The truth, the whole truth and...reviews

I've just read the great reviews of my friend Michael Malone's new crime novel, Blood Tears, (available from Five Leaves now) and he deserves every single one of them - great stuff, Michael!

Needless to say, it made me think of my own  - using the term 'review' very loosely to mean any feedback I've ever had - and I've decided I can certainly outdo him in one clear category...

Consider my top five from the 'damning with faint praise' school of thought:


1      'The main character is just an interesting version of you, isn't she?'

2      'I had an Amazon voucher with £4 left on it.  I had to put 11p to it to buy your book for my Kindle.  It was well worth the 11p.'

3        'I couldn't get to the library that week but (a colleague) had a copy she'd got at your book launch so I read that instead of a proper book.'

4        'I did like your book.  I know an excellent proof-reader you could use for the next one.'

5        'I wish Christine* had written it.  That would have been really good.'


Mr Malone, over to you...

May Contain Nuts http://mickmal1.blogspot.co.uk/

(Christine 'starred' in A Blonde Bengali Wife as one of my travel companions.  To be fair she would, indeed, have written a really good book.)

Whatever Happened to Munnu?

The most frequently asked question I'm asked - from both friends and strangers who have read A Blonde Bengali Wife - is 'whatever happened to Munnu?'  Munnu, the indisputable hero of the story, without whom I would have spent a few interesting weeks in Bangladesh and gone home with some good memories, poor (pre-digital) photos and a diary that would never have made it into a book.  Instead, he was the catalyst for getting to know the country, getting to love it, and staying in touch.  Most importantly though, he'll always be one of the most special friends I will ever have.  We keep in touch sporadically, but somehow the lapses never seem to matter and makes the news all the more exciting when it does come!

So what has happened to Munnu?

When I wrote the epilogue to A Blonde Bengali Wife after my second visit to Bangladesh, Munnu had already left for the USA.  He had won a coveted working visa and was living in New York, staying with friends of his extended family, working in a restaurant - and trying to make sense of the total culture shock.  We have met there twice so far, very briefly, and in the time passed he's managed to get his citizenship, though Bangladesh remains 'home'.

In the meantime, he's made a few extended visits back, one of which coincided with the trip Jacqui and I made in 2008 (as you might remember from a previous post) during which we tried to recreate a mini-version of our original epic journey.  It was very different but just as funny, just as inspiring...

Sadly, at the end of Munnu's 2010 stay, his father died; a very special man who had been respected as prinicpal of the local school but his amazing mother and brothers and sisters are still going strong in Khalia and beyond. 

My big news latter on in the same year was that Simon was born, then jubilantly Munnu got in touch to trump me with the information that -

MUNNU GOT MARRIED

to the most beautiful bride   and that earlier this year they had their first child, a lovely baby girl... 

More details when I have them, (Munnu, I need proper names and details!!!) but right now  I wish them the very best of luck, health and happiness.  Next time we all meet it will be a very different kind of event!

Anne xx 

Onwards and Upwards

So, here comes April with a spring in her step and a few jokes up her sleeve: 23 degrees in Edinburgh one day and zero the next...

But it's the name 'April' which has got me thinking.  Last month, someone - Bootsie (not sure I know you personally but thanks for the interest) - commented about my novel-in-progress.  I'm going to take up her challenge and write a mini-mini-synopsis here, on the basis that it might shame me into finally finishing it, submitting it, and hopefully, eventually, maybe, gaining a PhD and publication!

Where does April come in?  Well, she's my main character and she's on a quest in Cyprus.  I've carried the travel theme on from Bangladesh, realising how much I enjoy having a real location in a place I love, but that's where the similarity ends: the current work is definitely a novel.  April is ostensibly looking for her childhood friend, Elena, who vanished on the island during the troubles of 1974, but her journey shifts dramatically following the people she meets.  Meanwhile, in alternate chapters, ten year old Elena tells her own story of what actually happened her.  Do the two meet???? Votes please.....!

Incidentally, some time ago I had written about being shortlisted for the EPIC e-publishing awards.  Hmm, given that the awards were in March and I haven't heard anything, shall we assume I vanished without trace? Congratulations to those who did so much better!

Tea Break?

(Yes - really - two posts in one day!  Unheard of.  It will never last...)

Got five minutes to fill on your tea break? 

Over at the LL-Publications blog, you can pass the time reading an interview with me, and lots of other interesting book-related articles fromm my publishers:

http://llpublications.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/interview-anne-hamilton-a-blonde-bengali-wife/

Partners in Crime

Those of you who have read earlier posts will remember that the cover photographs for A Blonde Bengali Wife were taken by Jacqui Dunbar, friend and photographer (and fabulous on both counts!)  In 2008, Jacqui and  I laughed (mostly at our own incompetence) our way around Bangladesh, meeting up with my old friends and making so many new ones en route. 

From St Martin's Island, at the very southern tip of the Bay of Bengal - where a tropical storm meant we were hours away from being uplifted by the Bangladeshi Navy - to remote villages in Sylhet unreachable by road, we travelled.  It's a story in itself, full of extraordinary experiences, but suffice it to say that when Jacqui is famous and invited on Celebrities in the Jungle (or similar), she'll have no problem swallowing the weirdest delicacies...

Switch over to Jaqui's blog http://jacquidunbar.wordpress.com/ to get a taste of one of the journeys we made.

For Shahti

Once upon a time there were three little Hindu girls called Shahti, Khaleda and Aasia.  They all lived and played happily together in Bhola's Garden.  Each of them was deaf but that didn't matter at all because they learned sign language and were bright and clever and they could dance to the rhythm of a drum.  As they grew older, Shahti, Khaleda and Aasia stayed at school for their lessons and they also all learned to cook and to sew.  The time came when Khaleda went away to technical school and Aasia went home to live with her family but Shahti stayed on in the boundary and helped to look after the other children.  She grew into a beautiful and kind young woman.  One day, Deepok, one of the workers there and also a good Hindu, asked Ali if he could marry Shahti.  It was a good match but Shahti wasn't sure, Deepok was so much older than her.  But after many days, she realised that he spoke good sign language, he was a kind man and that she liked to spend time with him, so Shahti said yes to his proposal.  They got married with the blessings of both families, and everyone at Bhola's Children joined the party. Soon their first child, a beautiful baby girl was born and they all lived happily ever after.

Lots of love to my very best 'little sister'
Anne xx

Rozina and Supia

One of the continuing challenges of Bhola's Children is how best to educate the minority of blind children we have, and how they are best encouraged to live independently.  It's a great achievement that through working with Rishilpi, a Bangladeshi charity, two of the older blind girls, Rozina and Supia, who have lived in the boundary since they were small children have a really life-changing opportunity. 

Dinah Wiener, Chief Trustee writes:

Last November we talked with Ali of the possibility of the two blind girls, Rozina and Supia, to go to Rishilpi for a while to learn and train to become physiotherapists. In Rishilpi there is a very good and professional physiotherapist and teacher that is blind. He is extremely good; everyday there are over 40 children that come with mothers to have physiotherapy and learn what to do at home.  It's now happening!  It will be a wonderful opportunity for them to learn something useful, good and practical that will give them a better purpose in life and a better future. It will also give them a proper job in BCPS and if they are good and successful they could also help children outside Bhola's Children in the local community.

Good Luck Rozina & Supia!

January 2012

A very happy new year to everyone - and may it bring you happiness and good health. 

So many of my recent new year 'celebrations' have been spent on a plane somewhere between the UK or Ireland and Bangladesh, that it's quite strange (and very cold) to be in Scotland where the biggest trip out has been to the zoo to see the newly installed - sleeping - giant pandas!

The resolutions flying around my head are all about being organised, writing a lot, finishing that novel and trying, trying, trying to be a good mother!!  In the end I suppose only the latter really matters, but it would be nice to feel in control of life again.

Thanks to all of you who bought, recommended or forced copies of A Blonde Bengali Wife on your loved ones.  To answer the most commonly asked questions I've had about the state of my writing:
1) no, it is very unlikely that there will be A Blonde Bengali Baby sequel and 2) no, the novel isn't forthcoming any time very soon - but don't give up.  I'm sure it will be worth the wait!

Stars of the Story

One of the highlights for me of the Bangladesh trip was meeting again with Hasina and Mr Hoque.  These, some of you might remember, are the lovely, lovely family who adopted me (or rather I adopted them!) and without whom I don't think I would ever have developed such a permenant relationship with the country.

This time, with some trepidation, I handed them a copy of A Blonde Bengali Wife, and said I hoped we would still be friends once they had read it!  By default, Hasina and Mr Hoque - his name is Nozmul but he'll always be Mr Hoque to me!) have starring roles in the book, and whilst I dearly love them and I hope I always wrote with affection, there is no getting away from the fact that they are real characters - in every sense of the word!

Well, here's waiting on their reviews...

Oh, and on a personal note, Simon dealt with the whole trip magnificently: the heat, the food, the travel, the crowds of people - nothing fazed him and he seemed to love it all, especially the joys of having 40-odd older brothers and sisters for a few weeks.  In fact, Dinah (friend, literary agent and travel companion) are already wondering if and when a repeat visit is possible!

Greetings from Bangladesh

We left Dhaka to travel to Bhola via the MAAF seaplane - a real treat compared to the overnight river launch - and were greeted by a boat full of Bhola's Children:

All of the children were well and happy and soon had us involved in lessons and then a daily music session:

We had picnics on the land in Valumia - here's everyone:

And the it was Eid, and Ali in his traditional outfit cooked sweets for everyone:

... before we all went for a trip to the local children's park:

More news next time....

Anne x

Off to Bhola

We have our visas, our tickets and a lot of nappies - so we're off to Bhola! 

Technology is notoriously poor over there so the news will wait til our return.

Cross fingers for a safe and baby-friendly trip!

Finalist in EPIC Award

It's great news that ABBW is one of three finalists in the non-fiction category of the 2012 EPICeBook awards.  Thanks to LL-Publications for putting it forward.

Watch this space - though don't hold your breath!  I can't say I've ever won anything before, even a goldfish at the fair (which is probably a good thing now, it being politically incorrect to dip the poor things into plastic bags etc etc) but it's nice to see the book up there!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIMON!

So, this time last year I was planning the baby and the book launch.  What a difference a few months makes...

Simon's American birthday party is being held today in Virginia (at 40 degrees C!) with lots of love from all friends and family xxx

(And yes, I've even got a tiny bit more of the novel written in the last couple of weeks...)

A Day in the Life...

Life for the children in Bhola is different to what we see in the UK - that goes without saying - but the intention is always to balance work and play.  On days off from lessons and, for the older students, training in the sewing and carpentry rooms, the children all help with cooking, cleaning, building, and laundry.  And they are often tasks we as adults would find challenging (not to mention worries about safety) but the day will end with a picnic or a trip to the river, sweets or a much-loved Hindi film:

Help with construction...

Then there is the gardening and work in the fields...

But always time to play...

And as the sun sets over the river...

... to take a well earned rest

          

Writers Block

A sleeping baby, a fully charged computer, a blank page just waiting for my thoughts and a bar of sustaining chocolate to hand  Time To Write...

... and I can't think of a thing to say.

Real life has overtaken me somewhat.  In just over a month, Simon will be one year old (how on earth did that happen???) and we're off shortly to Washington DC to celebrate with the American/Nicaraguan branch of his family.  Meanwhile, the bills are more or less paid by online tutoring and one-to-one mentoring of creative writing students.  This is something I love doing and it's never a second best to my own writing, but it is a huge (and legitimate, as opposed to cleaning, eating and watching TV) distraction.  The first draft of my novel, part of my ongoing PhD, is due at the end of the summer and let's just say I'm a few words off the 80,000 word total...

ABBW has gone quiet for the time being.  I'm shamefully aware that I should be out there marketing it with vigour and confidence, but somehow looking and sounding professional is not so easy with a grinning, babbling baby in tow (he takes centre stage every time) and food stains (mostly his rather than mine.  I think) down my front.

How did JK Rowling DO it???

EPIC eBook Awards

Just got word from the publisher that A Blonde Bengali Wife is being entered for the 2012 EPIC eBook Awards.  It will be in the non-fiction category and the winners are announced next March.

A nice surprise!

You can read more about EPIC here:

http://www.epicorg.com// 

Suse Coon @ Lothian Life

A very nice review from a very nice magazine - well worth a look on both counts!!  Suse Coon has a whole host of great book reviews too.

www.lothianlife.co.uk/2011/06/a-blonde-bengali-wife

Through the Shop Window

Product placement is an interesting concept.  I've often said (joking, I think) that I should hand out copies of ABBW to friends and family and ask them to read the book ostentatiously in very public places - trains, planes and buses and proclaim what a great read it is!  A friend (who will remain anonymous because she is already totally incorrigible and needs no encouragement... you know who you are...) did precisely this at the local British Heart Foundation shop.  Went in, brandished the book at unsuspecting volunteer, waxed lyrical about signed copy of book by local writer, and managed to get it in the window wedged between Kenny Dalgliesh's biography and The Boys Book of Military Aircraft.  Something for everyone in there!

I walked past it for several days wondering how long it would be before I cracked and went in with my £2 and bought it just in case nobody else did.  Then - it disappeared.  Hopefully to a customer and not as a doorstop into the back office of the shop.

Only one niggle: had said friend even read the book AND what was she doing giving away a signed copy...!!!

Pictures from Bhola

With Bhola on my mind - tickets for a November trip finally purchased - here are a random selection of photos from Bhola's Garden...

One of the first storms of the season has brought down a tree onto the roof of one of the old school buildings - luckily no harm done and the wood will be used for fuel for cooking

The vegetable garden in Valumia continues to thrive, helping Chola's Children become more self-sufficient by the day!

And Dinah, receiving gifts of embroidery all made by the girls in their sewing classes: pillow cases, cushion covers, napkins and bedspreads.  She'll bring them back to the UK and sell them to boost the funds of the charity
Anne

Touching a Chord?

Is there anything more thrilling for a writer than receiving a totally unsolicited email from someone who has enjoyed your book and taken the time to write and say so?  I suppose one of my niggling worries about ABBW was how a Bangladeshi reader might view it: patronising? making light of serious issues? totally alien?  I was hoping for the opposite reactions when I wrote it, and I'm delighted that Shishu, a Bangladeshi man who came across the e-book by accident, definitely found something that struck a chord...

“Being born to Bangladeshi parents but only having spent the early part of my life in Bangladesh, I am as much of foreigner as you ever were. Your style of writing brought out every experience I have ever had in Bangladesh. Thank you for helping me relive those memories. Through your writings, I feel like I know you, a long-lost sister if you like. I never imagined a travel diary would have this sort of impact. Not often does an author succeed in drawing me this close.”

Thank you, Shishu!  You, and all the other readers who have commented on ABBW have made my day.  It will be interesting to hear what the real life Bangladeshis who 'star' in the book will ahve to say about it...
 
Anne