Lebogang Lehloka never entertained the thought of becoming a writer because she was a bad speller and her imperfect handwriting did not help either.
Born and raised in Mohlakeng, Lebogang said it was not until she was a teenager that she realised that she had the ability to express herself by writing.
“I would take a piece of paper and express whatever emotion I felt, as I believed I had no one else to talk to,” she said.
She said that at first she was hesitant to pursue this talent, but her family encouraged her to put her thoughts on paper.
She said as an author, she has learnt a great deal about connecting with her audience.
“You can impact the lives of people in a positive way, and you can make a sad person smile.”
Lebogang added that being an author is not about chasing money, but touching souls with words.
“Do not write only about your experiences, but include those of others too. You should be able to put yourself in the shoes of the person whose story you are telling,” she added.
Being an author, you need to open yourself up to criticism to improve your work, “… but it is important to believe in yourself,” she said.
In her debut book entitled ‘A Journey Of A Black Widow’ Lebogang raises awareness about various traditional practices in the black community, especially when someone in a marriage dies, and the subsequent events.
“It will touch everyone and is not only for widows. It is a message to the community at large,” Lebogang added.
