We recently connected with Fiske Nyirongo and have shared our conversation below.
Fiske, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from the people who have invested in me in one way or another—the women (and men) who have shown me kindness and softness. It’s rooted in the generosity of an uncle who insisted we spend school holidays in his mini mansion when my parents struggled to feed us, and a mother who crossed borders to ensure I received an education. Although I’ve come to resent the word ‘resilience’ at times, I recognize it as the product of falling down repeatedly, picking myself back up, and creating something beautiful from heartbreak and chaos. I like to think it’s a blend of the people I come from and an innate drive to create meaning in a world that wasn’t designed with my identities in mind.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My journey has been a blend of storytelling across journalism and the literary worlds. I currently serve as the Creative Nonfiction Editor for Ubwali Magazine, Zambia’s first online literary magazine. It is a privilege to collaborate with talented co-editors who have distinguished themselves as “the Zambian author” in diverse ways. Together, we shape stories that capture the depth and diversity of the Zambian and African experience. Editing creative nonfiction is particularly exciting for me because of its raw honesty and universal themes.
In addition, I run a freelance writing business where I create a wide range of content, including news articles, brand narratives, and personal essays. Collaborating with individuals and organizations to bring their visions to life through words is deeply rewarding for me. My professional writing journey has taught me how to balance structure with creativity, ensuring that every piece fulfills its purpose while resonating with its intended audience.
A significant part of my storytelling involves children’s literature. I have co-authored three children’s books for Book Dash, a South African initiative committed to ensuring that all children in South Africa have read 100 books by the age of five. Additionally, I wrote a short story for Cricket Magazine, aimed at tween readers. I am passionate about expanding my contributions to children’s literature in the coming years.
Currently, I am in my last semester in my journalism degree and exploring MFA programs, a journey that is both exciting and demanding, as I search for an academic environment that aligns with my goals and aspirations as a writer and editor. This step represents an opportunity to deepen my craft and embrace new challenges in the world of storytelling.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Knowing when it’s time to let go has been my biggest improvement in the past 12 months. Like many people, I’m still working on overcoming imposter syndrome. I’ve noticed that it sometimes causes me to underestimate myself, which in turn leads me to take on jobs or connections that undervalue me while piling excessive demands on my plate. Over time, I’ve gotten better at stepping away from these roles and relationships to focus on what truly nurtures my growth and spirit.
It’s a work in progress, but I wasn’t in this place a year ago. 12 months ago, I was desperate for any income and for people around me who seemed to like me in public. Thankfully, I’m no longer satisfied with that alone. I believe this shift has come with age, as well as the work I’ve done in therapy and the support I’ve received from the real ones in my life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fiskaniwrites
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiske-nyirongo-6a6729220/
- Twitter: https://x.com/chimikacha
