Ramadan, 16 hours fasting, the floods in Pakistan and Niger

We are nearly half way through Ramadan- 16 hours of fasting and it’s getting better. I’m not feeling the thirst as I did at the beginning; perhaps it has to do with the flood images stuck in my head as a reminder. How can I complain when I have so much! I’m not the lecturing type, but the current situation in Pakistan makes you appreciate all that you have.
Someone I know who is on the ground with one of these charities has told me when the floods started many people were asleep, unaware of the danger and got swept away in the rising tide. It’s always the poor and less- fortunate that get hit the hardest. It was the same sadness I felt upon hearing about the drought in eastern Niger…young children malnourished. Especially, in this month, I’ve tried to increase my prayer supplications and donate more to charities. But, I can’t help feeling….will it ever be enough? The epidemic that will occur, deadly water borne diseases such as Cholera, diarrhoea will increase affecting not only the young but the old. The amount of displaced/homeless people will not only be in Pakistan but also Niger (as people move away from their homes looking for food) and other third world countries too. It kinda breaks your heart.
You do begin to despair about turning on the news, but what always takes me by surprise is when I see human kindness in abundance appearing from all corners of the world. Everybody trying to do their bit- be they Muslim or non-Muslim trying to help in these situations. That’s when you realise the world does care and people are important. Surely but slowly people do understand it’s not just a third world problem but everyone’s problem. That will be all I have to say on the subject for now but I will continue to pray for everyone in this blessed month.
Moving on to other topics. I have been writing and reading - working on a possible new screenplay project with a colleague and re-writing my children’s book. Will tell all in my next blog.

The strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Lyric Lounge and Mellow Baku.

August starts off with a bang for me! It has been a literature week all round! While my kids are away at their grandparents, I attended DR Jane Mackay Literature at lunchtime hour. She discussed Robert Louis Stevenson’s book ‘The strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. I am astounded by her in depth knowledge of the writer, she lectures for a solid hour using no notes or papers. It’s just amazing to watch her reel so many names and dates with no much as a hesitation. Did you know Robert Louis Stevenson wrote Dr Jekyll and My Hyde after he had a bad dream? He wrote 30,000 words (the whole book) in three days and rewrote the book again in another three days. So, in all he spent six days writing 60,000 words. Sheer genius! To top it all he was in chronic bad health!
After attending Dr Mackay’s lecture, I was in the mood for words and poetry. I attended Lyric Lounge held at the New Walk Museum. There were some brilliant performers, Jean Binta Breeze, word with Mark Gwyne Jones and my all-time favourite Mellow Baku. She has an amazing voice and a very talented woman. I t was breath taking to hear her sing and create a song in her workshop. Top class act!

Brit Writer’s Awards (O2 Arena), Filming and Channel 4 Competition.

Well, July has been a busy month for me.... school holidays…visiting London…so many highs…lows…..drama’s…who needs ‘Corrie’ or East Enders’ when you lead such a busy life!! Don’t get me going…Where do I begin?
Firstly, to say how proud I am of Eemaan’s achievements to get nominated for two awards in the space of a few months. She’s only thirteen and the youngest in her category to get nominated!!!She’ll get there …it’s just a matter of time…watch this space!
It was a great evening at the O2 meeting the likes of Terry Pratchet….his words of wisdom… to keep writing no matter what! He asked Eemaan if she had read any of his books. She told him she liked his book `Nation’ which he was very proud of. Some of the other A listers we met were…Honor Blackman, Philip Sheppard, Terry Bamber (2nd unit production team manager on the last five Bond movies) Fergal Sharky CEO music and many more. A great evening and both Eemaan and I really enjoyed ourselves.
During our stay in London we visited the London Dungeons and my youngest Ruqayyah fainted during our tour round the place, which was right bang in the middle of lunch hour… as you can imagine packed with tourists. Ruqayyah turned out to be fine (her dizzy spell was brought on by a combination of not eating breakfast, heat and being tired. Of course It had nothing to do with the blood and gore on display there!!!An hour later Ruqayyah was ready to continue with the tour and enjoy the scary boat ride.
Apart from London I have been filming In Mel’s garden. Part documentary and part nature film…will explain more as I continue to film. Loads to learn in filming and presenting a programme. Early days still not sure… where I’m heading with this project. I’ve sent off my screenplay to two different Channel 4 competitions. Wish me luck!!

Filming/Brits Writer’s Awards and hot weather

‘Now brightly coloured butterflies are all in flight, attracted by full summer blooms their scent a true delight! Is it me or is July HOT, HOT, HOT…. I’m just about coping in this sweltering heat! Lots to tell… I begin filming in the next few days. It’s a little tricky learning all the commands and fiddly bits on my digital camcorder. Filmed Eemaan the other day and hope to film my good friend, Mel’s beautiful garden in the next few days.
Fantastic news!Eemaan has made it to the finals of the Brit writer’s awards. My other two kids and I made it to the semi- finals. I cannot believe Eemaan has got this far- there were over 21,000 submissions for the competition. We will be going to the O2 Arena next week. I hope she wins.

Chris Jones' Master-Class

I attended Chris Jones’ master-class last weekend. What did I make of it? Well, the guy’s impressive! He knows his stuff and there aren’t many who would dare to be as open as he was. His course is intense-his step by step instructions on how to break into the film industry was pretty cool. I would highly recommend it if you’re seriously thinking of going into the film business. After all, this is the guy who set out to make a short film for the Oscars and got nominated.
My only complaint would be that at times I felt lost. Being a writer I have very little experience on the filming aspect. Chris is quite an easy going guy and you can stop and approach him at any point if you don’t understand anything. He will do his best to clear up any confusion /misunderstanding that you may have. In my case, he encouraged me to begin filming straight away to get a better insight on the filming side.
I guess the airless room we sat in didn’t help my concentration much. I think if we had more interactive, group work, workshop style sessions would have kept me on my toes. Having said that Chris unique-fast style lecturing did keep me interested even if I was totally shattered by the end. He’s definitely made me think of going to Cannes next year!

The British Writer’s Awards 2 results

`For springtime’s past its heady height and summer’s on its way, this never fails to cheer us with a colourful display.’ I have fantastic news to tell. I, and all three of my children have made it through to the second round of the British Writer’s competition! We have one more round to get to the finals! I cannot believe we have come this far. There were over 21,000 submissions for the competition. We entered for fun – not really expecting to pass the first round. So, this has come as a pleasant surprise to get this far. Regardless of what the outcome maybe, I’m proud and delighted of what my family has achieved. We will know by June if we have made it to the finals. Watch this space...

Eemaan and The Muslim New Awards for Excellence 2010

We’ve arrived back from London after attending the Muslim New Awards for Excellence 2010 at Grosvenor House. Eemaan is still a winner in my eyes! The only writer out of three to be shortlisted! A hearty congratulation to the winner Abdul-Akbar a black belt champion in Taekwondo! Phew! A gifted little boy! He’s hoping to be the torch bearer for the Olympics! I hope he gets the position! The other special runner up was Hanif Hussain –the David Beckham of the future!
I’m, very proud of what Eemaan has achieved and what is yet to come for her. She was a true sport- excited to attend the event without worrying if she won or not. She's optimistic about her writing career! That’s the spirit we try to maintain in our household!
Look forward to her writing future!