Interview with the Multi Talented Natasha Patrick, Author of 'Ixchel's secret'

1) When did you decide to write a book 'Ixchel'secret' ?

I had always wanted to see my name published as an author since childhood. So the idea of writing a book has always been there. I wrote Ixchel’s Secret during the COVID lockdown. We were stuck at home and had lots of time. I charted out a 21 day time table to help with the writing. 

2) Do you want to inspire people through your writing or do you write just as a hobby ?

It’s mostly a hobby. But I do write children’s books and would like to publish that too and maybe inspire a few kids. 

3) What inspires you to write?

The ability to imagine and make it happen through my books. Living through the mind of each of my characters, anticipating each of their decisions and actions and executing these in the book is very thrilling to me. 

4 ) who are your favourite characters from your own books and why?

It’s my protagonist Jon. From a mundane character with a boring daily routine he evolved to someone who is very courageous and deals with something he never imagined he would face in his life. He evolves a changed man. We all go through life experiences and what is important is how we evolve from these experiences. 

5 ) Who are your favourite writers?

I’m mostly a hopeless romantic and love Nicholas Sparks books. I also love Enid Blyton books which helped me with a lot of imagination during my childhood. Sydney Sheldon, Stephen King, Danielle Steel, Madhavikutty, MD Vasudevan, KR Meera are a few of my other favourite authors. The list could be endless as I love to read a lot.  

6 ) One advice you would give to the upcoming writers?

Read. Read. Read. Read a lot. Reading helps to convey your story to the reader. It helps on how you write. Also research about your story, the locations, the plot and the emotions of your characters. Understand your characters and plot well before you begin to write. 

As it was during Covid lockdown I did not have enough finances to hire an editor when I published. I did get it edited later. 

8) In your book 'Ixchel's secret' there goes lot of research. Can you please tell the resources and books you referred?

It was mostly done on the net. I researched mainly on people’s experiences travelling to the places mentioned in the book. I wanted the readers to feel that they are actually travelling to the places. Being a psychologist also helped in the character development. I researched about the Mayan civilisation too. Most of this was online as it was all during the lockdown and physical resources were limited. 

9) You are also a mother. How do manage to take care of home and also pursue writing?

My husband helped a lot to take care of my girls. I would tell them that I’m going to write and they would not disturb me. They supported a lot during those days. 

10) You also own a company. Can you please tell us more about it ?

 Our company Spyro International is based out of UK and India. We focus on HR solutions. This year, we are also working on starting a foundation to work towards women empowerment where we plan to help women achieve financial independence through job skills that would make them employable and also working on bringing in character education for children too. 

 Let's know you more ( Fire round)

a) Your inspiration 

My parents. My husband. Whatever happens in life they deal with it calmly and find solutions. I usually freak out. They inspire me to be more grounded in my life.  

b) Any other hobbies apart from writing

Painting. Designing clothes for my girls and sewing them. Crochet. 

c) Your favourite holiday spot 

My dream is to visit Switzerland. I love any holiday spot with mountains and cooler climates. 

d) Your favourite book and film

Harry Potter series, The Lord of the Rings series, The Notebook. 

e) what does life mean to you? If given a chance what would you like to change on this earth or add? 

Life is about living each day as it comes. Life goes on, no matter what. So there is no point being sad about the past or worried about the future. Live in the moment. I would like to add more compassion in humans to their fellow beings. I see a rise in the frustration levels these days and would like to change it. Bring more harmony in the world. 

F) Your favourite song and singer 

Top of the world by Carpenters

g) Favourite quote 

“What we think, we become.” - Buddha

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Thought provoking and daring interview with Jo Scewczyk, author of 'Surviving Gen X' Jo Scewczyk is one of the fearless and exceptionally writer of contemporary times

1)When did you start writing?

I started at a young age. My mother sent me some blackmail recently in the form of a dinosaur story that I typed out when I was 8. I have no memory of that story, but I do remember bugging my mom to use the typewriter as a kid. Yeah, I'm that old 😄

2) What motivates or inspires you to write?

The voices in my head tell me stories and then it's a race against the clock to tell them. Sometimes, I'll see something and go 'what if...' or I'll have a memory and try to decode it accurately (like Surviving Gen X). So, in a way, inspiration is a desire to control the past.

3) When did you decide to write the novel  'Surviving Gen X '?

I was at Binghamton University and in Jaimee Wriston Colbert's fiction workshop for grad school. I had touched up something I did for John Vernon's class that got panned (the students said they hated the protagonist and that he was a piece of trash...gulp...note to self: don't write memoirs and read it to undergrads).  The piece went over much better in grad school. Maybe I was a stronger writer (doubt it). I wrote another piece, also auto-biographical and the writer Ryan Dunham suggested that maybe I can remove the narrator's name for the pieces I showed so far and that way they could be, technically, the same person at different points of life. 

That's how Surviving Gen X started (although as a short story here and there). It was during my PhD from Lancaster University that Eliza Mood and I cracked the short story code into a novel in stories. Eliza was great because she gave me courage to try the graphic pieces inter-woven with the verbal (regular text) pieces and underpin it with theory.

4) As per your novel, it suggests that the pop culture has destroyed many people's life. Do you wish to restore family culture back ??

I am not sure what family culture looks like anymore. We have a generation who, previously, could get away from their bullies and negative images, and pop culture in general. I grew up in a small town where there was a pop embargo, so to speak. Meaning, if X song came out in 1982 everywhere...we'd get the song in 1985. Unless, of course, you had someone shipping in cassette tapes and the like from other areas.  Same for magazines. Magazines were photoshopped but rare as extra money for magazines in a working class area was pretty rare.

Fast forward a generation and you can't get away from feeling bad from the latest tik-tok, insta, fb, threads, etc. Everyone is showing the best (impossible) life. We have Sephora Girls as a thing now. What 7 year old needs anti-aging serum? The answer comes back to pop culture. 

When is the last time you had dinner where NOBODY took a phone out to take a pic of the food or text someone? 

So maybe not family culture, but just people culture (as our unique selves worthy of attention from others in the present moment and converse/eat/etc).

5)You have shown the dark side of Las Vegas. Did you face backlash from your people??

Oddly—the opposite happened! I was warned by a few publishers that backlash on various counts would/could happen. So far, the pleasant surprise was the Las Vegas and sex industry people really support me. It's like they are happy someone is telling the 'war stories' so to speak—telling them truthfully without filters.

6) What for you is genuine love?

If you've read the book, you know the one thing I don't know is love. If it was a relationship, even the people I truly cherished, bite-sized or otherwise...well...let's just say I'm my worst enemy. I'm not saying genuine love doesn't exist. I think it does. I can't seem to hold on to it for longer than a moment. The heat burns my hands and I force myself to let go (or they leave).

 

7)Tell us a bit about the present scenario of Las Vegas 

I'll sum up present day Vegas this way: It was so hard hit by the pandemic, that the last time (2 years ago) I was there, the drug dealers walking the Strip offered me cocaine if I got them a taco...

8) I recently read an article which said ' The west is free outwardly but struggles a lot with internal chains' Can you please elaborate this?

Oh man, did I write that article? I'm not sure which one you refer, but I'll give it a stab. Bowie said it best, I've got scars that can't be seen.

9) What are your views on humanity?

I don't understand people. I mimic them. I can fit in when needed, but there are a lot of questionable directions humans take. They probably took them before the internet, too, but now it's a bit easier to see all the choices since people put it out for the world to see. For the price of one Oscar gift bag, someone could pay rent for 1-2 months. That's insane. It's a bit dis-ingenuine saying 'I feel sorry for the poor' whilst using a golden coke spoon. 

10)Do you see a bright future for youth of America?? If yes why and if no why??

I see a bright bright glaring-white-hot-can't-look-burning-retinas-for-an-instant future followed by nuclear winter.  

Fun Questions

a) Your inspiration 

For writing? My life. 

For my life? Other people's writing.

b) Any other hobbies apart from writing

I found that I love podcasting. I love my Streamin' Demons podcast with my co-host JM Brannyk. We discuss streaming horror. I love What's Kraken because I get to interview cool people and the occasional yellow square.

Gaming is great, too. Table top (Trick or Treat Studios especially), RPG (Free League is amazing for this)...

Gym. Martial Arts...Activity clears my brain to allow me to focus on one voice instead of the cacophony. 

Oh and cats (the cute critters, not the musical)

c) Your favorite holiday spot 

I have two—a beach with sand—anywhere. If that is taken, then Morecambe or London, England. Maybe Dundee, Scotland. Mostly I pick England/Scotland because of the people. I think I'm happy anywhere if the person I like is with me. 

d) Your favorite book and film

Fav book? Oooof...hard one. I will have to say, Dream Lives of Butterflies by Jaimee Wriston Colbert. I like reading it because she's far far better at what we do than I am. Every time I feel good about my writing, I read her and realize what it must have been like to play against the Lakers with Magic and Kareem on the team. 

Film—The original Star Wars Trilogy from New Hope to Empire to Jedi. My friend and I wore the VHS tape out as a kid.

e) Your favorite singer

Singer—pure and simple? Jimmy Buffett. His concerts were amazing. His energy was fantastic.

Now, favorite person who just happened to be a singer? Bowie.

f) Your favorite writer

Before I give Jaimee a complex, I will say someone else for favorite writer (although, really, do yourself a favor and check her work out!). 

Weis and Hickman, the writing duo that brought us Dragonlance. They have a new Dragonlance series out and, for right or wrong, they pretty much started my writing career. 

g) The person you love or trust the most. 

Love and trust were different people, but closely related. Both of whom are dead. 

h) Your Favourite T.V show

Doctor Who with Tom Baker as Doctor. NuWho is cool and all, but try acting where the only CGI was the Cardiff Gravel Inc. pits that they had to constantly pretend were other planets, space ships, etc. 

I) Your favorite dish

Lasagne. I loved Garfield as a kid...still do.

j) What does life mean to you?

42

k) One message for everyone around the world.

Remember--THE most important thing in life to remember is (*runs out the door*)

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A Regal interview with the talented Afghan female writer Samman Akbarzada about her book "Life is a movie"

When did you start writing?

• After getting inspired by my mother. I was around the age of six.

2) What motivates or inspires you to write?

• It depends on what I am writing about and what form of literature... For instance, if it's a poem or prose, the intensity of my sentiments at that moment leads me to write and those emotions can be based on my feelings, people, motives, art, or someone I care about.
For novel writing, I have to kind of rob moments from my life to make time for it, and then like a gentle-paced melody the dark and quiet room allows me to step inside the frantic world I have created and leap from one character to the other as we make it through.

3)How has writing helped you in advocating human rights/women's rights?

• Not as much as I want it to, it can never be enough I think, but I have tried. And I will forever use this passion as a tool to advocate, rummage for strength and muster hope, especially through the inspiring women of Afghanistan and all around the world. By portraying unkind lives, I try to give a sense to those who are unaware and I can only hope it will make them take action for the marginalized communities. The entire purpose of such work is to rip our hearts open and make us feel for the real human version of those characters. Otherwise, there is no point in pitying while being indifferent to Afghanistan, that's hypocrisy.

4) What was the whole idea behind penning down the novel "Life is a movie" Briefly explain the process behind publishing and editing the book? 

• Life is a Movie is inspired by the kid I used to see selling cotton candy near my high school. After the covid outbreak, I thought a lot about him, and all the people struggling to find ends meet. As a way to cope with it, I became him and wrote for both of us.

During the quarantine of the pandemic, I had a hard time leaving the house, even after the restrictions eased, and I remember writing from sunset to sunrise, (as haunted, sleep-deprived individuals, hopefully, the placing of the two words made sense to you) and I was dealing with the loss of my grandfather at that time.

After losing count of rejection letters, finally, in May 2021, I received an email that congratulated me. It will always be one of the happiest moments of my life. Then my book was globally available on the 22nd of August.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. I had to cancel my book launch event which was going to take place in Kabul. I canceled interviews, and everything because that's what happens when a group of misogynists takes over your homeland.

5) Did you face any hurdles in the publishing or editing process of the book, as a budding writer?

• Of course, I simply had a dream and a passion for writing that didn't allow me to give up, but that was pretty much it. After the rejection letters with the scripts and the first novel I wrote, I was so scared of the disappointment it might bring to me that I feared sharing the fact that I write books with my family. I didn't until I was done writing two novels and one day was caught off guard by my dad after he just casually asked me what was my biggest dream and I replied getting published and he looked at me in shock as I smacked my forehead lol. So I let it be a solo journey for the most part which had its pros and cons, but eventually, it did happen because of the support I received. It's an interesting journey, and there is so much to learn. 

6) Tell us a bit about the present basic rights of women and children in Afghanistan?

• How can I tell you about something non-existent? Currently, we don't have any rights for women and children in Afghanistan. No status, no rights, nothing. The people in Afghanistan are held like hostages and are living in hell on earth.

7) Have you come across a similar character like "Masih" in person?

• Yes, I did share his story in one of the answers given above. There are millions of untold stories like Masih, taking their first breath in houses where their responsibilities are born before them.

8) What are your views regarding humanity? 

• I feel like humanity has failed what freedom meant. It has failed to save freedom in Afghanistan. Suffering is no longer seen as it is, but to whom it's happening.

However, I also face the good of humankind who make me believe in humanity as they advocate for the discriminated people to at least lessen the anguish as much as these great human's abilities allow them to.

9) Has UNICEF helped enough in protecting and promoting children's and women's rights in Afghanistan?

• Women, children, and men, one by one have lost their fundamental human rights and freedom since the forceful takeover. Afghanistan has been handed to barbarism, to face the same horror of the 1996-2001 era. It's about time the people accountable take responsibility and questions should be raised on why did this happen? Why weren't women's and children's rights mentioned as a condition in the Doha contract? What is happening in Afghanistan was foreseeable by the appalling decisions of those in authority who are not being questioned, and who are not taking responsibility to deal with the consequences.

Today, it's been about two years now since girls are locked in homes. The female-led families that depended on their mothers, daughters, and wives...are now facing financial instability. Over 90 percent of the families in Afghanistan are in need. And it is such a disappointment to see well-known NGOs not coming up with a system to get funds to them, instead, they just halted functioning, and now the civilians are left to deal with totalitarianism under acute financial instability, joblessness, and mental health crisis.

There's an Afghan woman by the name of Mahnaz Safi. She and her team called "hope" are on the grounds in Afghanistan to help the people in need by simply using "go fund me" you can see the videos and know more about what the people are enduring right now in Afghanistan, and also contribute through her IG handle:

Instagram.com/mahnazzy1

10) Tell us in regards to "Women's rights" in Afghanistan when the Taliban had not taken over the country?

• For most of the recent years (before the fall of Afghanistan) girls topped the list in college entrance exams for their outstanding performance. They paved their way to prestigious universities, graduated, got their dream jobs, and at the same time ran the household as inspiring women/mothers. The young generation in Afghanistan loved and sought education, I witnessed that. There was so much hope, it was just a matter of time before we thrived in even greater ways around the country... Sometimes I think that's why it hurts more because we had it almost.

Fun Questions

a) Your inspiration 

• Emotions in need of respite, and honest art

b) Any other hobbies apart from writing

• Reading, music, doodling vague illustrations, watching movies, cooking, hiking in nature, yoga

c) Your favorite holiday spot 

• Somewhere in the woods, near water, and quiet. And art museums

d) Your favorite book and film

• Mmm... It's difficult, but I will say "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho because I find the hope in that book ineffable. I honestly can't pick one movie but if I have to it would be "Cast Away" 

e) Your favorite singer

• I love indie alternative, indie folk, and ambient genres of music, so my favorite artists belong to that field of music. If I had to pick one, I would say Novo Amor.

f) Your favorite writer

• Your fun questions are the most difficult ones lol. I would go with Charlotte Bronet in novel writing and I am kind of torn between Charles Bukowski and Sylvia Plath in poetry.

g) The person you love or trust the most. 

• My family and close friends

h) Your Favourite T.V show

• It's been a long time since I saw any to be honest, but I have enjoyed every single one I've watched so far.

I) Your favorite dish

• Bean curry with rice and Persian salad

j) What does life mean to you?

• To be useful

k) One message for everyone around the world.

• What is happening in Afghanistan is a tragedy, don't turn your back on it. As citizens of this world, we are equally responsible, we should act as decent humans do, and care about important matters by opening our hearts. Let the generations to come to look back and get inspired by the unions, not disgusted by indifference. 

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Fun and interesting interview with the budding author Yasmin A Maher. Check her out as she speaks about her Debut novel "Echo"

Yasmin A Maher who is basically from Egypt has been writing since her childhood. Her father encouraged her by gifting her a printer. Yasmin is an engineering graduate but she decided to pursue her career in writing instead. She wrote the first draft of her novel in 2012 AND then took a break because she had doubts about her writing abilities. She later resumed the continuation of the novel in 2017. It took her six years to complete the novel which including the editing and publishing. Yasmin has been fond of magic, fairies and witches ever since childhood. She has given A profound message to humanity via her urban fantasy novel which is brilliantly penned.

Questions

1) When did you start writing?

Ans)In middle school, I wrote several short stories with pictures too. I remember my dad bought me a printer so I can print my stories and show them to my family and teachers. I still have some of them old in my drawer.

2) Do you wish to inspire people through your writing or do you wish to write as a hobby?

Ans)Of course, I wish to inspire people with my writing. Human beings are born storytellers for a reason. Stories can teach us to be kind, develop empathy for others, and recognize real-world issues we need to address. I'm in no way claiming that I'm in a place where I inspire others, but I always try to give value through my stories as much as I can.

3) What inspires you to write?

Ans)I have no idea, really. I can't say it's anything in the outside world. My head is just full of ideas and characters that urge me to bring them to life. So I write about them.

4) What was the whole idea behind penning down the novel "Echo" Briefly explain the process you had go through while editing and publishing your book?

Ans)Since I wrote the first draft of this book so many years ago, I can't remember how I came to the main idea, but I've always been a fan of magic and witches ever since I was a kid. I guess I wanted to create a witch I could relate to.

After writing the first draft of Echo, I was going through a rough time in my life, so I decided to quit writing for good. I went through a long phase of feeling lost and uncertain and a long self-discovery journey that brought me back to my first draft (only five years later). I rewrote and rewrote. With every rewrite, the book and the characters changed as much as I had during my down years. In a way, I'm grateful for how these things worked out because I learned so much in the process.

5) Who are your favourite characters from your novel and why ?

Ans)It's a difficult question to answer. I love Kirby because he's so kind and genuine. He's the friend I wish I had in real life. I also love Viessa because she's very unpredictable. She's the character who surprised me through every revision.

6) Do you really believe in magic and miracles or do you use it as a tool to write fantasy?

Ans)I don't believe in the magic in the form that Echo uses, but I believe in divine powers and miracles happening around us all the time.

7) I really appreciate the final message in your book. Do you really think the world is turning less humane day by day ?

Ans)Given the history of the dark ages the human race has been through, I can't say the world is turning less humane. I, however, believe that we need more humanity and kindness between us. Instead of fighting, we need to join hands to heal ourselves and the world.

8) The familial bonds are amazingly penned in the novel. Do you believe family is important in the modern day where people are opting for live in relationships?

Ans)Family is very important to me, yes. And I intently chose to focus on Echo's relationships with her family and friends more than her romantic life because I don't see this happening enough in books and even on TV. Romance is cool, but family bonds and loving friendships are precious!

 9) Piece of advice you would like to give for upcoming writers.

Ans)Keep going, and don't try to rush the process. Writing and publishing take time. Be patient.  

10) What will you change or add in world if magic wand is given to you?

Ans)What a great question! If I can use magic to do whatever I want without consequences, I'll definitely start with ending all wars. I will undo all the damage done to the environment, clean the oceans, and restore all the forests people have cut throughout the decades. I'll cure all diseases. I'll give a home to all homeless people and a family to every shelter animal. Most importantly, I'll hide my identity so no one can catch me after I do all these things. :D

10) How would describe fairy and witch?

Ans)In urban fantasy, fairies are supernatural creatures with magical powers that humans can't learn. Witches are humans who either have innate magical powers or can use the energy from the earth, nature, or even demons... Depending on the story.

Fun Questions  

a) Your inspiration

My cats. :D I work hard so they can live a good life

b) Any other hobbies apart from writing

I love to sing, play the piano, and spend time with my animals.

c) Your favourite holiday spot

Wherever my family is

d) Your favourite book and film

So many to choose from. :D

e) Your favourite singer

Ryan O'Neil from Sleeping At Last

f) Your favourite writer

So many to choose from. :D

g) The person you love or trust the most.

My sister and brother

h) Your Favourite T.V show

So many to choose from. :D

I) Your favourite dish

Burger :D

J) Do you prefer twitter or Instagram?

Twitter, always

h) What does life mean to you?

An opportunity to learn and become a better person

i) One message for everyone around the world.

Be kind.

Interviewed by Ayesha F Muskaan ©

A splendacious interview with the award winning writer of 2022, Paul De Blassie III

 Paul DeBlassie III, Ph.D. is a depth psychologist and award-winning writer living in his native New Mexico, crafting metaphysical thrillers energized with trickster mischief and natural magic. His novels, visionary thrillers, delve deep into archetypal realities as they play out dramatically in the lives of everyday people. Metaphysical dramas set in the mythopoeic realm of Aztlan open vistas of danger, conflict and potential transformation. Good and evil are pivotal arenas for unfolding tales of the supernatural.

Together with visionary/metaphysical novels, he also writes blogs and archetypal essays on trauma, dreams, spirituality, and intuition. As a native New Mexican, he has been deeply influenced by the mestizo myth of Aztlan, its surreal beauty and natural magic. Memberships include the Author’s Guild, the Depth Psychology Alliance, the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, and the International Association for Jungian Studies.

Reading turns us within to mythopoeic places of challenge and hope.

Paul’s writing is informed by his personal and clinical understanding of the unconscious mind. Treating patients in depth psychotherapy for over thirty-five years has inspired stories about human conflict and transformation in the areas of love, relationships, and spirituality. Stories imbued with archetypal symbolism and narrative drama affect the unconscious mind in potentially transformative ways. Inspirational essays in consciousness and depth psychology move into realms of both darkness and hope that can open mystic paths of human experience.

Questions

1) When did you start writing?

Ans)I’ve been a psychologist/writing/publishing in depth psychology and metaphysical fiction for the past 35 years.

2) When was your first Novel published? 

Ans)The Unholy: A Supernatural Tale of the Dark Side of Religion

3) Do you wish  to inspire people through your writing or do you wish to write as a hobby?

Ans)I’m a professional writer who seeks to inspire readers to see what they have not seen before.

4) What inspires you to write?

Ans)I’ve treated patients for forty years suffering from emotional/spiritual crises, the experience forming a collage of mystery that generates metaphysical thrillers.

5) What was the whole idea behind penning down the novel "Goddess of Everything"

Ans)People suffer from the dark side of religion - what appears good on the outside but in reality is manipulative and oppressive – it pops out crisis and births what readers have called compelling storytelling.

6) Who are your favourite characters from your novel and why ?

Ans)It’s the women in my stories who speak to the power of the deep feminine in the human soul that confront danger and make life-changing decisions.

7) To write against something as powerful as Church, were there any second thoughts in your mind that if you would be backlashed?

Ans)Oh . . . people have cried out that I’m antireligious and antichurch – like a literary antichrist – in reality, I write simple stories of the dark side of religion seeping into the mind in complicated ways.

8) As per you, is religion important in today's world? 

Ans)What’s important in today’s world, vital even, is discovering what is spiritually meaningful for you.

9) Why do you think it's so easy to control people in the name of religion/ faith?

Ans)Because it’s about eternal matters, soul realities, that affect us to our core!
 

 10) This is one of my favourite questions.
Do you believe religion should be a private matter and is it okay if people express their religious sentiments publically ? ( By wearing religious attire or praying in public)

Ans)It’s perfectly fine, to me, to express yourself in whatever way is meaningful to you spiritually as long as it is not intrusive or violating of another’s space. Be true to yourself and respect others and where they are at.

Fun Questions

a) Your inspiration -
My wonderful artist and wife of 45 years, Kate, sets my mind going and life humming.

b) Any other hobbies apart from writing - Writing and psychotherapy are my professions; stone carving, tennis, and squash are what I do for kicks.

c) Your favourite holiday spot -
 I love the beach, our favorite spot a little jewel in CA.

d) Your favourite book and film Book -
Old Man and the Sea; Film: Doctor Sleep

e) Your favourite singer -
Tony Bennet

f) Your favourite writer Two -
Algernon Blackwood and Ernest Hemingway

g) The person you love or trust the most.- Kate, my all together fantastic wife!

h) What does life mean to you? If given a chance what would you like to change on this earth or add? -
Life means living our ongoing and always evolving truth.

i) Any message to Indie authors or those who inspire to write. -
 If you feel it, write it!

Interviewed by Ayesha F Muskaan ©

 

 

 

One of the most enjoyable interview with the budding author Annette Phillip, on her novel "Nola Metamorphosis" ( YA Fantasy Novel) and her love for literature.

Annette Phillip is originally from the Caribbean Island of Dominica, presently she lives in New York City which has been her home for almost twenty years. Ever since she was a little girl, she has been fond of  reading and writing. 

Annette pursued her writing by penning down short stories during her childhood days.

I quote Annette in her own words." I don’t know where the love for reading came from but I know I could not put down books growing up."

She published her first novel in December  2021 called “Nola’s metamorphosis” which is a coming-of-age novel in the genre of YA novel 18-25 years. It is available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback format.

She is very happy and proud of her achievement and hopes this won't be her last, as there are fountain of imaginative thoughts springing in her mind. She wishes to write many more novels and is extremely excited about it .

She  has also written a  Christmas short story called  “Santa, where are you?” It’s a fun adventure for the whole family. It's available on Kindle.  

She has few more projects coming up in 2023. She is quite excited about it and can’t wait to share them with her readers.

Questions & Answers

1) When did you start writing?

I started writing since I was a little girl. I would write poems and short stories. 

2) When was your first Novel published? 

My first novel was published December 2021.

3) Do you wish  to inspire people through your writing or do you wish to write as a hobby? 

I love writing as a hobby and at the same time inspiring people. I want upcoming writers to know that they can make their dream as an author a reality. 

4) What inspires you to write?

I write on experiences. As an author and poet most of what I write is inspired by actual events. I think what I write everyone can gravitate to as its based on life experiences. Most of what I have written in my poems, and  my novel people can relate. 

5) What was the whole idea behind penning down the novel "Nola Metamorphosis"

It was inspired by my life growing up in the Caribbean. I made it into a fictional novel because I wanted to tell it as a story to keep the readers interested. 

6) Who are your favourite characters from your novel and why ? Apart from Nola. 

My favorite characters from Nola are Rita her mom and her granny. They were two women who were very instrumental in Nola's life and made a difference in the changes she made. 

7 ) Who are your favourite writers?

I like Toni Morrison, V. C Andrews, Stephen King, Mary Monroe, Terry Mcmillan

8) Did you face issue in publishing or editing?

No I didn't, I was  fortunate to work with a great illustrator that owns his company and works with editors, designers etc. This allowed me great access to also getting my books published. 

9) Your book has a very strong message. You have blended both the erotic scenes and words of wisdom so well. Did you opt for any creativity writing course? 

Actually I just finished a creative writing course and attained a certificate. It was however after Nola's Metamorphosis was already out. I think I have a lot of imagination and writing comes naturally to me. 

10) Certain people in Africa and Asia are still slightly orthodox, how did they react to you writing erotic stuff ? 

I was pretty surprised to get positive responses from all over the world. I was a bit nervous how certain people would react to the erotic scenes. Being a Christian I was also not sure how it would seem for me doing erotic scenes but I had to make it realistic and I think a lot of people can relate after all we all been through life the good and the bad and I think people understood that, especially the book is told about a young woman growing up and transitioning. 

11) Do you love poetry? It seemed to me via one of your FB post that you love poetry too. 

I absolutely love poetry. This is where I started of my writing as a poet. I soon found out that I was a prolific writer after taking writing classes I realized I had the potential to expand on my writing in different genres. It proved that writing was a passion and a gift I had that was probably hidden for a while. 

 

 Let's know you more ( Fire round)

a) Your inspiration 

I got my inspiration from my mother. She was very supportive of anything I  wanted to try out as a kid. 

b) Any other hobbies apart from writing

I love listening to music and socializing. 

c) Your favourite holiday spot 

The beach

d) Your favourite book and film

One of my favorite books is 

"A day late and a dollar shot." by Terry McMillan. One of my favorite film is "The notebook." 

e) Your favourite singer

Madonna

f) Your favourite actor

Leonardo DiCaprio 

g) The person you love or trust the most. 

My mother

h) what does life mean to you? If given a chance what would you like to change on this earth or add? 

I love life and living. If I had to change anything I would make life more pleasant and happy for everyone especially those struggling without no hope or help. I would add homes so person's that can't afford or homeless would have a safe place for themselves and their families. Eradicate crime. 

i) Any message to Indie authors or those who inspire to write. 

Never give up on your dreams no matter how old you are. There are always doors open and now because of social media and networking it's easier to access your  dreams of becoming a writer. 

A resplendent interview with the Award winning writer ( 2021 for political thriller) Bob Van Laerhoven.

It was stupendous experience to interview this prodigious writer, I personally feel a lot privileged to get deep insight into his extraordinary life. Hope you guys to enjoy reading this interview as much as I enjoyed interviewing. 

1. At what age did you start writing? 
In hindsight, I started writing too Young. I was fifteen – that was in 1968 - when I wrote a novella, situated in Flanders during WWII( German forces occupied Belgium back then) I read my piece proudly to my mother while she was ironing clothes. She voiced her approval behind a cloud of steam when brave Flemish freedom fighters in my story were fooling the dumb German soldiers. Luckily, this first try never saw the light of day in print, and my mother – and even me -  soon forgot what the story was all about. But it planted the first seed.

2. What inspired you to write? 
Do you believe me when I answer that now, fifty-three years later, I still don't know why I began writing? Nothing in my upbringing predestinated me to become a novelist. I stem from a lower-middle-class family with a classical work ethos:  you had to toil hard in this life to lead a decent existence with a house, a radio, a television, and a car. It was the main idea about life in the sixties in Flanders. But for us, teenagers, news of "love and peace" and the war in Vietnam seeped through the increasingly rapidly spreading TV screens. I was susceptible to information from the big world outside tiny Flanders and dreamed of exploring countries that were mysterious in my young eyes – Yes, India was one of them - and to become an adventurer. Waiting for the chance to become one, I began writing a novel at age eighteen. It had to be exciting and mysterious. To my surprise, a Flemish publisher wanted to edit it. Phobia was born, and I felt myself as a writer, not knowing that it would take me years and many manuscripts  before I could say to the mirror: "You're a real author."

3. What was the name of your first novel? .     
     "Phobia"

4. Do you write to liberate yourself or do you  wish to give people a piece of advice   through your writing?
I thought that writing would liberate me from specific mental issues, such as transgressive sexual behavior from an elder boy around the time I was about ten and the Angst it engendered. I proved myself wrong. Writing forces you to look your fears into the eyes instead of chasing them.Giving a piece of advice then? I thought I had to be "a committed author," standing up against social injustice in my younger years. But literature is often not at its best when it criticizes society. Non-fiction and analyses from experts are a much better tool for that goal.

5.When did you decide to write the novel "The shadow Of The Mole" ? And what inspired you to write this prodigious novel? 
Because of the abuse that happened in my youth, I have suffered all my life from PTSD-like symptoms, so I began to study them. They surface a lot more during war conditions than in times of peace. In our past, court-martials considered post-traumatic syndrome as cowardness and desertion. In WW1, the young medical science psychiatry began to research the origin and meaning of PTSD;  I decided to write a historical novel about the theme in the form of a parable. The critical question is: why do we wage war when every war has proved to be counter-productive in the end? I know that we've gathered a lot of data about the source of our aggression, but the key moment of starting a war remains blurred. I tried to capture that critical moment, that particular time of utter madness, in the form of a suspenseful parable.

The idea came to me when I was with Doctors Without Frontiers in the besieged city of Sarajevo during the Bosnian wars in 1992. Amid that ruined city, I had an outdoor interview with a local warlord. (It was less dangerous in the open than inside because the Serbians from the surrounding hills incessantly shelled the city. The warlord had brought his bodyguards with him. They all drove black BMW limousines. He stood in front of me, leaning against his car's trunk. He said: "War is like a mother to me" at a given moment. The sun was behind us and shone in his narrowed eyes. I suddenly had the feeling that I was facing something inhuman, a sort of demon – I don't like to use that word, but that was the feeling - hiding in that man. Of course, the stress of interviewing him while the shells fell on the city, the glooms of the ruins around us, and the fear for my own life produced this strange and sudden inspiration. But I never have forgotten the strength of that feeling, and more than twenty years later, I began to write "The Shadow Of The Mole," based on that one remarkable intuition.

6. Apart from Mole, who is your favourite character in the novel "The Shadow Of The Mole" And why? 
It certainly is Marie Estrange, the frontline nurse who works for the young psychiatrist-in-training Denis Michel, who serves in France as a front physician during WW1. There is an amorous but at the same time tense atmosphere around these two young people who know that the war can kill them any moment. Two factors hinder their budding love. First, there is: the strict military hierarchy – Denis is an officer and Marie' just' a nurse –that was very much against amorous relationships between officers and lower-level military personnel. Secondly, Michel Denis has retreated to a fortress of shyness because he has just lost an arm during the shelling of the French lines. Marie is a strong-willed and intelligent woman who resents the social differences between men and women of that time. She feels empathy with the hurt pride of the young psychiatrist and subtly invites him to show his feelings. It wasn't easy to stay away from clichés and platitudes when I wrote about her, but I hope I have succeeded. She's genuinely a lovable person; at least, I loved her when I incarnated her, and I hope that the reader will do the same.

 
7. As per your recent award winning novel, Alejandra's lie. Which is a political thriller. I would like to ask you few questions based on politics. 

a)Do you think politicians use religion as a tool? Our history has proven time and time again that politicians will use any means to intensify their power in certain circumstances (for example: when they're about to lose their control). But unfortunately, the reverse is also true: every religion has extreme factions that use politics to gain more influence. As long as we don't view politics as a means to create social justice and peace in our world and religions as a way to worship a love spreading Divine Being, we are doomed to live in a terrible world where hate, violence, and greed predominate.

b) Do you think uniform should exist in graduation schools and at work places? Do you think uniform civil code should exist? 
What is a uniform code? Is it a means to show that you belong to a specific group, or is it a tool for authorities to promote the destruction of individuality? And why should one adorn their religious identity? Is it to show off to others? There are other means to show your proudness about your religion. I'm not inclined to be totally against uniforms and signs of religious identity. Still, care must be given to avoid that these signs of a) similarities or b) differences don't stand in the way of one first similarity: that we are all humans who, in the end, strive to live a happy and prosperous life.

c) What's your view on India and America's political relation in the present scenario? 
India doesn't support the invasion of Ukraine but until recently didn't condemn openly Russia's "peace mission." However, in the vote on the UN resolution condemning the attack of Ukraine, India was among the yes-voters. So there is a specific evolution in India's stance. Analysts conclude that America's and Europe's lax attitude versus Russia's foreign politics have helped make this war possible. Others think that the US and the EU have provoked Russia many times in this century.

I have kept one feeling after all the opinions and analyses I've read during the past weeks. This war results from so many factors and tendencies in the decades behind us that there is only one solution. Stop giving each other the blame, withdraw the troops out of Ukraine, give Ukraine a neutral status, and, for Europe, diversify your import of gas and oil so that, in the future, you're not dependent on one prominent provider anymore. It will not be easy; tensions will linger a long time, but eventually, we have to learn to live together, or we're going to die in a nuclear Armageddon
 
8) One Advice for upcoming writers.
Advice for upcoming writers:   Read and write, write and read. And don't forget to live, to experience as much as you can.
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Fun questions
a) Your favourite movie
 A tough question. I'm inclined to pick War Horse, not because it's the best movie, but because we have four horses in the meadows and paddocks behind our house. They are my guiding spirits, and it hurts me very much that horses are mistreated often, physically and mentally, when used as "mopeds on four feet" instead of wise and delicate beings with empathic souls.

b) Your favourite song/ singer 
Ed Sheeran is one of the last decade's best and most versatile artists.

c) Do you really own a horse stable?
 Yes, we own a small horse stable, but we don't call it that. In many horse stables, the horses have to obey the "power" of the humans. We have a horse sanctuary. Our four horses don't have to follow "power": we always try to communicate, to "speak" their "language," if you want. They have a specific language, you know, in sound and bodily stances, and often, that language is very subtle. Our friends are never locked up: we have winter and summer stables, but the doors are always open so that they can have their leisure in our three meadows and four paddocks. My wife is an equine therapist and uses our horses for therapy. We welcome young and old suffering from mental problems or physical limits on our grounds. She and our darlings deliver truly remarkable results. A therapy horse has to feel loved and respected before it opens up and uses its extraordinary soothing and healing powers to interact with humans. I am the 'stable boy", haha, and their caretaker, a job I don't take lightly. Horses are empathetic creatures, and ours need our love and support, just like we need theirs.

d) Favourite holiday spot 
 Holiday? Do I hear holiday? What's that? An exotic beast? A general craziness? Just kidding. A full-time writer slash part-time stable boy slash caretaker knows no holidays, yet he's happy. We can't leave our one brother and three sisters behind. We wouldn't be able to enjoy our holiday. So we look at it the other way round: every day on our grounds is a holiday.

 e) Are you interested in sports? If yes, name them.
I'm a small guy – 5 foot seven – but I have trained the martial arts intensively for more than thirty years, propelled by what happened in my youth. I wanted to be strong, so I started with the offensive fighting disciplines: karate, kick-boxing, win Chung (Chinese box) and English boxing, but gradually I learned also martial arts that focus on defense: aiki-no-jitsu, aikibudo, and aikido. When a bacterial arthritis grabbed me by the throat when I was 58, I had to stop my training.  I still miss the peculiar atmosphere of the martial sports.

f) One wish you would ask the Gene if you would be given the Alladin's lamp. 
Alladin’s Lamp, please, make sure that after my death, I’ll be reunited with my beloved American Stafford Lientje who died three years ago. Lientje was truly an angelic creature, the mother dog of mother dogs,  and I still miss her very much every day.

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Interviewed by Ayesha F Muskaan © Copyright

           

INTERVIEW ON HEALTH WITH MANOJ KUMAR

1. At what age where you diagnosed with Hemophilia?

Ans.1. I was about 1 year old when I fell and bursted open my chin. The bleeding did not stop even over the stitches. When I became pale due to blood loss doctors transfused me, my mother's blood. That also stopped bleeding. Then the CMO there at the NTPC hospital referred me to AIIMS Delhi where I was diagnosed with hemophilia. 

2. How it start affecting your daily lifestyle?

Ans.2. Well I have severe Hemophilia that means I suffer from spontaneous bleeds into joints too. These bleeds cause pain and swelling affecting the major joints if proper treatment is not done. And sometimes life threat bleed, I have been through all that. But as I grew bit older I have learnt to be more productive in my work even with these limitations with some precautions and availability of factor injections. 

3. Was your family supportive?

Ans. 3. Education yes but when following my dreams they are scared as they still think what a person with rare bleeding disorder will be able to do with own work. As my dreams are not small but big ones. However whatever I am today is because of their support only. 

4. Where, when and how did you believe you were more than this condition?

Ans.4. In class 11th, year 2002-03 when I almost died multiple times due to right pulmonary tuberculosis. It took doctors about 9-10 months to correctly diagnose that. I was demoralized and for once in my life I wished for death. But when I survived I knew my life is not going to end this way and that it was meant for a purpose. I was more positive now than before and I started achieving things with more fearless that fearful due to my hemophilia. I realised I was beyond my disease and that I can achieve anything I put my mind into. 

5. What was your motivation?

Ans. 5. My life's purpose has been my driving force or motivation. I want to create  a positive transformation in society where people with rare conditions and or disabilities can lead a dignified life. 

6. Is your lifestyle different than common person of your age?

Ans. 6. Not much different I lead a life that is similar to any normal person just I have to be mindful of my condition and factor availability. 

7.Due you have fears in concern to condition you are suffering from?

Ans. 7. Yes, I do have fears not for me as I know my worth and capabilities. But for my parents who are aging. 

8. What made you release the site power in me on podcast?

Ans. 8. See Power In Me is my Autobiography book and name of my trust ( Power In Me Foundation). And in our podcast we are trying to talk about rare diseases, health, lifestyle and life of people with health conditions still they are empowered and inspiration for all. 

9.What is the purpose of this organisation? 

Ans. 9. Power In Me Foundation works in Health, Education, and Livelihood for people with rare diseases, environmental issues and rural development. Ultimately help these special community and their care givers to have a Dignified Life. 

10. Your message for the people.

Ans. 10. Rare Diseases are part of the society and its not anyone's fault that they are born with this condition. Please be more empathetic with them and in fact create a social environment where they can get proper health care, education and they will automatically be more productive to the society. You never know your simple act of kindness may change someone's entire life.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - AARTI JAIN. SAHAI

AUTHOR INTERVIEW- AARTI JAIN SAHAI



 

1) When did you decide that you should also write?

When I was in school then I was in athletics and being a sports person I was always exposed to being involved in new activities. Then my English teacher approached me to participate in the Debate Competition when I was in grade 11. I was a bit nervous at that time but with the passing time nervousness slipped into a bit of confidence and soon I prepared myself mentally to represent the topic assigned by my teacher. Then itself I decided that I should write more and work on my skills.

 

2) Do you want to inspire people through your writing or do you write just as a hobby?

I want to inspire through my writing. Though this is the process that nourishes my soul and makes me a better person with every write up of mine but I make sure that each of my writing that I pen down, in different mediums or platforms, is worthy enough of reading and inspiring the people around. I have written 3 books by far and with each book, I learn new things and I ensure that my readers also learn something new from my writing that I offer for reading.

 

3) What inspires you to write?

My daughter is just 6 years old and does not understand marketing gimmicks and all but whenever she sees my name and photo on any of the platforms or books then it surely gives me immense happiness and pride by her appreciation. This is also a great learning for me as a mother and her applause and appreciation for sure motivates me to write more and make my thinking public. She for sure motivates and inspires me through her small gestures and when her friends also like my write-up then I feel as I’m rewarded for my work and efforts.

 

4) Who are your favorite characters from your own books and why? 

I have written 3 books by far from 2019 and my favorite character is Asha from my debut book. She is for sure an inspirational character who is put in the storyline by myself as the one who learns from the contemporary women of India. She learns that despite the struggles faced by famous personalities such as Lata Mangeshkar, Kiran Bedi, Aishwarya Rai, and so on they come forth with splendid colors and do not sit back. Despite the problems, they help us learn new things. For sure, Asha is a good fictional character and she inspires us from the beginning of the book.

 

5) Who are your favorite writers?

Paulo Coelho is my favorite writer who writes upon different genres but his writing is intriguing and gives us the writers a newness in our approach. His books are all BESTSELLERS and for sure, there is a reason for it and I think that his books are so relatable. He is an ace-writer and every book of his gives us in-depth knowledge. I like the author and whenever I go through his writing then I get lost in it and want to read more.

 

6) One piece of advice you would give to the upcoming writers?

WRITER’S BLOCK is the condition when a writer is unable to think creatively or to proceed with writing. Generally, I have also seen that whenever the writers are starting to write then there are mixed opinions by the readers around which can be very harsh and demotivating. Hence, I would request all the authors who are new in writing to just take the opinions of people for improvement and not for demotivating themselves. And WRITER’S BLOCK, which may come in any way, should be avoided. So, KEEP WRITING!!!

 

7) Did you face issues in publishing or editing?

As far as publishing and editing is concerned, I have faced no blocks as yet because as a writer we cannot go wrong in publicizing the time and effort that we have put in the writing process. For me as a writer time of publishing is the final step in my writing process and I ensure to take utmost care and responsibility at that time because my book would be in the final stages of offering it to my readers. Both publishing and editing are a great doorway for the authors to present their work to their readers.

 

 

 8) How did you get the idea to write the book the No more lurking thoughts? 

I had written two books before NO MORE LURKING THOUGHTS which is a self-help book. As everyone is aware that we are facing pandemic times and because of LOCKDOWN our basic activities have received a jolt. Numerous people have experienced a block in their salary or cut out of some percentage from the salary allotted to the employees is also experienced by them. Even some people have lost their jobs. Thinking on those lines, I thought of writing my self-help book and titled it NO MORE LURKING THOUGHTS.

 

 Let's know you more (Fire round)

 

a) Your inspiration 

My daughter who is 6 years of age is my inspiration to write and publicize my thoughts.

 

b) Any other hobbies apart from writing

I like reading, traveling, and dancing to keep myself fit and in good shape.

 

c) Your favorite holiday spot 

I haven’t been to many places around the world by far but I like Shimla where I had gone with my husband after marriage.

 

d) Your favorite book and film

I like the book Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and I like the movies made on books such as Bride and Prejudice because they are so relatable and entertaining.

 

e) What does life mean to you? If given a chance what would you like to change on this earth or add?

Life is the quality that showcases that we human beings have and it symbolizes that we are not dead. No matter what life we decide for ourselves but we experience a lot of new things that teach us to deal with challenging circumstances at every jiffy. Life to me is also the same and it for sure enables us to learn to sail through the ups and downs every time. Life lessons are a great way for us to learn. If I get an opportunity to change anything on this earth is to eradicate CRIME AGAINST WOMEN. Be it domestic assault, rapes, molestation, and so on the list is endless, and much fewer acts or laws have been made in our law system to stop these heinous crimes. Hence, this has to be stopped and proper law should be in-action for this. This is my plea to the constitution of India. 

Education system in India

[6/7, 12:39 PM] Ayesha In: "Education" which basically means enlightening a person or children in a systematic way on a particular subject at school and universities. Even before the formal schooling which took over in India in 1920 (approx), the gurukuls have had a profound role in educating the masses. There has been tremendous growth in the education system since the 1920s, there lies a vast difference in Gurukul and the present day education system.

The gurukul system was never decided on the age basis, but the gurus (teachers) used to train children on the basis of their wisdom, interest and capability to grasp. Indeed there were junior and senior levels, but there was no strict division. The daily tasks that were given by the gurus to the students were to imbibe disciplines and morals in them through practical way of learning, and not just on theory basis. As the students had to live in the Gurukul, an emotional bond developed between gurus and shishyas (students). This also taught the students to value relations. The fee given here was in the form of dakshina. The guru did not expect any fees but whatever the student gave back was in the form of gift, but obliged to whatever the student gave in form of gift.

Today the education system in India aims at educating on the basis of age via schools and universities. It mostly resembles the western way, where the idea is to educate the child with basic knowledge of every subject and later help him to master in the field where his interest lies.

Indeed the invention of schools was a great accomplishment for the government, as it became very easy for masses to have access towards education and tribulations which they faced while sending these children to gurukuls, Children who were not able to acquire knowledge, because their parents were reluctant to send them to Gurukul, was no more an issue. We could see that all these issues were basically resolved with the invention of schools. All the schools levied minimal fees with the idea of equality, the syllabus was now no more just connected to Indian roots like the gurukul system but social, science, maths were now made broader, as the books from all over the world were referred. This was indeed the golden period for there was no much difference between government and non government schools. Every school prepared child to be more intellectual rather than just being intelligent. Teaching was considered one of the most noble professions during that period but the global change took place once again in the 1990s.

When privatization took over and more the number of private schools came up than the government ones. Competitions began at cut throat level. Core subjects like moral science, general knowledge were now being marginalized, slowly the root cultural ethics were excluded from the subjects. The main concern now was the "percentage " than the IQ level. It is being commercialized day by day with upcoming tutorials and extra coaching classes. The students are now no more enthusiastic to ask questions like how, when or any other for they are more concerned with the marks due to the pressure of both parents and school. Every school desires for toppers therefore exams are conducted to find out if the child is eligible to study in their school or not. Down the spectrum it is turning into a business deal. Indeed the schools are increasing the intelligence level of the students but their intellect level fails to meet their intelligence level mark.

[6/7, 12:39 PM] Ayesha In: The fees of these schools are really very high, hence most of the people run for education loans. Indeed India has established IIT universities, but only few can afford, they are either the ones who have scored extremely good marks or the ones who can pay for seats. Education is now becoming a lucrative job, therefore it's sad to note, as once the idea in India was to produce excellent teachers, writers, doctors and lawyers has now ended up producing students with excellent marks. This is definitely an irony because where we are projecting Indian students as most talented, at the same time there are many suicides due to the pressure. Down below the laws, we have lost our intellect in search of intelligence.