In a cozy corner of the Retreat Library in Cape Town, my journey as a writer began. It was there, nestled amongst dusty shelves, that I stumbled upon my first storybook- a colorful treasure filled with characters, adventures, and a world that sparked something deep within me. As a kid growing up in Steenberg during the nineties, I never fully grasped what imagination meant until I found myself captivated by the cartoon “SpongeBob SquarePants.’’ That show wasn’t just entertainment; it was an invitation to explore the vast landscape of creativity.
As each episode unfolded, it was like an epiphany hit me- imagination wasn’t just a concept; it was a place where anything could happen. It was at this moment that I first understood what imagination truly meant- thanks to none other than SpongeBob SquarePants, who always found himself in absurd adventures that transcended reality.
Fast forward twenty years later, and here I am a writer who has poured her heart and soul into over twelve years’ worth of words and four published publications. The first book I published was “Muses of Wandering Passions”, in 2012, and my second book was No Greater Love Than This in 2015 both these publications were poetry and prose for my love of poetry stemmed from a young age while walking down the aisles in the local library of my community. Poets like William Shakespeare, Robert Browning, and Edgar Poe naming a few stood as the classics of the Victorian Era.
In later years I have penned more books that were based on my journey of my childhood and also on a personal journey based on a pilgrimage, that I started writing a book called, “Ruins: God Will Find Us In The Ruins.” That was personally how I saw my pilgrimage it was something that took me out of myself and allowed me to experience this humbling journey as I spent two weeks in Israel.
Writing has become more than just a hobby; it's woven into my identity like the threads of a well-loved quilt. Still, people often raise their eyebrows in disbelief when they hear I’m a writer from a local community like mine. How can someone from Steenberg craft tales that resonate beyond our streets? It’s simple: everything around me inspired those tales.
When I first dipped my toes into writing, there weren’t any writing groups around, especially from where I was from. It was just me and my scribbled notebooks full of ideas begging to be set free. Those early days were tough encounters with self-doubt and isolation were common- but every time I put pen to paper, it felt right, as if I was being directed in support of my dreams.
As I grew as a writer, so did my understanding that words help weight beyond mere sentences- they carried emotions and experiences that could connect people across boundaries. The narratives became bridges linking hearts and minds together in shared understanding.
I remember attending local workshops where seasoned writers would share tips over coffee- the camaraderie was invigorating! It felt as if we were all on this wild ride called writing together. Creativity flourished in those spaces like wildflowers after spring rain.
Writing is an art form; it’s messy yet beautiful- filled with countless drafts and revisions as we strive for perfection while embracing our imperfections. Every word crafted is like paint splashed onto canvas; each brushstroke adds depth to our stories.
Ultimately, what began as childlike wonder transformed into something profound through practice and passion. Today when I sit down at my desktop facing blank pages waiting for life to spill forth from my fingertips, I remind myself how far I’ve come since my days in the library- the magic still lingers beneath the surface.
So here’s my advice to writers everywhere! Let’s celebrate this wonderful journey where words become more than just letters put together, they evolve into adventures waiting to be told.
Chimnese Davids was born in Retreat, Cape Town, South Africa. She completed her studies at Varsity College, Rondebosch in Accounting and Finance finding her roots in tourism since 2021. She had achieved many accolades through her clientele. The writing bug bit in her early childhood, when she would use stories to make up worlds unknown to herself. Chimnese has published two KREATIV SA poetry titles, "Muses of Wandering Passions" and “No greater love than this”, as well as her memoirs, “Redeeming Soul”. Her organization, “Kingdom Writers Explorer”, assists up and coming writers by sharing her knowledge from years of experience. She has been writing for almost 20 years. Chimnese after years of assisting aspiring writers to get published, joined the publishing community in her new editorial position and believe that many more great manuscripts will be produced through her hands.
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Article published in The Relatable Voice Magazine - November 2024. Downolad the full magazine at:
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