S. Khubiar's Blog, page 2
August 2, 2017
Eagle Brand Milk
Just finished working out, and I'm sitting here (sweating) with a cup of amaretto and a vegan spelt cookie at the coffee shop.
I'm working on a short story of Samuel's "coming of age" in 7th grade. I feel like the tone is off, but I'm trying to tell it through the perceptions of a young "tween." I think it reads like a bad imitation of To Kill a Mockingbird, and it feels funny being "up front" with the reader. Most of the time I'm only half revealing to preserve suspense tone and plot surprises. I think the turning point in the story will center around a can of Eagle Brand milk, not a mockingbird. While Scout and Jem had to face racism, Samuel is struggling with Texas-style anti-Semitism. Why isn't there an eagle on the label of Eagle Brand milk, only a smiling, benevolent cow?
I'm working on a short story of Samuel's "coming of age" in 7th grade. I feel like the tone is off, but I'm trying to tell it through the perceptions of a young "tween." I think it reads like a bad imitation of To Kill a Mockingbird, and it feels funny being "up front" with the reader. Most of the time I'm only half revealing to preserve suspense tone and plot surprises. I think the turning point in the story will center around a can of Eagle Brand milk, not a mockingbird. While Scout and Jem had to face racism, Samuel is struggling with Texas-style anti-Semitism. Why isn't there an eagle on the label of Eagle Brand milk, only a smiling, benevolent cow?
August 1, 2017
Imagination: man's most God-like quality
What’s the best thing about being a writer? was the Goodreads question of the day.
I once read that imagination is man's most God-like quality. Novels are just those backyards where writers go to play with our imaginary friends. When I write, I can create friends that I like or don't like. Friends that make it hard to be their friend. I decide when they've gone far enough, or if I want, I can make them go farther. Friends like me. Friends totally unlike me. Enemies that I like, and enemies that I hate. Redeemable enemies, and those who must be eliminated. Readers who like my friends and my enemies are invited to join me in the backyard.
Maybe I'll order a coffee for Samuel today. He's in a lot of trouble for getting into a fight on Shabbat ;)
I once read that imagination is man's most God-like quality. Novels are just those backyards where writers go to play with our imaginary friends. When I write, I can create friends that I like or don't like. Friends that make it hard to be their friend. I decide when they've gone far enough, or if I want, I can make them go farther. Friends like me. Friends totally unlike me. Enemies that I like, and enemies that I hate. Redeemable enemies, and those who must be eliminated. Readers who like my friends and my enemies are invited to join me in the backyard.
Maybe I'll order a coffee for Samuel today. He's in a lot of trouble for getting into a fight on Shabbat ;)
June 7, 2017
A New Novel by Daniella Levy
Daniella Levy
Vote on the cover of Daniella Levy's new novel:
https://www.kasvapress.com/light-hidd...
By Light of Hidden Candles
In a mud hut in 16th century Morocco, a dying Jewish woman hands her granddaughter a heavy gold ring — and an even heavier secret. Five hundred years later, Alma Ben-Ami journeys to Madrid to fulfill her ancestor’s dying wish. She has recruited an unlikely research partner: Manuel Aguilar, a Catholic Spaniard whose priest had warned him about getting too friendly with Jews. As their quest takes them from Manhattan to the windswept mountain fortresses of southern Spain, their friendship deepens and threatens to cross boundaries sacred to them both; and what they finally discover in the Spanish archives will force them to confront the truth about who they are and what their faiths mean to them.
Vote on the cover of Daniella Levy's new novel:
https://www.kasvapress.com/light-hidd...
By Light of Hidden Candles
In a mud hut in 16th century Morocco, a dying Jewish woman hands her granddaughter a heavy gold ring — and an even heavier secret. Five hundred years later, Alma Ben-Ami journeys to Madrid to fulfill her ancestor’s dying wish. She has recruited an unlikely research partner: Manuel Aguilar, a Catholic Spaniard whose priest had warned him about getting too friendly with Jews. As their quest takes them from Manhattan to the windswept mountain fortresses of southern Spain, their friendship deepens and threatens to cross boundaries sacred to them both; and what they finally discover in the Spanish archives will force them to confront the truth about who they are and what their faiths mean to them.
June 6, 2017
Leaving Iran Review
Leaving Iran: A Glimpse Into The Persian Mind by Isaac YomtovianMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the best book I've read in a long time. The author divides his life experience into sections, each one building on his earliest experiences and impressions growing up in pre-Revolutionary Iran as a "Jahood." Yomtovian has done a masterful job of bringing both the non-Persian and non-Jew into an ancient, yet little-known or little-celebrated arena of Jewish life. As a writer, I could only hope that my work captures some of his gentle and humorous introduction to Persian life and the adjustments required of American/Persian Jews. Ta'arof? No.
Although other Persian Jewish writers have incorporated Persian customs and Farsi vocabulary in their work, Yomtovian has done the best job of explaining terms to the non-Persian reader either within the text or in his added glossary. At no point does the new information become too much for the non-Persian to assimilate. The chapter describing the showing of The Ten Commandments in Iran was so funny I had to read it to my friends.
For those who think Middle Eastern Jews were treated well by their host countries, this book puts their treatment into proper perspective, yet it demonstrates how one's experiences may be remembered more fondly than reality dictates when those first experiences set the norm in young minds and hearts. The most human thing about the author is that in spite of all the problems he experienced in Iran, he still remembers the culture, art, and shared history fondly.
This book delivers exactly what the title promises: a glimpse into the Persian mind.
Leaving Iran: A Glimpse Into The Persian Mind
View all my reviews
June 4, 2017
Nightmare
I had another nightmare last night. I don't have them as often anymore, but nightmares and dreams have a way of sucking you outside of time. I was getting ready for work, and I couldn't find the keepers for my duty belt. I kept feeling around for them, not understanding why they wouldn't be where they always were. I looked around, and there was a room full of delinquent-looking teenagers around me. One girl kept popping her gum.
A military intelligence guy in BDUs walked up and took my equipment away. My keys, Echo 6. Radio 152. Cuffs. I went to my office, but I couldn't open it without the keys. All I had was an empty duty belt.
I wanted to reprimand the gum-popper, but it didn't seem like it would do any good. From the looks in their eyes, the teenagers were too far gone to threaten or mentor. They would age into their adult crimes, and I would deal with them then. But then again, I was finished. Those who took my place would handle it. But I think maybe those were the teenagers.
Retirement is great. And the nightmares will eventually stop. It was just disk defrag. As nightmares go, it wasn't a bad one.
A military intelligence guy in BDUs walked up and took my equipment away. My keys, Echo 6. Radio 152. Cuffs. I went to my office, but I couldn't open it without the keys. All I had was an empty duty belt.
I wanted to reprimand the gum-popper, but it didn't seem like it would do any good. From the looks in their eyes, the teenagers were too far gone to threaten or mentor. They would age into their adult crimes, and I would deal with them then. But then again, I was finished. Those who took my place would handle it. But I think maybe those were the teenagers.
Retirement is great. And the nightmares will eventually stop. It was just disk defrag. As nightmares go, it wasn't a bad one.
May 31, 2017
"...it pulled at me."
It took around ten years to write The Eagle & the Child. After that much time, you can almost become the character while you write their thoughts and dialogue. Since the author is the most subjective of critics, it feels wonderful to have an objective reviewer say that she can feel the intensity that I put into each character. After she posted her review of E&C, I sent one reviewer a thank-you email. This is what she wrote back. With her permission, I'm quoting her:
"I have to admit I felt like I was emotionally exhausted when I finished reading. But it was a good tired. I thought you might enjoy this little bit of information too. One of the days I was reading, my eyes were really tired, kind of dry It was probably because I was so into the book that I wasn't blinking any or looking away from my kindle to rest my eyes. I made several attempts to rest my eyes by laying my kindle down.. But I just couldn't stay away from the story, it pulled at me. Thank you, now that is powerful writing." - L. Walters
The Eagle and the Child: The Child
"I have to admit I felt like I was emotionally exhausted when I finished reading. But it was a good tired. I thought you might enjoy this little bit of information too. One of the days I was reading, my eyes were really tired, kind of dry It was probably because I was so into the book that I wasn't blinking any or looking away from my kindle to rest my eyes. I made several attempts to rest my eyes by laying my kindle down.. But I just couldn't stay away from the story, it pulled at me. Thank you, now that is powerful writing." - L. Walters
The Eagle and the Child: The Child
May 27, 2017
A Story is Not a Novel
Everyone is a storyteller, but not everyone is a writer. Find as many objective proofreaders as possible who can help you figure out which one you are. A songwriter is not necessarily a great singer, although sometimes those gifts intersect. If your story is that wonderful, but you lack wordcraft, then find a ghostwriter.
May 22, 2017
Author Interview with S. Khubiar
AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH S. KHUBIAR OF ‘THE EAGLE & THE CHILD: THE CHILD’
Ellen | April 12, 2017
Author Interview with S. Khubiar
http://itswritenow.com/68349/author-i...
In the first book of the Eagle and Child trilogy, Shahla functions as two women: the American who works as a Research Specialist at a Federal prison, and the Israeli asset whose clandestine work is concealed by her American job. She tries to disengage from two governments that are ripping holes in her soul, but the unfinished business of her hidden life comes between her and the man she’d hoped could heal the wounds of her past. A mixed marriage is only the beginning of their problems as Persian Jewish and American Protestant cultures clash. A Passover celebration turns deadly when three nations’ intelligence services and one man’s dream of personal revenge draw Shahla into a war begun in a previous generation.
Deadly celebrations, intelligence services and personal revenge merge together in the novel ‘The Eagle & The Child: The Child’, and the author of this novel, S. Khubiar has kindly joined me to chat the collision of these forces. Let’s get straight down to business, how did the seeds of thoughts behind this novel grow?
It came from experience in law enforcement as well as personal questions about the Persian Jewish immigrant experience in America.
Where did your knowledge of these areas come from?
I am retired from law enforcement and self defense. It provided the basic story pieces. So, work in law enforcement, personal religious experience, and academic research were combined. It is an allegory of living in two worlds, or maybe more.
Were the characters in the novel taken directly from these worlds, or were they birthed from your imagination?
Some are real people, and some are pure fiction. Most are an amalgamation of reality and fiction.
As most of them are amalgamations, can you see them clearly in your mind? Have you associated any actors with the characters? Do you have any ideas for casting ideas?
It would be difficult to cast Shahla and Samuel. We’d have to search Tehrangeles. Phillip could be played by newscaster Doug McElway. Lior Ashkenazi could play Uzi.
Would you have a cast party with the characters in your book if they could come to life?
Absolutely…check all weapons at the door, though.
Well of course, parties are not the places for weapons. Did you find working with the tale and characters rewarding? What reward was the most prominent for you?
It was cheaper than going to a psychologist. It helped work out so many ugly things I’d encountered in my career and religious life.
Writing is definitely cheaper than therapy. And some authors say, more effective. When you had this opportunity to work through your demons, did you find a single message that hope that readers can take away from this tale?
We all have potential for personal redemption no matter how far we may fall; we all have two people struggling inside us.
Have you continued to work through this struggle in your next writing projects?
I’ve started publishing prequels to the Eagle & Child trilogy. Vital Statistics: the Die is Fair was the first one, and it is set in Oxford during the Jewish holiday of Purim. The next one is War and Trees: a Matter of Time, which is set in Aruba during Tu B’Shvat.
What keeps you coming back to extend on your trilogy through prequels? What draws you back to writing?
It just happens. I’ve always had an overactive quiet side, but it’s just quiet on the outside. My brain is scary.
I hope that you don’t scare yourself too much when writing. Do you find that you plan to help reduce the scariness, or do you let the tales unfold as they happen?
Both. There is usually a general storyline in mind.
Do you plot your storylines down and then sit down diligently to document them?
If I have inspiration, I write. If not, I work on academic type projects.
So you don’t try and force yourself through lulls?
It’s not a living, so I live a little longer and write when my brain wants to.
That works. Does do you find that any music helps get you in the mood?
Gad Elbaz’ music…you can tell in the novel that Ana BeKoach is my favorite.
Do you find yourself doing a large amount of the editing yourself to make sure that the influences from Gad Elbaz aren’t too blatant?
Lots of self-editing, but a few trusted editors for outside eyes and criticism.
What top tips can you give to other authors looking to get the best out of the writing process from either your own or outside eyes?
It’s a part-time job for very low pay. If you don’t have a degree in English, hire a proofreader/editor.
There’s some solid advice there. Now before I let you go I hope that we can have a quick play in our quick fire question round to give our readers a peak at another side of your personality. Let’s start with: What is your favourite quote?
Never attribute to malice what is more properly attributed to stupidity.
That one is so true. Do you have any philosophies that you live by?
Do it scared.
Are you a valuable asset on a quiz team?
Always
What is your favourite ocean?
Caribbean
I hope you’ve seen some pirates there. If you invented a monster what would it look like and what would you call it?
A Clown. Kreep.
Sounds somewhat sinister. Are you an introvert or extrovert?
Introvert
Have you ever danced in the rain?
Nope
Are you left or right handed?
I don’t disclose things that can be used against me tactically.
How are the colours in rainbows made?
Bending light through water.
If you could breed two animals together to defy the laws of nature what new animal would you create?
Pegasus
You gotta love a flying horse. What is your favourite flavor of ice-cream?
Toffee crunch
What is your best tip for authors?
Have fun with your characters. It’s the closest we come to Pygmalion.
What is your favourite word?
Kind
What’s the most unusual name you’ve ever come across?
Orangello
That is a very different name. Finally, what is your favourite line from your novel that you use to entice readers further?
If God never gave me one more thing in my life, then you, right now, would be enough. You are my Dayeinu.
And we have found enough in today’s chat to let you continue with your day. Thanks for joining me, and I wish you the best of luck introducing new readers to ‘The Eagle & the Child: the Child’.
Ellen | April 12, 2017
Author Interview with S. Khubiar
http://itswritenow.com/68349/author-i...
In the first book of the Eagle and Child trilogy, Shahla functions as two women: the American who works as a Research Specialist at a Federal prison, and the Israeli asset whose clandestine work is concealed by her American job. She tries to disengage from two governments that are ripping holes in her soul, but the unfinished business of her hidden life comes between her and the man she’d hoped could heal the wounds of her past. A mixed marriage is only the beginning of their problems as Persian Jewish and American Protestant cultures clash. A Passover celebration turns deadly when three nations’ intelligence services and one man’s dream of personal revenge draw Shahla into a war begun in a previous generation.
Deadly celebrations, intelligence services and personal revenge merge together in the novel ‘The Eagle & The Child: The Child’, and the author of this novel, S. Khubiar has kindly joined me to chat the collision of these forces. Let’s get straight down to business, how did the seeds of thoughts behind this novel grow?
It came from experience in law enforcement as well as personal questions about the Persian Jewish immigrant experience in America.
Where did your knowledge of these areas come from?
I am retired from law enforcement and self defense. It provided the basic story pieces. So, work in law enforcement, personal religious experience, and academic research were combined. It is an allegory of living in two worlds, or maybe more.
Were the characters in the novel taken directly from these worlds, or were they birthed from your imagination?
Some are real people, and some are pure fiction. Most are an amalgamation of reality and fiction.
As most of them are amalgamations, can you see them clearly in your mind? Have you associated any actors with the characters? Do you have any ideas for casting ideas?
It would be difficult to cast Shahla and Samuel. We’d have to search Tehrangeles. Phillip could be played by newscaster Doug McElway. Lior Ashkenazi could play Uzi.
Would you have a cast party with the characters in your book if they could come to life?
Absolutely…check all weapons at the door, though.
Well of course, parties are not the places for weapons. Did you find working with the tale and characters rewarding? What reward was the most prominent for you?
It was cheaper than going to a psychologist. It helped work out so many ugly things I’d encountered in my career and religious life.
Writing is definitely cheaper than therapy. And some authors say, more effective. When you had this opportunity to work through your demons, did you find a single message that hope that readers can take away from this tale?
We all have potential for personal redemption no matter how far we may fall; we all have two people struggling inside us.
Have you continued to work through this struggle in your next writing projects?
I’ve started publishing prequels to the Eagle & Child trilogy. Vital Statistics: the Die is Fair was the first one, and it is set in Oxford during the Jewish holiday of Purim. The next one is War and Trees: a Matter of Time, which is set in Aruba during Tu B’Shvat.
What keeps you coming back to extend on your trilogy through prequels? What draws you back to writing?
It just happens. I’ve always had an overactive quiet side, but it’s just quiet on the outside. My brain is scary.
I hope that you don’t scare yourself too much when writing. Do you find that you plan to help reduce the scariness, or do you let the tales unfold as they happen?
Both. There is usually a general storyline in mind.
Do you plot your storylines down and then sit down diligently to document them?
If I have inspiration, I write. If not, I work on academic type projects.
So you don’t try and force yourself through lulls?
It’s not a living, so I live a little longer and write when my brain wants to.
That works. Does do you find that any music helps get you in the mood?
Gad Elbaz’ music…you can tell in the novel that Ana BeKoach is my favorite.
Do you find yourself doing a large amount of the editing yourself to make sure that the influences from Gad Elbaz aren’t too blatant?
Lots of self-editing, but a few trusted editors for outside eyes and criticism.
What top tips can you give to other authors looking to get the best out of the writing process from either your own or outside eyes?
It’s a part-time job for very low pay. If you don’t have a degree in English, hire a proofreader/editor.
There’s some solid advice there. Now before I let you go I hope that we can have a quick play in our quick fire question round to give our readers a peak at another side of your personality. Let’s start with: What is your favourite quote?
Never attribute to malice what is more properly attributed to stupidity.
That one is so true. Do you have any philosophies that you live by?
Do it scared.
Are you a valuable asset on a quiz team?
Always
What is your favourite ocean?
Caribbean
I hope you’ve seen some pirates there. If you invented a monster what would it look like and what would you call it?
A Clown. Kreep.
Sounds somewhat sinister. Are you an introvert or extrovert?
Introvert
Have you ever danced in the rain?
Nope
Are you left or right handed?
I don’t disclose things that can be used against me tactically.
How are the colours in rainbows made?
Bending light through water.
If you could breed two animals together to defy the laws of nature what new animal would you create?
Pegasus
You gotta love a flying horse. What is your favourite flavor of ice-cream?
Toffee crunch
What is your best tip for authors?
Have fun with your characters. It’s the closest we come to Pygmalion.
What is your favourite word?
Kind
What’s the most unusual name you’ve ever come across?
Orangello
That is a very different name. Finally, what is your favourite line from your novel that you use to entice readers further?
If God never gave me one more thing in my life, then you, right now, would be enough. You are my Dayeinu.
And we have found enough in today’s chat to let you continue with your day. Thanks for joining me, and I wish you the best of luck introducing new readers to ‘The Eagle & the Child: the Child’.
April 12, 2017
Free for PASSOVER
Volume One of The Eagle and the Child trilogy is free for Passover (4/12-4/16) on Kindle. A Passover massacre functions as the axis of the story. Claim the Kindle edition:
https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Child-S-...
https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Child-S-...
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