By the time I got to Mozambique, that civil war was over, but the landmines were everywhere. I have jumped from elephant footprint to footprint to keep from getting blown up. My work took me close to the Zimbabwe and Zambian borders, which were very dangerous. When our research boat sailed close to Zimbabwe, I stood up and had the black boatmen lie down. When we got close to Zambia, I lay down and the black people stood up. The area was also dangerous because of lions, hippos, buffaloes and snakes, but I would rather be around bad animals than bad people any day.
Q. I can see from the bibliography that you had to do a great deal of research to write A Girl Named Disaster. How did you translate this "academic" exercise into fiction? Have you ever considered using all of this knowledge to write non-fiction books for kids?
I wanted A Girl Named Disaster to be a textbook for African studies, and so I was careful to verify every fact. I did the research while I wrote the novel. For example, when Masvita got her period I stopped and found out exactly what ceremonies were performed. When a funeral was conducted, I needed the exact words used. Thus, I had a huge pile of books on the floor and kept ordering more. A lot of the scientific stuff I knew, but I double-checked anyhow. I don't think I would ever write a non-fiction book because I think my real skill is in teaching through story.
Q. A Girl Named Disaster is sprinkled liberally with Shona words, but when Nhamo speaks, you use standard American English. The text is certainly written in standard American English, though the English used in Zimbabwe is not typically "American." I can understand how that would enhance the appeal for an American audience, but what about the African audience? Was this a deliberate choice and if so, why? Why not write the book using standard Zimbabwean English (at least when characters speak)?
Nhamo speaks Shona, not English. I use American speech because I am American, but put in some Shona words to give a feel for that language. I wouldn't attempt to do Zimbabwean English for Zimbabweans because it would come across as patronizing.
Q. Many of your books were first published in Zimbabwe. How do (white and black) Africans in Zimbabwe and Mozambique respond to your books?
