Jacque Ndinda (@Ndinda_) says that she has been unable to describe herself to other people. Every day, she discovers something that tells her she really does not know herself yet, and she might never do. But what she does for a living is write. It might be necessary to note that Jacque loves to blend well in the background. It is where the cool kids are. She also dislikes chocolates and has an undying love for endangered mosquitoes.
We had a few questions for her and this is what she had to say.
1. What was your first phone?
It was a Siemens C35! I still can’t believe I managed to lift that phone!
2. What do you prefer? Facebook or Twitter? Why?
Twitter, for many reasons. Life sometimes is too boring and dead, and a bit of plasticity gives life some life. This is where twitter comes in. I love twitter as well because it is my marketplace for writing- getting it and giving it. The Internet is the world’s mind and I think Twitter is the only platform that brings this out excellently! Above all, reducing the world into a little ball where everyone is able to talk to anyone without booking appointments two years prior is the greatest advantage of twitter.
3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Juggling between harvesting sorghum, teaching literature, breastfeeding, reading a collection of Teju Cole’s small fates and writing my third book.
4. Any question for us? (We will publish our answer as well)
What is the future of technology? Do you think years from now we will be able to condense our sweat beads and wear them as jewellery?
Definitely. I see a future where things like time travel and quantum teleportation are possible. You’ll be able to travel back in time and literally smack some sense into your younger self and also travel to far away places at the blink of an eye.
5. What would you do if you were president for a day?
I would ask for more days to be president.
6. What’s your favourite book & movie?
I’d be lying if I said that i have a favourite movie. However, I will tell you about my current favourite book- The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant. I do not think I have ever read a book that left my mind so challenged and still nourished. However, Mariama Ba’s So Long A Letter deserves a mention for it was the first love of my life.
7. Who/What inspired you to do what you do now?
Is it possible to inspire yourself? I will take that as a no. I have gotten inspiration from everything and everywhere. I wouldn’t pin one thing down. It dates back to old books my father used to give me to read as a child- the chief and his eight wives. The Viking. Mills and Boons that I used to read under the desk during Maths lessons. Literature classes with Mr. Kyeva, may he Rest In Peace. Chinua Achebe’s writing. The philosophies of Plato and Socrates. Life. After-5-o’clock coffee table conversations with friends. Heartbreaks. My twitter TL. Comments on my blog. Everything I have ever encountered, good or bad has inspired me to do what I do now,
8. If you were to change jobs, what profession would you get into? Why?
I would love to travel the world, sit in the parks, write random sentences on pieces of paper and leave them- hoping that someone somewhere will read them. Is that a profession or littering? If that fails, I would love to be a heartbeat collector- not killing people but making music out of people’s heartbeats.
9. If you had a superpower, what would it be?
To be able to have conversations with my late mother from time to time. We never got to know each other.
10. If you were deserted on an abandoned island what 5 things would you want to have?
11. If you were a car, what car would you like to be? Why?
Seriously? Have you met me before?
12. If you could be in any band in the world, which one would you like to be in? Why?
Kakongo sisters! You have to listen to their music to understand why.
13. What advice do you have for up and coming writers?
Your writing starts to die when everyone loves it. Pray that God sends you people who hate your work or disagree with it. Only then will you grow. In addition, write. Do not be a writer who spends more time saying that he/she is a writer than actually writing. Then read a lot!
14. Anything interesting you would like to share with our readers?
Random question actually: why does the human being feel more intelligent than all other beings when intelligence is his own creation? Trees were not consulted, were they? And intelligence makes no sense to porcupines. Or does it? Lastly, why do we call it living if all we are doing all night and day is ‘look’ for a living?
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10 Comments
wiselar
A lovely read.
13 Feb
Ndeda1
Word. (pun intended)
13 Feb
@martingicheru
Ndinda is a lovely writer, I want to be her when I grow up. And even here she has managed to captivate even in short words.
ION, when you dont wanna pick the type of car you would be, means you leave us to guess. I know you have always wanted to be strong and big like Moto Moto of Madagascar 2, so that would make you a tractor, a New Holland 4WD
http://www.epa.gov/nonroaddiesel/images/tj_tractor.jpg
13 Feb
James Richu
Martin Gicheru a tractor? I disagree with you because she has undying love for endangered mosquitoes. that can only mean she a Subaru type, maybe a forester?
can i argue my point later?
13 Feb
Nittzsah
A wonderful mind, worth engaging with.
13 Feb
Warhia
Wait.
Number 8. “Is that a profession or littering?” One way to find out.. start small.. start with Nairobi
. I however doubt our ‘good’ Siti Kajo will deem writing as art 
. Ha.
I however find your mind appeasing to the palette – no pun. It would make one want drum their fingers on the desk in thought – and anticipation to pick on it..
*drums fingers on my desk*
13 Feb
Ninanyce
She’s a mad one.
She hates chocolates and loves mosquitoes. Where’s your femininity Jacque?
And that super power wish, I pray it becomes true some day..
Nice read.
13 Feb
Emmanuel Chenze
Wow! A nice read. Got to see another side of Ndinda_
13 Feb
@TheLovelynda
Good read! You have this mystery around you by the way, works perfectly for fiction
The combination of teaching literature, sorghum and breastfeeding, lemmi know how it goes…still stuck at literature. You Worth the follow, Ndinda!
13 Feb
ndinda
Thank you all! Martin , I like your Car. It would fit perfectly especially for my daily tours in the sorghum farm.
Wamathai, thank you for letting me move into your blog!
14 Feb
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