The boy who lived up to his name

Since Na’il’s death, three months ago, my life has changed in so many ways.

Mourning takes time, that’s what I’ve experienced. I’m easily overwhelmed by seemingly small things, and thought that writing about the 12 years that Na’il lived with us, would be a matter of a few weeks. But there were days I just couldn’t handle the overwhelming emotions and had to leave the manuscript for what it was. There was no deadline, and nobody told me to hurry up and finish it. I was the tyrant who wanted to have this project finished, before continuing with the novel that had been on hold since February.

Reading through old newsletters in order to remember the highlights, was tiresome and exhilarating at the same time. Because I now saw the overall picture, I realized God’s grace and strength during the often difficult and challenging years, in which one crisis seemed to follow on the heels of another. But we didn’t have a choice, thus we grit our teeth, and went on.

The raw version of the book about Na’il’s life is posted chapter by chapter on the website, and I’m now proofreading and editing the printout.

When I’m satisfied with the end product, we’re going to print it ourselves and those interested can order it via mail. At the moment I don’t know how many pages the book will be. In order to keep the cost as low as possible, the book will be printed in black and white, but include two pages with coloured photos.

Slowly, hesitantly, I’m inching my way back to continue with my stalled novel.

Taking the Plunge

I sure did last week! Having two book manuscripts ready, (in English) I figured I wouldn't loose anything by entering a writing competition. Not only could the winners earn a monetary prize, but their novel would be published as well. The Biblical/historical novels fit their category, and so I sent them off. At least now they will be read by professional people and what's more, I won't have to wait for months on end to get the results: these will be posted already in May!

The Dutch translation of FIRST FRUITS IN JERUSALEM was also ready to be sent out, so there I took another step in faith, and sent them to several Dutch publishers as well. The 'waiting game' is always the hardest part, but like the professionals taught me - I just have to continue writing as always.

Depending on what's happening in my life (I'm still mourning our precious son) I've noticed that gradually things are returning a bit to 'normal', and I find myself able to concentrate better.

I'm networking with more people worldwide, (good for exposure) and see what doors the Lord will open up next. For now my greatest priority is the basic version of a book about Na'il's life on paper, which then will be translated into Dutch. Each finished chapter I post as an PDF file on the website, under Na'il's page. It pains me having to put my new novel on hold, but I can't work on too many projects at the same time, that drives me crazy. Even though people asked about a sequel to FIRST FRUITS, I feel the novel about WWII that's on my heart is important, especially with so much Holocaust denial sprouting up everywhere!
Step by step, day by day, we'll see how it goes.

Change of Course

I loved it - writing history pieces for radio, which I've been able to do now for over a year. As a history freak I like to learn about new places, background information about people and how things were in the 'good old times'. Very often I have to admit that I'm glad not having to live in those times, because they weren't good at all.

Each generation has its own challenges, and nowadays we're having to deal with too many major things at once. That part of the past - the slow pace, the 'simple life', having time for each and everyone, that is something I can long for.

But not too long, for back in the old days computers were unheard of, and I like my 'help-mate'. Especially when you have to research a subject - what is easier nowadays to Google your way around the world, instead of heading out for the nearest library.

Changes in the radio program were imminent, and they asked me to start writing general informational pieces about Israel instead. Speaking of change! But I decided to see it as another learning opportunity to hone my writing skills. It also broadens my horizons, this time into the present. Now I'm scanning the newspaper each day in search for interesting subjects about Israel to share with the world!

Found a great website with POSITIVE news about Israel too: http://www.israel21c.org/

So, that's my latest writing avenue, together with working on the book about Na'il's life and my novel, which I hope to revive from hibernation soon!