A Writer at Heart and a Waiter by Profession, Wedekhro Naro from Nagaland Has a Candid Chat About His Debut Book, “True Love Keeps Moving”

Writing can be liberating – and empowering. It enables the writer to immortalize feelings and thoughts to go back to on a later day . . . to either reminisce about them or to ruminate over them while looking for answers – or whatever. Writing is also a brave act, where the writer bares his or her deepest thoughts to the world. For our guest today, writing has been all of the above – and more. For Wedekhro Naro from Nagaland, writing has always been a tool he had used to help himself and others around him. And with the release of his book “True Love Keeps Moving”, he was able to achieve a lifelong goal he had – a dream he had nurtured even when he couldn’t write a sentence in English. “A writer at heart and a waiter by profession” – in his own words, Wedekhro wants to tell the world to never give up on our dreams.

“If you have a dream, don’t ever give up. It took me twelve years to achieve my dream of publishing a book. It was not easy because I hardly spoke or wrote a sentence in English when I first started dreaming of this. Don’t be afraid, because somewhere or somehow God will send help to achieve your dream, and I am living proof. This book would never have been successful if it was not for Ms. Rita Krocha, my publisher who polished and inspired me through her writings and feedback.”

We chat with writer Wedekhro Naro from Nagaland as he candidly shares his personal journey and what the release of his debut book “True Love Keeps Moving” means to him.

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Photo : Wedekhro Naro, writer from Kohima, Nagaland.

Hello! Introduce a little about yourself.

Hello, I am Wedekhro Naro from Chizami Village under Phek district. Currently, I’m living in Kuwait. I did my early schooling and higher secondary from Sacred Heart Hr. Sec. School, Chizami, and my matriculation from G.M (govt.) high school, Chizami. I took a year gap due to financial issues and later graduated in English Literature from Kohima college. It was a surprising moment for everyone when I decided to work in the hospitality industry, because literature is just the opposite. The ‘People Channel Dimapur’ played a vital role in my career; it was an eye opener for me. I worked in JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar for almost two years and currently in Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait. I am a writer by heart and waiter by profession.

Tell us about your book, “True Love Keeps Moving” and when was it launched?

‘True Love Keeps Moving’ is a collection of both prose and poetry – 7 prose and 20 poems. It talks about love, lust, relationships, sex and marriage. And also the lifestyle of today’s generation. You will find almost everything about Young Naga kids from a village to skyscraper cities, from religious kid to a rapist animal. Sexual temptation, broken relationships, hate and love. Some few stories and poems talks about my God and family’s struggle (My 27 Years In One Page – page number 82).

The book was launched in Kohima on 15th December, 2018 by Mr. Colo Mero. It’s the 17th publication of Penthrill.

The cover of Wedekhro’s debut book, “True Love Keeps Moving”

Book launch day of “True Love Keeps Moving” at Kohima, Nagaland published by Penthrill Publication House.

Book launch day of “True Love Keeps Moving” at Kohima, Nagaland by Penthril Publication House.

What made you write this book?

When I was young, I’ve always wanted to be a writer but never in my dream had I thought of writing this kind of sensual and honest book on love. It just comes from my heart. I once updated a status in facebook and the rest is history. In fact, I was in a relationship with someone which I knew will never work out for me, because I was the third person in the game. I quit, before it was too late. It’s a fictional book based on some true events.

Poems “The Gift” and “Our Rainy Day” from Wedekhro’s book, “True Love Keeps Moving”

What initially sparked your interest in writing?

I was born during the time where there was no internet or mobile phones. The only means of communication is through letter writing. I remember writing my first love letter when I was in class-2. I used to write love letters for my illiterate friends when I was in the village. I also remember writing a goodbye note to my subject teacher during the final exam at the last page of my answer sheet. I am not the perfect writer and never will be, but writing is something that is in me and might live in me for the rest of my life.

How has your upbringing influenced your work or working style?

Honestly, I have the best family in the world. We are the poorest family in the village; we don’t have any piece of land that is under my family’s name, surprise! Maybe this is the reason why I chose writing. My stories and my writings evolve from a dark and sad place – writing becomes my voice and treasure.

Tell us where you draw your inspirations from?

From a drop of rain and mostly from people around me. Most of my poems are personalized poem eg. Papan, Aduo, Ongarhoni and Senolu to name a few.

What do you hope people take away from your writings?

Simplicity of my writing and use of everyday words or common-man English; honesty and boldness of the story. I strongly believe that young people will learn something from the mistakes of the protagonist and find hope and love at the end. I am sure this book will be an eye opener for many young people and inspire them to write their own stories or book.

If you have a dream, don’t ever give up. It took me twelve years to achieve my dream of publishing a book. It was not easy because I hardly spoke or wrote a sentence in English when I first started dreaming of this. Don’t be afraid, because somewhere or somehow God will send help to achieve your dream, and I am a living proof. This book would never have been successful if it was not for Ms. Rita Krocha, my publisher who polished and inspired me through her writings and feedback.