Write Here, Write Now: The Ghosts in West Texas by Andie Ngeleka
In Season 2 of Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal Podcast, host Erica Wagner interviews winners of the Vocal+ Fiction Awards
Family histories get brought into the present in Andie Ngeleka’s “The Ghosts in West Texas.” Hot, dry air blows over the plains, bringing memories of what came before - and warnings for what’s to come.
What was the impetus for your winning story? Walk us through your initial act of creation.
I have a weird fascination with Westerns despite their somewhat trite narratives. I wanted to place characters in those settings that have typically been overlooked. Then when I started writing it took its own form, it became a ghost story, a love story, a historical reimagining.
What does it take for a story to grab you? How do you grab your audience?
More than narrative, or characters, I think what grabs you is the language of the story. The world of the story is made up of many things but it is bolstered and sustained by language that is poetic, lyrical, and inventive.
Who are your favorite writers and why? Do you have any favorite Vocal Creators?
My favorite writers are Toni Morrison, Audre Lorde, Pat Parker and Garielle Lutz.
How has sharing your writing in life and on Vocal affected you as a Creator?
Being a fiction prize finalist has reinvigorated my drive and passion for writing after a few years of rejections.
What advice do you have for other Creators?
The last no could really be the last no. So ask again.
Stay tuned for new episodes of Write Here, Write Now Season 2 launching weekly.
About the Creator
Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal Podcast
Sex, death, relationships, nature, families... If you like to stop, think and consider things a little differently, join host Erica Wagner as she introduces a new Vocal creator’s story each week.
Keep reading
More stories from Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal Podcast and writers in Vocal and other communities.
Write Here, Write Now: Chop Chop by AJ Nelson
Grief and resentment coil around one another in this dark fantasy from AJ Nelson. “Chop Chop” luxuriates in language, transforming seemingly routine moments into a feast for the imagination. All of these familiar details add up to an ending that is anything but ordinary.
By Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal Podcast11 months ago in Resources
Vocal Bonus Leaderboard: 04/24/2024
Welcome to the weekly update of the Leaderboard! We're thrilled to showcase Vocal's most discussed stories, popular picks, and rising stars. Let's dive into this past week's standout contributors and their remarkable achievements.
By Vocal Team6 days ago in Resources
Doing it for the troops
The others dropped like flies around me. We fought and struggled to get to this point. I'm the only one left now. The objective is right there. A mere two hundred feet away. The last of my team got a bullet to the head right next to me, but I couldn't do anything. I was able to locate and neutralise the sniper as he shot my friend, so his death was at least not in vain.
By Mohammed Darasi4 days ago in Fiction
Lifting the Curtain to a Successful Month
April has been a fantastic month for me in terms of writing endeavors. I’d like to share what’s been so great about it just as many other writers would do. Share successes. I’ve noticed other writers or artists have shared successes and when you just see the snippet of their success, it appears everything has been going right for them all along. But we haven’t seen behind the curtain, we haven’t seen their hard work and their failures and those months that were fraught with disappointment. In everyone’s case, it’s far from the truth. But for the outside observer it isn’t always apparent.
By Stephen Kramer Avitabile6 days ago in Writers
Comments (2)
Thank you for posting that it could be just the thing to give inspiration to someone who needs it! Keep up the great work! https://amazingfoodicon.blogspot.com/2023/06/mcdonalds-menu-adding-new-burger-brings.html
I love the “last no” thing!! Such a great point.