Pacella: Good day, Che Joy. We are very grateful that you accepted this interview. It is no news that female writers have been breaking boundaries and suppression over the years, and we want to contribute to uplifting these great feats in the littlest of ways we can. That being said, we would love for you to tell us about your writing journey through the years.
Che Joy: My poetry swings between themes of love, the human personality dynamics and the resurgence of Africa. I have performed at various platforms such as Slameroun international poetry festival, Word Splash Poetry Festival, APWAL fine arts festival, Cameroon and Abuja Literary and Arts Festival. I was a guest performance poet at the Corporate Women in Leadership Summit 2022. Poetry started out as an escape route from many things and then it became something I didn’t want to use to just escape reality, it became a walking revolution for me and it changed some aspects about me such as my way of thinking.
I began poetry in 2020 and I got serious with it in 2021 where I started learning how to make it better and learning about it too. In 2022 I began learning how to sell it as a form of art that is monetizing which I am still learning. And fast-forward to 2023 where I have won two awards; The UTUKUFU virtual poetry African Contest where I emerged 1st Runner up and 1st Runner up at AlitFest Grand Slam. There have been many struggles on the way, but it only gets better.
Pacella: As a writer, what would you call your greatest motivation?
Che Joy: My greatest motivation is purpose. I know I didn’t pick up writing by mistake and as a believer of Jesus I am called to serve wherever I find myself. Purpose is the reason I write when I don’t want to write or when I feel defeated and tired.
Pacella: Do you think being female has affected your writing in any way? If yes, don’t hesitate to share your experience with us.
Che Joy: I can’t say it has or has not. What I would say is I love writing about women and I am a woman and it is just natural that I write about the things I go through that other women do as well.
Pacella: What is the funniest response you have gotten after telling someone that you are a writer?
Che Joy: “Na ink you go chop?” “Hmmm, who poetry epp?”😂
Pacella: What are your aspirations as a writer; where and how would you see yourself and your art in five years?
Che Joy: More than anything in this world, I desire a growth in my writing that is evident both physically and financially. There’s nothing more beautiful than having fun with your passion and earning from it. Also, in the next five years I see myself doing poetry for car brands, being an ambassador for companies because of poetry, and doing poetry on the biggest stages. I believe in what I do and It is working for me.
Pacella: Within the space of five months or so, you have succeeded in clinging two( or more,) beautiful literary wins. Congratulations! We would like to know if you write or engage in other genres besides poetry. If yes, which one of them do you find more solace in?
Che Joy: Thank you. I love prose and drama works. Back in the university, I was part of a theater Troupe and we would do amazing school plays about almost everything that had to do with society and culture. So yes, I engage in other genres of writing.
Pacella: Thank you so much for this beautiful interview, chain- breaker! We can’t wait to see the things you have got to offer.
Che Joy: Thank you!
