Thanksgiving

Another year has passed, and hopefully, I'm just a wee bit wiser. My birthday falls within a week of Thanksgiving so I might add this post is about giving thanks and gratitude.

I'm thankful for God putting up with me and be patient with me as I try to find my way through the daily journey that is life.

I am thankful for my family's constant and unwavering support. I'm grateful for each and every one of them and I should show it more. I am thankful for my few friends, both old and new (You know who you are) who have been there for me, through good times and the bad, especially the bad.

 I am thankful that I have a publisher who's been willing to publish me, even though I've been on a self-imposed publishing sabbatical for personal reasons. I'm thankful for my editors and publishers who have put up with my unique creative process. I've been inspirationally constipated for the longest time.

Now,  some people perceive what gratefulness means in terms of friendship.  Gratefulness and gratitude towards one's family and friends is a state of mind. It's about mutual respect, kindness, thoughtfulness, and consideration.

Gratefulness does not necessarily mean paying back favors though, naturally, one would want to do everything and anything to help a true friend and vice versa; it does not mean tit for tat, or I do this for you, so you should do that for me - That is no measure of gratefulness or of friendship. Gratitude or gratefulness means listening, even though  you may not agree with what is being said. It means you give the other party a chance to speak rather than dismissing them thoughtlessly. It means admitting one's  mistakes (no one is ever 100% right all of the time). It means wanting to do all you can to help whenever and where ever help is needed, no questions asked.

Gratitude towards others means appreciating people for who they are, not judging them or thinking one is always right when no one is right all the time. Gratitude is not about disparaging or mocking another person. Gratitude is about appreciating the people in your life, not taking them for granted and not taking advantage of them.

One can even have gratitude for those who have hurt oneself,  Be grateful for the lessons they have taught you. It does not matter if they don't have any remorse or guilt, forgive them anyway. They've given you an invaluable lesson. 

So this Thanksgiving, I am grateful to God, (Should make more of a concerted effort to put Him first), family, friends, and everyone who has ever taught me something.

An Author's Purpose

Award-winning author Hidayah Amin writes with a purpose: to produce quality books that highlight the social causes she supports. And although she won several awards, she believes it's more important that her books leave a lasting impression on her readers.

One can't  write stories in a short time period and expect them to be of a publishable standard. Even beloved author Mem Fox spends a few months deliberating on her plots and word choices for each of her books. With that in mind, Hidayah takes her time with each book she produces. 

As an author and publisher, she is ultra-meticulous with all of her book projects. She checks everything from the publication's text and illustrations down to the binding and the type of paper used.

Now,  this process is often a costly endeavor; however, Hidayah believes that if one pursues a publishing career, one cannot skimp on cost. She wants to give her readers a memorable and satisfying reading experience.

Hidayah's book Hang Nadim and the Garfish was published in braille for the visually impaired. Each publication is followed by a book launch, complete with informative discussions, entertainment, and food. The proceeds from the sales of her books often go to charity.

Her latest venture is the bilingual I am Unique series, inspired by a pair of real-life siblings with special needs. Although it's the 21st century, many people misjudge and misunderstand special needs children. Hidayah hopes that her books will change that perception.

The first book in the I am Unique series is "My Name is Nadia. I have Autism" by Huda Patel is already headed to a second print-run. And the recently launched follow-up, "My Name is Mikhail. I have Cerebral Palsy" by Hidayah Amin, published with the support of the National Arts Council, looks set to follow suit.

Like the subjects of her books, the outspoken Hidayah is often misjudged and misunderstood. She has strong views on how to improve the children's literary scene here and they are not without merit. Hidayah's not one to sit around for change; she wants to affect change, and she's trying to do just that with her books. Before I met her I had a vastly different opinion of her. But that just proves you should never judge a book by its over, or listen to other people's opinions. They can be quite misleading. Haters may hate, but this author just shakes it off.

Now I attended the "My name is Mikhail. I have Cerebral Palsy"  launch at the Singapore Writers  Festival recently. And it's needless to say it was a uniquely Hidayah Book launch. She was dressed in a strange orange get up, which I initially assumed was because all her clothes were in the laundry and this was the only clean outfit she had around. I was mistaken. She was dressed as Jaina Solo, an X-Wing pilot, and Han Solo's daughter. Read on and you'll find out why.

The guest list included the students from Cerebral Palsy Alliance School and their friends from Zhangde School, and representatives from several charities.  

The children listened with rapt attention as Hidayah introduced Suhana, a lady who suffers from cerebral palsy, who supports her elderly parents by working as an administrative assistant and by baking brownies to supplement her income. What an inspiration!

Then there was a special surprise for all of the guests: visitors from a long, long time ago and from a galaxy far, far away arrived. The children squealed with excitement when Stormtroopers from the 501st Star Wars Garrison and the Jedi Knights of the Cathar Outpost Rebel Legion joined forces to distribute goodie bags (kindly donated by Hidayah's supporters) to the children. Hidayah had secretly invited the members of the Star Wars groups to the launch as she knew that the kids would be thrilled to see them, and she was absolutely right! Everyone wanted selfies!

Then it was story time. An emotional Hidayah read her book aloud.  She later explained the little boy, Mikhail, on whom the book was based had suffered a seizure the previous night. He should have been there for the launch but under the circumstances it was impossible. Mikhail's grandmother, however, was there to graciously lend her support.

The launch concluded with Hidayah and the Stormtroopers giving out a couple of hundred copies of the book to CPAS and the various organizations there. And judging by the reaction of the children, it was an intergalactic hit!

To Hidayah the recognition, the awards, the bouquets, and the accolades of being an author may be nice, but the ultimate reward is being able to touch the hearts of her readers.  I can tell you, will all certainty, everyone at the launch was definitely touched.

Please go and buy a copy today. I did! 

Congratulations, Hidayah on a great job!

James Frey in Singapore

This weekend best-selling author, James Frey, made an in-store appearance at Books Kinokuniya to promote his latest book Endgame: The Calling, so of course I had to be there to get my books signed.

His latest book is an action-packed apocalyptic thriller about the impending end of the world and its alien connection and that features codes that the reader will have to solve. The first person to solve the codes will get a key that unlocks a chest at Caesar's Palace  containing US$ 500, 000 in gold coins. 

Endgame is the first in a series of 3 books. The readers who solve the codes in the subsequent books will receive US$ 1 million and US$1.5 million respectively. Pretty awesome, no?

So during his discussion, Frey asked who believed in alien life and he said that I looked like I was a believer and of course I am. He then read an excerpt from the book before he began signing for a long line of fans.

As Chinese New Year is approaching, I brought along my book The Lion Dance for him as a souvenir and I inscribed it to his young daughter, Margot. And in return he signed my copies of Endgame and I am Number Four. Thanks, Mr Frey!