Rian Nejar's Blog, page 12
November 25, 2015
Author Interview
Humbling and Humility
Writer and blogger Rakhi Jayashankar interviewed me on HnH recently. An excerpt:
Why did you write this book?
I wrote HnH so the journey, and commiserating thoughts, may help others. So injustice, and corrupt systems, do not go unaddressed.
Besides, speaking up is a principal responsibility in a democracy, no?
Well that is a topic to be discussed and debated. On that note, tell the readers more about the book?
HnH is really less about criticism of systems or pursuits, and more a journey of discovery…of empathy, compassion, and humility through selflessness. I think of it as learning through pain and suffering, as enlightenment.
Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?
He is a lover and warrior at heart…loves others, his children, family, and all life.
Sitting Bull, one among noted Native American leaders, once said:
“The warrior is not someone who fights, because no one has the right to take another’s life. The warrior, for us, is one who sacrifices himself for the good of others. His task is to take care of the elderly, the defenseless, those who cannot provide for themselves, and above all, the children, the future of Humanity.”
In a land where materialism rules, Humbling and Humility’s protagonist found in himself traits of a warrior, of a suppressed culture native to this land, one that has through a quirk of history also been named ‘Indian.’
Read more of this interview on Rakhi’s blog…
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November 20, 2015
The Eye of God
The Eye of God (NASA image)
What are we, but Plato’s shadows, and dust in the wind?
My mind is troubled, heart, heavy and cheerless, and soul greatly anguished. Attacks on civilian populations in the past month have increased in frequency and brutality…and in their effectiveness. Nothing in the ideology of perpetrators of such violence leaves room for dialogue, for understanding, for tolerance. Nor do reprisals by governments lend any solace or comfort. Hopelessness fills the self.
I am reminded of Lao Tzu’s writings in the Tao Te Ching:
“When the world knows beauty as beauty, ugliness arises
When it knows good as good, evil arises
Thus being and non-being produce each other.”
What produces the evil we see before us? What gives rise to such brutality in humans? In connected nature, and life, could it be that such evil arises on its own, absolute and isolated? Or do we, in a cycle of violence, lend a vicious circular causality?
Can we see, in the eye of God, destruction and creation together? Can we learn, from what little we see, of our insignificance, of our transience, and yet, our interdependence? Can we grow humility and compassion in our hearts and minds?
As Kansas sang so eloquently, we are little more than dust in the wind…
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November 18, 2015
FREE Download of 'Humbling and Humility'
A
Thanksgiving
gift to Goodreads readers and writers: HUMBLING AND HUMILITY, a multi-cultural narrative of infidelity, empathy, compassion, and love, can be downloaded free from
Amazon.com
this weekend, Nov. 21-22, 2015. Brief blurb:
"Humbling and Humility" is an intense, detailed narrative of an Indian-American father and husband's struggle with betrayal by his spouse and its consequences upon himself and his children.
Including a critical view of state intervention into domestic discord in families in America, the narrative explores this father's attempts to mitigate harm and accommodate disruptive life changes in non-violent ways, both in his family and in other families in similar predicaments.
In raw and honest discussions, with no pretense of holding back, the author delves into culture and gender differences, and the many challenges immigrants face in America.
REVIEWS on Amazon and Goodreads will always be much appreciated!
Rian Nejar______________________________________________________________
November 14, 2015
The Story of 'Humbling and Humility'
A journey of three decades began for me as a contributor and editor of a Wall Magazine for an engineering department in my undergraduate. We'd write up articles of interest on a large poster, with colorful pens and hand-drawn art, and stick our weekly posters to a wall in a common area. A humble literary pursuit amid intense academic competition.
Two decades ago, I wrote up a summary of a camping trip my engineering team went on - and elicited laudatory comments, with some urging me to continue writing. But a chained-to-the-cubicle work environment left little time for such pursuit, and I limited myself to compiling cryptic messages to confound colleagues in CC:Mail, the email tool prevalent then. I did write engineering papers, and patents, and publish them, but how much of social and literary magic, and sentiment, can one weave into such documents? Even exclamation marks were forbidden...
A decade ago, my family and I passed through difficult times - and events and my life took a decided turn for the worse. Journeying through intense anguish, and confusion, I began to write, and document my thoughts and feelings regularly. It was, perhaps, therapeutic, and introspective, and I felt that there would be something important that may come from all the humiliation and pain endured.
Though I'd made notes and observations for more than five years, it was only early last year that motivation, to forge ahead and assemble it all into a coherent work, grew within. Learning about mainstream publishing and self-publishing on the fly, I embarked upon my first book of social and cultural significance.
In a proverbial nine months, Humbling and Humility was born...
November 7, 2015
Review: Questing for a Dream
Questing for a Dream by P.D. Workman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
An amazing book, very well written; a heartbreaking story of loss, suffering, and self-realization.
Pam D. Workman draws clear and vivid pictures in readers’ minds with her measured, detailed, writing. She describes a precocious teenage girl, Nadie, learning both of her First Nations culture and of the now-dominant European culture at school, struggling at the same time to be a mother to her baby sister and a caretaker, in a joint home inhabited by adults beset by alcoholism and irresponsibility.
Finding little help from the elders of her community, or her close friend and schoolmate – a boy who prefers natural ways of living – who too suffers as she does from a lack of devoted mentors, Nadie faces an unbearable loss of the ghastly death of the one that gave her purpose and identity. Unable to overcome this tragedy, and troubled by the numbing, destructive ways her peers and elders cope with their personal and cultural loss, she runs away from home and its safety on a lonely, rather aimless journey.
Nadie faces untold suffering on this path…and though she does find empathy and compassion amidst selfishness and exploitation, both she, and those who attempt to help, realize that only Nadie herself can address the wounds within, with fuller comprehension of all that leads to such wounds, and rediscover her sense of purpose in ways that are fundamental to her life.
‘Questing for a Dream’ is easy to read, flows linearly and seamlessly, and gives a stark view of the realities of life for First Nations people in their world now dominated by another people and culture. A story of great loss and survival, there are instances in the narrative where a sensitive reader may dread what comes next…and instances where one may be overcome with emotion, as I was. The clash between the dominant and the oppressed cultures is clearly portrayed, and so are bridges of communication between the two through human sentiment and compassion. It is a book after my own heart, very similar to my own work, that I recommend to the young and the old alike without reservation. I am glad I picked this up on a promotion, and will look for more of Pam’s work…
November 4, 2015
Review: Kind of Like Life
Kind of Like Life by Christina McMullen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A highly imaginative, creative YA fantasy, Christina McMullen’s Kind of Like Life is anything but ordinary life.
Beginning with rote social and lifestyle concerns of a young girl, the story moves with rapidity into twists and turns that surprise and grip even the most skeptical reader. And the intensity – that demands a readers attention – is maintained throughout the work, increasing as it moves toward a predictable yet insanely complicated series of events near its conclusion.
This is the first work I’ve come across that experiments with delving into various themes in fiction genre, all within one story, and does so with commendable success. Ms. McMullen succeeds marvelously in suspending a reader’s disbelief as she takes her characters, who are very well developed in the narration, through a number of implausible and life-threatening scenarios that they must navigate through. As they navigate these situations, they develop an awareness of themselves, and each other…leading eventually to a fulfilling conclusion of an intricate plot with innumerable twists.
While there may be instances, and scenarios, where a discerning reader may experience bewilderment, or a picky editor may find minor flaws, the story moves along fluidly and seamlessly. It is well written, eminently readable, and quite enjoyable, even for one who is not a YA fantasy fan. I am glad I picked this delectable story up during a promotion, and do recommend it for teens and adults alike!
October 18, 2015
Night of the Living Book Blast!
30+ Authors, 50+ Books… Sept. 24th, at FreeBookBlast.com
Although the name is spooky, there’s going to be something for everyone. On Saturday, October 24th, #SupportIndieAuthors (A Goodreads group) will have dozens of authors offering scores of free books!
As usual, in the week leading up to the event, we’d like to tell you something about our participants, so we’ve devised this holiday themed mini-interview. Since there are so gosh darned many of us, we’re going to do things a little differently this time around. Instead of one very long list of authors, several bloggers will each post a handful of interviews.
Below you will find not only talented authors I am hosting, but links to all of the other blogs, so make sure to click though and meet all of our authors!
And of course, all our books will be listed on the official Book Blast website.
So don’t forget to mark your calendars for Saturday, October 24th, and spread the word about this exciting trick-free treat!
Author Interviews: Nonfiction / Miscellaneous genre
What is your name?
Rian Nejar
What is the name and genre of the book you are offering?
HUMBLING AND HUMILITY / Nonfiction – Relationships & Family – Multicultural
Who will enjoy the book you are offering, spooky fiends or fraidy cats?
Both. HnH is clean (no swearing, no explicit sex, no deviance), intended to be entertaining, educative, and thought-provoking. Scary too, if you like!
Tell us about your favorite, worst, most unique, or most embarrassing Halloween costume. Got a picture you can share with us?
None, never did become a Halloweenie… :-)
Life is like a bag of Halloween candy. Which seasonal treat are you?
Dark Chocolate (addicted to it.)
Where can readers find out more about you?
Rian’s Blog
On Twitter
At Smashwords
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What is your name?
Andreas Laurencius
What is the name and genre of the book you are offering?
Genesis (visionary/literary fiction)
Who will enjoy the book you are offering, spooky fiends or fraidy cats?
Fraidy cats
Tell us about your favorite, worst, most unique, or most embarrassing Halloween costume. Got a picture you can share with us?
Favorite costume: dracula
Most embarassing costume: crossdresser
Life is like a bag of Halloween candy. Which seasonal treat are you?
A christmas egg-shaped candy
Where can readers find out more about you?
Facebook
Goodreads
Website (website in progress)
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What is your name?
John Saomes… and the ‘a’ is silent when pronouncing my surname.
What book are you offering?
The Days of Dinkum Dodger (Volume 1)
– a collection of Australian bush poetry and true blue Aussie yarns. The larrikin antics of Dinkum Dodger, based on actual events, are bound to give you a good laugh. Towards the end of the book my poems are more serious and thought provoking and express some of my thoughts on freedom of expression and government controls.
Who will enjoy the book you are offering, spooky fiends or fraidy cats?
This Aussie bush poetry is not for the faint hearted. Be prepared to have a really good laugh and then have some of your ideas challenged. Fraidy cats tow the line, whilst Dinkum Dodger, a bit of a rabble-rouser and prankster, encourages you to speak out and have your say… should fit right in with the ‘trick or treat’ theme we have happening here.
Tell us about your favorite, worst, most unique, or most embarrassing Halloween costume. Got a picture you can share with us?
Until 20 years ago, Australia did not really celebrate Halloween. In recent times it seems we have adopted this American custom. However, I don’t need to dress up… my best smile is scary enough. (As you can see from the photo of me as Dinkum Dodger on his soapbox… telling it like it is!)
John Soames
Life is like bag of Halloween candy. Which seasonal treat are you?
My wife says I’m a marshmallow… tough on the outside and mushy and soft on the inside… and extremely sweet… ha ha!
Where can readers find out more about you?
My website and blog is packed full of contentious material and is the best place to learn more about me. I’m now also on facebook and twitter – please see links below.
Website and Blog
Facebook
Twitter
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What is your name?
Sarah Sunday
What is the name and genre of the book you are offering?
How to Stop Wildfire, an offbeat space opera/epic fantasy hybrid.
Who will enjoy the book you are offering, spooky fiends or fraidy cats?
Fraidy cats, probably. How to Stop Wildfire is more humorous than terrifying.
Tell us about your favorite, worst, most unique, or most embarrassing Halloween costume. Got a picture you can share with us?
There was this one Halloween in elementary school when I dressed up as Death at a funeral. I wore all black and put on a top hat. It was pretty pathetic.
Life is like a bag of Halloween candy. Which seasonal treat are you?
Caramel Apples.
Where can readers find out more about you?
Website
Twitter
Goodreads
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Continue on to more author interviews at: Christina’s blog, Ann’s blog, Shari’s blog, Ellison’s blog, Riley’s blog, and PD’s blog.
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October 3, 2015
Itsy Bitsy Spider
Steatoda.grossa". Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons." width="300" height="244" />Common Home Spider “Steatoda.grossa“. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons.
My preteen daughter is often tickled by my anecdotes of saving a tiny little spider, living in my kitchen, that occasionally falls into the counter sink.
Smooth vertical walls prevent it from climbing out, and I help out with a paper towel, lifting it up to the counter, to watch it scamper away. In one such incident – I do not know if it’s the same tenth-of-a-pinkie-fingernail spider I save each time – I found that this brave little thing had climbed almost all the way to the top of the sink, rather than its usual posture, near the bottom, waiting for me. As I helped it out, I found it’d attached itself to the sink wall with a short tether line…having figured a way out of this spider death trap, perhaps. I don’t see it in the sink much more these days.
Upon narrating this, the story thrilled my daughter no end. She too loves insects, birds, cats, dogs, and all of nature…having overcome any innate instincts that give rise to typical human shivers and screams.
It’s easy to dismiss such little beings as inconsequential…but truth is often far stranger than fiction. Spiders are so much more than mere insects: they coordinate eight amazing, hydraulically powered legs, a multitude of eyes, and an inimitable nanotechnology marvel of nature – spinneret glands, and silk. Their life skills – web spinning and building, hunting, immobilizing their prey, and procreation – to mention a few – are without par. They help maintain a balance of insects and other prey in any environment.
How can we not help them, when we can?
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August 31, 2015
Empathy, Sympathy, and Accountability: The Drawbridge Story
The first anniversary of my blog for “Humbling and Humility;” this is one of the more popular excerpts. Thank you all for reading and following this blog… HnH is downloadable FREE for the Kindle tomorrow, September 1, 2015! Your comments, thoughts, and posted reviews are always welcome. -rn
Originally posted on Humbling and Humility:
The Drawbridge story: An excerpt from “Humbling and Humility“
Responsibility and Accountability
In the next class, after the usual roll call and payments, Sid said he wanted to talk about responsibility. He took an example, that of a Baron and Baroness, with the Baroness involved in a clandestine love affair––the old Drawbridge Exercise you can find in a quick search online.
Briefly, when the busy Baron was away on his duties, the lonely Baroness ignored his dire warning to her to not leave the castle while he was away. She left to spend time with her clandestine lover in the village, instructing her servants to leave a drawbridge to the castle––which stood on an island in a wide river––lowered until she returned. After many pleasurable hours with her lover, she returned to find the drawbridge blocked by an armed gatekeeper. He implored her to not cross the…
View original 528 more words
August 28, 2015
"Humbling and Humility" for Kindle FREE on Sept. 1, 2015
Humbling and Humility by Rian Nejar
FREE download for KINDLE on September 1, 2015 (Amazon Kindle Free Download promotion).
I hope you'll enjoy the book, and will look forward to your thoughts and reviews.
-rn
