What IS spoken word? I interview Melbourne rapper/poets Tenda McFly and Ziimusic about their writing and creative processes. We discuss everything from vulnerability, to narcissism to belief in self. Then we briefly debate if being a good writer is a divine gift or something anyone can learn. I really enjoyed chatting to these guys and […]
The cast of my JoYOLO radio play is changing my character(s). Yes indeed! Collaborating with them is developing the way I think, write and feel about the characters they’re playing. In this episode, you’ll hear the first scene of Chapter 1, just to set the overall tone of my story. Then you’ll hear me brainstorming […]
Today’s two hot words: Yes and No. Eesh, just look at them go Stealthily dividing a nation Whispering here Shouting there Fanning and fuelling frustration #VoteNo Some are writing in the skies #VoteYes Some are headbutting guys Yes and No Proudly predicting Fearfully forecasting Silently stoking Australia’s demise. Today many pulpits will be aflame Calling […]
Motivational vs inspirational speaker? In this episode I explain how I differentiate between the two and how that changes the way I speak on stage. Disclaimer: I’m not saying being a motivational speaker is bad. And yes, I realise ‘hate’ is such a strong word but I’ve mainly used it for (melo)dramatic effect. My words […]
If you don’t have “design eyes”, please seek professional graphic design and book layout assistance for your book. In this episode I talk about how I approached graphic design for my picture book – and that ONE illustration that was driving me nuts. We drew it so many times! See the picture and my book […]
You’ll be elated when you finally publish your book, but don’t forget to celebrate the little milestones along the way. Friendly FYI…these tips are from a 2016 video series I filmed after self-publishing a children’s book in Australia. Watch this video on TAKU TV at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-i8JSLu-2U. (Tips start at 2:00 in the podcast episodes).
Ok, false alarm – there’s no crisis. I know who I am. I’m proudly Taku: African and Australian. Listen as I discuss my identity with my writer friend Ghina Makari Cane. She’s writing a book about what’s it like living in/with two cultures. This piece was part of the radio story she produced for our […]
Last year, I filmed my close friends for a fun little series on TAKU TV. I was experimenting with video editing and testing ideas for vox populi-style interviews. Listen as dancer Rita Nita talks about being the underdog in the dance industry; hear photographer Heather’s thoughts on social media and find out what architect Tom […]
Silence. ‘Twas a little awkward when Mama tried to scare me out of snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef. I love her to smithereens, but she’s always great inspiration for my stand-up comedy. Link to my snorkelling pics and the Instagram post that inspired this episode: https://www.instagram.com/p/BYIng4vnlX6/?taken-by=takuspeaks Snaps of Snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef This […]
When you really want a ticket to a sold-out event, volunteer to MC it. Yep, that’s what happened and in this episode I explain how I got involved with TEDxMelbourne’s Open Mic event last Wednesday. The speech competition was won by Laura Youngson, who talked about playing soccer on Mount Kilimanjaro. She now gets to share […]
You’ve got to be very disciplined with your time on social media when you’re writing and self-publishing a book. Too many distractions! At one point I went off Facebook for 3 months and that’s when I made significant progress with my book tasks. Friendly FYI…these tips are from a 2016 video series I filmed after self-publishing […]
Writing books and self-publishing aren’t easy things. Please don’t suffer in silence! Try to hang out with fellow writers and creatives who provide moral support for you. (You won’t feel so crazy or alone). Friendly FYI…these tips are from a 2016 video series I filmed after self-publishing a children’s book in Australia. Watch this video on […]