Val and Karen! Yes I'm finally here after a scary bit of computer madness this morning (the dreaded BLUE SCREEN) but I'm back in business.
Thanks so much for hosting the last stop on my blog book tour Val. And thanks for all of your lovely words about my book. Someone just tweeted that my book is among the 44 brilliant reads in SA's O Magazine for December. I must get some coins together and check and see what that's about.
Hi Karen - thanks for stopping by; thank goodness Lauri was able to decipher some actual questions from my garbled conversational style interview!!
yup Lauri - you there? we need a sequel! please?
xxV
When I started out writing I wanted to be a humourous writer and my first attempts were flops. So I thought it was not for me. Then my biggest success so far has been being shortlisted for the Caine with my funny story 'In the Spirit of McPhineas Lata' and now I'm having a bit of success with this book. So now I'm trying my luck again- I just started a book called Mma Di-Units, which I hope will be funny and then I promise back for the sequel to this one!
Hi Lauri and Val and Karen, how nice to join your party here! Isn`t this internet a marvel, almost like a telephone conference! Lauri, I have not read your book(s) yet, but from what you and Val said I feel quite related to your attitude, and of course I like it that your Gran character is so delightful, as I am a grandma myself. Being a fan of Karen`s blog, and knowing about Val loving Botswana, and also having read the Mma Ramotswe stories, I would really love to read your books, with their setting in Botswana.
After I have, I will surely return to you! Grüße aus Deutschland!
Lauri - that is great news frm the Tweeters. Did you find out what that was about? Good to hear there is a new book in the pipeline. Looking forward to more excellent reads. Thanks for including us in the blog tour!
Geli -thanks for coming to the book tour. I know you will love to read this book! It could be a lovely one for your English pupils.
Excellent interview.. I really enjoyed it. It is so fascinating to get such an insight into Lauri's writing process. I love the character of Gran too - she is wonderful. Thank you so much!
hi Selma - thanks for visiting - enjoyed your interview more! Lauri was very skilled at extracting questions from my very conversational interview 'style' :)
actually all the characters are great - its a fun read. and brought back some long forgotten memories :D
I *do* want to read this!
Sorry for my absence. My ADSL got struck by lightning and went into a coma. Thanks everyone for stopping by.
Yes Val the book is in O Magazine! Here's the photo etc at my blog: http://thoughtsfrombotswana.blogspot.com/2011/11/my-book-in-oprah-magazine-you-say-yes.html- seriously exciting!!
this is fabulous val. i loved reading about how lauri approaches her work - also what she said about the perception of life in africa vs. the truth. this book sounds like it puts quite a different spin on that perception and with some fascinating characters to boot. thanks for sharing this ~ xxoo
p.s. wow - big news that lauri's book made the list in o mag - congrats!!
Kristin - you must - its a fun read aimed at the young mainly, but not necessarily.
Lauri - thats fantastic about O magazine! well done
Amanda - Lauri's approach is so refreshing - its great to read about A typical teen angst and dramas, treated with gentle humour and a Botswana slant.
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