Chronicle Editor
Yolanda Mlilo, Sunday News Reporter
SINCE finishing her Ordinary Level examinations in 2019, 21-year-old Karen Mhanda has managed the remarkable feat of writing five novels.
Known as a chef of words, Karen has showcased her impressive repertoire as a writer, penning drama, thriller and romance novels.
Karen, who hails from Bindura in Mashonaland Central Province started writing at a young age of 10 and officially launched her first book in 2019 after finishing her O-levels.
“I was inspired by reality, I enjoyed observing things around me as I was growing up, as an introvert. What I watched on TV, my family, school, friends, l creatively penned down stuff and used as my source of inspiration,” she said.
Her first book – Unchangeable State, is about a diary of a girl living with albinism and the challenges of living with albinism. Dear Future, published in 2020 explores mental health and life consequences that result in people enduring mental illnesses,” she said.
Her third book was published in 2021 and she titled it Twenty-One Days. It is a ghetto diary of the first Covid-19 lockdown of 21 days and it details the lives of families and friends being isolated in one place, drama, tragedy and other odd happenings as people sheltered under one roof.
Her fourth novel published in 2022 titled Beneath the Veil is about life after marriage and explores various themes such as love, mental health, sexual health and drugs.
Funded by Thee Am Martian, an award-winning spoken word artist, she launched her fifth book last year titled To the Guy Soon to be a Father, which explores a young girl’s journey in a promising relationship who complicates everything by having a friend with “benefits” arrangement that resulted in pregnancy.
“I will be launching a book this year, l can’t specify the dates and other details as l want to surprise my readers. l have also ventured into online poetry writing.
“Writing is something that I do when I’m feeling creative, there are certain places and times as well as moods where l can write a great piece or chapter of a book. I hope from my books people gain a basket of wisdom, motivation and escape from reality as we are living in an era where issues are swept under the carpet that’s why my books include comical chapters,” she said.
Karen expressed gratitude to her parents as they fund some of her artistic ventures.
“I have been nominated thrice. Unfortunately, I hold no award yet. l have been nominated for Best Author Awards under Trend Setting, Phoenix Book Publishing Authors and Universities Coaching and Mentoring Awards but, l am working hard and l hope soon l will get an award,” she said.
Online Reporter