Naming is like putting a stamp on something and fixing it. A kind of formaldehyde sort of fixation, but it becomes dead, sitting there forever, frozen. So, I'm not a great one for these modernist, post modernist, post colonial labels. I think they serve certain purpose. You do need some kind of sign post here and there, but it can also become an end in itself.

Let the kite perch and let the eagle perch too – If one says no to the other, let his wing break.

When a man is at peace with his gods and ancestors, his harvest will be good or bad according to the strength of his arm.

A budding writer wants to be encouraged.

There is nothing to fear from someone who shouts.

We live in a sea of general ideas, so that's not a novel, since there are so many general ideas. But the moment a particular idea is linked to a character, it's like an engine moves it. Then you have a novel underway.

I teach literature. That's easy for me. Take someone else's work and talk about it.