The An-Najm Blog

Change with Ramadan

2008-09-03T11:57:17Z

CHANGE WITH RAMADHAN

Sometimes we get into a routine. Well, perhaps not sometimes...but most of the time. Ever heard of the old phrase that 'we are animals of habit'? Well, I think that is quite true. We get accustomed to doing things or living a certain way, and it gets comfortable. Then, before you know it, it becomes a life practice. And seems to be that the older we get and more set in our ways, the harder it is to change or make change in those daily habits.

The yearly visit of the month of Ramadhan to our lives and life styles can be a refreshing forced change on us, if we will allow it to be. But for me, as a writer, it is also a constricting agent to much of my writing endeavors. Because of the need to attend to my matters of worship with more concentrated attention, as well as family matters, it seems that much of my writing life takes back burner for the time being for the month.

I guess it all boils down to a matter of priorities. We have to prioritize in our lives in order to make the best of the time that we have, and manage it in the most optimal way to attend to whatever is the most important at the time.

Ramadhan is the month of blessings and mercy. A time when we are promised of Allah's blessings, if only we turn to Him in dedicated worship and pay attention to His calling of this month. But it takes time, effort and concentration, meaning that we may very well need to let go of some other previous activities which used to fill up the time in our daily lives.

As a writer, that means I have to be real careful and diligent and dedicated as well as discipline myself to appropriate my time accordingly, to allow myself the time to attend to my writing (and all that may be associated with it, like checking the email, getting into this or that blog, etc.), as well as ensuring I do not neglect my religious duties to Allah and myself.

Here in Saudi Arabia, there is a marked change of life style and pace during Ramadhan. Although most government offices do remain open during this month until the coming of the eid days, still it seems like much of the normal routine of the government beauracracy comes almost to a halt. Same thing can be said about many businesses. They remain in business for the month, of course...if they did not they would go under for lack of work. But there is an obvious non-deniable slack to it all.

Let us know what your thoughts are on this, and how life is in your area of the world during Ramadhan. Is there a change in the pace or style of life and living? Or does all remain the same? And what about your own home life and personal life? Is there a change? Or does all remain the same?

Will be looking forward to your input on this.

Balqees.

20% Clearance Sale!

2008-08-30T14:12:06Z

Just Do It!

2008-08-12T11:50:53Z

Anyone recognize this recently coined phrase? It's a campaign slogan coined in recent years by the sports company "Nike".

Now, I'm no great sports fan. I have nothing against sports, but I'm no great sport authority myself. Nor am I necessarily a "Nike" fan.

But, to get back to my usage of their advertising slogan, I have taken on to coining it for the writing industry and us writers. Quite applicable indeed.

You see, many writers (and anyone who does anything which involves any creativity) complain of suffering from that terrifying complex called 'writer's block'. It can even develop into something terrifyingly debilitating sometimes. For some more than others, it is merely a feeble excuse for their own laziness about simply getting round to the actual act of writing. And yet, for others, it is a true and scary mindset which, when it does actually begin, can catch on and cause terrible and sometimes irreparable mental block. Kind of like a snowball which begins at the top of a high mountain, only gaining in size, density and speed as it rolls down the hill, collecting more and more snow packing on as it rolls down by force of gravity to the bottom of the valley bellow.

After having dealt with my own intermittent bouts of writer's block, as well as reading other writers (and other professionals in various aspects of the field), I have come up with my own mind set to try to combat this problem. A sort of therapy, if you will. And in the process, I have opted to coin the Nike campaign slogan: "Just do it!"

Always keep a small notepad with you wherever you go. Sometimes an idea pops into your mind of something interesting to write about. Or perhaps an angle by which to approach a particular subject you have already had an idea to write about. Or perhaps an additional idea to incorporate into a work already in progress. But those ideas can many times be rather fleeting. They tend to go as quickly and fleeting as which they came; unless you do something in particular to 'save' them.

Our minds can be compared to a computer memory bank. On your PC or laptop, if you write something in any document or file, if you don't click the option 'save', then once you click out of the program, whatever it is that you have typed in is lost forever. Same thing goes for working on internet. If you don't click the 'save' or 'send' option for what you are trying to communicate to others, it is lost forever in that effervescent "cyber world". Never to be seen again. Unless you have remembered what it is that you typed, and you can do it again, and save it or send it properly this time.

Same thing goes, more or less, for our own human minds. We have thoughts. We even have brainstorms at times. Really good ideas. But if we don't do something to ensure that we will remember them, many times when we get side-tracked with something else, those thoughts or ideas get easily lost never to be retrieved again. Unless something happens or is said or is read to jog our memory. But if you are anything like a vast majority of the population of mankind, that is something that rarely happens. And it seems even less unlikely when you try conscientiously to recall that memory. Seems to be, for some odd reason, that the harder we try to retrieve an idea or a memory, the more difficult it gets to retrieve it. Only when we put it off from our intentions to retrieve it, and something happens to jog the memory, does it blessedly come back to us. But even then, it is for only a fleeting moment once again.

This is why I have learned to carry a small notepad and pen with me in my purse wherever I go. "But I'm a man" you say? "I don't carry a purse like you women". Well, then, do what you can to carry some sort of a notepad with you, and use it when you need it. When an idea pops in your head, jot down merely the main points which will later on jog your memory enough that you can sit down at your computer or your desk and write out longhand whatever it is that you want to write about. If you carry a cell phone with you, then use the 'notepad' option under the 'organizer' section of your phone. Most cell phones nowadays have this option already programmed into the phone's memory bank. And if you don't have such a section, then it is easy to install it. Install it today, and learn to use it. Or perhaps carry a small notepad in your wallet, along with a miniature pen or pencil in the fold of the wallet. Do whatever you have to do to ensure that when you have than brainstorm, it is not merely blown away by the winds of forgetfulness.

Jerry B. Jenkins, a prolific American writer, has written and published many books of Inspirational Writing. In his book "Writing for the Soul", he has stated his own opinion or view on the ideal of 'writer's block'. He claims that there is no such thing. In other words, as long as you sit down somewhere at some time with the intention and desire to write, you will eventually get to doing just that, hence rendering 'writer's block' virtually obsolete. He has given that proverbial advice that to write, you need to have "seat in chair". Quite profound in its utter simplicity, yet a hard truth. I like to add my own spin on to it, trying to make it my inspirational motto: "Want to write? Get seat in chair, turn off internet connection and the television, and don't answer the phone. Turn computer on, have a new (or ongoing) word document on the screen, or pad on the desk, and write."

In other words, as the Nike campaign has already so succinctly put it: "Just do it!"

Genesis

2008-08-09T04:07:33Z

I was talking to a fellow author the other day and she mentioned that her ideas for stories usually begin with the theme; from there she builds a story around the message or idea she wants to convey. Another author I know most often begins with a character or characters, and builds her stories around the persons in them. I find this really interesting, because when I try to begin with a theme I wind up feeling dreadfully inadequate ("don't I have ANYTHING deep or worthwhile to say??"), and getting to know my characters is, for me, a process that goes hand-in-hand with the writing.

My story ideas usually begin as an idea for a situation. "Wouldn't it be interesting if someone fell in a river and went back in time...?" or "What do you think an innocent civilian bomb victim thinks about as he lies dying....?" The latest one was "Imagine an old woman who is particularly attached to a fancy, ancient hat she wore as a younger woman...." Then I get to know the person(s) I've put in these situations as I go along. It's not just stories I write about someone changing and growing, after the fact. It is literally them changing and growing as the story progresses. The themes of my stories also emerge as the characters react to their situations.

So what is your writing process like? Do you begin with a character who needs a story written about them, an idea that needs a story to illustrate it, a circumstance you need to explore characters' reactions to, or something entirely different??

Meet Serene of Damazine!

2008-07-30T03:15:00Z

Serene Taleb-Agha is a short story author, sometime poet, and the editor/publisher of Damazine.com - The Literary Magazine of the Muslim World. She gets literary behind her computer screen in Damascus, Syria, where she lives with her husband and three children.

When she's not at the keyboard, Serene goes hiking in the mountains that separate Damascus from Lebanon. She is known for her striking ability to describe places and set moods in her stories, and I suspect these hikes are where some of that inspiration comes from. I interviewed her earlier this month for An-Najm.

You can find Serene's short story "Beyond the Viewfinder" in Azizah magazine and the story of her courtship in a forthcoming anthology of Muslim love stories.

]]> Najiyah: Many people say to themselves, "There should be a Muslim literary magazine" or "I wish someone would publish Muslim-authored short stories!" What made you decide to take the leap and become that someone?

Serene: I have always loved to write but wasn't able to devote as much time as I wanted to it because my children are still young. Writing needs a lot of focus and it just does not work when you have someone interrupting you every five minutes because they want a snack or need to go to the bathroom. So I was looking for a project that would unite what I love, writing, with interruptibility.

Najiyah: What does the name Damazine mean?

Serene: It's from a combination of the two words, "Damascus" and "magazine". I had been toying with the name "Damascus Review" (because I would be editing the journal from Damascus) but it was too boring. I recruited my friends to brainstorm with me, and my friend Aziza Marini came up with the name "Damazine".

Najiyah: What genres do you publish?

Serene: As of now, we publish fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. I'm thinking of publishing reviews eventualy, and am also toying with the idea of expanding to the visual arts. (I'm not skilled enough to judge art, so let me know if you know someone I can team up with on that!)

Najiyah: What do you look for in your submissions?

Serene: I look for a lot of things. Originality. Powerful theme. Beauty of language. I favor authors with connections to the Muslim world (either traditionally Muslim countries or the Muslim diaspora), that being the focus of the journal, but beyond that I'm open to any theme so long as it's handled skilfully.

Najiyah: Do you ever receive submissions that are disparaging of Islam or Muslims?

Serene: Very few. What's more common is just plain bad writing.

Najiyah: Tell us about some of your poets, authors.

Serene: I've published some lovely poetry from writers whose native language, as far as I can tell, isn't English. (See Shakeel Abedi of Malaysia and Anjum Dar of Pakistan in Winter 2008, and Maryam Amir of Malaysia in Spring 2008.) I find it amazing that their poetic impulse is so strong they can channel it through a second language. I have trouble sometimes expressing myself in my first language!

I had a short story contributor, Fatima Martin, go on to win a Novel Prize in the Muslim Writers Awards held annually for British writers in the UK. And a certain staff writer for An-Najm contributed a moving short story just after having published her first novel. It makes me happy to be publishing writers who are going on to contribute their work in other venues. We are broadening the Muslim literary scene and it's exciting.

Najiyah: Your college major was computer science, and that was back when even to talk online required knowledge of html. Writing and publishing are a far cry from that kind of thinking. Were you always interested in writing or did you develop that talent as you went along?

Serene: Well, it wasn't quite that bad. J I've always been interested in writing since I was a kid, but I have this analytical side of me that loves logic, mathematics, and design. I went into computer science honestly enjoying it. I was employed during the dotcom bust, and I spent hours and hours painstakingly coding web applications that no one ended up using. Now maybe that wasn't inevitable, but I ultimately decided that the kind of success the business world is chasing isn't necessarily the kind of success I want. Writing to me is much more meaningful, it deals with the big questions of what existence is and how we fit ourselves into it.

That said, my analytical side definitely has a role when it comes to editing a literary work. And my computer science background definitely came in handy when setting up the Damazine website.

Najiyah: What advice do you have for aspiring poets and authors who dream of submitting to Damazine and of writing in general?

Serene: I would say, learn your craft well. It takes more than talent to produce a work of beauty. Take the time to read poets and writers you admire, study what they do that makes their work successful. Do what you can to learn from other writers, including reading books on writing, and attending workshops. Most importantly, write everyday - good writing takes practice. Part of why I didn't go into writing as a college student was that I knew I had talent, and I told myself that when I felt like it, I could drop what I was doing and write my breathtaking novel. It would be easy. Then I actually tried writing a short story and it was miserable. Even now I don't have the stomach to read it again. That dose of humility got me reaching out to whatever source of writing advice I could find. I've learned a lot and am positive I still have a lot more to learn.

Are You a Writer?

2008-07-15T09:47:49Z

AsSalaamu Alaikum,

I was thinking about Umm Junayd's question to Jamilah Kolocotronis about when she really began to consider herself a writer. I came up with a top-ten list for those of us who wonder that about ourselves.

Top ten signs you might be a writer
(from 10 down)

10. You run to your keyboard or pen in the middle of a movie because it inspired an idea for a story.

9. You cry when a good book ends - not because it was sad, just because it ended.

8. You have a closet full of spiral notebooks, journals, and napkins with story ideas and story beginnings written all over them.

7. You accidentally call your spouse or one of your children by your character's name.

6. You cry when a good book ends - not because it was sad, just because you didn't think of that idea first.

5. You see someone on the street and say, "He looks just like So-and-so in my story!"

4. People think you have memory problems, but really it's just that most of the time only half your brain is in the real world. The other half is in your character's world.

3. You consider everything from family vacations to hospital visits *research*.

2. Your favorite game is "Who Can Come Up with the Most Ways to Say 'He Said'" (he chuckled, he gasped, he spat.....)

1. And the number one sign that you might be a writer: you narrate events in your life as you would write them, in preparation for your next blog entry or story. (OK, maybe that one's just me....)

Seriously, though, the real way to know you're a writer is that you write. If you know the joy of a story or poem that springs onto the page AND the agony of one that limps along peakishly and has to be pushed every inch of the way, you, my friend, are a writer.

So write to us and let us know who you are and what you're working on. Then stop reading blogs and go write!

Interview: Jamilah Kolocotronis

2008-07-11T22:01:22Z

St. Louis, Missouri is the home town for Jamilah Kolocotronis, who grew up as Linda, the daughter of a second-generation Greek man and a woman of German heritage. Her parents raised her and her sisters in the suburbs, where they attended a Lutheran elementary school. Linda has always loved books. Her mother read to her often when she was little, and as she grew, she discovered the magic of writing as well. She earned her Associate of Applied Science in Human Services. Soon after his graduation, Jamilah's husband began his career in Islamic education, and as their children grew, she worked with him, teaching social studies at Islamic schools. Over the years they had six sons (and no daughters), and now live in Lexington, Kentucky, where Jamilah's husband is the principal of an Islamic school and Jamilah stays home and writes.

Umm Junayd: Assalaamu 'alaikum Jamilah, welcome to the An-Najm Blog.

Jamilah Kolocotronis: Wa 'alaikum salaam.

U.J: I understand that you are a writer of Islamic fiction, and have authored several books. Tell us a little more about your work.

J.K: My first novel, Innocent People, was written in reaction to the Islamophobia following 9/11. This book portrays an American Muslim woman, her Southeast Asian husband and their five sons, and shows how they and their friends cope with the stress in the year following 9/11. Great emphasis is placed on the innocence of many, from all sides.

Echoes is the first book of the Echoes Series. The main character, Joshua Adams, is 23 years old and, by all accounts, a loser. After his wife throws him out, he turns to some Muslim guys he knows from a job he once held. They take him in and give him the space he needs to work through his demons. Eventually, they teach him about Islam. After his conversion, Joshua looks forward to a new live but the echoes of his past continue to haunt him.

In Rebounding, Joshua is eleven years older and has settled down with his new wife and children. His faith is strong and his life is good until the day he is falsely arrested on charges of terrorism. Throughout the ordeal, including time in a federal prison, Joshua holds onto his faith in order to survive.

At the beginning of Turbulence, tragedy strikes the family. Joshua and his second brother, Chris, depend on their faith to help them but the oldest brother, Brad, feels helpless and alone. He descends into a world of nightmares until his own survival is in question. On the way to self-destruction, Brad's journey becomes an odyssey as he searches for answers.

Ripples tells the story of the next generation: Brad's son, Kyle; Chris's son, Isaiah, and Joshua's daughter (by his first marriage) Jennifer. The three cousins, who are close in age, have always been good friends. As they approach adulthood, each faces a special challenge.

Silence, the last book in the Echoes Series, has not yet been published and I don't want to give too much away. Joshua continues to grow, and to struggle, as he has since the beginning.

]]> U.J: When did you first consider yourself a writer? Was it a light bulb moment, or something that had been brewing for a long time?

J.K: For me it has been a process.

When I was in fourth grade, our teacher told us to bring a poem to put into an anthology. I decided to write my own. My teacher and others raved over it. That's the first time I remember wanting to be a writer.

When I was fourteen I earned $100 from my first job as a summer counsellor. From that, I spent $25 on my first typewriter. Every night I stayed up late, typing away. Throughout high school I wrote poems, short stories, and plays. I even wrote a novel. Most of my early work has never seen the light of day, and what I did dare to send out was rejected.

In college and after I wrote non-fiction works, including my doctoral dissertation, papers to deliver at conferences, and curriculum. I wanted to write fiction, but between teaching and raising kids there was never enough time. Soon after 9/11 I realized that life is too short. The following May I retired from teaching and in September, when my kids had gone back to school, I made myself sit down for at least two hours each day and write.

U.J: Do you write works in any other genre apart from fiction?

J.K: I've dabbled with poetry, but it's not my strength.

My first published book was the non-fiction work, Islamic Jihad. I have at least three ideas for future non-fiction books. Right now I'm not sure how soon I'll tackle those projects. I have written the opening page for one of these books.

U.J: Writers sometimes say that they learn from their writing, and that it is only through reading that one becomes a better writer. Would you say that this is true for yourself?

J.K: I've always been a voracious reader. When I was little my mother didn't drive and our family could afford only one car. She regularly walked with my sisters and me to the local library, which was at least a mile from our house. My childhood was full of books.

When I decided to write full-time, back in 2002, I checked out popular books from the library to read not only for enjoyment but also to learn contemporary styles. In the beginning I was careful not to read while I was writing because I didn't want to accidentally copy another author's style. I think I've learned more from reading the works of others than I could learn from books or even conferences about writing.

I still go to the library at least once a week and I also buy books when I can.

U.J: What kind of books do you tend to read, and why?

J.K: I read mostly fiction, though I'm always on the lookout for an interesting non-fiction book. My tastes range from suspense to chick-lit, depending on the author and the story. There are some well-known authors I read, such as Jodi Picoult and Dean Koontz, but I really enjoy walking past the library shelves and seeking out little-known gems. I look for an interesting main character, a nice plot twist, and a writing style that doesn't make me feel like grabbing a red pen.

U.J: When writing your books, what has been your number one aim to gain from them?

J.K: When I decided to sit down and write, back in 2002, I also made the intention that everything I wrote would promote Islam.

U.J: How important have readers been in shaping your Echoes series? Have they provided ideas or comments that you have taken on board?

J.K: The most important reader contribution was in creating the series. I intended to write only Echoes, but readers began asking me, "What comes next?" I imagined a future life for Joshua and the other characters, and went from there. When Rebounding was finished I asked my son to recommend a continuance, based on the final pages of that book. While I was writing Turbulence I decided to end the series at five books.

The prevalence of Jennifer's character in Ripples was also encouraged by readers who told me they'd like to see more of her.

Recently I made a decision based on what I thought my readers would say. My son suggested that I kill off a major character. I wrote four different drafts of the book, each including the death. The plots worked, but something didn't feel right. I considered how my readers would feel about this development and decided to let the character live.

U.J: If you could go back and re-write any of your books, which would it be, and why?

J.K: Turbulence is a personal favourite of mine, but it hasn't been well-received by most of my Muslim readers. Some day I may go back and figure out what I need to do to make the story more engaging.

On the other hand, non-Muslim readers have said this is their favourite book.

I've also thought of rewriting my first novel, Innocent People. Because it was my first, I made many mistakes. In general, though, that book has been well-received.

U.J: Who are the intended readers of your books, and how have you managed to reach out to them with your work?

J.K: When I started writing, my ideal reader was male, 18 to 25 years old. I based this on my experience as the mother of sons. For years I've been frustrated that my boys didn't have anything Islamic to read after Invincible Abdullah.

My readers surprised me, though. They are mostly female and range in age from 14 to 70-plus. Some men have read my books, including my husband, but they are far outnumbered. Only one of my sons, my 15-year old, has read all of my books so far.

I also wanted to write material that would be meaningful to both Muslims and non-Muslims. I'm careful to explain those rituals that Muslims take for granted. At the same time, most of my main characters are strong Muslims. I've received very positive feedback from non-Muslim readers (including, of course, my mother). In fact, I just received a nice note from an older non-Muslim woman who was introduced to my books through my niece. She has read the earlier books in the series and is anxious to read Ripples.

U.J: What has been the turning point in your writing career, and what would you say is the greatest hurdle you have had to jump?

J.K: My greatest hurdle is marketing. Readers won't pick up my books if they don't know about them or aren't convinced of their merit. I'm not a natural salesperson and have a hard time thinking of new ways to promote my books. Approaching people is even harder for me. I belong to an online group called The Shy Writer, started by Hope Clark who has a book by that name. We don't post often. I suppose we're not very social.

I must add that I was also surprised by the reluctance of some Muslims to embrace Islamic fiction. When I taught social studies I yearned to find books to help my Islamic school students relate to the world. Not everyone sees the value in this genre.

The major turning point in my career, I think, is yet to come. Now that I've written the last book of the Echoes Series, I'm planning to get a literary agent to help me with my next book. I've already started on this novel, but it's too early to give any details.

U.J: What has been the response to your books from readers and the larger Muslim community?

J.K: My readers send me encouraging messages about my books. I'm always happy to hear from them, whether the feedback is positive or negative, but I'm especially glad when they enjoy my work. One of the most touching messages was one I received from a 14-year old girl who said Echoes helped her in her Islamic identity. I'm also excited when a reader anxiously asks about the next book in the series.

The response from the larger Muslim community has been mostly positive. For two years in a row I was invited to be part of the Meet the Author program at the ISNA Convention. Articles about my books have appeared in Azizah, Islamic Horizons, and Al-Jumuah magazines. Teachers and principals are becoming increasingly interested in placing my books in their school libraries.

For some Muslims, though, Islamic fiction is still something strange and not quite acceptable. Attitudes are slowly changing and I'm very glad for this. Even if the parents don't quickly embrace Islamic fiction, their children often do.

U.J: For those who are interested in your work, where can they find out more about you, and purchase your book?

J.K: I would like to invite everyone to check out my website at www.jamilahkolocotronis.com. From there you will also find links to my blogs.

My books can be purchased through via the Publisher's website: www.MuslimWritersPublishing.com, and also from Islamicbookstore.com and Halalco. Barnes & Noble (online) also carries my books, as does Amazon. Anyone who wants a signed copy is welcome to place an order through my email (echoes_series@yahoo.com) or my website. And, of course, they can always buy my books through An-Najm Publishers.

How many Inkwells?

2008-07-05T08:26:28Z

I was wondering...how many out there are a 'jack of all trades' type of writer? I mean...how many inkwells do you have your pen into? Are you more of a specialist type, concentrating mainly and basically on one type of writing, or do you delve into many various aspects of the business, gaining experience and knowledge from here there, and everywhere? I like to write many types of things.

I like writing on this blog, as well as my own blog, although admittedly not so regularly as here and in other discussion groups. I have delved into basic essay-style writing, which can get to be rather preachy sometimes, of course depending upon the subject matter. And then, there is the more personal journal-type writing of momentos and memoirs.

What I have found I enjoy the best is fiction. Actually, I have tagged onto it my own 'specialist' label: "fictitious non-fiction". Still trying to promote that one. What I mean by that is I take stories of accurate historic account. Some of them may be from the far past, such as from the time of prophet Mohammed (SAAW) and his companions or their followers, whereas others may be of the more recent past & even present. That is the non-fiction part. The stories themselves are true. Or at least the story line itself, or the moral of the story. But then I give it my own twist, or 'spin', if you will. I give the characters names and even families, if the need arises. I give them a background of what their life has been, where they live, ages, etc. I then give them some dialogue, to liven up the story. That is the fictitious part. Hence, the label division: "fictitious non-fiction". Interesting, eh? Well, at least it is to me.

I also like to play around with poetry. No specialist there..just like playing around with it from time to time. Get that from dear ol' Dad. He was a famous poet in our family. Even made his own collection out of his experiences on one of his visits to Saudi Arabia. Culture shock and all that. Hope to get his collection altogether and publish it sometime, in remembrance of him and his travels and his experiences.

Oh, yea...almost forgot...I edit also. Have done quite a few editing jobs. Started from some jobs forwarded on to me from our local chapter of Islamic dawa and propagation office. Have just worked upwards from there.

So, what do all of you out there do? Are you a specialist in any one particular aspect of the writing industry? Or do you like to tip your pen into various inkwells, as myself and many others?

Waiting for your input.

Balqees.

From End to Beginning

2008-07-04T07:53:22Z

In creative writing courses - especially those for fiction writing - we are always told to outline our stories...

Beginning - Middle - End

This formula, the basic structure of a story, allows for the story to be mapped out, and helps the writer plan the story in some sort of logical sequence. But what happens when you flip the coin and turn the formula on its head? You get...

End - Beginning - Middle

Now, before anyone thinks that I've got a few screw loose in my head - which my husband would wholeheartedly agree with, mind you - let me tell you how I know my brain-child formula actually works.

]]>
I held strips of paper in my hand, and asked the girls - who were in groups of two - to choose a strip of paper. On each strip was the end of a story. Yes, the girls thought I was mad too, but I told them to write the outline of the beginning and middle, which eventually lead to the end they have. And so they went to work.

I was unsure about what they would come up with, but I was ecstatic with the results of the activity. The stories were so well thought out, and who would have thought that this ending:

"I love you too," he whispered in her ear, and snuggled up for the most peaceful night he would have for the last five years. "It's great to be back."

... would have a sci-fi beginning and middle? I certainly didn't; and although the girls who received that ending were too coy and giggly to read the ending aloud with a straight face, they proved that my end to beginning formula can spark some fantastically exciting stories.

Why not give it a whirl?

Islam Expo

2008-07-01T06:01:51Z

Assalaamu alaikum.

For all interested...companies, associations, and individuals...there is an upcoming Islam Expo to be held in London. "Islam Expo 2008"- July 11-14 2008 in London, United Kingdom.

For more information on it's exact locale, and to get to know what is offered, or how to take out your own section for the exposition, check out: www.islamexpo.com.

-balqees.

Report on CTBF

2008-06-29T09:39:50Z

Assalaamu alaikum.

As reported to me recently by a sister who attended the CTBF:

The CapeTown Book Fair which recently took place was a success. Some of the noticed titles represented at some of the booths at the fair were the "Islamic Rose" series, by Linda Delgado (aka "Widad), of MWP, the "Echoes" series by sis Jamilah, as well as some new blood in the arena of Islamic Fiction, namely "Goodward Books" of India.

If anyone hears of an upcoming book fair and would like to advertise it, or have visited a book fair and would like to report, please leave your comments for the rest of us to benefit.

balqees.

Islamic Poetry Contest

2008-06-29T09:30:28Z

Assalaamu alaikum.

Attention...all you poets out there!

An interesting contest rising online for Muslim poets!

Check out: http://www.creativeandcoolcompetitions.net/IP.html

balqees.

Writer, Writer, How Does Your Writing Go?

2008-06-25T23:37:28Z

For anyone raised in the west in general, and in the U.S. or Britain in particular, I'm sure that you are familiar with the very popular age-old "Nursery Rhymes". For those of you who aren't familiar with these "Nursery Rhymes", they are a collection of mostly short rhyming verse which are entertaining as well as educational. Reading these "Nursery Rhymes" to children from early on has been a long-lasting tradition in many families. Mine is no exception.

One that pops into my mind at this moment is that of the ordeal of Mary and her garden. It begins: "Mary, Mary, Quite contrary, How does your garden grow?"

The poem then continues, in matching rhyming verse, with Mary answering in detail of not only the contents, but the layout as well, of her garden. If my memory serves me right, it even goes on to mention the produce of her garden.

Taking care of our writing is not much different.

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After that comes the first editing-looking for typos or other major spelling mistakes, grammatical errors or wrong sentence structure. That is the initial watering and fertilization stage. Depending upon the quality of the work, we need to go through several more episodes of editing and review until we have a perfectly polished composition to present to a publisher.

This is simply the continuation of alternating watering, fertilization and sunning. Now we are ready to present our work to a publisher. This is the preening stage, when we check to see if the plant is producing its desired fruit; and if so, if it is ripe enough to be harvested. The actual harvest time is when our book is finally published, printed and distributed for sales to the public.

As writers, we need to push forward and begin with a new project once the previous one is done. Do not wait stagnant until you see the results of the previous harvest before you begin tilling the ground again. As soon as the plant (your work) has matured and you have harvested what it has produced (your finished composition presented/accepted by a publisher), till the ground new again, and start fresh planting your next garden (start on a new project).

If you remain stagnant for too long, the ground will spoil and turn to worms (the proverbial writers' block can set in!).

Just as all farmers or garden growers use a variety of tools and methods, the same can be said for writers. Some like to sit at the computer or typewriter, tapping out their work right from the beginning, even their first draft. Others prefer the old-fashioned method of writing by hand, right through to the very completion. And there may also be many combinations of variations in-between.

And as for locale, some may go to a coffee shop or pub, while others go to a library or even a mall. Some may get out their notebook in the kitchen or in front of the T.V., while others go to the park. And yet there are also those who do their best work in a full-fledged office, sitting at a desk with all their papers, pencils or pens, and reference material spread out.

Yours truly here is a cocktail of nearly all the above-mentioned scenarios. I very rarely do a first draft on my computer. I have several leather-backed empty folders in which I always keep a good supply of empty lined school notebook paper. You know, the loose type with three holes on the one side-ever ready for binding in a notebook binder.

The only thing is, I don't bind my pages in a binder. I keep them loose-easier to write when I get to the last lines on a page. I can easily push the paper upwards, keeping my hand in the most comfortable position, rather than cramping it up to get my words in on those last lines. To prevent possible confusion, I number the sequence as I go along, front and back. As I said, I have several - one in my bedroom, another in my office and another hanging around somewhere in-between so that I have easy access to paper when I'm somewhere in the middle of the house.

Once I am basically satisfied that I have poured out all I desire on the topic for the time being, I then carefully type it into my computer. Seeing as how the quality of my hand writing has decreased considerably since I've learned the computer, this is a very pain-staking, eye-constraining job at the best of times. It is compounded by the fact that it only gets worse when I'm writing in haste trying to keep pace with the creative juices once they get flowing. And unless prompted on by an outside editor, I will usually do a minimum of one and maximum of two editing reviews.

I have found that if I do more or attempt more editing before sending it off to a publisher, that I eventually become disgusted or discouraged and ditch it. Then I'm lost-no work to show for my time and effort and nothing published. The plant wilts before any possible harvest.

As for my venue for writing (or, the fields of the plantation), it usually varies depending upon the circumstances of my life at the moment. While at home in our home town (main base), I usually like to work in my office. Thanks to the generosity of my loving husband, I have a beautiful and quite spacious office/library. It is well equipped with a very spacious and luxurious desk, swivel chair, computer center (pc with extra large screen, printer/copier/scanner, DSL internet connection), an extensive library of both English and Arabic books (many reference books I use in researching topics or to help with editing), as well as a luxurious thick rug, couches, coffee tables, and even a T.V. and satellite receiver.

There is even a kitchenette off to the side, equipped with a stove and fridge for cooling water. And the view-my, the view! My desk is right next to the window. On the third floor and overlooking the garden below, and from above the tree tops, it provides a beautiful view with the sensation of flying with the birds. It is only in the case that we are travelling that I resort to using my writing tablets without the convenience and efficiency of the desk, and then I use my laptop for completing the writing process and internet connections. Either way, I seem to have all bases covered.

So, my dear readers, let's call this a wrap. How does YOUR garden grow? How does your writing go? Are you a computer type from the very first stages, or do you prefer a pencil and paper? Do you work best at the baseball park or the coffee shop, or do you like the quiet of the public library? Or maybe you have your own office-or perhaps a little cottage in the woods, or even down by the stream or at the ocean front?

Let us know what makes you tick, how you do your craft!

Making Your Acquaintance

2008-06-25T23:28:19Z

BismAllah alrahman Alrahim.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Beneficial.

I greet you all with the greetings of the prophets and messengers of Allah: Assalaamu alaikum warahmat Allahi wabarakaatu. (Peace, blessings and grace of Allah be upon you all).

As a new blogger here at the An-Najm Blog, I would like to take this opportunity take the chance to introduce myself before I simply jump into my blogging.

First of all, I would like to thank sis Umm Junayd and all the wonderful people of the An-Najm family for giving me this opportunity. I only hope and pray that I can live up to their expectations and hopes, and I hope that we can all turn this place into a lively interactive spot for all lovers of Islamic literature.

Based in Saudi Arabia, I come originally from the United States. Having lived the first half of my life in the west and the second half in the middle-east has given me the grand chance to understand both regions well, and have many contacts in both areas as well.

Here at An-Najm, we are a team concentrating our goal on producing, presenting, and promoting high quality Islamic Fiction. A wide-ranging venue, it is a pioneer field in which we are all pioneers carving a niche for this new genre.

I hope and pray that we will become more acquainted with one another in the near future, as well as becoming more interactive. Please read on in the upcoming posts from myself, sis Najiyah and sis Umm Junayd, to learn more what this is all about, as well as being notified of important events concerning the literary world. As a member of IWA (Islamic Writers Alliance), I receive many varied notifications on various important writing events happening in today's world. Hence, I will also be forwarding on to you any such notifications concerning the development or nature of Islamic Fiction.

Looking forward to getting to know all of you readers as well. Please do write in and tell us about yourselves. Or ask your questions that you may have, or even make requests on topics that you want researched/discussed here. This is your site, so make it yours.

- Balqees.

Salaams from Damascus

2008-06-24T21:09:33Z

This is Najiyah, blogging from Damascus - the hippest capital in the Middle East! I'm so grateful for the opportunity to write for An-Najm, alhamdulillah, because I love the idea of spotlighting Muslim writers, poets, songwriters, illustrators, essayists and other literary types.

Umm Junayd, Balqees and I are going to do our best to nurture a creative community here, and toward that end we'll be offering as many interactive features as we can, in addition to our interviews, biographies, reviews, photo essays, opinions, etc. We hope to make An-Najm's blog not just an interesting must-read, but also a hub for creative people who can then network with each other and spread the literary torch to new aspiring writers, insha'Allah!

Bismillah alaina!