Today we’re entering new waters here on Meanderings with Trudy. I have the pleasure of meandering with first time author Dr. Dodzi Amemado. Dodzi is a friend of Craig Senior whom you’ll remember we spoke with in our first season. They met through Toastmasters. Dodzi’s book, “Les Vagues de l’Inconnu” or “Surfing the Unknown” (translated to English) is a story of hope, a message we need these days, I think we’d all agree.
In this meander, we talk about Dodzi's writing process, which he calls “…a sacred process.” Writing gives him a sense of purpose. He writes long form, by hand, and bookends his day job with writing time at his desk. We talk about the magic and spirit that is present in his writing, in how his writing touches people’s hearts, and how that brings a texture to life that is otherwise missing. We also talk about language – he initially wrote his book in French, then had it translated to English. This brings a nuance to the work, and a partnership with the translator to ensure that the sense, the final language, was just what he initially meant. No mean feat, I would think.
In addition to his book, Dodzi writes poetry. And he shares one with us. Poetry, says Dodzi, reminds us to pause, to appreciate the importance of the ideas expressed, mulling them over in our minds and hearts, maybe over coffee. Nice.
This is a gorgeous, gentle interview with a truly thoughtful author. It has been my pleasure to meander with him!
Episode Links:
Craig Senior, episode 9, August 2020
“Surfing the Unknown” on Amazon.ca
The Guesthouse, a poem by Rumi
Royalty free music is called Sunday Stroll – by Huma-Huma
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