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Hello and welcome!!

Thank you for being here! My name is Anike and I’ve been a closet, aspiring writer for years!

I spent my education studying business and for 25 years, I have worked as an executive in various corporate jobs for some pretty big names. But, from as early as I can remember, I’ve longed to write. About ten years ago, I did a Masters in Creative Writing part-time, whilst juggling a crazy job and bringing up two kids with my wonderful husband. At the time, my passion was screenwriting – I was going to become the first black woman to win an Oscar for Screenwriting!!

But things don’t pan out as you dream right? I went back to my life post graduation and the dream was once again, pushed to the margins of my life. A dream that I would mention after a few drinks with friends.

But then, rather unexpectedly, my enigmatic father died and a multitude of secrets about his hidden life emerged and threw me off balance, literally.

I felt a compulsion to tell his story, to reveal the truth of what happened to my father in all its horror and ugliness. But how?

After much reflection and research into different ways of telling life stories, I decided perhaps his story could be a memoir.

When I came to this decision to try and write a memoir, I had scarcely read ANY memoirs, in fact the only two I think I had read were “Angela’s Ashes” and “Julie & Julia”. Nevertheless, I jumped in and embarked on a journey to learn, to be inspired and to write!

My journey so far, and its been four long years and counting, has been characterised by stopping and starting, by taking several steps forwards and a few steps back, by frustration, crippling sadness, shame (as I’ve learned more about my father’s story) and wonderful moments of joy, elation and pride. It’s been complicated and challenging but so far, very rewarding.

I hope that my journey will lead me to publication. I hope.

I thought I would write this blog to share my journey – my musings, my frustrations, my rantings, my breakthroughs, my insights and any learnings that may be helpful to others embarking on a similar journey.

Buckle up. We’re in for a ride.