30 August 2013 - MALALA YOUSAFZAI - Special Guest

MALALA YOUSAFZAI

- SPECIAL GUEST -

G'day guys,

I often have young guests on this blog, and why not? They are our greatest resource. Many show outstanding courage and leadership; often more than the adults of this word. 

So. Do you recall some time back when a young girl from Pakistan was seriously shot by the Taliban because she dared to campaign for the education of girls? Well, she is alive and well. Not only, she was invited to address the United Nations Youth Assembly last Friday on her 16th birthday - a day declared by the UN as Malala Day - MALALA YOUSAFZAI. 

She was given a standing ovation at the United Nations on Friday as she declared the attempt on her life had only given her strength and banished any fear she once felt. 

First, watch this brief video. It depicts girls from around the world who wrote to Malala to support her cause:

GIRL POWER

Now ... back to the speech ...

 “Dear friends, on the 9^th of October, 2012, the Taliban shot me on the left side of my forehead. They shot my friends too,” she said in her first major public appearance. “They thought that the bullets would silence us, but they failed.”

Speaking on her 16th birthday, she said the "terrorists thought that they would change my aims and stop my ambitions, but nothing changed in my life except this -- weakness, fear and hopelessness died, strength, power and courage was born."

 “I am the same Malala, my ambitions are the same, my hopes are the same and my dreams are the same,” she said to thunderous applause.

Introducing Malala to a Youth Assembly of nearly 1,000 students from around the world, former U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown had said that it was a “miracle” that she was able to be there.

"Let me say the words the Taliban never wanted you to hear -- happy 16th birthday Malala," said Brown, now the U.N. Special Envoy for Global Education.

She was welcomed to the stage as her mother, father and other family members watched and the audience stood to applaud. Friday was declared Malala Day by the U.N. However, Malala said it was “not my day,” but a day for every woman, boy and girl struggling for their rights. 

“Thousands of people have been killed by the terrorists and millions have been injured,” she said. “I am just one of them. So here I stand, one girl among many."

"I speak not for myself but for those without voice ... those who have fought for their rights -- their right to live in peace, their right to be treated with dignity, their right to equality of opportunity, their right to be educated."

Her message to world leaders was that they should introduce “free, compulsory education” for all children across the globe. In comments that may have been aimed at President Barack Obama amid attempts to hold peace talks with the Taliban, Malala said that peace “was necessary for education.”

“In many parts of the world, especially Pakistan and Afghanistan, terrorism, war and conflict stop children to go to their schools. We are really tired of these wars. Women and children are suffering,” she said.
But she added that “all the peace deals must protect women’s and children’s rights. A deal that goes against the rights of women is unacceptable.”

She said she even wanted education for the “sons and daughters of the Taliban.”

Malala, who said that she was proud to wear a shawl that previously belonged to slain Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, said she had no desire for revenge against the Taliban or any other terrorist group.

“I do not even hate the Talib who shot me,” Malala said. “Even if there was a gun in my hand and he stands in front of me, I would not shoot him.”

She said she had learned this attitude from "Muhammad, the prophet of mercy, and Jesus Christ and Lord Buddha." She said she was also inspired by people like Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Mohandas Gandhi and Mother Teresa. Her philosophy was one of non-violence and the “forgiveness I’ve learned from my father and from my mother.” She said the Taliban were “misusing the name of Islam ... for their own personal benefit.”

"The extremists were and they are afraid of books and pens, the power of education frightens them," Malala said. "They are afraid of women, the power of the voice of women frightens them. and that is why they killed 14 innocent students in the recent attack in Quetta [Pakistan]."

Islam, she said, was a religion of "peace, humanity and brotherhood" that enshrined education of children not just as a right but "a duty and responsibility."

Now, you might like to watch her speech. It is inspiring for someone so young. What extraordinary confidence.

MALALA SPEECH

Clancy's comment: Wow! The more I see of some young people, the greater faith I have in the future. Malala ... Poised, confident, determined. At age 16, especially after the outrageous actions of those in her nation (and other nations) who have already tried to silence her! GO, Malala!! Courage that many in today's world do NOT have.... and yes, EDUCATION is the answer to so many problems. I only hope she stays alive long enough to do some great work.

Malala ... Love ya work!

I'm ...

29 August 2013 - BILL CONDON - Guest Australian Author

BILL CONDON

- Guest Australian Author -

G'day guys,

Welcome to an interview conducted with another well known Aussie author - Bill Condon. Bill Condon is an Australian author, playwright, poet and for a period of time a newspaper journalist. He has written more than 80 books, including several collections of plays and poetry, as well as short stories, novels and works of non-fiction. A large number of his published books were written for young readers. 

Welcome, Bill ...

 

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR WRITING JOURNEY.

I’ve been writing on a full-time basis for at least 20 years, but my first children’s book was published 30 years ago. Not bad going for someone who’s still only 21! (I like to kid myself.) I’ve written in all kinds of genres but since 2000 I’ve concentrated mainly on young adult books.

WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME A WRITER?

The writing began at school when a teacher – whose name I’ve long forgotten, alas – praised a story I’d written. I was about 14 then. It was the only bit of praise I received in my school years, so I suppose it was only natural for me to pour all my energies into writing after that.

 WHAT TYPE OF PREPARATION DO YOU DO FOR A MANUSCRIPT? DO YOU PLAN EVERYTHING FIRST OR JUST SHOOT FROM THE HIP?

I’m a hip shooter, always have been. Often I wish I was wired to be a planner, because that might make writing more straight-forward, instead of the torturous wander in a maze that it is. The positive side is that if I don’t know what’s going to happen there is a chance my readers will also be taken by surprise.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A WRITER?

Dorothy Parker, the famous American writer of yesteryear, once said: ‘Hate writing, love having written’. I can’t improve on that. It’s hard to write well, and instead of getting easier with experience, it gets even harder. But of course, I’m not complaining. To live in a country where I can write what I like – within reason – and have it published, and get paid for it, is not too shabby. And on those rare occasions when the right words pop up on my screen, writing is the best job in the world.

WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A WRITER?

Where do I start? Zillions of books have been written, covering every subject possible. Yet we who call ourselves writers still set out to can create something new, and somehow different. It’s daunting. It gets even dauntier (I’ve got a poetic licence so I’m allowed to make up words) when you’re an old bloke like me (64) and you’re trying to write in the voice of a teen. If you’re lucky enough to have had some success, as I have, the problem is always to keep up the standard. Because of this I’ve become very self-critical. If I’m not careful this can turn in to something of a choke-hold that stymies writing altogether. It’s always been like this with me. I write very slowly, editing as I go, doubting myself, giving up, crawling back to try again. You get the picture.

WHAT WERE YOU IN A PAST LIFE, BEFORE YOU BECAME A WRITER?

I would say ‘normal’ for a laugh, but it wouldn’t be true. I left school at 17 and became an apprentice greenkeeper. My father chose that job for me because he said I liked mowing the lawn at home. I didn’t have much aptitude for greenkeeping. After I lost that job I did various things, including being a real estate salesman. I only lasted a day, being sacked because I tried to talk customers out of buying a property I thought was too expensive. In the early 70’s I quit a labouring job to become a professional punter. Prior to quitting I’d won fifteen times a row. However, as soon as I quit, I lost fifteen times in a row. Goodbye to that career. 

Around this time I owned and trained greyhounds. At one point I had eleven dogs, which was about ten too many. Finally, after working as a tree-lopper, landscaper, bread delivery-man (I crashed the truck on the first day and was sacked) and lots of other bits and pieces, I ended up at a milk depot.

For seven years I worked the graveyard shift, from 11 pm to 7 am. My workmates were characters named Norm, Ekka, and Superstud. They called me Dreamy. It was hard work, unloading trailers full of milk and making up orders for milk vendors. Some great memories there. 

In 1983 I wrote a stage play. The editor of the local newspaper attended a reading of it, and then decided to mount a production. Eventually the editor, Larry Rivera, who I’ll always be indebted to, gave me a trial as a reporter on the Liverpool Leader. That was a big leap of faith by Larry as I had no qualifications, and no experience. I stayed ten years, and loved just about every minute of it. I think that more than anything else, my experiences on the newspaper taught me how to write. 

Twenty years ago I left the paper to write full-time.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WRITING ACHIEVEMENT?

Winning the Prime Minister’s Literary Award in 2010 for Confessions of a Liar, Thief and Failed Sex God. Also, having three Honour Books - Dogs, No Worries, and A Straight Line to My Heart - in the CBCA Awards, was a huge thrill. Awards are a lucky dip, and I’ve had more than my share of good luck. 

And, possibly for just being around for so long.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

I’m busy doing nothing. I keep hoping my subconscious is working feverishly behind the scenes to compensate for my lack of dedication. I was writing another y/a but after I got to 20,000 words I decided it wasn’t cutting the mustard, so I ditched it, at least for a while. Next year I have a junior novel coming out with Allen and Unwin. It’s called The Simple Things.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

When I was a kid I used to ‘inspire’ myself, if that’s the right word, by dreams of glory; winning Wimbledon, and/or writing the great Australian novel. Now I have to admit that tennis glory won’t come my way and I’ll never write the book of my dreams. So these days I keep the fires of inspiration burning by searching for ways to plagiarise great chunks of The Book Thief without anyone noticing.

WHAT GENRE DO YOU WRITE?

Mainly young adult, as mentioned earlier, but also poetry and plays for kids – mostly humorous – and I’ve tackled many non-fiction assignments.

DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS?

Don’t do it! I don’t need any more competition!

DO YOU SUFFER FROM WRITER’S BLOCK?

I invented writer’s block. I also invented procrastination. I’d be a millionaire now but I haven’t got around to patenting either invention – I’ve been too busy sharpening pencils.

DO YOU HAVE A PREFERRED WRITING SCHEDULE?

Not really, but whenever possible, I try to do it when I’m awake. But seriously – for once – the best thing about being a full-time writer, is that you can go to work at any time of the day or night. And that’s what I do.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE WRITING PLACE?

I have an office and that’s where I work. I write directly onto my computer. I have almost inaudible music playing in the background; usually it’s the same gentle guitar track. I couldn’t concentrate if the music was loud or if someone was singing.  I used to have a naked muse who gave me no end of inspiration, but my wife caught me.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY IN WRITING?

Two magic words: The End.

WHAT WAS THE WORST COMMENT FROM A READER?

Lots to choose from here. Mostly they amounted to the same thing: ‘Your book sucks!’

WRITERS ARE SOMETIMES INFLUENCED BY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. ARE YOU?

Most of my work is autobiographical. I’ve written about a boy who trained greyhounds – Dogs - a boy who works in a milk depot - No Worries - my schooldays - Confessions of a Liar, Thief, and Failed Sex God - a friend’s marriage break-up - Give Me Truth - my fears of dying – Daredevils - and about a girl who works on a newspaper, A Straight Line to My Heart

OTHER THAN WRITING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?

My wife, Dianne (Di) Bates, my family, movies, books, tennis, Scrabble, oh yes, and breathing.

DID YOU HAVE YOUR BOOK / BOOKS PROFESSIONALLY EDITED BEFORE PUBLICATION?

On one or two occasions I’ve paid to have books edited before publication – usually when I was in trouble with them and needed some guidance. Mostly though, I rigorously self-edit before submitting anything, and the only editing work is done by the publisher.

DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.

A thousand good words written before noon - and not torn to pieces when I revisit them after lunch.

 

DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN ANY OF YOUR CHARACTERS?

I’m in all of them. I think that unless you can put yourself in a character’s shoes, feel the same things he or she does, then you’re not really inside the story, and that’s where you have to be.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE MANUSCRIPT TO WRITE? WHY?

Probably my y/a, No Worries. It was published in 2005 and I can still read it today without cringing. I think it’s the most honest thing I’ve written, and the most powerful.

 HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE ‘SUCCESS’ AS A WRITER?.

I think if you enjoy it, that’s enough. Not everyone can climb Everest, but dreaming of climbing the literary equivalent, can be fun.

 WHAT WOULD BE THE VERY LAST SENTENCE YOU’D WRITE?

‘Aaarrrggghh!’

Random House:

http://www.randomhouse.com.au/authors/bill-condon.aspx

Goodreads: 

  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/45533.Bill_Condon

Clancy's comment: Many thanks, Bill. Love your sense of humour ... and love ya work. Also love ya books.

I'm ...

Think about this!

28 August 2013 - MISTAKES BY SELF-PUBLISHERS by Paul Goat Allen

MISTAKES BY SELF-PUBLISHERS

- by Paul Goat Allen -

G'day guys,

Many who follow this blog are self-published authors like me. My first book had one spelling mistake contained in it after forty-five revisions and a severe review by my editor. I was mortified. Today I introduce some worthwhile advice, courtesy of Paul Goat Allen who has been reviewing books full-time for almost 20 years. In addition to BlueInk Review, his work has appeared with BarnesandNoble.com, The Chicago Tribune, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and more. 

Thanks, Paul ...

"I’ve read and reviewed enough books to know that self-published authors make common blunders that absolutely ruin the reading experience for me. These are giant red flags – ear-piercing alarms – warning me of an imminent bad read. 

 

Consider this a public service announcement. Because as a reviewer, I want you, the self-published author, to bring your best; hit me with your best shot, to quote an old Pat Benatar tune. I want nothing more than to be blown away by a self-published novel and to shout about it from the rooftops for the whole world to hear.

Trust me on this: the last thing a professional book reviewer wants is to end up with a self-published novel filled with errors.

Listed below, in order of importance, are five mistakes that – in my humble opinion – will doom any self-published book.

1. Typographical and grammatical errors

Learn your craft, writers. Spelling and punctuation errors are the biggest red flags of all. If you can’t spell words that most fifth graders would know and you don’t understand how to use commas, chances are good that you probably shouldn’t be writing a book.

That’s not to say that a bad speller can’t be a fantastic novelist. It says he or she should’ve let a professional editor and/or proofreader correct it before publishing.

When I review books, I keep track of every single typographical error the author makes in a trusty notebook. A dozen errors in total is only mildly irritating; anything over 50 is unacceptable. I’ve read self-published books with hundreds of errors – errors on every page, in every paragraph, almost in every sentence.

Do not publish a novel until it’s finished – and it’s not finished until you know that the majority of errors have been found and removed.

2. Chest beating

This is a big one for me. Don’t brag about what a great writer you are. I’ve read more than a few biographies where the author states that [insert name here] knew from an early age that he or she was an incredibly talented wordsmith, has a special gift that he or she wants to share with the world, etc. A little humility goes a long way, writers.

Don’t say it – do it.

 3.  No understanding of the genre

It only makes sense that before you endeavour to write a historical whodunit, ecological thriller, or steampunk romance you understand the genre in which you are writing. This ties in peripherally with understanding your craft. There is a level of literary awareness here that cannot be understated. Do you understand the history of the genre in which you’re writing? Have you read more than a few classics and/or current releases? Are you aware of the conventions and clichés?

The popular Edmund Burke quote – “those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it” – is so true in this case. I can’t tell you how many self-published novels I’ve read that have had premises or narrative elements eerily similar to iconic works.

And I don’t think it’s so much plagiarism as it is ignorance.

Consider any category of fiction – such as apocalyptic fiction, paranormal fantasy, or amateur whodunit – to be a vast forest. Every novel is a tree, every short story a bush or vine. The more you explore the woods in which you intend to ultimately plant your own narrative tree, the stronger that tree will be.

 

4.  Amateurish cover art

Yeah. I know. People shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. But guess what? They do. I’ve seen it happen time and time again: a mediocre novel with eye-catching cover art sells well while a brilliant novel with bad cover art comes and goes unnoticed.

This is a big deal. In future blogs I’ll explore this topic in more detail, but know this: it’s essential to choose your cover art wisely. You are doing yourself and your novel a great disservice by choosing amateurish and/or ill-conceived cover art.

  

5.  No social networking presence

Some people may disagree with me about this, but I think it’s critically important: if you’re a self-published author, it is imperative that you have a social media presence. If you’re trying to promote a self-published novel and you don’t have a website and/or you’re not active on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, etc., you’re effectively shooting yourself in the foot.

This is where your readers are – potentially millions of them! Get your name – and your book – out there and grow your audience!"

Clancy's comment: Thanks, Paul. Mm ... might sound like common sense, but common sense ain't that common. Producing a book involves hours of thought and consideration. If it has your name on it, make sure it is the absolute best it can be.

 I'm ...

Think about this!