My name is Miriam Mwene. I am a young woman who loves music because of its ability to encourage and inspire people through words and melody. I also enjoy reading books that are rich in lessons, allowing me to learn even as I develop my own writing. I am also a learner with an interest in matters affecting international relations among different states of the world.

My Mission

I am writing a book titled Forgiveness Heals You, which explores forgiveness, the pain that comes from being hurt, and the freedom that comes when we choose to forgive. The book explores the understanding that forgiveness is not necessarily about excusing what someone did or pretending that the pain never happened. Rather, it is about releasing yourself from the weight of the hurt and allowing yourself to heal and move forward. My motivation came from realising that many people carry emotional wounds for years because they struggle to forgive themselves or others. I wanted to remind readers that forgiveness is a journey and that choosing to forgive can be an important step towards peace, healing, and freedom.

My Writing Process

I experienced writer’s block. There were moments when I knew what I wanted to communicate but struggled to put my thoughts into words. At other times, I questioned whether my writing was good enough or whether readers would connect with it. I learnt not to force myself to write when I felt completely stuck. Instead, I would take a break, reflect, pray, read, or simply write down my thoughts without worrying about whether they were perfect. Once I removed the pressure of trying to make everything perfect, the words began to flow again. The Onyx Writing Class also taught me that writing is a process and that a first draft does not have to be perfect.

My Posture

I learnt to receive feedback with an open mind. Positive feedback encouraged me and reminded me that I was making progress. Critical feedback was sometimes more difficult to receive because, as writers, we can become emotionally attached to our work. However, I learnt to separate myself from my writing and understand that criticism of my work is not criticism of who I am.

This helped me begin viewing feedback as an opportunity to learn, refine my work, and grow as a writer rather than something to take personally. Balancing writing with my other responsibilities was not always easy. I learnt to intentionally create time for writing instead of waiting until I had free time, because sometimes that free time simply does not come. I set aside specific moments to write, reflect, edit, and work on my book. Sometimes this meant writing a little at a time rather than trying to accomplish everything in one sitting. Remembering why I started also helped me remain committed when life became busy.

My Onyx Writing Class Experience

My experience with content writing during CLC Kenya’s Onyx Writing Class was very beneficial. The class helped me understand that writing is not simply about having ideas. It is also about learning how to communicate those ideas clearly, structure your work, connect with your audience, and create a consistent flow throughout your writing.

The class gave me confidence to take my writing more seriously and helped me understand different aspects of the writing process. I also had an opportunity to learn from other writers, receive feedback, and improve my skills. I would definitely recommend the Writing Class, particularly to someone who has always wanted to write but does not know where to begin. Sometimes you already have the story, message, or idea, but you need guidance on how to bring it to life. The Onyx Writing Class provided that guidance for me.

Closing Reflection

To every aspiring writer and beginning author, my encouragement is:

Start before you feel ready.

You may doubt yourself, feel that your writing is not good enough, or compare yourself with other writers, but do not allow that to stop you. Your story may be the very thing someone else needs to hear. Write honestly, remain teachable, accept correction, keep learning, and, most importantly, keep writing. Do not be afraid to start small. Every book begins with an idea and the courage to put the first words on paper.