Hopes for the New Year and Eemaan being shortlisted for another Award!

It’s funny how we always make plans for the New Year and then don’t see them through! Raise your hands if you’re guilty of that! I keep telling myself I must get my screenplay and book completed and send it off soon. So, it came as no surprise to find out my thirteen years old daughter, Eemaan, has been nominated yet for another Award.
Well, she does follow after me!!! Eemaan has always enjoyed creating stories long before I encouraged her to write it down. it has always been her choice. It seem my ten years old son Ahmad is following in her footsteps too. He is beginning to show a flare for poems! So, I’m amazed when people question me if I’m jealous of my daughter’s success. I find it absurd... ridiculous to hold such thoughts. I love my daughter and....I’m so...so. ..proud of what she has achieved at such a young age.
Ok!I'm not going to lie to say I would like to be recognised one day. Yes! I've got some of my work published but yeah...I would like more. So, If my children get there before me, I can cope. I’m not in the writing business for a prize but to write and express things that are important to me!

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!!