LOVE BINDS INTRO

Many moons ago, I had the worst writers’ block and couldn’t produce a single sentence. A certain writer and I collaborated and the process invigorated me and a number of readers. I started to write again and think of a wider scope for the art.

The experience led me to think of writing as a whole and the collective of Zambian writers stayed on my mind. I considered what could truly happen if we were all united by one tale and had the power to tell our own stories within a united story. Aside from our love for the writing craft, I had no idea what we had in common. Putting us together could have been genius or it could have been a real disaster.

Love Binds is a double entendre of sorts. In one arm, the love of words is the only thing that binds us writers and in another arm the story is about exploring the binds themselves as love forms them.

Being part of Love Binds was fascinating. Each writer explored their talent in the confines of a story about Ishmael, a distorted man of misfortune. Through Ishmael the writers, show concepts, tell poetry, take us around cities and have us falling in love with life.

Because this was a virgin journey for all us, the story is raw and rather lengthy but well worth the ride. Lessons have been drawn from the journey and ambitions were birthed. This is the first of the many Love Binds projects, with it, we will show the viability of the craft, improve skill and pass what we learn to other generations.

The story has 27 writers, all of who will be unveiled as the story develops. J

(If you want to be part of creating the next one, please email kandisnotes@gmail.com)