We Write Books

“To Baba and Mama, for encouraging my dreams where words come to life.”

“You should start writing,” my mom once told me as I shared stories from a trip. It took me years after that conversation to finally put words on paper. The beginning was slow and tedious, but the more I pushed myself to write, the more I enjoyed it and made writing a routine. Mom was right. That routine led to the birth of the We Write Afrika platform, writing retreats, and the publication of short stories on online magazines.

Reading and storytelling are a central part of my family. From a young age, we were pushed to read as much as possible. Family time for us has always been centered around sharing stories from our parents’ childhoods, world cultures, and history. Growing up in Chad, we spent many holidays in our village, where our grandparents told us traditional tales in the evenings. I still remember many stories with their moral lessons that my grandmother told me years ago, with the hope that I would pass them down one day. This lifestyle has led to the development of skills in writing and storytelling, rooted in African culture and knowledge.

I am concluding the year 2025 with the publication of a collection of eight short stories in French, with the English version scheduled for March 2026. This collection follows the stories of main characters as they deal with issues such as immigration, racism, violence, grief, triumphs, and societal expectations. At the beginning of the book, I wrote, “To Baba and Mama, for encouraging my dreams where words come to life.” For their teachings, work, and dedication to writing for legacy, I was encouraged to follow their footsteps in writing.  

My father, Abel Ndjerareou, is the author of various academic articles and books in theology, with a focus on the Old Testament and analysis from an African perspective. He is one of the biblical scholars who worked on the African Bible Commentary, initially published in 2010.

My mother, Priscille Mekoulnodji Ndjerareou, is the author of three novels and two plays. She also published a collection of Ngambaye wisdom sayings and short stories in 2025. She also continually works on writing and reading manuals to improve the reading levels of young students.

My sister-in-law, Sarah K. Ndjerareou, is the author of Pieces of Glass, a novel published in 2009. She also has a blog (sarahkayndjerareou.com) where she shares stories on various themes, including travel, reading, family, and cross-cultural lifestyle.

There is something transformative about writing. The creation of characters, plots, suspense, and sharing it with an audience builds in you the possibility that the world can be seen through endless perspectives. Writing nonfiction-based academic analysis or personal experiences is a way of leaving ideas that can transcend through generations.

The future is full of new books waiting to be born. Writing has made its way in our lifestyle and our way to share our ideas and perspectives as we navigate the world. I look forward to observing more and creating stories that speak about our experiences and existence.

Deborah M Ndjerareou