Now that I've finished the Fantasy Fiction portal on www.horror-fiction.com, it's time to start the science fiction portal. The first page is already posted on the website.
Science fiction poses greater challenges than either the horror or fantasy portals did. This is primarily because scifi is so vast and ever-changing. I can only hope I can capture a good grasp of what this exciting fiction genre really means. For now, I think I'm going to take this portal in a different direction than either of the previous portals. I plan to write several articles about science fiction genres and works of fiction, rather than focusing on the scifi creatures like I did with horror and fantasy.
Another update to the website that I've added was to post one of my short stories. I've added my story Bunt which is probably one of the best short stories I've ever written. This story highlights the trials Alzheimer's brings upon families. I decided to include some of my artwork for the story as well that I originally intended for the audiobook advertisement. The artwork was created using Gimp free software.
I'm happy to say the website has been getting increased hits of late. Even though these hits haven't translated to higher Google page rank, it is exciting to know so many people are visiting my website. This motivates me to keep adding more things and to continue expanding the available options.
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Showing posts with label Book excerpts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book excerpts. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
The Jinn Excerpt
It's very late, but I'm glad I've finally started the Fantasy section of www.horror-fiction.info. I've added a page on the jinn, and now I have to start working on a page for witches or dragons.
Really, doing all of this research is pretty fun. It's like I'm studying the evolution of literature. This is more than just a hobby; I actually feel like I'm in college again.
Now that I've finished the jinn page, I'm starting to have concerns about my novel again. The Jinn contains lots of references to Arab culture that I'm not 100% familiar with. I'm very familiar with Muslim culture, but all Muslims aren't the same. That being said, I wonder if anybody who is familiar with Arab culture can verify if the following passage from The Jinn sounds authentic. If you can point out anything that's definitely out of place, by all means let me know.
Though she had regained consciousness, she was sleeping when Ahmed arrived. He sat by her side for at least two hours before she cracked her eyes a little. She smiled as best she could when she saw him, and gave his hand a squeeze. Ahmed smiled back at her and leaned down to kiss her forehead.
“Salaam Alaikum ibnee,” she whispered in a dry, cracked voice. Peace be unto you my son.
“Wa alaikum Salaam ummee. Keefek?” And upon you be peace my mother. How are you?
She continued to smile. “Anaa mureed.” I am sick. Her reply was blunt yet kind.
“The doctors are doing everything they can,” said Ahmed in Arabic.
“I like that Doctor Fatima. She is a good person. But there is nothing she can do for me. My time is near.”
“Don’t speak like that mother. Modern medicine is very good.”
“You put too much faith in science. I will probably return to Allah today or tomorrow. I have accepted it. You should also.”
Ahmed did not answer. He was afraid of saying the wrong thing and upsetting her.
“I’m sorry you had to come all the way from America just for me.”
“It wasn’t bad. The arrangements were very easy to make.”
“I want to be buried next to your father. Do you remember where his grave is?”
“Naam.” Yes.
Many years ago, when they still lived in the village of Darul Shams, his mother would take him to visit his father’s grave at least five times a year. After they moved the visits became less frequent, until they stopped going altogether. The last time Ahmed visited his father’s grave he was fourteen years old.
“And have Sheikh Nazeem perform my janaazah.”
“Sheikh Nazeem is dead mother. He died years ago.”
She frowned in confusion, and then laughed. “Then I guess he won’t be available, will he?”
The short conversation took a lot of strength and she closed her eyes again and fell silent. Her breathing was slow and labored. Ahmed thought she had fallen asleep again, but then she started speaking.
“All these years, Ahmed, it was just me an you. I tried to give you the best. I tried to be a mother and a father. I’m sorry I failed you son.”
“You did not fail me mother.”
“Pray for me.”
“I will.”
“Al-an. Pray for me now.”
“Al-an? Hunna?” Right now? Right here?
“Naam.” She held up her hands as if she was trying to cup water. “Pray for your dying mother.”
Ahmed closed his eyes and tried to remember a prayer or supplication from his youth. But he came up blank. “I can’t.”
Her hands dropped back to her sides in disappointment. “That’s how I failed you.”
“Mother, I will graduate from school with honors. I am at the top of my class. I already have some good job offers and I’ve won many awards. One of my papers is even being published in a science journal. I have accomplished all of this because of you. You insisted I get a good education and I have. Your son is going to be a successful scientist. Or maybe I’ll go to medical school and become a doctor. But you have done a lot for me, and I owe everything to you.”
With great effort, she turned her head to look at her son. “But you cannot pray for your dying mother. May God forgive me.”
For those of you familiar with Arab culture, please let me know if this passage sounds right. If you think I westernized the scene too much, let me know. I eagerly await your comments.
Really, doing all of this research is pretty fun. It's like I'm studying the evolution of literature. This is more than just a hobby; I actually feel like I'm in college again.
Now that I've finished the jinn page, I'm starting to have concerns about my novel again. The Jinn contains lots of references to Arab culture that I'm not 100% familiar with. I'm very familiar with Muslim culture, but all Muslims aren't the same. That being said, I wonder if anybody who is familiar with Arab culture can verify if the following passage from The Jinn sounds authentic. If you can point out anything that's definitely out of place, by all means let me know.
Though she had regained consciousness, she was sleeping when Ahmed arrived. He sat by her side for at least two hours before she cracked her eyes a little. She smiled as best she could when she saw him, and gave his hand a squeeze. Ahmed smiled back at her and leaned down to kiss her forehead.
“Salaam Alaikum ibnee,” she whispered in a dry, cracked voice. Peace be unto you my son.
“Wa alaikum Salaam ummee. Keefek?” And upon you be peace my mother. How are you?
She continued to smile. “Anaa mureed.” I am sick. Her reply was blunt yet kind.
“The doctors are doing everything they can,” said Ahmed in Arabic.
“I like that Doctor Fatima. She is a good person. But there is nothing she can do for me. My time is near.”
“Don’t speak like that mother. Modern medicine is very good.”
“You put too much faith in science. I will probably return to Allah today or tomorrow. I have accepted it. You should also.”
Ahmed did not answer. He was afraid of saying the wrong thing and upsetting her.
“I’m sorry you had to come all the way from America just for me.”
“It wasn’t bad. The arrangements were very easy to make.”
“I want to be buried next to your father. Do you remember where his grave is?”
“Naam.” Yes.
Many years ago, when they still lived in the village of Darul Shams, his mother would take him to visit his father’s grave at least five times a year. After they moved the visits became less frequent, until they stopped going altogether. The last time Ahmed visited his father’s grave he was fourteen years old.
“And have Sheikh Nazeem perform my janaazah.”
“Sheikh Nazeem is dead mother. He died years ago.”
She frowned in confusion, and then laughed. “Then I guess he won’t be available, will he?”
The short conversation took a lot of strength and she closed her eyes again and fell silent. Her breathing was slow and labored. Ahmed thought she had fallen asleep again, but then she started speaking.
“All these years, Ahmed, it was just me an you. I tried to give you the best. I tried to be a mother and a father. I’m sorry I failed you son.”
“You did not fail me mother.”
“Pray for me.”
“I will.”
“Al-an. Pray for me now.”
“Al-an? Hunna?” Right now? Right here?
“Naam.” She held up her hands as if she was trying to cup water. “Pray for your dying mother.”
Ahmed closed his eyes and tried to remember a prayer or supplication from his youth. But he came up blank. “I can’t.”
Her hands dropped back to her sides in disappointment. “That’s how I failed you.”
“Mother, I will graduate from school with honors. I am at the top of my class. I already have some good job offers and I’ve won many awards. One of my papers is even being published in a science journal. I have accomplished all of this because of you. You insisted I get a good education and I have. Your son is going to be a successful scientist. Or maybe I’ll go to medical school and become a doctor. But you have done a lot for me, and I owe everything to you.”
With great effort, she turned her head to look at her son. “But you cannot pray for your dying mother. May God forgive me.”
For those of you familiar with Arab culture, please let me know if this passage sounds right. If you think I westernized the scene too much, let me know. I eagerly await your comments.
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