Friday, May 27, 2005

F.A.R. Interview Posted

You can now view my latest interview with Fallen Angel Reviews, posted on their website in the "new interviews" section for the month of May.

This link here will take you straight to the appropriate page.

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Enter Your Title Here

I am still waiting to hear back on my two reviews for QuixotiQ which I am expected from In the Library Reviews and Fallen Angel Reviews. Hopefully, they’ll be available soon. FAR will also be posting an interview with yours truly in the next few days or so. As for the writing, I’ve written an extra 900+ words on second novel Buried.

Two films I’ve seen over the week that has left a strong and lasting impression on me. I *heart* Huckabees - one of the most philosophically challenging, quirkiest, funniest and visually original films I’ve seen, and the magnificently sad, realistically moving The Sea Inside (Spanish) which tells the real life story of Spaniard Ramon Sampedro who fought a 30-year campaign in favour of his right to die with dignity.

I’ve just finished reading Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates. It’s a book that I’ve got mixed feelings about. I hated it when I first started reading, when I finished, I wished that there were more pages in it!

I won’t get into the details of the story, characters or plot, but I’ll just say that this was a book that quite literally grew on me. What really drew me to it more and more as I flipped through the pages was the relevancy I found in it not only to our modern life here in Bahrain, but also to my personal way of thinking and my own perspectives towards life and all that constitutes a modern/conservative community, even though it was written in the early 60s.

And Yates’ language is beyond belief. He was a way with words that can turn the most dull and mundane aspect of our lives into a full-blown, multi-textured portrait. This is truly a masterpiece in every sense of the word. And there is so many pathos, philosophical viewpoints as well as moral and social issues to keep your mind occupied for days.

Sunday, May 22, 2005

Give Me Some Shawarma!

The reading on the 24th won’t happen anymore! It’s been decided that it would be to postponed for a later date. Details will be announced soon. Please don’t panic!

One of the main reasons I wanted to postpone is because of the little accident I had last week at home! I hurt my knee (don’t ask how!) which sort of restricted my movement. It was worse than I first thought it was, but it is healing now and I would reckon it’ll be fine in the next few days.

This however also made me sympathize with footballers who suffer knee injuries. I mean, mine was minor, yet still got me home-bound for a few days!!

In any case, I haven’t really been writing much at all lately and that’s a big shame. The 1000 words per day rule lasted less than a couple of weeks! havin said that, I did manage to write 1160 words on a feature for BTM magazine and approx 750 words in a new project today.

Also, last week, I completed a screen script I’ve been working on for some time. This is an adaptation to one of my longer short stories. It will have to go under a lot of treatment, but it’s done now and can move on to the next phase. Hopefully, I can find someone who would be interested in producing it.

On the other hand, I have yet another idea for a novel. This one started off as a script idea but just today turned into a novel prospect. I began penning down the first few lines of it. This one is going to be literal, controversial… me thinks! The working title you ask? Shawarma!! Yes, as in the popular Bahraini sandwich.

Sounding good and silly already, doesn’t it?

Ah, which reminds me… been a while since I last had one!

Friday, May 13, 2005

So it Unfurls

Not much to update you on, except that I have started work on yet another short story.

It seems I am at that dreaded place once again, where in I keep writing half stories and hit a wall! As of now I have three stories that are in-progress which have reached the halfway-or-so mark.

Some writers tend to take a story on at a time, to finish the first one up before moving on to the next. But I think there are also plenty of writers who find themselves struggling to balance and juggle between several projects at the same time.

Anyhow, the other day I had the pleasure of meeting one of Saudi’s hottest literary talents. Poet Nimah Ismail Nawwab, who earlier this year publisher her highly-acclaimed poetry book, The Unfurling.

Nimah is a tremendous talent and a very pleasant person. We chatted about her book, and mine, and our work, writing and projects. We also exchanged signed copies of our books.

From what I’ve read so far from the Unfurling, I found it very intellectual, hard-hitting and beautifully and realistically crafted. Her poems mostly reflect the day-to-day life of Arab and Saudi women and portray the cultural, religious and social impact of living in such environment. Recommended reading.

I also urge you to visit her interesting website where you can learn more about Nimah and her work.

Saturday, May 07, 2005

Thought I'd Just Say...

Words Magazine will be publishing one of my short stories in a future issue of their well-established print fiction magazine.

The story in question is “Alone”. This would be my second story published in a print fiction magazine. This story is also in for consideration to be included in an online anthology produced by the publishers later this year.

Meanwhile, a date has finally been set for the reading: Tuesday, May 24, at Al Riwaq Gallery from 7pm. An official announcement by the gallery will be released in the next few days. This will be, like I said before, the first of a series of prose and poetry readings for local authors.

Sadly to say, not much writing has been done in the past couple of days, which means that the Rule of 1000 has already been broken. I know. I suck! I’ll do my best to recuperate though.

Last night, I was in a mood for a good film. And I got one. Birth. A very disturbing and intimidating film dealing with a very controversial and dark issue; reincarnation. Nicole Kidman delivers yet another stunning performance. Highly recommended viewing.

Tuesday, May 03, 2005

Progressive Progression

I know I know. You must be all dying to know what happened with the new Rule of 1000. Well, believe it or not, so far not too bad. With the exception of Monday – in which I had to visit a couple of bookstores to promote my novel – I think I managed to stick with that rule.

Today was an okay day. I wrote a few lines on the script, played a little with chapter 16 of Buried and, more significantly, wrote 978 words in a new short story (working title) The Burial, which was inspired by today’s awful sand storm here in little ole Bahrain.

I also learnt that my interview in the Health & Style magazine (Arabic) came out today, but I’ve not seen it yet! This was only the second interview in Arabic – the first was in Akhbar Al Khaleej newspaper. I should be getting my copy soon though.

For now, that’s all folks!