An exclusive interview with master work on Pachagazine.
Pachagazine: What is your real name and your brand name?
Masterwork: Am Frank Olunga Khange, and my pen name Masterwork.
Pachagazine: What do you do for a living?
Masterwork: Currently I am a student but with some side hustle here and there.
Pachagazine:What first got you into poetry?
Masterwork:Pain brought me to Poetry and poetry accommodated my pain.
Pachagazine: What inspires you to write poems?
Life is my greatest inspiration.
Pachagazine: When did you start writing poems?
I am sure of the exact time but I was in form two around six years ago.
Pachagazine: Who is your mentor in poetry
They are many. Witty pen a great poet from Nigeria, Cliff the Mirror a great Kenyan poet, Lewis Wamwada another great Kenyan poet, Nyakach another great Kenyan poetess.
Pachagazine: What else do you do apart from poetry?
I write plays but not so often.
Pachagazine: How would you describe the poems that you typically create?
They carry a piece of myself and they have a hidden secret no matter how it appears, one can relate with them.
Pachagazine: What is your creative process like?
Before I write a poem I have to develop it on my mind first, create the lines on the air, I also do a lot of self talking shouting like a mad man (Loughs) until it comes out. After developing the poem then I write it, say it loud as I edit it.
Pachagazine: How would you describe the poetry industry in Kenya
Masterwork: The poetic industry is growing and more is coming if we will keep this trend.
Pachagazine: Do you have any certificates (poetry based)
Yes I do most are from the anthologies I co-authored.
Pachagazine: Who would you most like to collaborate with in a duet?
They are many poets Cliff the mirror, Lewis Wamwada the list is endless.
Pachagazine: What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your poetry career?
Masterwork: If it was not for poetry I could be dead but that is story for another day.
Pachagazine: Where have you performed? What is your favourite and
least favourite venues?
I prefer written art to spoken word so I am yet to perform.
Pachagazine: What is your favourite poem you ever performed or written?
There are many favorites but this stands out
I will wait for you
The days might be as cold as ice
but the thoughts of you
the rib of my rib
the flesh of my flesh
I will wait for you.
Time might fly
but you are my destination
the seasons might be as hot as lava
but I will wait for you my butterfly
my eyes will see none but you.
I have this picture
you and I making the neighbours jealous
I am dying to say yes I do
do promise to love you even after life
to hold your hand till end of time.
I will wait for you
I won’t rush but brave the seasons
life is a journey, no journey without you
as long as my heart beats
and my lungs accommodate air, I will wait.
They keep asking when
When will they see you?
I keep having these recurring dreams
and I know you are waiting for me
when our paths cross, I waited.
©Masterwork™
Pachagazine: If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
Masterwork: I think it is about time poets are paid for their ink that’s what I would change.
Pachagazine: Is there a hidden meaning in any of your poems?
Masterwork: Most of my poems are very personal few are fiction, I tell my secrets, pain and joy in every piece.
Pachagazine: What do you enjoy most about being a poet, What do you hate most?
Masterwork: Everything works like an inspiration to write whether a broken heart, happiness, depression all make the pen flow.
What I passionately hate is being taken for granted.
Pachagazine: How would you advice someone who aspires to follow your footsteps?
Masterwork: Writing is a process no one becomes great over night and critism is the best motivation ever never fear being criticized.
Pachagazine: What’s next of you?
I have a long plan this year more poetry books on the way.
Pachagazine: How can people find you on social media?
Masterwork _poet on Instagram
The Chronicles of a madman Poetry fun page on Facebook
WordPress The chronicles of a madman