FAQs

When/how did you start blogging?

About 8 years ago. One of my old blogs was called “Bittersweet”. I started Bittersweet just before travelling to Congo for the first time in 20 years, for my sister’s wedding. I was scared to death to go back to my country of origin and I decided to write about my fears and apprehensions. It was a very liberating thing for me; it helped me prepare myself for the trip.

Do you ever blog in French?

No, I only blog in English, but I try to write exactly how I speak. I take into consideration the fact that some of my readers are French speakers, which is why my writing style is easy to read and understand.

Do you have any other blogs?

Yes, Yser Kermes, which is a ‘label’ I launched about 7 years ago when I ventured into fashion designing. But now I use the blog as a side-project, for random thoughts on arts, culture and style. My sister and I are hoping to revive Yser Kermes as a brand in the next few years, and maybe start an online boutique under that name.

You’re a freelance writer, do you really write for other people?

I’ve been writing articles on various topics since the age of 17. I have written for individuals, churches and magazines. I am currently working as one of the managing editors for a women’s magazine that’s based in the French Caribbean islands. I have had to turn down a lot of work because I think I still have to improve my style of writing and find my writing identity. And I definitely have to read more. But I do work as a freelance translator on a part-time basis and have been doing so for the past few years, although that’s very ‘on and off’. I’ve translated for businesses, individuals, web and TV. I’m also trying to get more into screenplay, so I write a lot of spec scripts to build up my own little library of scripts to use and pitch in the future.

How do you decide what to blog about?

For the factual stuff, I tend to use situations or experiences that have affected me recently, lessons I’ve learnt, interesting things I’ve been through, news stories that are worth talking about etc. And I just write my opinion on the matter. Very often my Christian faith is refeclected in my writing. For the fiction, I like to base my stories on other people’s lives or simply my own imagination. Never on my own life.

Is Waïki your real name?

Yes. It is a Hawaiian name. My parents went to Hawaii for their honeymoon (Waïkiki beach) and that’s where I was conceived, so they named me after the place.

How did you get to travel to Ethiopia for 6 days?

I entered a blogging competition by the charity Plan UK in association with The Guardian, I won it, and that was my prize.

What are you planning next?

Check out this page! I am currently writing a novel and trying to get into screenplay. I’ve finished writing a script for a short film and a short series. I also want to do more humanitarian work around the causes I support, attend more HIV/AIDS-related conferences, lectures and events. And finally, this year I will be doing much more freelance writing for other publications, and writing more scripts. So I will be very busy!

Now read my bio!