Giving a Place for a Fellow Writer: Hamilton Wade

   From a friend Wendy Ewurum:

Awakening Olivia North is a love story... tender, romantic, and sensual. It also says a lot about life and how we should all strive to get back to the true essence of who we are.

Outwardly, Olivia North looked the happily married woman. Her children continually made her proud, and her husband had indeed provided the kind of lifestyle and financial security most women could only dream of. Few of her friends could understand what needs she may have beyond the beautiful house, the cars and the apartment on the Sunshine Coast. Yet there was something quietly missing… a sense of partnership and intimacy, and had been for a great many years.

Emptiness engulfed Olivia after her youngest daughter Lucy moved out of the house to university. With no regrets or thoughts of resentment, Olivia walked away from her marriage, reaching out for emotional support from her brother, his wife, and her daughters. Olivia took stock of her financial situation, embracing an uncertain future with faith everything would fall into place.

Descending the companionway steps to get her mobile phone, she saw the cook busy preparing dinner. The mince was in a large pan on the galley stove, and he had finely sliced onion and garlic on the cutting board. She hugged and kissed him as she passed to and from the aft cabin, saying she would make a quick call to her girls while he made the boat smell so yummy.

Sitting comfortable on the swim step, she was pleasantly surprised that both Sally and Lucy answered their telephones. The must have recognized the call as being from Thailand, and as she hadn’t been calling anywhere near as often as expected, they didn’t want to miss an opportunity to see how things were in Phuket.  Sally had looked thought all the pictures, and especially close at the ones her mother had taken of Andrew.

“Mum, I think I can see what Lucy has been saying. Looking at his eyes, I can understand it when you say Andrew is a gentle and caring man. It shows mum.”

Olivia loved this softening of Sally towards Andrew Walker. Sally had been protective, wary, and not at all caught up in the romantic notion of a holiday in another country with a man she herself had never met. Things were changing.  Lucy, on the other hand, never questioned her mother’s decision. She sensed something about Andrew from the moment they met, and she wholeheartedly approved. She was the romantic of the family. She too had loved the pics and had been back to look at them many times.

“Mum, that Meridien resort in Khao Lak was a romantic paradise. I adored it and you must have had such a nice time there. Have you fallen in love mum?”

That question interrupted Olivia’s thoughts completely. How could she answer Lucy when she wasn’t sure she had the answer herself?  She hesitated a little before saying a word.

“Mum, I’m waiting!”

“Don’t do this to your poor mother. I’m sitting on the back of the boat a few hundred meters off the beach. Andrew is down below cooking lasagna, and the sky is becoming the most beautiful shade of pink. To be honest sweetheart, all I can say is that I am having the most wonderful holiday and I don’t even want to think about this dream coming to an end.”

“Oh My God Mum. I’m crying tears of joy for you. I love you and I love that you guys are having such a romantic time.”

Olivia too had tears in her eyes and saying goodbye to Lucy, reached for the towel she had folded to sit on. Cradling her face in the towel, drying her tears, she sat there looking out over the water as she thought more about Lucy’s question. Yes, she and Andrew definitely shared something very deep. Still, neither of them had mentioned the word love. In a multitude of ways, the word itself seemed superfluous. Emotions were not words, and it was difficult to use words to describe or explain emotions.

I'm an Australian,  the product of a conventional upbringing, and marriages to a couple of very different, yet extraordinary women. My life has comprised the normal range of failures and successes, and continues to be a wonderful and enlightening journey.I've lived and worked in numerous places around the world, including Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, and India. I continue to divide my time between Thailand and Australia.

Connect with Hamilton Wade through Social Media:

Book site: http://www.awakeningolivianorth.com/

Author site: http://www.hamiltonwade.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hamilton.wade.5

Amazon: Hamilton Wade

Buy Links

Amazon-  Awakening Olivia North

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What Old People Should Do

   I was concerned when I saw this search keywords, 'do you know what you want to do when you are old,' on my blog traffic source. So, let me tell this short story:

   Finnabu was telling a story to Zirzel when they sat on a caravan bound to return back to Zirzel's homeland.
   "An old man way kneeling and praying for enlightenment as he was lost. After doing many works in life and having grown old he could not realize what else to do. His children were already now grown up and became responsible men, they take care of him and his retirement plan supply his needs but he don't feel completeness, he felt something was lacking. Obviously, he was lost on how he will fill his life with interesting activity that he love.

   As he keep on praying, a bright Light appeared to him and asked, "My dear, I've heard your prayers, but don't you know every life is a story?"
   It was so bright and powerful that he dare not look up as he revered it, holding his face toward the earth, he replied with a shivering voice, "I know my Lord, but my life is so boring these days and I don't know what to do, your Majesty?"
   "Then do you ever like stories?" The voice from the bright light was powerful yet kind and lovely.

   "I don't know, Lord," the old man keep on shivering.
   "Don't you ever listen to a story when others says it? Don't you ever read a single story in your entire life?"

   "Yes, I do, my lord, and they were always interesting to hear it."
   "It means, you love stories. So, if every life is a story, don't you have one? Is not your life a story?"
   "Yes, it is but its a boring life." The old man had said it without thinking.

   The Light was moving around the old man as if it was examining him, and soft wind follows behind it, "You are making yourself a fool by your current life. Have you never seen a days of laughter, happiness and successes?"
   The old man mind begins to be opened, "I do and its true Lord but now its like a cactus in a desert. How can we sing in times of sorrows?"
   "There is no sorrow unless you care for it. Therefore, go and tell your children and the world your interesting story, to encourage them, - how you begin to face life (in your earlier days) how much you tried, how many times you fell, cried but stood up again, how many times you fail but pass, what inspires you and how you succeeded and found happiness, etc. Be a teacher to young generation on what you have learned, give them hope and strength."
   The old man fell silent as he was wondering about the enlighted words of the Light. The clouds begins to clumps up and the wind forming up around them as the Light continues to gradually enlight the worry and lost soul, "Enlight them with your story that has enlighten you yourself and do also help them in whatever  way you can, for there is happiness in voluntary and good works. For, with good works comes happiness and contentedness."
   The old man was now highly aroused but negative thoughts quickly pulls him down again, "Lord as you see I'm old, I'm weak and my voice shivers, how can I be a speaker?

   "Be ashamed not, but do also tell them the most important thing, the eternal treasure you have found that not only change your life style but enlight your soul through enternity. That is the most powerful of all story. Can't  you do that?"
   This time the old man was highly enlighted as he realize the love of Light, God of gods that had the greatest influence and give the greatest changes and blessing in his life, but again negative thoughts takes him the other way round. The wind do also begins to blow harder, "Lord as you see I'm not that an influential man, I'm not even smart. And there are rich, great, smart and more educated men than me who may not like me, how will I stand before them?"

   This time the wind was so strong and unstoppable, swirling around them like twister, that the old man knew the earth itself will also be able to break in it as he could hear the roaring sounds of the wind. But though he shiver greatly he did not fear the strong swirling wind, for his reverence to the Light before him is greater than his fear, as the strong swirling wind had not touch him except the breeze.
   This time the voice of the light was echoing but soft, "What more is desirable and greater than to be a teacher who help, encourage, enlights and leads the needy souls? Fear not, I'll be there for you, I'll be with you till the end. But one thing you should do, do not term yourself a wiseman. Be humble, that way many people can and will listen to and respect you. After all, humbleness is the fruit of wisdom."

   Through the power of Light negative thoughts gradually vanishes away but yet not all, "I can tell my children but how can I tell the world? And what will be of the people and old man like me?" the old man asked, still covering his face with his palms.

   The wind was stronger than ever but the voice of the light was softer, yet echoing and tender, "You can write them down too and things thats written last longer than spoken words. Who knows you will have another great success at this old age except Me? But do no focus on riches and accumulating it, concentrate on what you are going to tell and your duty, responsibility, the real food you are going to freely share and give. Tell your friends that they should first find the eternal happiness and then follows you."
   "Thank you Lord, thank you so much Lord but may I know who you are?" said the old man and he realize that he was now enlighted and its in his hand to chose, and also realized that he had ceased to shiver.

   "Go forth, and from this moment be a fruitful man. I am the eternal treasure, glory, wisdom, happiness and love. And I will always be with you as I always was." The Light vanish and the surrounding begin to become normal but was filled with still clouds on which the brightness of the Light lingers until the old man and the night was gone, till the morning sun light disperse the clouds.

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To discover more, See Table of Contents of this Blog book.

A Mail Interview: Marita A. Hansen

   For the second time, I've have a mail interview with Marita A. Hansen from New Zealand. But as we both are busy, I asked the question which I feel important to shorten the time.
   Like Lisa Scullard, we came to know each other and be friends on authonomy.com, and it is not bad at all. And because of the power of friendship I can, now, publish an interview with her here.

   Oh, before we move on to the main part, let me tell you this - when Marita told me about her high-school sweetheart, my school sweetheart from the 5th grade came to mind. I can never forget her, I don't know where she is or what she is doing, whether she is still alive or not. How much I wish to see her again. If I'm not wrong, she went on to study and become a doctor, and maybe she is a doctor now.

 
   Me: What inspires you to write?

Marita: My imagination, the people I meet, things I've experienced, wanting to express myself, and a number of other things. Life in general.

   Me: What genres are you writing? what genres are you most interested in?
Marita: I write realistic fiction/urban fiction. My first book "Behind the Hood" was written for adults. Currently, I'm writing the prequel series "Graffiti Heaven," which is classified as edgy young adult (16+). My characters affect whether the book is for adults or teens. In "Behind the Hood" the ages of the characters aren't that much different from "Graffiti Heaven," but the content is decidedly darker. However, "Graffiti Heaven" still tackles hard topics, it's just done in a different manner, not so in your face.

   Me: How long have you been a writer? In other words, at what age did you start writing?
Marita: I've always been interested in writing, especially at High School, but during university I only wrote non-fiction. I have two degrees, the first in Art History and Italian studies, the second a postgraduate degree in Art History. I think I've been writing fiction for about seven or so years now, but at the beginning it was young adult fantasy, which was put aside for realism once I started "Behind the Hood."

    Me: As a writer, what is your motive/goal? I mean, your goal for the benefit of the readers?
Marita: To propel the reader into the world I've created, making them feel emotions (whether good or bad) for my characters, and leaving an impression upon them. I put a lot of hard work into my writing, and it does take a tole on me, so it's important to me that the reader likes my work. There are also personal aspects to my stories, characteristics of people I've met or know, and even some of my habits or thoughts may go into a particular character. Maia's grin (from "Behind the Hood") is from me. Like her character I grin when I'm in trouble, which is not a good thing as it can get me into more trouble :)

   Me: How many books have you published?
Marita: One at the moment. "Behind the Hood" was published in August of last year. "Graffiti Heaven" is due out August of this year. "Behind the Tears" is scheduled to be published towards the end of this year, but may come out at the beginning of 2013 (depending upon time constraints).

    Me: When you decide and begin to become a published writer what difficulties do you face and how  do you overcome?
Marita:  Finding the time to do everything (working long hours and juggling it with family commitments), being able to work with an editor (costs), formatting the book for e-book and paperback versions, motivation, the list goes on. Authors write for passion, otherwise they'd fall at the first hurdle and go back to their "safe" day jobs.

    Me: Which place would you like to visit the most? And, on which place would you like to spend all your life and with whom? hehe
Marita: I'd love to visit Italy the most. And, I'd like to spend my life in New Zealand with my husband.

   Me: Do you have any words, especially encouraging words, for beginners who just tread in the path of book world?' 

Marita: Keep writing your ideas and stories down. Your first tries at fiction may not lead to anything, but you are still learning and you will grow as a writer and with persistence you could succeed in publishing your stories. Join online writer communities, because the connection with other writers in similar circumstances can be very helpful. And the main thing is to persevere. If someone knocks you down, like a bad review on a writer's site or an agent coming back with a no, just believe that it will not always be like this.

Wow! thank you so much Marita, and I wish you all the luck and best in your life.

Marita is currently living in Singapore with her husband of 18 years, who she called her high-school sweetheart. And with their two children of fourteen and nine years old.
This, maritaahansen.blogspot.com is her beautiful blog.

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To discover more, See Table of Contents of this Blog book.