Literature at Lunchtime- Mark Twain

I attended the Literature at Lunchtime a lecture by Jane Mackay on ‘The adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Never a dull moment when Jane talks - brilliant as usual!
Mark Twain was not just a great writer but led a very interesting personal life too! His book is seen by many as one of the ‘great works of American literature’. Twain wrote his book during the Civil War period- when tension was high and slavery the norm. Twain's story challenges ‘white’ America’s belief of superiority over other races. A courageous and honourable step for any person to take at anytime let alone then!!! Wow! The book was published in 1884 but many people found it hard to deal with his subject matter! Surprise! Surprise! His book went on to do well and sold out quickly.
Twain was man of the moment- well ahead of his time and his work was totally cutting edge!

Elizabeth Cochrane of Greene&Heston Literary Agency

Yesterday Elizabeth Cochrane of Greene& Heaton Literary Agency gave a wonderful talk on how to get published. I have to admit a lot of what she said I already knew. But, I thought her light hearted witty approach kept the evening enjoyable and very entertaining. I did pick up a few tips on how to write a good covering letter. Overall her advice was to keep the writing style simple, but have a powerful plot and you’ve got good chance of getting published.

Well, ok she didn’t exactly say it like that but you know what I mean! Oh yeah! We mustn't forget you can't be the other 95% of unpublished writers to achieve success in publishing. Well, that’s if you believe what the statistics tell you. My attitude is keep the dream alive and anything is possible!

Leicester Writer’s Annual Dinner

I’ve been busy tapping away to meet the Brit writer’s Awards deadline in a few weeks. It's hectic and trying to keep with the family chores too! My daughter Eemaan wants to enter the competition! Great! Our chances of winning will double!!!lol!

Attended the Leicester annual dinner last Thursday and had a great time catching up with old friends. There are some gifted writer’s in the club but for whatever reason some of them have not yet been published. You listen to them read each week and think why??? Yes, it’s tough! What really gets me is how strong and positive they remain. It helps you to keep going. I hope I can take it on the chin when I have to send my book out!

My film script, the BBC and Nick Griffin

Ok! In case you’re wondering what I’ve been up to? Well, I’ve finished my film script and sent it off to the BBC. So, this is when the real drama begins. I will be sending it out to other agencies, but I wanted to see what kind of advice I will get from the mother of all live broadcasts! I’m about to do a piece for the British Writer’s competition and perhaps, Muslim writer’s Awards. My eldest Eemaan has just turned thirteen and managed to meet the deadline for ‘My voice right or wrong bursary. I hope she gets it Insh-Allah!

Talking about the BBC...Oh dear! I watched Question Time last night. What can be said about Nick Griffin??!! I believe the BBC was right in allowing him on the panel. It exposed him for what he really stood for! He was mixing with the big boys now and they wiped the floor with him last night. His views were not just outdated but highly embarrassing. We’re living in the 21st century! Not colonial times! As the Asian gentleman rightly pointed out to Nick Griffin and his cronies they should all be shipped out to Antarctica to live their lives!

A premature Nobel win for President Obama?

As much as I would like to think President Obama deserved the Novel Peace Prize. I can’t help but wonder if he was given it prematurely. What with the war in Afghanistan, Palestine, and so many other unresolved issues around the world. He still has so much to prove as said in his famous speech `change’ is the way forward.

Perhaps it would have been wiser to have given it to one of the other six worthy nominees. Dr Denis Mukwege dedicated to helping rape victims of Congo. Saima Samar working for Afghan families. Greg Mortensen a humanitarian, Piedad Cordoba, Wei Jingsheng and Ghazi bin Muhammad. After all, they're risking their lives, helping people and delivering promises all without political motives and millions of pounds in the bank.

September?

In case you’re wondering what I’ve been up to the last month. Don’t panic! I’m still alive and writing! It’s the fasting, Eid and getting back to normal life that’s kept me away from the blog. I’ve nearly completed my film script too. So, it has been an extremely busy time for me.

I have some good news to share about Eemaan (my older daughter’s) winning story. Apparently, the judges of Leicester Libraries were so impressed with her work they sent it on to the Literature Development Officer at Leicester Council. It was done so in the hope of getting something further set up for young writers of Eemaan’s age. Hint..hint maybe a young people’s creative writers group. After all, the East Midlands is renowned for its writers.It’s so exciting to watch my daughter develop this interest. I hope she continues because who knows she may one day win the Man Booker Prize!!! She’s already up for nomination by her school on a Creative Arts award. Just watch this space!!

Ramadan and Winners in the Family!

It's our blessed month of Ramadan. We follow the lunar calendar to decide when Ramadan should begin. We’re going into the summer months for fasting and you learn to cope with the sudden change in eating habits. We begin fasting before sunrises and break it at sunset. Yes, can you imagine getting up at three in the morning to eat and breaking fast close to eight in the evening? I shouldn’t really complain as there are plenty of people around the world who can't break their fasts, which does help you to keep going. Ruqayyah my youngest has managed to keep three off her own accord. We are on our eighth fast and there are twenty two to go!

Besides the fasting, I've got some good news to share. Eemaan and Ruqayyah (my two daughters) decided to enter for a fantasy story competition run by Leicester Libraries. Guess what? They both won first prize! With no help from me, Eemaan had to do a story with graphic illustrations. She did a story on pirates with sea demons and sea dragons etc...etc. She's a good artist and I'm so proud. Ruqayyah had to draw a fantasy library of her choice. She has a great imagination. I wonder where she gets it from?

Walking with Dinosaurs

While I was down in London, I was lucky enough to get tickets for the arena spectacular of ‘Walking with Dinosaurs’. The BBC documentary series- which has been seen by over 700million people worldwide- the production is one of the largest and most acclaimed shows to come out of Australia. They are holding a series of shows at the O2 arena throughout August. It was amazing to watch talented individuals like William May who is the artistic director, Scott Faris director, Warner Brown script writer, Sonny Tilders creature designer, bring these huge dinosaurs back to life. It is definitely high-end stuff.

I came away from the show feeling well informed and excited to learn more about pre-historic life. In my school days, I used to find Evolution studies boring. But, this show has made re-think my understanding of the topic. Learning about theTriassic period (245-208 million years ago), the Jurassic period (208-144 million years ago) a time when Stegosaurs and Alloraurus existed. The most interesting part was the Cretaceous period (144-65 million years ago) a time when Torosaurus, and Tyrannosaurus- Rex roamed the world. It was mind boggling stuff! Before you say it, yes, it's great material for my fantasy book!

I did have concerns about the show. I wouldn’t recommend taking young children. The sounds were loud and the dinosaurs pretty believable. It scared my six years old niece, but she insisted on staying till the end. The steep steps were my other main concern. I didn’t think them suitable for young children. Funnily enough, I saw an older woman weeping outside our entrance section. She hadn’t realised how steep the seats were going to be and couldn’t sit through it. If you’re thinking of going please do check with staff if the seats are suitable for young children. Otherwise, it's a brilliant show to watch!

Tate Britain

I spent a week visiting parents and family in London. It didn’t take my kids long to get bored and pester me to venture out to central London. Both of my daughters, Eemaan, and Ruqayyah are into art. It was the most natural choice to visit an art gallery, so, we headed for Tate Britain situated in Pimlico. The good thing about London is there are so many free places to visit. Do your homework right and you’d be surprised how much fun you can have.

I’m a writer not an arty person, so, I did find some of the art on display quite bizarre! Especially, some of the modern stuff and I’m convinced my daughters stand a good chance in making it into art world! LOL!

Before you think me arrogant let me explain what was on view for the public. Bicycles with a bit of concrete slabs were displayed in the first few room of the modern section??? Exactly! Is that art? I don’t know. Another strange example was a cabinet display of medicines. No joke! It looked like we were about to be served in ‘Boots!’ Am I bad? No offensive to the art world but it was hilarious.

The part I enjoyed was doing creative art in room 17. Forget kids, parents were just as enthusiastic and competitive to show off their artistic streak. I don’t think my son, Ahmad, thought much of my attempt to make him a boat. Yes! I have to admit it was lame! LOL!

Literature at Lunchtime

I accompanied my good friend Imelda Reed to a lecture on Virginia’s Woolf’s semi- biographical novel Orlando. I was impressed by lecturer Dr Jane Mackay’s in depth knowledge of Virginia’s work. Orlando is based on the intimate friendship between Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville- West. ‘Orlando’ is considered by many as important literature to women’s writing and gender studies. But, I have to agree with Dr Mackay that Virginia’s Woolf was foremost a writer dedicated to her art. I don’t believe she would've like to be pigeonholed for women's studies. She came before Feminism and her work lives on post- Feminism era. Virginia was a woman who took her writing very seriously as a writer.

Her novel/biography Orlando explores the boundaries of gender and sexuality. Orlando was often first read by its contemporary audience as a gossipy portrait of Vita Sackville-West; the reviewer at the Daily Mail entitled his buzz on Orlando, "A Fantastic Biography: Mrs. H. Nicholson and 'Orlando': 300 Years as Man and Woman." It was a hugely successful joke - not just critically, but financially as well, both in England and America.

The sad part toVirginia's life was her husband and many people believed she was mad and that’s why she never had children. Virginia suffered three breakdowns and Anorexia in her life. Regardless of her personal issues, she still went on to write and publish work for Bloomsbury. I find it interesting that most strong, intelligent women at some point in their lives will have been considered mad!LOL!

Summer holidays

Writing has gone to pots since the holidays have begun. I took the kids to Norfolk, to a place called Sea Palling for a week. YES! We did get sun, sea and sand most of the time. LOL! We were the fortunate ones to miss out on bad weather. Summer holidays starts early in the East Midlands. The bungalow we hired was fantastic and close to the beach. Not too expensive and the kids just loved spending all day outside with a picnic.

Why go abroad when there’re some fantastic places to visit in England! Locals were friendly and we had a great time just chilling! Driving to Norfolk was lovely. Some of the countryside was breathtaking.

I went to Edinburgh two years and again the visit was a great success. I think people worry too much about weather and ending up in boring or bad holidays. I think holidays are what you make it. You have to do your homework and I’ve been to some brilliant places in England, regardless of the rain, sleet, sun or snow.

Michael Jackson's death

I’ve been following the media coverage of Michael Jackson’s death. It was a shock to hear of his death. Michael Jackson was part of my childhood. I remember watching him as part of the ‘Jackson Five’. I was so excited when I first heard ‘Off the wall’. I was mesmerized by Billie Jean, ‘Beat it’, and so in awe when I saw ‘Thriller’ for the first time. As a kid I used to copy his every move and he did remind me a little of Peter pan. I always thought Michael was a very handsome Afro -American. That’s the Michael Jackson I remember.

Like everything else in life you loose interest, get busy and then suddenly you hear a news flash of his passing. Being a parent, my heart goes out to his orphaned children. I’m sure the Jackson family will take good care of them and give them the grounding they need.

Cbbc Script Competition

Yes, I’ve been busy doing a Cbbc script for the BBC writer’s room competition. The conditions for the competition was the script couldn't be longer than 30 minutes, and no more than 30 pages. I received the email ten days ago, and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to complete it on time. I’m pleased to say I’ve met the deadline before the 1st of July and finished a 6,000 word script.

Phew! It was a slog and I’m quite proud to have done it. But, I hate the waiting part, it always leaves me wondering, was it good enough? Could I’ve done better? etc etc. Why do we self doubt our capability? I don’t know... I suppose it’s the way a writer’s mind works... there’s always room for improvement. No writing piece ever reaches the stage you want it to be at. The funny thing is the other day I was searching the web and I came across this fact page about famous writers who received rejections in their life time. Names like Virginia Woolf , H.G wells, Charles Dickens all took rejections and coped. So who knows if I persevere with my writing where it can lead to.

BNP

It’s a sad day to see the BNP win a council seat in Leicestershire. I always thought Leicester had a good mix of people to be so easily influenced by the likes of the BNP. Well, how wrong was I!
We all know Racism and Prejudices derive from ignorance and the fear of the unknown. But, I don’t believe all English people are racists. Especially, as Britain has a great reputation of helping refugees. So, what’s going wrong? Some of it I blame some on government policies which makes people from abroad look like their getting a good deal when their actually not. Part of it I blame it on the media for its role in hyping up stories of foreigner’s taking over Britain. Most of it, I think is we’re living such stressed out lives we don’t have time to understand or relate to people different to us. Please do remember this is just my opinion and I could be wrong.
However, one actual fact remains, British people work the longest hours in Europe. It’s not surprising we don’t have time for ourselves let alone anybody else. Gone are the days when extended families help out. Independent living means we tend to go for familiarity rather than diversity. Sticking to your own kind comes as second nature. Sharing the same views, beliefs, cultures, and lifestyles is everybody’s dream, isn’t it? I would like to think not! Again this is just my opinion.
My feelings are that racism surfaces when we choose not to tolerate others who are different to us. Sorry! If it sounds like a lecture but I need to release what I feels about this disease of hating people. It’s natural to be weary of others. Again some people believe that all foreigners have come to Britain to take over jobs, homes and country which is nonsensical. If immigrants are allowed to work in Britian its ususally all the menial jobs given that nobody wants. Coming from an Ethnic background myself, I just try to work hard and want to be treated like everybody else. No special treatment.
Migration has existed for centuries, it’s nothing new. There are alot of displaced people around the world. To give one example, there are millions of Afghan refugeees in Pakistan and they haven't shut their borders to them. What is helping people to migrate quicker for whatever reason is modern technology. There nothing wrong in moving countries if you got the means. More people will move in the future. It’s just the signs of the times we living in.
My experiences of mixing with people from different backgrounds have always been good. I tend to get on with people like a house on fire! Regardless of what race, culture and creeds they come from.I know some English and non-English people are opposed to learning about others who are different to them. But, I wonder, what quality of life do they want to live? A one dimensional existence? How boring! We’re all humans not aliens Lol! I should know my children’s father is English. I’m hoping by the next election everybody will have come to their senses and boot the BNP out of the East Midlands and all of Britain for good.

Asian Writer's website

I’ve just finished doing a 500 words article with pictures for the Asian Writer’s website about the MWA (Muslim Writer’s Awards). It should be in the next issue and I’m very pleased it’s been accepted. It was so easy to write about.

Muslim Writer's Awards

What a night! I spent the last few hours in the company of some of the richest, diverse and talented writers I’ve seen in quite a while. The first thing that struck me, I was listed for a VIP table. I don’t know if it was a mistake but I wasn't about to complain. I guess wearing a sparkly gown, headscarf and matching handbag and not forgetting my gorgeous silver heels, I did fit into the evening nicely! Everyone kept asking me what award I was up for? I was a little tempted to make something up but the sheer thought of being caught out stopped me. After all, I was given the best seats in the house. I had to be on my best behaviour because my kids were watching!
The night began with powerful poetry from Dreadlock-Alien, an electrifying performance from Warsan Shire and hypnotic rhymes from Amir Sulaiman. I have to confess, Warsan Shire haunted me all evening. She is a talent to watch out for! Not just a Somali poet, but a writer, freelance journalist and spoken word artist. She won 2007 international slam champion.
There were some great guest speakers lined up too. The Rt Hon Stephen Timms a pleasant man with a positive message. He spoke for people to see Muslims writer’s as talented individuals and not just members of the Islamic faith. Another favourite speaker of the night was Sadiq Khan, Minister for Communities. He talked about his invlovement in projects to help Ethnic Minorities in Britain.
Personally, I felt let down by the presentation of the awards. The presenters Shelina Zahra Janmohamed and Hasan Mahamdallie were fabulous in keeping us the audience entertained. But, once the winners were announced, they collected their awards and were quickly whisked off stage. I was hoping to hear some of their readings but I was told there wasn’t enough time. The MWA (Muslim Writer’s Award) were running on a tight schedule of two hours. Behind me, lights were blasting from huge cameras and I knew it was being televised live to many countries around the world.
Afterwards, I was able to speak to some of the winners and get their opinions of the night. My first contact was with Hanzla Arif Macdonald, winner of the short story competition for the 14-16 age groups. He was excited to attend the awards with his parents and younger brother. To my surprise he had won an award last year at the MWA. He was described by one judge “he will come to be a name to remember”. Another judge referred to Hanzla's work, “His work won in the end because of its sophistication and originality” So, I’m not surprised he’s already made a mark in the writing industry.
Other humble winners were Shameam Akhtar for unpublished poetry and Reba Khatun for unpublished –children’s story. Both ladies were a little shy to talk about their success but very glad to have submitted to this year’s MWA.
Well, I guess it goes to show you if you don’t write you won’t know. If you have a passion to write and with local elections round the corner, it's no time like the present to have your say!

London

I’ve arrived in London for the Muslim writer’s event on Wednesday. From now and till Wednesday I will have to shop for the event. It’s half-term and with my kids in tow, it’s going to be nightmare to get anything done. How do you shop in such a short space of time? With Allah’s help, I will have to get my act together!

Keeping up with the blog

In case you’re wondering what’s happening to my blog. Sorry! I’m terrible at IT! lol! It takes me while to understand a command or icon but I do get there eventually! lol! Well, I’ve been working on my film treatment, book and keeping on top of my kids. I can’t do everything! I‘ve made a mental note and stuck poststicks everywhere to remind myself to do the blog! Hopefully, the next blog will be up to date. Just bear with me!

BBC writer's script session

I went along to the BBC writer’s room session held at DMU. The guy who was giving the seminar broke the script writing process down to the same formula as writing a novel. Of course, he didn’t put it like that but that was my understanding of it. He explained the importance of strengthening character roles through dialogue and action. A script is different to a novel in terms of the lack of physical description of people and places in the story. A script tells the plot but you leave the actual role of characters for actors to play out. A big pet hate for producers is when writers dictate camera angle shots in a script.
I was relieved to know my film treatment is on the right track. Hopefully, I will show it to producer soon. The film project is a new world to me. I enjoy writing and I’m always looking for the next challenge. I was annoyed the BBC people didn’t accept my film treatment, but, when I looked up their website, I knew it was part of their terms and conditions. It hasn’t put me off and I’ll see what the next few weeks will bring.

Swine Flu

My daughter came home upset today because her friend at another school had to go home because a student had swine flu. It's scary stuff. She was extremely scared of catching it herself. She was asking lots of questions like, will she get it? Can she die from it? I did my best to reassure her but it's tough situation for a parent to be in. How can you explain a condition/illness when you're not sure of it yourself? Thank God! she's bounced back and not thinking about it for now.

Working on the Film Treatment

Today I worked on my film treatment even though it was a Bank Holiday. I was advised by a fellow scriptwriter to shorten my treatment to two pages. I will try but I'm not sure if it is possible to reduce such amount without losing essential plot details.

A piece for the Leicester Mercury

I’m about to write a piece on spending less in the holidays. It will be sent to Jim Matthews at the Leicester Mercury. I think it’s good to give my experience of what it's like being a parent and coping with children in a recession. I want people to know being Muslim doesn’t mean you are different. Muslims are ordinary people living ordinary lives. Hopefully, my letter will help people to understand Muslims feel the credit crunch too! lol!

Posted by Rukhsana at 15:44 0 comments

Film Treatment

I’m writing a film treatment which I’m hoping to show to a producer next month. It wasn’t easy to write this proposal with my kids off school. I’m glad the holidays are over and I have time to write again. Keeping kids occupied is tough but to write with them around is manic! lol! I wrote mostly at night. Not the best time for creative juices to flow, but I was able to mange to put together a decent proposal.
The film proposal came to me very quickly. Sometimes, an idea for a project can come out of the blue and you have to follow it through. There is sudden urge to keep going until you have all what’s in your mind down on paper. It's impulsive and there is no holding you back when you begin typing. Not every project will be accepted, published, but that's part of writing. My biggest project to date is writing a children’s fantasy. It's being rewritten at the moment and I hoping to finish it by the end of the year. In my experience any form of writing is a learning curve, productive and never a waste of time or material.