Tag Archives: literature

Get Inspired, On Books, Who is Margaret?, Writing

The End

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Today, I achieved something great. I typed “The End” on the first draft of a manuscript. Just to be clear, this is not my memoir that I am talking about. In fact, one of the main reasons I didn’t want to begin writing my memoir is because I was still working on this novel, which is the first book of a trilogy.

What is amazing about this novel is that I had not only applied all the lessons I learned throughout my journey in writing to it, but also that it echoed with the tension, drama, and emotions from my personal life, upbringing, societal background, and current situation. It is one of the projects that lingered in my head for a long time before I started it. It grew inside me and consumed the nutrients in my brain, just like a child would. And when it was ready to emerge, it put me through a long and tedious labor. But the result was worth it. And even though it’s going to take a lot of editing and polishing before it’s ready to be presented to people, I know that a large weight was lifted off my shoulders.

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There is a strange feeling I have about this novel. I was actually happier when I finished this book than I was when I finished writing my first novel back in March. Mainly, I believe this happened because I got more involved emotionally with this project.

My life lately was filled with turmoil and agony. But I always told myself that I cannot make excuses when it comes to writing, that’s not what professionals do. No matter what happens in my life, I sit on my computer and type word after word, pouring my heart on the blank paper, smudging those emotions with my hands and soiling my face with them.

The first book I wrote still sits in my virtual drawer, waiting for me to find the will to edit it. However, this book will not miss me for too long. This is a book I want to polish to perfection. It’s a book I would be proud to present to an agent and, most importantly, a reader. Here I’d like to take the opportunity to thank all of those who have been following my journey. You give me so much strength and your support means the world.

Thank you!

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Now, I’m off to have a glass of celebratory wine. Cheers 🙂

Get Inspired, On Books

Book Quotes: Lord of the Flies

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As a non-native English speaker, I always felt at a disadvantage from most native English writers not only because any given writer would be better practiced than I am in his native language, but also that any one of my peers has read several great works of literature at school while I haven’t. Most schools in Lebanon never give students reading assignments—except for short stories in academic books which have no literary merit whatsoever.

If you know me well enough, you will know that I don’t make excuses when it comes to improving my craft. Even though I’m way behind many writers when it comes to reading, it’s never too late to catch up– especially for a fast reader like myself. One of the books on the list was Animal Farm by George Orwell, which I read and finished in two days this week. The other is Lord of the Flies, which I’m currently enjoying. While I don’t have an English literature teacher slash aspiring writer to help me analyze the book as I go, I will have to rely on myself to do that. I will also be sharing my favorite quotes from the book. Here’s one of my favorite so far.

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On Books

Book Review: Inferno by Dan Brown

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ImageClassifying Dan Brown’s book as a thriller is an understatement. In a combination of lessons in art, history, philosophy, sociology, environment, and literature, Dan Brown delivers this magnificent piece of narrative.

If you haven’t read any books for Dan Brown before, I suggest you do that before you tackle Inferno, as they will ease you into understanding the mastery of Dan Brown’s writings.

When Robert Langdon wakes up in a hospital in Rome, he has no recollection of how he got there and why there is a bullet in his head. The secrets of Robert’s journey begin to unravel as he begins to solve clues from a mysterious object he finds in his jacket. Page by page, Dan Brown takes us through the journey of Robert through the depths of Dante’s poem “Inferno”, which turns out to be the basis of a sinister plan by a maniac with radical views.

Not only is the story told in a compelling style, but it also delivers a message that our society is being blinded to — or refuses to see at all. I found myself, at more than one occasion, rooting for the antagonist.

The amount of research it took Dan Brown to write this book is enough on its own to give Inferno a five-star review. This book is a must read and I believe will leave its mark on the literary world for generations to come.