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An Arsonist’s Guide to Writer’s Homes in New England: Book Review

June 15th, 2015

An inmate’s confession

Blurb: Sam Pulsifier spent ten years in prison for accidentally burning down poet Emily Dickinson’s house- and unwittingly killing two people in the process. He emerged twenty eight years, got married and had two kids before his past caught up with him.
One by one, the homes of other famous New England writers are torched and Sam decided to play detective to prove his innocence.
What he discovers and how he deal with the reality of his discoveries, is…(at this point, for you to discover).

Reading this book was like listening to an inmate’s life story, he’s got nothing but time and so on and on he went.
However, at some point I expected boredom to creep in but the little devil decided to peek in from outside the window that’s my concentration!
It’s my first time to read a book by Brook Clarke and I was drawn to it by the title. I was curious to know who would want to burn Writer’s homes and why.

The story is told by Sam. He comes off as witty, messed up, a jerk and sometimes he makes sense.

The pace is slow, and builds up in the last two chapters but it creates room for Sam to understand the other people in his life. For the years that he has been locked up, he comes to realize that his parents have secrets, and his wife and neighbors can’t seem to stand him. His neighbors don’t want him around and just when it seems as though all can be salvaged, someone attempts to burn other people’s houses.
He makes fun of it at some point which makes this bearable.

This book is interesting because of the turn of events. You would find Sam unbearable because he doesn’t seem to understand how the people around him feel (especially his mother!) You would also see his flaws( he is quick to act, doesn’t listen much, lies) but you would accept him as he is because he does not try to be anything but a man wading through life.

It would also be best to let you know a thing or two about mumbling, so that if it ain’t your cup of tea then maybe you’d find yourself setting this book aside for a day or two.

You can visit the author’s website: here
The quest for a perfect ending for a story.

June 14th, 2015

Every beginning must have an ending.

It might be the perfect ending to one reader and the worst to another, but how do you create a balance? How do you end the story the way its supposed to end without causing a readership uproar?

If you think this is hard for one book, try a series.

I am learning this the hard way as I write the “Current Series.” It has four books: Fire, Water, Wind and Earth.
Each book follows the life of a young prince named Ustawi as he rises to power in a kingdom faced by numerous challenges.
The first two books are out, and I am writing the third book, but readers are already asking about what will happen.
They are already rooting for their favorite characters and I find myself giving people a blank look or going mute. It’s because I know what the story line is and who will survive and who might not, but it does not stop me from asking, “can the perfect ending be achieved?”

So, how do you end the story and with access to sites where your book can be reviewed and discussed, does this affect your relationship with the story as you write it?
I asked a friend who loves reading stories on Wattpad about it and she said that the writers engage with readers there and she believes it affects the ending.

At the moment, I am writing Wind as per the story line and a huge part of me believes that the story will end when it does and how it should, a few characters might surprise me by taking a different path as I write, but it will somehow be for the best.

I also understand the feeling of disappointment that comes with an unexpected ending like what happened to me as I read the Harry Potter series and the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare . I never saw Harry ending up with Ginny!

I can go about this as many ways as I can, but can the perfect ending be achieved? For the sake of the story, the reader and the writer?
She said, He said.

June 13th, 2015

She said, “He is not good enough for you,” as she applied that red lipstick that she got from me. Signature or Charm Max? I cannot remember. She looked better with red lips.

She pulled out a soft tissue from her black purse and pressed her lips slightly on it, then applied gloss.

I did not know if it was a rating or a competition. Is he supposed to be good enough or right? Is he supposed to be handsome or perfect?

Is he supposed to be rated by her or by me and my family?

I thought about her and wondered how easy it was for her to push him out of my mind. We walked back to the restaurant together and there he was, waiting. She looked at him and smiled. He pulled out my chair and let me sit before continuing with a conversation, as though she was the ghost hovering above our heads.

He said, “I hope she has told you great stuff about me.”

She said, “You wish!” and then she got up, picked her purse and walked away.

He went after her.
Diary of a Literary Commitment-Phobe

June 10th, 2015

Litmus 2015

It’s a little bit like falling in love, writing. Previously I’ve been pretty promiscuous; I love the instant gratification of short stories and think of your own metaphor for Flash Fiction. There’s that initial wow; that frenzied excitement, the high of the idea.

But now I want a proper relationship, a novel, something long-term. This requires investment and commitment, so I’ve decided on 1000 words a day. Depending on my mood, this has been beautifully flowy or an angry argument.

Then earlier in the week I came to the ‘I’m not sure if this is working’ stage. ‘Do I even like you?’ I asked my draft. I was enjoying the parts set in the present with a first-person voice, they’re immediate and easy to connect with but the third-person 90s sections felt like a soap opera; too mundane, too real.

Last night I decided to end it; it was over…

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Here’s to a cloudy day well spent!

June 8th, 2015

Clouds are like people.

Sometimes they travel in groups, or roam the sky alone.

Sometimes they look so adorable you’d want to eat them, and sometimes they turn so dark you can’t help but seek shelter from them.

But, clouds are not people, because no matter where they are and what shape they take they never stoop down low.
They always stay up in the sky!
Why I read the stuff I read.

June 2nd, 2015

I read books.

Of late I have started taking a keen interest in magazines.

But, have you ever been so into a book and then someone interrupts you to say something mean or inconsiderate?

There’s no such thing as enough books, ask any one who loves reading books, and they’ll probably look at you as though hitting you in the head with a book would sober you up.
After a long week climbing rocks and wading through mud, I treated myself to four books. It is a process that I started while on campus because I love reading and it’s another way of learning skills.

The Art of Undressing by Stephanie Lehmann
Humble Pie by Gordon Ramsay
Gem Squash Tokoloshe by Rachel Zadok
An Arsonist’s Guide to Writer’s Homes in New England by Brock Clarke

If I could read all day, I probably would.
This has led me to think more about reviews and how to write them better. Are you on Goodreads ?
It’s like a library/bookshop/bookclub and you can meet your next favorite book there just from the reviews and groups. I have been a member for sometime now and I decided to work towards 180 books this year.
But what pisses me off is the caption below my tally that says ” you are 18 books behind schedule.”
Ignoring it does not help, and my conscience is aware of my decision to set a challenge. Challenges are neither friendly nor nice and so expecting this from books is pretty stupid of me, but I can’t help it.

And I digress…

However, a colleague at work almost wore me down today when he said, “you always read, Dora, and what good does it do you? If I were you I don’t think I would read that much, don’t you get tired?”

I was about to give him a piece of my mind when our meeting resumed, but at that moment all I could think of was:
1. You are not me
2. I do get tired, but that’s why there are bookmarks. You slip one in and continue from that page later on.
3. There are benefits to reading; improved vocabulary, empathy,an imagination, proper articulation and while we are on it, characters you read about last longer based on the impact they had on you.

Case in point: Chinua Achebe died but Okonkwo still lives in print and e-format.
The book lives on long after Darcy marries Elizabeth, Romeo and Juliet die, Hamlet gets his vengeance, Voldermort is defeated, Harry Potter marries Ginny (JK why?) and more so after Katniss let’s down her bow!

I thought a while about this, but if we put aside the sentiments, and add some history, I would attribute my love for books to my mom.
She has been a teacher of English Literature for over thirty years.
She was the one who had books for us to read, and would encourage our Dad to let us read the newspaper with him, even though we could barely pronounce Wednesday and Conference.

A word a day.
A chapter in the Bible and a song is how she did it.

I can still sing some Luo rhymes, and tell a story or two that were my favorite, but she would always tell us that “Oral literature will never die, you might forget the words but never the beat for as long as you listen.”

So, how about being paid to read books all day?

I haven’t thought that far, but right now I am reading Shadows on the Hudson by Isaac Bashevis Singer.
I’m Done (Part 2)

May 28th, 2015

You my dear are like second hand smoke.
You choke me yet I do not smoke you.

And after visiting Aphrodite, you come to me smiling and full of surprises. I get roses, coffee dates, books, stationery and you even surprise me by asking me to dance with you, but when you pull me close and ask me to lay my head on your chest, I inhale her.
I inhale your guilt and anxiety through your beating heart.
And like the jealous and wounded woman that I am, I ask you, “how was your weekend?”

You step back and look into my eyes and say, “it was boring, I missed you so much.”
But, I smile and step out of your embrace to breathe in some air that would dispel the stench that’s your guilt.
You are God’s most wonderful piece of work.
A picture with you is like being in a glossy magazine with you as the model and me as a prop.

You want to stay in.
I have to leave for work, but what I really want to do is go home and write. Love, do you know that I write? Yes, you buy me stationery and know the best books to get me, but do you really know that I write? And it’s just not, abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz but complete sentences that form a story?

So, I leave.
But I know thanks to your IG that you must have hired a car for a day, went to a park, had a blast and took endless selfies with your cookie jar. They are very beautiful women. The one in a green bra does know how to pout. I also liked the one in red braids, her cheeks look kissable, but I bet you knew that already.

And when I get home, my friend asks me, “so, when will you ever date?”
I smile and say “never,” because I have just had a two month class on the fine art of lying and being in numerous relationships from you.
She looks at me and shakes her head in disbelief.
And, the best part of all this is that you had asked me to give you a chance, to weigh things out and decide if I want you.

I want you.

It’s no lie that you are a handsome devil, but I want you out of my life.
And what amazes me is that you still had hope, that I would stay, yet, you never did anything to make me stay.

You bought me things I love, while you slept around with other women.
For my attention you disrespected me.
You appreciated my cooking and cherished how I got along with your family, while you did everything to threaten their trust by not being honest with them about me.
You want to have fun while I do the growing up for you.

We cannot switch roles.

Go have fun.
Go make merry.

Thank you for a wonderful insight on lying and lack of focus, and until then, steer clear of me.
I’m Done!

May 26th, 2015

I’ll be your demon, guarding your doors so that no evil shall pass. I will stop all the girls from staring, with their teeth every time you walk into a room- and grip your hand so they know you seek no evil. But, I will be the angel hoping and praying that you cease to create room for evil by telling the truth.

(Photo Credits: Larisa Koshkina )

Such that when your phone lights up, you do not have to leave the room or talk in the bathroom or pretend that your boss needs you. Your boss does not send you messages via Whatsapp.

I will sit and smile and hope that when I ask, “are we good?” you will say, “I don’t know,” and it will be the truth. I cannot deny lust when it is before me. She smiles and you start day dreaming. She smells like roses and kisses you like Aphrodite. She is your night while I am your day, and you know…a man needs peace of mind. Sometimes, you have things that are so great in your life and you cannot figure out which one to stick with. When there are so many women to choose from, why not see what will become of it all, why not have fun?

So, I am the “wifey,” the one who is respectful and is loved by your parents and siblings. I am the one who knows how to cook your favorite serving of fried beef and ugali with sauteed sukuma wiki, and will add your can of Tusker just to top it off!

I am the one who knows what gift to get your friends and family and will write something sweet, you know just cause you need them to know you care.

I am the one who will ask you questions that your conscience has been drumming up on you so much so that it has gone mute, like, “what are your career plans?” and “are you looking to invest in that?” and “how was your day?”

I am the one who knows that there is more to radio than listening to Classic and Kiss 100, and will bore you to death by listening to BBC.

But, she is oxygen itself!

She knows what to say and when to say it! She knows when to order drinks and help pull out your wallet to pay the bill, and the taxi back to her place. She knows how handsome and loving you are, because she does not need to tell you this when you are sober, I mean, why be so serious? You only live once, right? And you nod, “yeah,” and sink in her…and at the back of your mind you say, “only for tonight.”

What you do not know is that to women, the phrase, “the world is a small village,” is not news! We knew it long before we knew that we are women.

One word, whispered to two ears, finds itself an audience of ten thousand, and whatever is gospel truth to four ears is the verdict!

You…

(part two comes this Friday.)
Why I decided to follow 4 of Robin Sharma’s New Rules

May 24th, 2015

Have you ever felt like you have had enough?
You have been postponing a project for years and then suddenly you find yourself seated on your bed at 2am wondering why you can’t hear any sounds and your mind keeps on going about your pending project?
It happened to me, thrice!

The only time I had such an experience was while listening to Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” song and I had to find ways of getting it out of my head, which included reading an endless list of plays by Shakespeare!

So, I decided to give this project a shot and I picked three out of twenty of Robin Sharma’s New Rules of work:
1. If you are not up early, you are sleeping too late.
2. Commit to becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of your craft.
3. Get fit so you can serve more people.
4. Don’t wait to get inspired to start your dream, start by our dream to grow inspired.

I stopped watching Indian Soap Operas and documentaries that air at night, and this has made it easy for me to get to bed by 9pm.I have woken up by 6am twice, but stayed in long after that so, I have to work on that.

I started doing squats and planks to keep fit, plus I walk for hours while out in the field, so what remains to be done is looking into what I consume and that means cutting down on coffee, cake, and chips, which is a battle I am dreading.

As for becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of my craft, well, how about that? I still don’t have a clue as to how to go about it, and that means I need to reflect on exactly what I consider as being the undisputed heavyweight champion of my craft. Is it more sales, giving talks, being interviewed a lot, or more written and published works, or is it just a feeling?
I will think it through and see where it leads.
Storm

May 20th, 2015

“My love is like a storm,” he said.
“I mean, I shouldn’t be here talking to you, but some things are beyond me, like how she knows everywhere I am and everything am doing.”