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.

*******

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

Where is Rome So That We Can Do As Romans?

I believe most of us have heard this, 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
But, where is Rome? Where is Rome, so that we can do as Romans?
Not only Rome itself but every Roman house is Rome, unless he changes his tribe or ethnic.
This not only apply to Rome, for if we change the words 'Rome' and 'Romans' we would understand what it tries to teach us.

Therefore, as Roman house is Rome, my house is Zoram, in a greater and truer scope/scense it may be called Namboram not India, Myanmar or Bangladesh, For I am Zo.
Only politics made me a citizen of India.
If politics is honest, true and kind, I'd have my own country.
Therefore, I won't be politician,
I don't like politics, the trending politics of the world.
No matter whether democracy or whatever as they are still corrupted.

I rather like the way of Chinese communism.
But I don't like the policy of overtaking Tibet.
Frankly and truly speaking, that's somehow what happened to me and my people.
Therefore, because of that I really don't like it either.
If the love of God and Jesus Christ had not stop me from bloodshed and war,
I'd have fought for freedom of independence for my people, my country and my forefather.
Though, currently I'm a run away son,
The principle of the love of God and Jesus Christ still lives in me.
That is also the reason why, you who hate me, who tries to make my life hard, miserable and unfortunate I do not do to you the same as you did to me but forgives and love you.

Let's go back to the topic.

Knowing Roman language but if you still speak in your own language in a Roman house,
It means, you are not so wise or not wise enough, truly speaking you are a fool,
For its like hatred and insult. And hater and insulter always do that.
If you don't know it, that's another matter.
Still if you speak in the language you are comfortable but not him, you still are a fool.

Speak with the roman in the most convenient language to him and he will admire and respect you but if he is wise.
But do not forget that you do not have to do like roman in bad and wrong way but only in good and right way.

*******

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

A Short Speech On War

From war we can learn that both sides lost something valuable,
Life being the most valuable of all.

The defeated may lose so greatly.
And the defeater may gain greatly,
But at this success the defeater does not secure his future.
Therefore, no side really ever benefit from war.

Who knows what kind of attack from the other side would come again in the future,
What kind of war tactic would they deploy or invent?
For, a war does not end generation and it does not end conflict either.
Neither it end enmity nor hatred toward one's enemies.
It only gives a temporary rest to a conflict.

Therefore, let us avoid war and make peace wherever we go by the power of love,
So that we may not be trapped in the web of conflict,
But secure our future from any possible conflict which may arise at the lack of peace and love.
And lets make peace and love, and be a blessings to others, to ourselves and the other side,
For love is blessings.

We know that a war may only end with agreement,
When a side who started it admit their mistake,
And when the other side make an open and kind agreement with the starter,
As they apologize to one another to heal each other's wounded and broken hearts,
For, in war, both sides have already done mistakes and evil.

Oh! It's more wise, yes, so wiseful to start not a war to make agreements after many things have been lost.

Why should we start a war and make agreement when we wanted it?
Why don't we know what we really want before we lost many valuable things?

Of course, from war we can learn that peace and love is what we all really wants, what we really desires.
Therefore, from this moment, let us work for peace, not only that but also for love, for love is peace,
And never start a war but keeps on avoiding it as we sow the seeds of peace and love.
The seeds of what we all really wants, what we all really desires.
After all, peace, and love is what we really desires.

*******

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

Finnabu The Wiseman, Zirzel and His Friend Juny

   Finnabu was crossing a small paddy field when the boy, Zirzel, saw him and called, "Finnabu, finnabu, where are you going?" He ran toward him pulling Juny on her wrist. "Come, Juny, come, He is a good old great man."

   The girl was his rich neighbors daughter, just about his age and she was cute and lovely like the boy. But both of them did not look like a rich children, their face had gotten dusty from their plays and they look just like a parentless children. They were playing in the muddy paddy field, trying to catch fishes around Zirzel father's fish trap. 'Of course, when nature paints us in the same color, who can differentiate the rich and the poor? This makes sure we all are of the same kind.'

   Finnabu sat upon a stone and wide open his arms, “To the next village.” He held the children and put them in his laps. Seeing Juny rubbing the old man white moutache, the boy realize his chance and rubbed the wiseman's beard.

   “Can we have a life free of worries,“ the boy asked.

   “Yes an understanding and better life,” the girl joined, 'for worries and troubles does never differentiate the rich and the poor,' as she rub his moutache down to the beard interestingly.

   ‘Aw this curious children’s hearts are richer than richmen,’ he thought.
   "Wisdom will give you a life free of worries, but a better life and understanding," he gasps. "But by wisdom you will know what is right and wrong, how to get rid from worries and a choice. And it will depend on your choice. But I advice you to chose that which is right, for worries comes with wrong things," he added as he hugged them.

"We will seek for wisdom and always chose what is right, Finnabu," said Zirzel.
"Yes we will," Juny added.

   "Then, sure will you have a life so desirable than many who do not seek wisdom. But the only secret to find wisdom is to seek it with all your heart, soul and mind."

"Yes, we will," the children said almost together.

 The boy’s father interrupted them, "Where have you two been, its time to go home for dinner," He turned to Finnabu, "Oh Finnabu it’s you?" Finnabu let the children go from his arms.

"I saw them playing in the field so I thought I should chat with them before I pass."
“Its nice of you.." he turned back to the children, "Ok, move on children."

"Bye.. bye.. Finnabu," the children wiped the air.

"Bye."

*******

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

The Girl I Could Not Forget

Since, I've not update my blog for a long time,  let me share one of my story...

   The bus moved on towards its destination as I wiped the air with my palm for my mother. It was almost dark and I was moving toward McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh, on business reasons, with the bus but I did not want to tell my mom about that in details. It would be my second time there but I did not know anyone except a friend who I've met within a wall of stones, whose whereabouts and house I did not know either. I just take a step with faith that I'd find him by his name.
   The land was approaching the dark side of the space and I did not feel much comfortable as I left my mom and she had to go back home alone.Why does she had to drop me? But, I realize its because she knew that particular bus station and I did not know.
   I've taken the ticket for a seat near the window as I enjoyed it, as most people would do. The man who sat beside me was from Israel but we did not talked to each other much except a few chat on introduction. Sometimes I was busy on the mobile phone talking with friends and more than friends.

   It was that night my somehow-girlfriend send me the most sweetest message I've received from a girl which I could not forget, but I did not remember the message. It was something like, 'I send my kisses to the wind, and when it touches you, know that I love you or something like that.
   I really like that message, and whoever made and wrote that message down seems to be a good poet. I really admire him. And I hope I'll receive such one again :D atleast from friends to remind of the past :D

   I did not know what time it was when we had to get off from the bus and had dinner in the local restaurants besides the road (the local calls it dhaba) but only if we wanted to.
   About that time I saw a beautiful white woman and I realize she was behind me with her friends, but she disappeared in the crowd as I walk slowly, letting my eyes searching for her.
   I shared a table with a Tibetan monk and we tried to fill the space with words. But since he did not speak much Hindi and English we parted in good way shortly after the meal.

   I stood before the bus outside the roadside restaurant, and I heard woman's voices but could not see clearly as it was dark. Then one came up to me and asked me whether I have a match box or not. I give it to her as I kissed the cigarette I was holding. She told me that she rented a room there and we continue to chat for few more minutes and she went away. But I did not see the girl again who I was looking for.
   Soon after, we all went into the bus and speed up towards our destination. I don't remember much things about it until the bus arrived in the McLeod Ganj square.

   I was the one to get behind the bus after the bus helper, then one local was behind me. And, while I was telling to the helpers to take out my backpack, I saw a white woman who I was looking for last night stood around 9 feet behind me and was staring at me.
   A silky black hair covers her shoulder and back, standing as tall as me with a cuddly body and was not moving.
   I really want to speak to her as I put my backpack in its place and as she was staring at me. But since, I did not know how to start, I greeted her, 'Hi,' and I approach the guest house across the square, where I had planed to stay.
   The girl seems to be also touched by something as I am, I did not hear any response but I believe she was staring at me as I walk passed by. She has stood there doing nothing for few minutes but staring at me. Maybe I'm mistaken about her.


   Thinking back of the time, I said to myself, 'why should I just not stood before her and have a little chat, ask her where she's going to take a room, and maybe we can stay in the same guest house.'
   I also wondered, where her friends have been that time, are they giving her chance, or she came out to see me while her friends were sleeping.
   I could not forget her till date. Maybe because I was not smart that I lose the opportunity to be acquainted with her.


   Luckily, I find my friend Tenzin there, and I was relieved a lot.
   On another day, when Tenzin and me go for a walk to have some smoke, I saw a Paris girl who I've met in a dance-floor in New Delhi with her Hindu friend, if I'm not mistaken. She was with the same girl but she seems to be upset as she walk before her friend and boys at the back.
   When I saw her, her name came from my lips softly twice as it fades, but she did not hear me. I wish to talk with her but it was better not to, as I can annoy her boy friends and I don't want that but peace. Therefore, it was the last time I saw her, and it will be if Nature does not arrange another new time for our meeting.

*******

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

Twister and My Name is HaHa...

   Laughing is a good medicine.

   A woman came running inside Jack Reese's house, "I heard the radio announcing, 'A very great twister is coming from the east."
   On hearing that Jack Reese Quickly walked out and opened the door of his car, but his friend Hamed who followed him suddenly hold him in his hand and asked, "Where are you going at this hour?"
   Jack Reese replied, "Let me twist myself a little bit with that twister." He smiled.

   "It will take you and you will go up," said Hamed with a wide open eyes.
   "I have always wanted to go up. It's my greatest dream. It's a great chance, don't you know that? Come, come with me and let's go up," Jack Reese was eager, his friend can saw it in his face.
   "Nono nonono, you will go up and come downn.. falling to the groundddd," Hamed looked scared, "and die."
    "That, I don't like," Jack Reese quickly closed the car's door, went inside as fast as when he came out, sat on the bed and cover himself with a thick blanket and shiver so greatly out of fear.

   Fortunately the woman who had said about the whirlwind came to him and said, "Oh, I forgot to say that, it was going to happen in America, not here."
   "Oh Wifey, how can you let me go through such a horrible experience?" Shouted Jack Reese and quickly get off the bed and walk towards the sitting room. When he saw his friend smiling at him, he said with a smile "I was just acting, and it was a nice acting. Hamed, do not I tell you that I'm a talented actor?"

   "Yes, in a horrible experience, is not it?" his friend replied.
   "Shut up! I wish there are two, three or more twister really coming, not there, here. I'm not afraid of it," Jack Reese makes his face as if he is not afraid of what he was saying.

   Then, another woman came rushing and shouting, "Twisterrrrrrr..," and she quickly picked her bag and pulled Hamed, shouting, "Run Hamed, we have to be hurry, Twister which was going in America came back with a greater power! Runnnn...."
   "Ok Jack Reese, you deal with it, here, alone with your thin wooden house but we have to run on home, byee..," said Hamed but there was nowhere to see Jack Resse. He was already shivering under the blanket.
...o0o...
   
   Never quickly jump on things you do not know. Never be too foolish to jump into problems or you will go up and fall downnnn. Never tell lies as it will surely be revealed in tests.
  
   Actually Hamed had change the name of his friend Mynameishaha.. to Jack Reese because its too long and hard to say it.
 

*******

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

Taite: My Dream 4 in 1 Flying Car

   As we know, because of the population growth thousands of vehicles were added to our roads which increases the length of traffic jam. And that delayed us in doing what we want to do many times.
   Since the population will continue to grow, so do vehicles on the road.

   If we look to the future traffic jam, 10 or more years from now, we know the traffic jam will be as long as double or more the time it takes at present, as vehicles will be double or more.
   And that means, there sure will be time when going to work places, market, etc. by foot be faster than jumping in to a vehicle and stuck in a long traffic jam.
And as we will not be able to keep increase the width of a road forever, we must create a flying car. 

   Of course, its time to invent a flying car.

   The above is my dream 4 in 1 flying car, and at first I named it Taito. But I have a thought that I should call it Taite, which meaning is better explain in sentence - 'someone who is so near, dear, beautiful, cute and lovely to one.'

   It is capable of -
   landing from air to land, water surface and emerge inside water.
   Taking off from sea to air and also run on land.
   Yes, this 4 in 1 flying is deep sea diver car, land car, water surface car and flying car.

   If I have the resource I believe I'd have created my dream 4 in 1 flying care, though it may seems challenging.
   Yes, it is but the more challenging to me is the flower like round thing below the drawing of the 4 n 1 flying car - Taite.

*******

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