Q & A with author Alephonsion Deng and Susan J. Farese of SJF Communications

SJF: In a nutshell, tell us about your book or written piece. 
AD: Disturbed in Their Nests is the story of my story as a young man, a refugee, from Africa to City Heights in San Diego. It covers the interrelations between me and my mentor and co-author, Judy, who I met in 2001 in San Diego. The stories of the challenges we faced are both humorous and tragic.

SJF: What has your experience been as a writer in San Diego?
AD: I don’t consider myself a writer; I am a storyteller. I was very fortunate to meet Judy, a writer, and over the years through our collaboration she has been able to make our voices accessible to many readers. So this has been a blessing for us to come together. Me with my story and Judy as a writer.

SJF: How has storytelling influenced your life?
AD: My dad was a storyteller, so I heard many stories about our ancestors that I never met; people who were heroic and how they faced and solved problems. This was our education. These were my lessons, what I built my values upon as a young boy. From early childhood, I developed an understanding of what makes a good story. I wanted to be like my father when I grew up, but I only got part of it because I didn’t get to grow up with my father. But there is a little bit of my father in me, so meeting my co-author made it possible to bring out that part of my nature. It’s been an interesting experience to be able to be a storyteller. It has connected to me to people I would have never known in my life. With 7.7 billion people in the world, there are so many people I have not met, so they did not exist for me. They don’t exist until you meet them. This has been an amazing journey, getting connected to the community and meeting all types of people through schools, community organizations and other groups.

SJF: What are you excited about when it comes to participating in the inaugural San Diego Writers Festival?
AD: I’m excited to be in the company of intellectuals and storytellers and to be meeting people who are doing new things in the world. That sounds exciting to me.

SJF:  What advice would you give to a new writer in San Diego?
AD: My advice to new writers is always write no matter what, whether you get published or not. If this is who you are and you believe in writing, you keep writing. You never know when an opportunity will arise. My co-author always advised me to keep writing, and she said don’t worry about the English; write from your heart. So I’d say, tell your story from your heart — the editing will come later. First, pour your heart out.

SJF: Many thanks, Alephonsion!

Learn More about Susan J. Farese of SJF Communications