Thomas W. Devine's Blog, page 14
September 11, 2016
Holds the World Together
An extract from Dean Koontz’s novel “The City”:
‘The news wasn’t all the news, she’d said, and what held the world together was the way all those people who never make the news were inclined to live their lives.”
A fact we so often loose sight of.
The minority who make news headlines may be extraordinary in some way (a force for good or bad) but it is the hard-working, every day man or woman, going about their ordinary lives, who are the real celebrities.
‘The news wasn’t all the news, she’d said, and what held the world together was the way all those people who never make the news were inclined to live their lives.”
A fact we so often loose sight of.
The minority who make news headlines may be extraordinary in some way (a force for good or bad) but it is the hard-working, every day man or woman, going about their ordinary lives, who are the real celebrities.
September 8, 2016
A Reader’s Thoughtful Comments
I've received this email from a reader who bought “The Assyrian Girl”:
I read the book yesterday in one read. So pat on the back for holding my attention for starters.
I most enjoyed the latter part of the book where you discussed the faces of religion very well I thought. I prefer to stand at arm’s length from the God discussion and listen. I find there is a logic in both positions but also an intransience, almost childish in its fear, that one’s beliefs may be wrong. I find it fascinating that intelligent people can be so fixed in one view. I am of the viewpoint that one never has all the answers and that new knowledge arrives every day.
So I was reading from that viewpoint
I particularly liked the thoughtful discussions between Tara and Ayaan and within the family on religion. Also some of Tara’s conversation with Matt on this subject. Tara, Ayaan and Tara’s ‘parents’ were my most believable characters. Matt not so much, but he held the story together.
Uday is the obvious face of ISIS and you conveyed that fear quite well. Abdur is the face we look at on the street in our prejudice, and wonder.
Well done. A great little story.
I read the book yesterday in one read. So pat on the back for holding my attention for starters.
I most enjoyed the latter part of the book where you discussed the faces of religion very well I thought. I prefer to stand at arm’s length from the God discussion and listen. I find there is a logic in both positions but also an intransience, almost childish in its fear, that one’s beliefs may be wrong. I find it fascinating that intelligent people can be so fixed in one view. I am of the viewpoint that one never has all the answers and that new knowledge arrives every day.
So I was reading from that viewpoint
I particularly liked the thoughtful discussions between Tara and Ayaan and within the family on religion. Also some of Tara’s conversation with Matt on this subject. Tara, Ayaan and Tara’s ‘parents’ were my most believable characters. Matt not so much, but he held the story together.
Uday is the obvious face of ISIS and you conveyed that fear quite well. Abdur is the face we look at on the street in our prejudice, and wonder.
Well done. A great little story.
September 2, 2016
More Praise
Freelance editor, Andrew J. Killick, says this about my latest novel: “From the action-packed narrative of the opening passage, set in war-torn Iraq, to exploration of a global culture clash set in the peaceful islands of New Zealand, this is an entertaining book that engages the big topics of love, religion, identity and opposing ideologies brought face to face” -
www.createspace.com/6402249 “The Assyrian Girl”.
www.createspace.com/6402249 “The Assyrian Girl”.
August 30, 2016
Praise
Novelist, Tina Shaw, says this about my latest book:
“Another intriguing story by this author. A great read. The novel addresses certain issues in our times in a way that is human and understandable. Good questions are raised about faith and dogma, and whether it’s better to be free, in a Western sense, or to stay embedded in one’s own culture. The author, though non-Islamic, shows a grounded understanding of Muslim characters and issues, and there are good details”.
www.createspace.com/6402249 “The Assyrian Girl”.
“Another intriguing story by this author. A great read. The novel addresses certain issues in our times in a way that is human and understandable. Good questions are raised about faith and dogma, and whether it’s better to be free, in a Western sense, or to stay embedded in one’s own culture. The author, though non-Islamic, shows a grounded understanding of Muslim characters and issues, and there are good details”.
www.createspace.com/6402249 “The Assyrian Girl”.
August 27, 2016
Heroine’s Choice
In my latest novel, the Muslim heroine faces one of many culturally challenging personal choices, as shown in this excerpt from a “reaction” scene In Chapter 34:
Matt’s enthusiasm about camping had been infectious for Tara, but when she got home she had second thoughts. In conscience, given the expectations of her faith, it had been radical enough to have begun going out with Matt in public; it was quite another matter to be in a situation where they’d be sharing sleeping quarters.
It would never happen between an unmarried Muslim couple devoted to their beliefs.
He’d spoken of camping as a fun thing to do together, and she couldn’t help the temptation she felt, but for someone of her faith, the idea of taking such a moral risk was like standing on a parapet faced with a choice of jumping from a high building.
She couldn’t decide whether or not to back out of going. It preyed on her mind as one day followed the next and she chopped and changed over the idea of phoning Matt to call it off.
End of excerpt.
This is what the story is about:
‘Security contractor, Matt Couper, returns from Iraq with memories of a fifteen year old Assyrian girl, Tara Nasrim, whose life he saved. Five years later, as a refugee, Tara shows up in New Zealand. Even there, Islamic extremism rears its head. Religion clashes with love, vengeance is pursued, and their world overturns.’
www.createspace.com/6402249 “The Assyrian Girl”.
Matt’s enthusiasm about camping had been infectious for Tara, but when she got home she had second thoughts. In conscience, given the expectations of her faith, it had been radical enough to have begun going out with Matt in public; it was quite another matter to be in a situation where they’d be sharing sleeping quarters.
It would never happen between an unmarried Muslim couple devoted to their beliefs.
He’d spoken of camping as a fun thing to do together, and she couldn’t help the temptation she felt, but for someone of her faith, the idea of taking such a moral risk was like standing on a parapet faced with a choice of jumping from a high building.
She couldn’t decide whether or not to back out of going. It preyed on her mind as one day followed the next and she chopped and changed over the idea of phoning Matt to call it off.
End of excerpt.
This is what the story is about:
‘Security contractor, Matt Couper, returns from Iraq with memories of a fifteen year old Assyrian girl, Tara Nasrim, whose life he saved. Five years later, as a refugee, Tara shows up in New Zealand. Even there, Islamic extremism rears its head. Religion clashes with love, vengeance is pursued, and their world overturns.’
www.createspace.com/6402249 “The Assyrian Girl”.
August 19, 2016
Islam & Christianity
Did you ever wonder if there are any similarities between Islam and Christianity?
Tara Nasrim, a lead character in my latest novel, engages in dialogue about it in the excerpt below from Chapter 13:
‘“Did you know that Christians and Muslims have beliefs in common about Jesus Christ? We believe in the miraculous virgin birth by the command of God, that during his prophetic mission, Jesus performed many miracles and that, like Muhammad, he came on earth to confirm the basic doctrine of belief in one God. Muslims respect and revere Jesus and believe he will return at the end of times.”
‘Everyone looked surprised. Garth Couper said, “I’m sure that’s not common knowledge among Christians.”
‘Encouraged, Tara said, “There are even similarities in the human values taught by the Bible and the Quran. For example, surrender to God, prayer, peace, personal responsibility and hospitality.”
‘With her new-found faith, Evlyn said enthusiastically, “Perhaps there’s not as much dividing our two religions as people think.”’
www.createspace.com/6402249 “The Assyrian Girl”.
Tara Nasrim, a lead character in my latest novel, engages in dialogue about it in the excerpt below from Chapter 13:
‘“Did you know that Christians and Muslims have beliefs in common about Jesus Christ? We believe in the miraculous virgin birth by the command of God, that during his prophetic mission, Jesus performed many miracles and that, like Muhammad, he came on earth to confirm the basic doctrine of belief in one God. Muslims respect and revere Jesus and believe he will return at the end of times.”
‘Everyone looked surprised. Garth Couper said, “I’m sure that’s not common knowledge among Christians.”
‘Encouraged, Tara said, “There are even similarities in the human values taught by the Bible and the Quran. For example, surrender to God, prayer, peace, personal responsibility and hospitality.”
‘With her new-found faith, Evlyn said enthusiastically, “Perhaps there’s not as much dividing our two religions as people think.”’
www.createspace.com/6402249 “The Assyrian Girl”.
August 13, 2016
In Her Place
I’m inviting you to put yourself in the role of the love interest in “The Assrian Girl”, my 10th novel.
Your name is Tara Nasrim.
You’re a fifteen-year-old girl living in a Shi’ite village in southern Iraq, under British occupation.
Al-Qaeda insurgents burst into your home. Your life is saved in the nick of time by a security operative (Matt Couper).
Orphaned, you spend 3 years in a refugee camp before being selected for resettlement in a far away country.
Two years later, in your new homeland, you come across Matt again.
You fall in love with him, despite all obstacles, and from then on, the new life you’ve created for yourself in a foreign culture begins to unravel.
You find that, even in a small peaceful country a world away from the Middle-East, extremist Islam can extend it’s reach. You have to decide whether it’s better to be free, in a Western sense, or to stay embedded in your own culture.
To find out what happens to you, beyond that, you’ll have to read the book.
www.createspace.com/6402249 or on Amazon.
Your name is Tara Nasrim.
You’re a fifteen-year-old girl living in a Shi’ite village in southern Iraq, under British occupation.
Al-Qaeda insurgents burst into your home. Your life is saved in the nick of time by a security operative (Matt Couper).
Orphaned, you spend 3 years in a refugee camp before being selected for resettlement in a far away country.
Two years later, in your new homeland, you come across Matt again.
You fall in love with him, despite all obstacles, and from then on, the new life you’ve created for yourself in a foreign culture begins to unravel.
You find that, even in a small peaceful country a world away from the Middle-East, extremist Islam can extend it’s reach. You have to decide whether it’s better to be free, in a Western sense, or to stay embedded in your own culture.
To find out what happens to you, beyond that, you’ll have to read the book.
www.createspace.com/6402249 or on Amazon.
August 6, 2016
In His Place
I’m inviting you to put yourself in the role of the lead protagonist in “The Assyrian Girl”, my soon to be published 10th novel.
Your name is Matt Couper.
You’re ex-military and you’re working as a security operative in Southern Iraq, under British occupation.
You’re given a sniper assignment in the course of which you save a 15 year old Assyrian girl from being murdered by al-Qaeda insurgents.
You leave the girl (Tara Nasrim) at a refugee camp, and five years later, at a pro-Palestinian protest, you come across her again.
You fall in love with Tara, despite all obstacles, and from then on the civilian life you’ve established for yourself in your own homeland begins to unravel.
You find that, even in a small peaceful country a world away from the Middle-East, extremist Islam can extend it’s reach.
To find out what happens to you, beyond that, you’ll have to read the book when it comes out.
Your name is Matt Couper.
You’re ex-military and you’re working as a security operative in Southern Iraq, under British occupation.
You’re given a sniper assignment in the course of which you save a 15 year old Assyrian girl from being murdered by al-Qaeda insurgents.
You leave the girl (Tara Nasrim) at a refugee camp, and five years later, at a pro-Palestinian protest, you come across her again.
You fall in love with Tara, despite all obstacles, and from then on the civilian life you’ve established for yourself in your own homeland begins to unravel.
You find that, even in a small peaceful country a world away from the Middle-East, extremist Islam can extend it’s reach.
To find out what happens to you, beyond that, you’ll have to read the book when it comes out.
July 31, 2016
Author Highs
You may be interested in my sharing of the high points of my experience in writing a novel:
Concept:
The moment, usually after months of creative drought, that I conceive a story idea that I want to write and think I can write.
First Draft Completed:
The moment I type “The End” and know that my investment in pursuing the story idea has all been worthwhile.
Final Manuscript:
The moment I’m satisfied that I’ve done the best I can with editorial advice.
Cover:
The moment I see the mock-up image of the cover for the first time.
The Book:
The moment I open the box from the printer and can physically hold a copy of the book.
First Sale:
The moment of confirmation that it was all worthwhile in terms of convincing a reader that the book has appeal, and the optimistic hope that it might end up on something better than the Worst-Seller List.
All of which is probably the experience of most other novelists.
Concept:
The moment, usually after months of creative drought, that I conceive a story idea that I want to write and think I can write.
First Draft Completed:
The moment I type “The End” and know that my investment in pursuing the story idea has all been worthwhile.
Final Manuscript:
The moment I’m satisfied that I’ve done the best I can with editorial advice.
Cover:
The moment I see the mock-up image of the cover for the first time.
The Book:
The moment I open the box from the printer and can physically hold a copy of the book.
First Sale:
The moment of confirmation that it was all worthwhile in terms of convincing a reader that the book has appeal, and the optimistic hope that it might end up on something better than the Worst-Seller List.
All of which is probably the experience of most other novelists.
July 28, 2016
Just to Hand
Couldn’t help jumping for joy to receive a mock-up of the cover for my next book, "The Assyrian Girl".
This tenth novel of mine will be published within a month.
This tenth novel of mine will be published within a month.
