Call me a contrarian, but I don’t place much importance on defining myself as a female writer—or one from a developing country. As far as I’m concerned, we’re all just human beings, and there’s only one biosphere. My gender, heritage and homeland are parts of who I am…but hardly the biggest. Philosophy has little interest in borders.

Female writers have already taken centre spotlight on the global stage, and now it’s only a matter of speaking to truths and embracing the craft. This, in itself, will inspire young women from developing nations to reach for the stars.

There I’d sit on my school-bench studying, determined to master English, and, now, I’m happy I had to choose.

We only have so much time, and the (drawn-out) development of artistic ability always amounts to a gamble. That’s the truth. It isn’t the safe or the get-rich route…but nothing compares to self-expression and anyone, with work—compassion, patience, curiosity—can come to find themselves and, too, an Earth of kindred spirits.