When I read about the JGF, I was overwhelmed by its history, including the recent history of all the songwriting and playwriting projects that were displayed on the same webpage. My cynicism was shocked because it almost seemed too good to be true that there was such a large private organization in SA that is so dedicated to growing artistic talents and goes to such incredible lengths to encourage writers—the famous ones and even the aspiring ones like me.
So as a creative introvert from a town that is very far from being conducive for anyone who dreams of thriving in the creative industry; I’m pretty sure that I’ve been longing for a creative space exactly like this for years. As someone who’s never had anything close to this environment that the JGF is offering me; it is truly a dream come true. I can’t imagine there’s any writer or creative in this country or outside of it, who wouldn’t want to be part of something like this.
I would ideally like to get expert and trusted and exact advice, on how to improve the weak points within my writing that I have identified so far, and to become aware of the writing weak spots that I haven’t identified. Emphasis on “exact”. An example of one of my weak points is that I haven’t mastered how to best describe my characters—their physical features and the features of their environment—in the right way and in natural ways. That is one of my short-term goals for this project, another simplified goal is that I just want to enjoy that artistic space that I’ve never had and let my creativity breathe in a way it has never before.
My long-term goal: I would appreciate any guidance on how to best advance my aspiration of becoming a professional writer and novelist, and possibly get a foothold within the writing — and publishing network. Beyond that, I just have a craving to learn as much as I can. Getting advice from people who have been published in the big leagues — who have been to the mountain top so to speak — means everything to me.
On writing short stories
I’ve always viewed and practiced short stories as kind of a shortcut to expressing great novel-worthy ideas and concepts, without having to burden myself and stress myself with the pressures that come with novel-length writing projects. Writing short stories has been an excellent and useful way to practice my craft; it is a good way to test myself and to pinpoint the areas where I am weak at, where I still need to work.
The absolute best gift that writing short stories have given me: it has been an excellent way of experimenting with different writing styles, specifically the styles and genres that I wasn’t efficient in. In the beginning, I only had a niche for writing crime fiction, meaning my “writer’s voice/style” was dark and grim, but through experimenting with— and exploring different styles and creative approaches and voices (within short stories); I have taught myself to write (in part) romance and comedy which were genres that were totally lost on me.
I find my inspiration within displays of deep emotion; from the sorrow, I read in a new poem or see in a provocative painting, to the rage from protestors and victims I see on the news. I am also creatively attracted to anything truly unique, regardless in what twisted or shocking form that uniqueness comes in, for example, an author who uses an original black comedy style of writing in a sci-fi or medieval setting.
Another thing that has always inspired me, is the idea of writing something that seems nearly impossible to write. For example, in the past, I’ve tried to describe very specific character traumas and emotional states in my writing; such as a mother’s grief, the hateful philosophies of a supremacist, the mindset of a career criminal, the fear of a hostage, etc.
In my mind I am convinced that I could never find the right words—the perfect collection of words—to properly and accurately describe anything as deep and emotionally extreme (as that grief); and that thought, is precisely what weirdly motivates me to dig deeper into my creative fountain for those impossible words, to capture that indescribable emotion on my page. In other words, the more indescribable and indefinable I find a creative concept; the more I am creatively lured to define it.
Yuwinn Kraukamp (28) hails from L’Agulhas in the Western Cape’s Overberg District. He describes himself as “a natural born creative” whose writing ranges from radio dramas to stage plays, poetry, short stories and articles. After matriculating at Bredasdorp High School, Yuwinn attended the University of the Western Cape where he majored in English and Linguistics. Earlier this year he won a California-based writing contest with one of his short stories. Yuwinn is devoted to writing and believes that the Kommadagga experience will help him to improve his craft to the point where he can share his talents with the world.
