Tshepang Jeff Dwane lives in Mamelodi andwrites stories and fantasy comic books. I sat down with him to find out more about his work and what inspires him to create.
Mpho Mphahlele: Tell me a bit about yourself
TM: My name is Tshepang Jeff Dwayne Matlala, born and raised in Mamelodi Khutsong X2 in Pretoria. I’m an artist, writer and an investor. I’m a friendly person, I like to meet with new people, although our parents taught us not to talk to strangers in the long run it helps, people are people by people. I love to draw, it gives me peace of mind, it makes me happy it makes see myself as a better vision of myself. I love to write writing makes me understand myself better and it drifts myself from certain people to universal people And I love finance sectors in terms of investments and business.
MM: What inspired you to write fantasy novels or books?
TM: Growing up as a child, I watched a lot of cartoons and still I watch them even at this age. Dragonball anime and Tom and Jerry, as an artist inspired me to create and write my own cartoons to graps all ages attention, but not only attention to make people notice that we can live in a better world. For instance Goku always safes the world, Tom and Jerry are best friends but it’s just a cat and mouse, the perspective of a cat and mouse as we know it’s a predator and prey. The cartoon world is reality in a sarcastic and humorous way.
MM: What is your favourite comic book and why?
TM: My favourite comic book is DC comics, the alignment of Batman and Superman starting off being enemies then a team made me realise that knowledge is everything, superpowers are also cool, but knowledge is everything. Even with Marvel, Iron man emphasize knowledge.
MM: As an aspiring fantasy writer, what is your biggest accomplishment so far?
TM: It doesn’t really matter how big or small my accomplishments are regarding this genre, but personally I was able to write few seasons with episodes fully finished and it’s started from paper and pen before laptop. It started from playing with toys and making my own movie with those toys, it firstly started with a dream, and learning to interpret it that I tell not only my story, but also other people’s stories because I believe I brought something different. And it will change the world and kids mind-set as they grow.
MM: What motivates you as a fantasy writer?
TM: Dragonball motivates me, The way Goku trains, taught me that in life you shouldn’t give up, you should also take a risk and if you want to achieve something in your life for it, if you fail. Eat food, train, eat rest and fight and push yourself to the limit until there’s no limit.
MM : Why do you like fantasy and comic books and how long have you been busy with it?
TM: I like fantasy and comic books because reading comics, the story line itself would give me goose bumps. In that state, I see the world differently. Cartoons and comics are life believe it or not. I still want to be a super saiyan.
MM: what is your greatest influence as a writer ?
TM: My greatest influence as a writer is that I like reading books, so as I was influenced by how writers play with words it became very enticing. I learnt that I understand myself better the more I write. Sometimes I’d have thoughts of a story in my mind and experience also adds to it. I’d say the greatest influence as a writer is my life experiences and the way I love art and literature the more I travel the more I have ideas.
MM: What was your biggest obstacle as a writer and how did you overcome it?
TM: As a writer, the biggest obstacle I came across was not knowing where or how to copy write my work before publishing it. Once I found out, it gave me momentum to even write more stories of on cartoons/animation, drama, thriller movies and series. Most of my friends that I used to hang with would say I’m crazy, but I ended up meeting new friends who encouraged me to continue writing because what I write is special, I needed a reference and feedback because I believe in my work. I felt very important and appreciated and now I’m still writing believing that when my work hits the market it’s going to change how people look at the world.
MM: Who is your biggest role model in life?
TM : My biggest role model in life would be my Mom she plays a good part because I’d ask feedback from her and she tells me exactly where I need to improve, but when it comes to writing it’s Stan Lee, creator and writer of Marvel characters. I love how he portrays the meaning of each character, on how they grew up, developed and telling their stories individually as a super hero and day to day job.
MM: What is your vision for the future as a writer?
TM: My vision is to entertain, inspire and bring together all races, all genders and ages together as people for humanity by telling stories, especially when it comes to cartoons I believe I can use that platform to be able to change people’s mind-set for the better world.
MM: What is the title of your finest work as a writer and why?
TM: My finest work that hits me where happiness reach it’s called ‘The Form’ it is based mostly on my childhood and it’s about a boy who draws things on a paper from imagination and turn them into reality. I believe it’s possible to draw something as a goal and turn it into a reality. Like Albert Einstein said “Imagination is powerful than being smart.”
MM: What do you fear most as a writer and why?
TM: My fears as a writer are eliminated. I used to fear all other competitors in the same field and rejections because I’d sometimes have self-doubts. I guess I wasn’t confident enough to believe in my work and what I write, but I would meditate and pray to face that fear, I’m proud to say I’m fearless now, I take risks rejections doesn’t scare me anymore it’s part of learning that mistake, improvement and writing more harder.
MM: What is your life defining moment?
TM: My life defining moment would be when I went to Port Elizabeth for a business trip, although it was irrelevant to writing but I somehow managed to get something out of it. I met someone who’s also a writer and we shared ideas and to find out he’s also writing animations.
MM: What do you hope for as a writer?
TM: As a writer, I hope what I write will spark someone’s brain or mind-set and who’ll listen and see the world in a different way that the world is not a problem at all but how we think might be the problem.
MM: What message would you give out to young wannabe writers out there?
TM: As young writers, I’d advise you to go for it, never stop writing, believe in your work and choose something that aligns with your personality because it’s going to make writing more easy, flexible and enjoyable. When it makes you happy, keep writing.