SINFUL BASKET: BACKSTORY || MYRA TRUDEA OKUMU

By Myra Trudea Okumu

For months now, I have been writing a collection of short stories and although the progress may seem slow it’s a lot more than I expected and I take pride in that. In the fact that I have really seen this through (kicking and screaming the whole time).

The book is really diverse but I think my writing style does not allow me to write anything that remotely shows happiness; happy characters or happy ending. Most of my stories (in this book and even poems in Uncharted Territory) focus on particular morbid issues. A heads up to when to grab a book by Myra Okumu, always expect the worst (sorry).

For example, “Ransom my heart” is about a boy accused of doing the unimaginable to his grandmother and now there is a manhunt for him, a bounty over his head and a blood-thirst in the people around him. I won’t be a spoiler but mob justice stands out in this story as much as it does in “The Last Plague”. More importantly how people react to a story and how we sometimes turn a blind eye to the possibility of innocence.

“Tomb for two” is set before the colonial times. A story about a man who will do anything, including sacrificing himself to take care of his family. A real tale-gripping plot that seems to get thicker and like my most of my stories, has some sort of tragic ending. What inspired this? A story by my grandmother, I owe this particular story to her. She is such an amazing and passionate storyteller, maybe I get it from her. 

“Sinful Basket” is also a story in the book and this one is a particular favourite of mine as it also has a mystical element to it. It is also riddled with lessons and follows the life of “Jane”, the main character who has to receive (grudgingly) the wages of her sins. Despite her mistakes, I absolutely love her and she is beautiful woman!

I will not list the table of contents for you and ruin all the fun. I will save some of the suspense for when you get a hold of this book, my third brain child.

This book is near completion and is under the good and analytical eyes of my editor who will be telling me they do not like some plots and some lines and we need some changes. 

I really can’t wait. 

I have poured by heart into this book like I do with everything that I write. 

I am in no hurry to put it out there yet but I will, I have promised myself that I will and I know I will love the end result. 

This is my book for this year and as soon as I write ‘The Bitter End’, I will start working on my next book. 

Release dates will be announced once I am satisfied with the progress of the book and depending on how everything will turn out. Thank you to everyone who believes in my writing and takes their time to read the small pieces that I write! 

I am because of you!

You have reached the end!

If you have any questions or comments or just a thought, the comment section is all yours!

Love,

Myra.