I don’t usually re=post things of this nature. I prefer to talk about what I love, writing, But this is worth sharing with anyone who will listen, Who knows, maybe it will save a life.
via I raised an addict – what could I have done differently?.
Category: environment
In the Footsteps of a Palestinian Refugee
Welcome Ghazi, you have such an amazing story. Your memoir is an important story, not just for you, but also for the thousands that others have struggled in countries with conflict affecting the daily lives of everyone. I am so pleased to have you on Author Interview Friday. When did you first know you wanted to be a writer and was there a particular inspiration to get started?
Very early while in my teens. I had an unusual life. I saw first hand the struggle for Palestine Vs. Israel (1935-1948). Because of this, I felt impelled to record my experiences. I learned to write by doing it. My hopes are that the reader will feel the direct channel to my emotions, feelings, thoughts, etc. I spoke directly to the reader naturally and from the heart.
What was the hardest part of writing your story?
Building the narrative coherently.
Have you done anything special to help promote your book?
So far, through personal appearances, talks to social or book clubs, sending out sale sheets to individuals or groups, organizations, etc. Joined social clubs: Facebook, twitter, Linked-in, associated website.
What has been your primary drive to write?
To believe in the worth of the story to many others; that it is going to do some good to a significant number of people. Also, that the process is beneficial emotionally (cathartic) to me and enjoyable at the same time.
What is the premise of your novel we are promoting today?
Humanity is progressing toward better universal values, which will diminish wars and promotes harmony and peace.
Please the give the readers a peek into your story by giving us a small excerpt.
“I saw the fragmentation of the world along racial, ethnic, religious, or national lines is an outcome of past history, full at times of misconceptions and misunderstandings, that will not stand for long against the accelerating influence of the information and transportation revolutions worldwide; the result of which is that diverse groups of peoples are getting to know each other more quickly and intimately in positive ways, and work better together. I saw human beliefs about nationality, religion, and related identifications are useful practical models for good and righteous living, culturally intertwined, functions of time, history, and place. They are relative, subjective and evolving.”
“It is in the context of celebrating diversity in humanity, combined with the underlying universality of man’s spirituality, manifesting faith, love, and brotherhood, that I have been able to liberate myself from much of past burdensome inner conflicts and traumas. I have done so with considerable effort over a long time, and against great odds. Yet, I feel blessed to have been able to do so.”
Windy City Publishers. Kindle Edition. …..
The website is: www.ghaziqhassounphd.com
Buy Link: Print Edition: Walking Out Into The Sunshine
Kindle Edition: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Amazon+ebooks+Ghazi+Hassoun
WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE? IS IT A THREAT TO OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE?
DO YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE? IF NOT NOW—WHEN?
Meet Mary Guay MSW, author, and motivational environmentalist who after retirement as a hospice social worker found a compelling issue she could not ignore. A series of events convinced Mary she wanted to learn about climate change and how it would affect her grandchildren’s futures.
After a year and a half of research and making many changes to live green, she has written a book explaining climate change and the surprising reasons it is an issue now. She and her husband always wanted to leave something to the grandchildren. Now their mission is to do what they can to leave a healthy planet that is capable of supporting the next generation.
Here is her story.
“I never intended to become an author and had no courses for writing. I did research in graduate school twenty years ago and presented research papers.
My writing is non-fiction and all related to climate change, It has the scientific research, but I made sure it is not textbook boring. I learned a few things that got me concerned about what climate change might mean to our children’s future, so I did some checking. I opened a Pandora’s box and launched into a year of intense research. Along the way we made many changes in our home to live sustainably. We now use 82-84% less electricity in our totally electric home a year and use 75% less gasoline. Those are only a few of many changes. I began to realize many people would make more environmentally friendly choicesif they understood the danger global warming puts in our children’s futures. I was raking my brain (you might call it praying) about how to help people learn what is at stake.
Joanne, you asked when I decided to be a writer. On a Monday morning in March 2012 at 10:00 a.m., I had no intention of being an author when I got my answer. Five words packed with the adrenaline that makes it stick. “I will write a book” came from my mouth. At church we talk about finding our purpose and I knew without a doubt, I had been given mine. My answer was, “And so it is.” I started writing that day. On January 1, 2004 my book was published.
I had done the research, but had to go back and take the notes this time. My advice to someone who is thinking of writing a book is to dare to say, “Yes.”
I was fortunate to find two writers’ groups Marco Island Writers and Gulf Coast Writers Assoc. As a novice these groups have given me guidance that made publishing possible.
I decided to use CreateSpace, based on what I learned from fellow writers. My reasons were that I am 70 years old and this is my first book. I learned agents and publishers want a writer to agree to a series of books and don’t view first time writers over 60 as having that as a likely future.
May You be Blessed With Fair Winds and Following Seas”
Learn what climate change is about and the many rewarding things Mary and her husband Wally have succeeded in doing to cut their electrical use by over 80% per year, their gasoline use by 75%, and how Mary is restoring her health. If people do a fraction of what is in her book they could save $1000.00 to $3000.00 per year and lose weight if that is an issue for the reader.
The link to her website is: MaryGuay.org
Writing Under Fire 