Word Vomit

Still Alive

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Thu, 21 May 2015 17:40:00 +0000

Holla!

So...Joy put up a very nice blog post and put up a link to this 'ol place, and I decided to swing on by and...em...clear out the cobwebs I suppose.

Still cross-eyed. Trying not to multi task so much. Probably failing.
This is the hardest part - when babies are small and completely dependent on you for their entertainment.

And feeding. And fashion choices. And survival, I suppose.

But entertaining them is the hardest part. Same thing goes for toddlers as well. The Goo's favourite question after 'Why?' is 'What should I do now?'
Every time she asks, I flashback to myself as a child asking my mother a variation of that question "I'm bored. What should I do now?
My mother's responses ranged from 'I don't know' to 'Leave me alone!' to 'There are plates to wash' to 'Here! Read this M&B'
(To a nine year old, Mother! SMH)

Anyway, we're not talking about the beginning of my romance novel addiction. No, we're talking about how to entertain small children without causing permanent damage.

I'm still trying to figure it out but this is what I do:
(oh goody, a list!)

Don't park the 3 year old or the 4 month old in front of the TV - I'll admit this is tempting, especially if you've paid for the full subscription on DSTV. I mean, it's not as if I can watch any of my shows when they're awake. Sigh. However, studies have shown (Google is your friend. And I'm too tired) that it's bad for their wee little brains.
Do encourage them to play together but supervise - At the moment, The Goo is sulking 'cos I won't let her put a piece of cloth in Baby Z's ear. I have to make sure she understands that when I say it's okay to play with him, I don't mean as a toy.
Boundaries are important - For the toddler. who must understand that leaving the house without telling Mummy is a non-negotiable, spanking offence. Boundaries for the baby? Please, don't make me laugh.
Read to them - Yes, I know it's time you don't have and the toddler keeps interrupting to ask questions and the baby keeps drooling on the page but just keep at it, and make sure you do the voices, and soon they'll both very happily fall asleep.
Let the toddler entertain the baby - The Goo loves to dance. I love to play music. Baby Z loves to watch his sister. Kismet.

That's all I can give to you today. They are done playing with each other and require my input. Oh joy!

So...whatchu doing?

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 21:11:00 +0000

At this moment, I am loosening my braids; I have water on the fire for noodles, and I am all set up to give Baby Z his evening bath.

This is my life now - extreme multi-tasking. So extreme I get cross-eyed with feelings that range from self-pity to rage to 'I want my mummy' homesickness. Sad, since this is my home.

Depressing, if I think too much about it.

So I don't - I think instead of the dishes that have been in the sink for the past 3 days...at least, we have eaten.

I think of the clothes that have been in the machine since yesterday...no be my mates they use hand wash.

I think of...my daughter dancing like a white chick to Britney Spears.

I think of Papa Goo playing video games with her while Baby Z sleeps and Mummy is in a timeout. Sssh. Do not disturb,

I think of my Dad. I wish I could call him.

I can't complain.

Actually I can but I don't want to. At least, not right now. cos The Goo is dancing like a white chick. Papa Goo is bathing Baby Z, and I'm smiling cos I've been giving a reprieve from the crazybusiness of it all.

For now.

What Shall We Say Of These Things?

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 23:12:00 +0000

I'm ba-ack!

Had to take time off everything to have Baby Z.

He didn't give me much choice though - worst pregnancy ever!

Okay, that's not true but I was so tired. And large. I pretty much switched off on everything except baby stuff. But now that he's here, I can no longer claim pregnancy brain as an excuse. So back to work for me. That means lots of reading before lots of writing. Let's go there!

Keeping Secrets by Kiru Taye

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Mon, 26 May 2014 11:46:00 +0000

First off,

KA-POW!

Is that not a smoking hot cover?

Yup. Yes. Affirmative.

Well then, let me tell you, Kiru Taye did justice to this smoking hot cover, 'cos the book was also *cough cough* smoking hot.

Oh boy! She did not pull her punches, and just in case you think it's all about...hotness and hot people doing hot things to each other, it's not. It's about Ebony and Felix who have just gotten married, but not for love, nope, for business. He needs to get the board of his family's financial empire off his back, and she needs to get past the scandal and shame of a broken engagement. Unfortunately, Felix gets into a car accident ON THEIR WEDDING NIGHT, after a big fight with his bride and when he wakes up from his coma, six months later, he doesn't remember her, he doesn't remember being married but he likes what he sees and wants to have a real marriage with his wife.

Ghen Ghen!

What does his wife have to say about this? Read the book and find out. For now, say hello to Kiru Taye.

Who is Kiru Taye?
Thank you for having me on your blog, Timendu. So who am I?
Well, I'm an author of multicultural romances, entrepreneur of a small run-from-home business, wife to a generous man, mother to 3 wonderful kids, sister to 4 sometimes hilarious siblings, daughter to 2 patient parents and hopefully friend to a few beautiful souls. Okay, I ran out of labels. LOL

Why do you write?I write because there are characters in my head whose stories need to be told. If I don't write their stories they'll drive me mad. It's a compulsion. LOL.

When did you start writing?
I have to confess I'm new to writing. I wrote my first full-length story in 2010. In contrast, I've been reading all my life, so I guess I've been preparing to be a writer all my life. J

Why romance?
The simple answer is because I love romance novels. It's a love affair that started when I was a teenager and read my first Mills and Boon. J　

Why steamy romance?
I'm an adult. I write for adults. I enjoy steamy stories. So I write steamy stories. J Sex is a part of everyday adult life. As adults, we should embrace it and not be embarrassed by it. So why not?

When you started this, did you ever think, I'm going to be The Queen of Nigerian Erotica?Hahahaha...Queen of Nigerian Erotica. I love it. But where is my crown, and when was the coronation? LOL. Seriously though, when I started writing I was just hoping Nigerian/African women would learn to embrace their sexuality and enjoy their interactions with their partners. My message was simple—sex can be pleasurable and not just functional with the right, attentive partner. If this makes me the Queen of Nigerian Erotica, then I'll gladly accept the crown. J

Was it always romance or did you start in another genre?
I love reading romance novels but I read other genres too. With writing, for now, I'm only writing romances. One day I will write other genres, perhaps an epic fantasy or thriller, under a different pen name.

Why swing between sub-genres: historical, contemporary, and paranormal?
I think by the time I'm done, I'll probably have a story under every romance sub-category there is. LOL.
I really have no control over which eras the characters belong to. They simple make an appearance in my mind and I start writing their stories. As I said earlier, my writing is a compulsion driven by the characters. The plots unravel as I write them.

So far, you've published 10 books and contributed to 2 anthologies, what's the journey been like?
So far, so good. I've been very privileged to work with some wonderful authors, editors and publishers in my journey so far. I'm grateful to God for giving me the opportunities I've had.
Did you have help along the way - writing coach, mentors?
Yes, I've had great help from members of my writing groups, The Nuthouse Scribblers and also Romance Writers of West Africa.
Also, my editors have been Godsend. They have taught me so much.

What's the best piece of advice you received as a writer?Read widely – If you want to be a great author, you have to learn to read. Personally, I can't understand how anyone can call themselves a writer if they don't read.

What advice would you give to new writers?Don't take criticism to heart. Learn from it. Revise. Revise. Revise.

If you could do it over, what would you do differently?I don't have any regrets. So I won't change anything from my past.

What's your writing ritual?I don't have a writing routine as such. But here is what I do sometimes.
In the mornings, do the school run. Settle the baby. Write for an hour or two. Do some chores. Blog/Social media. Pick kids from school. Evening chores. More social media or writing later at night.

What's your favourite thing about writing?Creating stories people love. Getting feedback from readers who love my books.

What's your least favourite thing about writing?Editing. LOL

What do you do for fun?I love travelling to new places. I also love dancing and hanging out with friends and family.

What's your favourite dish?You know, I love food. A little too much, perhaps. At the moment I have a thing for sushi. But my favourite all time food has to be Giant fresh water snails and Ugba, both Nigerian delicacies.

Image Source: Tupelo&Green

What's your favourite drink?Mojito

What's your favourite snack?Roasted cashew nuts

What's your go-to movie/book to relax?Considering I have over 1000 ebooks on my kindle app, getting time to just relax with any of them would be great. J
These days we watch movies as a family so it has to be something the kids can watch too. But the kids and I love superhero movies. Avengers Assemble is a favourite in our house. Otherwise, it's something from the Nollywood Movies channel.

What kind of music do you listen to?
Depending on my mood, I can listen to anything from classical to rock, from Afrobeats to soul. You name it and I'll probably listen to it, if I'm in the mood for it.

Which would you prefer - a quiet evening with friends or a night out on the town? Why?I could do with a night out on the town. But most of the time, it's a quiet evening with friends.

Of all your books, do you have a favourite? Why?You can't ask me that. I love all my books.
It's like asking me which of my three kids is my favourite. J

What inspired 'Keeping Secrets'?Keeping Secrets is partly inspired by the life of one of my best friends. Unfortunately, she has passed on but the story is dedicated to her.

It's the first book of The Essien Trilogy so when can we expect the other two?The schedule for The Essien Trilogy is as follows
Keeping Secrets – out May 2014
Making Scandal – out Sept 2014
Riding Rebel – out Dec 2014

I can't wait!!!

Keeping Secrets by Kiru Taye
Contemporary Romance
Add to Goodreads

BOOK BLURB
Have you ever loved someone and didn’t even know it? That’s the dilemma facing Felix Essien when he wakes from a coma to find he is married to the most beautiful and sensual woman he’s ever known. He cannot remember her or their wedding; he who had sworn never to get married or to give his heart to another. Yet, he feels an intense bond with her that he intends to explore fully. Ebony can’t believe her good fortune when her paper husband wakes not remembering the temporary marriage arrangement with no intimacies he’d proposed, and is now the adoring husband she’s always dreamt of. She plans to make the most of the passion blossoming between them. However, would he still feel that way when he regains his memory and realises she’s been keeping secrets and their marriage is not what he thinks it is?

Top Ten Facts About The Main Characters

Amazon US | Amazon UK | All Romance | Smashwords |

Coming to Barnes & Noble soon

A lover of books as a teenager, Kiru Taye used to read novels under the blanket with a torch at night. These days, with a young family to take care of, she's still sacrificing sleep for the pleasures of a good book.
During the day though, she transforms her wildly vivid imagination into sensual, atmospheric romance stories with passionate characters.
When she’s not writing or reading, she'd hanging out with family and friends or travelling. Born in Nigeria, she currently lives in the UK with husband and children.

You reach her via her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or Pinterest

Follow her blog for latest news and giveaways:
http://kirutayewrites.blogspot.com

Read book excerpts and free short stories on her website:
http://www.kirutaye.com

Link to her Amazon author page

To celebrate the release of Keeping Secrets, Kiru is giving away a goodie pack which includes $20 Amazon gift card, signed paperback of An Engagement Challenge, Keeping Secrets t-shirt and face cap. Leave me a comment to stand a chance of winning and complete the rafflecopter to enter the contest.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Delightfully Inconsistent

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Mon, 19 May 2014 13:58:00 +0000

Show of hands if that describes you in any way, form or manner.

*raises hand and waves*

Yup, I thought so. I'm a card carrying member of that merry band, along with Procrastinators Anonymous. I'm also the mother of The Goo, who when she says the magic word, "@*%"x@" transforms into Super Goo, The Nocturnal Terror.

(PS. The Nocturnal Terror is only one of her many aliases)

Anyway, I'm part of this Blog Tour, invited by my good friend and fellow mummy-writer, Sifa Asani Gowon - www.sifushka.blogspot.com . The deal is she mentioned me on her blog (last Monday) and answered some questions, and then (This Monday) I mention her and three other bloggers, and answer some questions.

It's like a chain letter for blogs, men, dude!

(Does it show that I am sleep deprived?)

So first, the questions:

1. What am I working on?
I am working on (putting the finishing touches on) Anthology 2. It's a collection of stories by female Nigerian writers invited by yours truly to give us Nigerian happy endings. Why happy endings? I'm glad you asked - 'cos the world is depressing as it is. I would like to read something that gives me hope, that tells me it's okay to dream a way out of this pit we've dug ourselves into (talking to you, Nigerians!). So yeah. We're basically done, and in a couple of weeks, I'll be sending it to the publisher, and then going to pray :D

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I don't know. Happy endings, I suppose.
(That makes no sense)
I don't know - I haven't really decided on a genre of choice, so I can't say. Feel free to call me Madam Gender-Bender.
(Wait. What?)

3. Why do I write what I do?
Ah!
I like to make people feel. If I can tug at an emotion then I'm happy. Oddly enough, writing happy endings is not exactly easy. (It's not easy, Period!) But it's worth it.

4. How does my writing process work?
That's a funny question.
Hmm. Well, first my internal discipline lever is broken so yeah...but external pressure (I'm ashamed to say) like deadlines are great. That's why the anthologies plan for the year 2014 is so great for me. But my process specifically - I ignore everything else - The Goo, Papa Goo, Meals, Housework and so on - and write. If it's good, yay! If it's not delete, and try again. Later...

So that's me (gosh, I'm entertaining). Next week, you'll hear from:

Kiah, who reads and writes, and likes to eat fried plantain, every day, all day.
www.kiahsscript.com

Pamela Agboga, who writes poems, playlets, short stories and articles. She recently published her first novel, Weekends are For Loving, and is currently working on a movie script with a friend. She loves reading novels, and watching movies as much as writing, maybe even more, and hopes to beat her writing deadlines this year...so far so good.
www.chowilson.wordpress.com

Xavier Ighorodje, who is a writer of weird fiction, and has not seen it fit to supply his photograph or a bio. So hopefully, this will do (and shame him a little. Muah ha ha!)
www.mrxavierighorodje.wordpress.com

Author Spotlight: Nana Prah

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Mon, 12 May 2014 10:40:00 +0000

So...in lieu of my apologies for dropping off the map (again), I'll just give you my Good News (which is also your Good News :D). You remember I said I wanted to work on 4 anthologies this year. Well, anthology one has been accepted by a certain publisher (no names. let's not jinx it), so yay!

But the reason I'm out of hibernation is to shine a spotlight (that was cheesy) on Ghanian romance author, Nana Prah.

Why? You ask. Well, as you know I love a good love story and so when I got a chance to read, and review Nana Prah's Midwife to Destiny. I jumped at it (heck yeah!).

But first, let's ask her a few questions, shall we...

Who is Nana Prah?
As a child we used to sing a jump rope song that went: “She’s the best in the west, cause she rocks so fresh.” Yup that’s me.

Why write romance?
For the same reason I read it. The Happily Ever After. It’s my favorite part.

What's the most romantic thing that ever happened to you?
Receiving a delivery of flowers along with this cute karate monkey that said “Heeyaaa” when you squeezed it. That was the best Valentine's day ever.

Do you think African men can be romantic?
They can be, but they aren’t. Romance takes time and finesse. Most don’t think it’s important to invest in.

Where would you say was the most romantic place in Ghana?
Any of the beaches. Sitting with someone as you watch the awesomeness of the ocean is romantic. Even better if you add a kiss or two.

You've been writing since you were in the eighth grade (according to your blog), but when did you decide you were going to get published and why?
Right out of nursing school I decided to chronicle my experiences as a new nurse. I wanted to show the world what a fresh nurse had to deal with. It ended up being a stress reliever for me, but I never submitted it to get published.

Did you have help along the way - writing coach, mentors?
I’d consider my friend, Tanya, a coach of sorts. After all she had a degree in English. That had to count for something. Now that I am published my beta readers and author friends have taken that role.

What do you do for fun?
I love to read. Hanging out with my friends always makes me happy.

What's your go-to movie to relax?
The Lake House with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. I adore that movie. It’s a romance with a bit of time shifting in it.

Which would you prefer - a quiet evening with friends, or a night out on the town? Why?
It depends on my mood and my friends. I enjoy staying in and chatting, but I do like to get my groove on every once in a while.

What's your favourite dish?
Pizza. The cheesier the better.

What's your favourite drink?
Coke. I could drink it by the gallon, but I don’t.

What's your favourite snack?
I actually wrote chocolate as my favourite dish until I saw this question.

What's your writing ritual?
I write in the evening. I sit in front of my computer and type away. Sometime only a few words come out, others days I have to force myself to stop and go to sleep. I don’t do anything special other than let the words flow.

What inspired Midwife to Destiny?
The desire to enter the Afro Romance Competition a couple of years ago. One of the requirements was that the romance had to be set in Africa. Since I didn’t have one written I set to work.

One review likened it to 'Grey's Anatomy in Africa'? Did that ever cross your mind?
Not at all, but I thought it was brilliant when I read the review. I wrote a post comparing the two works and discovered that yes, Midwife to Destiny can be considered the Grey’s Anatomy in Africa.

Does Destiny Series imply that readers should expect more books in this line? When and will there be any similarities?
The next book, Destiny Mine, is on the editing table. It features Esi, Ora’s sassy cousin and Adam, Jason’s arrogant womanizing best friend. When you read Midwife to Destiny you’ll know why Destiny Mine had me in stitches when I wrote it. I can’t wait to share.

What's your favourite thing about writing?
Expressing my ideas in a way that makes sense and entertains.

What's your least favourite thing about writing?
Editing. I’ve learned the hard way that when you’re doing it correctly, it’s a whole lot of stress.

What's the best piece of advice you got as a writer?
Get a beta reader. I don’t know what I did without them. Oh yes, without them I got rejection letters. They make my work so much better long before submitting it to publishers.

Any words of advice for new writers?
If you’re interested in writing, then write. Nothing is stopping you except yourself and your own insecurities. Live in love not fear, and everything will turn out well.

Ain't she a doll... Check out the blurb and excerpt below, and Get Your Copy Now!

Midwife to Destiny by Nana Prah
Destiny Series, Book 1
Contemporary Romance, Multicultural

BLURB

Ghanian nurse Aurora ‘Ora’ Aikins never expected to find the love of her life while on vacation in South Africa. Engaged to another and believing that love has no place in her life, she returns to Ghana, and puts duty and honor first.
Three years later, Dr. Jason Lartey still can’t get Ora out of his mind or his heart. After learning she never married, he takes a risk and moves to Ghana hoping to rekindle what they started. His sudden appearance in Ora’s Emergency Department sends sparks flying all over again.
They're in the same country, working in the same hospital, and together but distance creeps between them. Can they make their destined love one for the ages?

Buy Links

Amazon | Decadent |ARe Barnes and Noble| Smashwords

Add to Goodreads

The pain pulsing through Aurora ‘Ora’ Aikins’ injured wrist transitioned into a delicious, unfamiliar tingle when Dr. Lartey touched it.

"It's just my luck to come on vacation and get hurt,” she huffed in frustration as she forced herself to not sigh at the pleasure his gentle probing touch evoked.

"You were very lucky. The x-ray shows your wrist isn’t broken, but you sustained a very bad sprain so you have to be careful with it,” he said, sounding all business-like.
Each time he touched her wrist, her stomach twisted and her awareness of him as a man, with the need to get to know him better, intensified. These sensations unnerved her but the gorgeous man she had the privilege of calling her doctor seemed unaffected.
His confident stride had drawn her attention when he’d entered the consulting room. His spicy, with a citrusy undertone, cologne filled the sterile hospital air, making her nostrils flare to take in more of his unique scent. Deep brown eyes had perused her chart as she’d taken in his short-cropped hair, high cheekbones, and thick lips that brought kissing into her mind. Dark smooth skin rivalled the richness of high quality chocolate.
Ora scanned the emergency room cubicle, which had become smaller with the doctor’s broad-shouldered, towering stature, for cameras. Could she be on a reality TV show? Starring in one had never been a life objective, but the crew might have caught her unaware. No visible cameras, but those producers were sneaky and could place one inside a stethoscope.

Nana Prah was born in Ghana, West Africa, raised in the US and currently resides in Ghana where she loves her job as a writer and nurse educator. She has been writing since she can remember (in her journal) and has been an avid reader of romance novels since the eighth grade. She has finally been able to utilize the years and years of inadvertent research into writing her own romance novels where love always conquers all.

Blog: www.nanaprah.blogspot.com
Twitter: @NanaPrah
Facebook:Nana Prah,

Author
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Farafina Trust: Call For Submissions.

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 08:09:00 +0000

Hello you lovely people!

It's that time again. Time to send in your...okay, let me just put up the official statement and...yeah...

2014 Farafina Trust Creative Writing Workshop Sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc
　
Farafina Trust will be holding a creative writing workshop in Lagos, organized by award-winning writer and creative director of Farafina Trust, Chimamanda Adichie, from August 5 to August 15 2014. The workshop is sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc. Guest writers who will co-teach the workshop alongside Adichie are the Caine Prize Winning Kenyan writer Binyavanga Wainaina, Aslak Sira Myhre and others.

The workshop will take the form of a class. Participants will be assigned a wide range of reading exercises, as well as daily writing exercises. The aim of the workshop is to improve the craft of Nigerian writers and to encourage published and unpublished writers by bringing different perspectives to the art of storytelling. Participation is limited only to those who apply and are accepted.

To apply, send an e-mail to Udonandu2014@gmail.com

Your e-mail subject should read ‘Workshop Application.’

The body of the e-mail should contain the following:

1. Your Name

2. Your address

3. A few sentences about yourself

4. A writing sample of between 200 and 800 words. The sample must be either fiction or non-fiction.

All material must be pasted or written in the body of the e-mail. Please Do NOT include any attachments in your e-mail. Applications with attachments will be automatically disqualified. Deadline for submissions is June 30 2014. Only those accepted to the workshop will be notified by July 22 2014. Accommodation in Lagos will be provided for all accepted applicants who are able to attend for the ten-day duration of the workshop. A literary evening of readings, open to the public, will be held at the end of the workshop.

　

　

Okey Adichie

For Farafina Trust

　
　

Where were we?

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 08:00:00 +0000

I've used that as a blog title before, haven't I?

Hmm. Oh well. Where were we?

Edited two more stories for the anthology. We're getting closer.

Finished my Reading Challenge ages ago, and this even after I went up to 100 books. Obviously, reading is no challenge. Now, if I can get myself to read fewer romance novels and more...other stuff like...sigh...the classics, I suppose.

Sigh. I will. I did love To Kill A Mockingbird and Anna Karenina. Read them last year but a classic is a classic. And I did read No Longer At Ease this January. So, not bad.

Half bread is better than Donut.

Hee hee.

Anyhoo, The Goo is up and requiring Social Direction (or if we're calling a spade a spade, Mummy's undivided attention), but I promised you pictures. And you shall get them, 'cos I got a camera for Christmas (oh yeah!).

Here's a few (three, actually). More tomorrow (maybe).

Off to School

Mummy's Little Helper

Papa Goo, hard at work

Wowwy Wow Wow!

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 08:05:00 +0000

Just one post this year!

Wow!

I did not know that...I had put up only one post (so far) this year.

How did that happen? Well, I'm glad you asked.

First off, internet woes - here's looking at you Spectranet *wink*

Then, been busy busy busy - edited one anthology.
It's been sent off to a couple of publishers, now we wait with fingers crossed, on bended knees.
Then edited one book for a client.
Now in the middle of editing another anthology.
Details coming very soon (soon and very soon), just waiting for certain people to send in their stories. I won't be calling names or pointing fingers, but they know who they are.

Also been busy with non-work stuff - like being The Goo's Social Director and Stylist and Escort.

Participating in a Married vs. Single Ladies Cooking Competition (a cook-off?) at Church,

and just being generally busy, and tired and living life...like it's golden.

Hee hee.

Anyway, here's a little something something from me to you. Enjoy!

The recently developed off-planet colony of Nirvana was up and running. Marketed by the Relocate Earth Department of the United Nations as the home of the future for all who loved beauty and creation, it had drawn the brightest and the best of Earth's Recreative Movement. Of course, the brightest and the best needed their support system, so Nirvana was also home to maids, drivers, cooks, teachers, and spiritual directors.

Oh and Tech Support. You can't have an off planet colony running like clockwork without Tech Support. Enter T.

"Call me T", she was known to say. She loved Nirvana. She had always been idealistic, believing that Utopia was out there somewhere, so when she heard that the United Nations and a few Mega Corporations had been secretly developing an off planet colony just outside Earth's solar system, she was ecstatic.

"Nothing to get excited about babe", her friend Z, had told her, "I mean daddy says it will take forever before it's finished, and even then it will be an uber-exclusive set of people who will be relocated".

"I'll find a way", T had replied, and she had. Her friendship with Z had been instrumental. You see Z's daddy was a cosmetic surgeon. He straddled the line between recreative and support system. He was definitely getting on The Nirvana List.

"Big Daddy", T said to him, over the phone, "how are you going to get me on that list?"

"Why are you calling? Aren't you coming over?"

"Nah. Z asked me to go clubbing with her, and she'll get suspicious if I blow her off".

"Come home with her then. You can come to my room when she's asleep".

"Yes sir", she said, grinning, and hung up.

That night, he promised to think about it, but T knew he was lying, so she when she snuck back into her friend's room in the wee hours of the morning she put Plan B into play.

"Z, you know you and your dad are getting on the list".

"Probably, but The United Nations isn't as squeaky clean as it used to be. That list is going to be up for grabs to the highest bidder".

T sighed, "I wish I had money like you guys. I would so pay for a place on that list".

"Aaaw. Don't worry. You know you're my girl. I'll talk to daddy. We'll find a way".

Two days later, Z called. "T baby, guess what?"

"What?"

"Your name's getting on the list", Z screamed.

T screamed too, "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you so much. You are the best friend ever".

"You know it. You’ll be on the list as my Backup Buddy".

"Backup Buddy?"

"Don't worry. It's just a new department. It's a not a lot of work, and you get paid Mega Bucks".

Mega Bucks? T was sold, in more ways than she realised.

When they got to Nirvana, Z and her daddy moved to The Estate. T moved to a nameless shanty town. A few days later, Z drove her hovercraft too close to a gas flare. She survived, but lost an arm.

Enter the Backup Buddy.

Two years in, and Z's reckless living had cost T two arms and both legs. Cutting edge technology ensured the perfection of Nirvana a la Z remained unmarred. T was support system. Perfection was not a requirement.

But at least she was in Nirvana.

THE END...so far

Tomorrow (hopefully) - Pictures and Stuff. Have a great day!

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 11:42:00 +0000

How did you cross over?

Where were you and what were you doing?

Like most Nigerian Christians, I was at Church, praying my way into the New Year. My husband used to take umbrage at this way of moving into a New Year but he's married to me now so umbrage or not, we go to Church.

I'm going to try really hard not to be preachy but this is my first post of the year (Yay!) so bear with me...

And now I've lost my train of thought (yup, old age).

Oh well, let's talk about a much maligned word - Resolutions.

Do you have any?

I do:

Write. Finish a novel and edit 3 anthologies.

Read 50 books.

Be happy. Take deep breaths. Don't be so easily offended.

Be emotionally independent. Do not allow other people's mood swings swing your moods.

Love. Be patient. Be kind. Do not keep a record of wrongs.

That's it.

There should be something about weight loss and exercise but those aren't resolutions. They are on my to do list. Speaking of weight loss, here's a little sumthin' from the wonderful Miss Wana Wana. It's called Weight Loss. I saw her perform it at Bogobiri and I loved it and her. If you ever can, see her live.

Anywhichway, Happy New Year.

Make Glorious Mistakes. Make Glorious Art.

PS. I figured out (more like discovered) how to do this. Phew!

Christmas with The Goos

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 18:08:00 +0000

At this moment, I'm listening to my Riffs playlist filled with the lovely sounds of The White Stripes, 12 Stones, Muse, Vampire Weekend, Linkin Park, Sixpence None The Richer, Queen, Santana, POD, GS Megaphone and U2.

Papa Goo got back this morning from an 8 day location shoot and is still unpacking.

The Goo is running laps around the couch, watching TV and yelling commentary at us.

We have a tree and those shiny, ruffly, spangly Christmas equivalents of feather boas on our walls and 4 sets of Christmas lights. They are all on.

Because The Goo requested it.

It is Christmas Eve and I'm chilling, bracing myself for the last bit of work before Christmas Day proper. The last bit of ironing and folding; the last bit of sorting out the parlour and dining table; the last bit of cooking.

This is the first Christmas where it's just the 3 of us - me and my two Goos. I'm doing the traditional (Ghomorai) Christmas breakfast, and that's the best part of the day for me. After that, anything goes.

Merry Christmas!

Here's Timi!

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 08:13:00 +0000

Before you say anything, let me explain - the modem in the house overheated, melted and died. We didn't get it replaced till sometime this month, and The Goo has been sick with illnesses that I've been assured are pretty run of the mill for toddlers.

So basically, I couldn't get online and then I was busy and not mentally here and now I'm just exhausted.

However, the 2014 Reading Schedule for The (Unnamed) Book Club is ready and it's a happy place for me so I got over my tiredness to share this.

Drum roll, please.

January - No Longer At Ease by Chinua Achebe
February - This is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz
March - Fine Boys by Eghosa Imasuen
April - The Neverending Story by Micheal Ende
May - The Housemaid by Amma Darko
June - The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
July - White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi
August - Emma by Jane Austen
September - Yellow Yellow by Kaine Agary
October - Young Wives' Tales by Adele Parks
November - Zahrah the Windseeker by Nnedi Okorafor
December - From 3rd World to 1st World: The Singapore Story by Lee Kuan Yew

I'll put up book covers when I review (I will, I will!).

In other news, guess who read 300 books this year *dusts shoulder*

2013 Reading Challenge

Timendu has
completed her goal of reading 300 books in 2013!

hide

306 of 300 (100%)

view books

Booyah!

My next post, I'll let you know what my favourite books were, beyond the obvious 5 star ratings and why.

Merry Christmas, people!

PS. Eat some cake and drink a coke for me. Gracias!

For Your Pleasure: Cut

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 02:17:00 +0000

I fell asleep on my hand, and woke up with that numb, tingly feeling and the residue of a dream. This is the result. Enjoy!

My husband came back early from work today. We had been texting each other all day, so when he came into the house and headed straight for me in the kitchen. I knew he was going to kiss me, then drag me into the bedroom. I knew we were going to make love. Well, he was going to make love to me. I was in it for baby making purposes. After another attempt at biological alchemy, I knew he was going to ask for food, then notice that the house was in a mess.

He would say things like, "What have you been doing all day?"

"Why don't you clean up a little?"

"Kai, if I know say you dirty pass me, I for no marry you".

The last one would be an attempt at humour to diffuse what he would consider to be a tense situation. Tense because in response, I purse my lips, narrow my eyes and say nothing, but my look promises retribution.

Retribution never comes, but it is gratifying to know that the promise of it is enough. Usually. Tonight, I want my pound of flesh, specifically N2,000 worth of roadside peppered beef barbecue.

"Let's go get suya", I say.

I know he will say yes, because he just wants me to be happy, and if it is suya that will make me happy, then it's suya I'll get. He was like that when I was pregnant, traipsing round Ikeja to get me Asun, and Banga soup at odd hours. So we get out of bed, pick out track bottoms from the pile of clothes overflowing from the laundry basket, get clean t-shirts from our closet, and head out with slippers on our feet. I'm wearing my outside slippers. The pair my sister sent from the UK. They are tan with green rhinestones. I think they are pretty. My husband thinks they are garish. I have to remind myself to wear them, because I'm tired of hearing my husband say, "At least, they are better than bathroom slippers".

What's wrong with bathroom slippers? Who is looking at my feet? What does it matter in the grand scheme of things?

But I will not tell him what I am thinking. He will ask annoying questions.

We head out for suya at 10:13PM. There is electricity tonight, so the estate is uncharacteristically quiet. I can hear frogs and crickets, and they assure me that Lagos is not all concrete and hypertension. There is life here as well. I cross my fingers and pray that there's life in me as well. Maybe it's early, but it doesn't hurt to pray.

We walk past the estate gates, and the slumbering security men. My husband hisses. I laugh. I have always considered hissing a feminine tool. He hisses again, "Why are you laughing? They charge us thousands of Naira for security and this is what it comes down to - open gates at 10pm and sleeping guards?"

"If they were awake, they would have stopped us to ask 20 questions and delayed us".

"At least, I would know my money is working".

I smile at him, put my arm through his and keep walking. "Let's hurry up. I want my suya".

A man jogs past us. I squeeze my husband's arm. He squeezes back. We keep walking. Another man walks down the road towards us. I turn my head around, and notice the street is empty. Where has everybody gone?

The man walks past us. He is wearing a suit sans tie, and nods at my husband as he walks by. I am not offended. I am invisible. No one can see me so I cannot be harmed by the things that come out of the darkness.

Light bounces off something and there is a man in front of us holding a razor blade to my face. Where did he come from? I don't move. I don't breathe. My husband's arm is clamped in mine. He has moved his feet apart in a fighting stance.

"Guy, dey walka", my husband says.

"Egbon, just give me the money or I go use this blade for your wife".

"Guy, dey walka".

"Wo, you dey try me. I go spoil this your fine wife face o!"

I know what I must do. I take a deep breath, then everything happens quickly. I let go of my husband's arm, and go for the blade with my other hand. The vagrant moves to punch me, but my husband grabs his fist and hits him in the throat. The blade presses into my hand, and I squeeze. It cuts deep, and I squeeze some more. I am not afraid of getting cut. I cut myself all the time but usually with my little kitchen knives. The large ones leave marks I don't like to explain. There are no razor blades at home. The vagrant looks at my face as blood seeps through our joined hands. I smile. He is afraid. My husband clears his feet from under him in a sweeping move, and my smile becomes smug. I let go of the pleasure of the blade and its owner's hand so I am not pulled down with him. The smell of the blood dripping from my hand pleases me.

"Babe, you're bleeding. Let's go back home".

I nod. Who needs suya?

It's been a while

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 19:42:00 +0000

Holla!

Happy 53rd Independence Day, Nigerians!

What do we have to be happy about? Life and Hope. At all, at all, na winch!

Anyway, this is what I've been up to:

2013 Reading Challenge

Timendu has
read 225 books toward her goal of 300 books.

hide

225 of 300 (75%)

view books

This is what I'm reading now:

Timendu's bookshelf: currently-reading

Surprised by Joy

by C.S. Lewis

tagged:
currently-reading

Anna Karenina

by Leo Tolstoy

tagged:
currently-reading

Amplified Bible

by Anonymous

tagged:
currently-reading

The Message Remix

by Anonymous

tagged:
currently-reading

On Black Sisters Street: A Novel

by Chika Unigwe

tagged:
currently-reading

And this is my current playlist:
Once More With Feeling

Dog days are over - Florence and The Machine
When it gets down to it - Fred Hammond
What the water gave me - Florence and The Machine
Ring a bell - Late Night Alumni
Hope is rising - Downhere
The sun is shining - Third Day
Breathe slow - Alesha Dixon
Love song - Third Day
Supermassive black hole - Muse
Loved on me - Fred Hammond
Till it happens to you - Corrine Bailey Rae
Automatic - Tokio Hotel
Atmosphere (remix) - DC Talk
Reformation - GS Megaphone
Sing, sing, sing - Chris Tomlin
A Thousand Years - Christina Perri
Stronger - Mary J. Blige
In my place - Coldplay
Don't wait - Kaskade feat. Haley
Letters from the sky - Civil Twilight
Poison and Wine - The Civil Wars
We are hungry/I will not be silent - Jesus Culture

I've also been writing but I won't be sharing it with you yet. Let's just say it's some kind of weird, not totally made up Ijaw mythology. So if you've got stories of any unusual weird occurrences by the waterside, drop me a line.

Thanks.

Oh, and Papa Goo's movie TABLOID for EbonyLife TV (Channel 165 on DSTV) will be airing on the 6th of October. That's in 4 days. Make sure you watch it!

Memoirs of A Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 12:43:00 +0000

Howdy!

Due to popular demand, and mostly so I can hold on to that Workshop feeling a little longer. I'll be putting up posts about our exercises.

Today is non fiction day.

The facilitator for non fiction was Aslak Sire Myhre, whose Wikipedia page does not do him justice.
(Picture shall be put up as soon as internet allows)

This tall, blonde Norwegian is a politician (not the rich kind) and an author who gave us a couple of exercises in writing non fiction, and made us think of our place in the global narrative as African Writers.

Who gets to tell our stories? Some well meaning European with no understanding of our culture or situation, or us?

He made us think.

I'm still thinking.

I get paid for writing non fiction, but wouldn't it be something to write about the lives of Ijaw people - their history, their culture, their struggles? Wouldn't it be something to write about the lives of militants? Cos let's be honest - we talk a lot of smack, especially on the internet, but you don't know what their lives are like. I'm Ijaw, and I know I don't know.

Anyway....

On Aslak's first day, he asked us to write a memoir piece about ourselves, telling a story that would showcase something larger than us. This is what I came up with:

It was going to be the last time I would go to campus to read at night. The next day I would be writing my last exam as a student of the University of Benin, and all things being equal, would not have to go to class anymore.
I went out to read by myself, then joined my study group for last minute discussions till about 2am.
When I looked around, none of my off-campus neighbours were in the hall. The Social Science Faculty had been the last to put up an exam timetable, and consequently, its students were the last to finish exams, and to leave campus. My classmates were planning on staying to read some more but I needed to sleep. I needed to leave, but there was no one to walk me home. My on again, off again boyfriend was around somewhere, but at the moment, we were off again, and he wasn't talking to me. I was on my own. So I decided to walk home by myself. I walked out of the hall, out of the building we called Basement, because it had a basement, walked past the hostel for medical students, and past the campus gate to my off campus neighbourhood of Osasogie. The security men stationed at the campus gates were not paid to concern themselves with what happened outside their stations so as I walked past them I started praying.
"Oh God please don't let anything happen to me", I whispered in the darkness, and it was very dark. There was no light, no electricity, and it was oh so quiet.
"Oh Father, I will never do anything so stupid again", I mumbled, as I twitched at every imagined sound I heard in the dark, and remembered the girl who had been kidnapped just a few paces from where I walked. She had returned a week later, 'walking funny' as a friend had put it. I remembered my friend Sammy who had been apprehended by robbers and then beaten up for having a cheap Nokia phone. I remembered the girl whose arm had been cut off by a cutlass wielding thief because she started speaking in tongues when she was attacked.
"Father, please let me get home safely. Let them not see me. Let it not be said anything happened to me the night before my last paper. Please don't let me suffer for my foolishness".

The End

What do y'all think? If you're up to it, you can email me (deocentric@gmail.com) a short piece (200 - 400 words) telling a story that tells a bigger story.

It's Monday.

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 13:20:00 +0000

So...Mondays are usually a bust for me.

I spend it recovering from my weekend, and preparing my schedule for the week. I know, the weekend should be a relaxing time with the family but family time often means cooking, cleaning and babysitting a two year old with dreams of Olympic Gold in gymnastics - hardly relaxing.

And that's just Saturday.

Sundays come along with waking up early and preparing The Goo and myself for church. The Goo is easy. Deciding what to wear which allows me some degree of self expression while staying within The Rules of The Ushers' Dress Code is hard. Yesterday, I went with easy, and wore jeans, my 'I found Jesus' t shirt complete with crossword puzzle, and trainers. No complaints from my leaders so Yay!

The best part of Sunday (apart from The Word, and Praise and Worship, and all that wonderful churchy goodness) is the rice we buy after service. 2 packs of Ofada for me, 2 packs of Jollof for Papa Goo and 1 pack of Fried Rice for The Goo.

Good Times!

It means I don't have to cook when we get home. I don't even have to pop anything into the microwave. I can go lie down and rest my eyes, or read a gazillion romance novels.

I can rest.

And I do.

I rest or goof off, and ignore the fact that a New Week has begun. I ignore the need to prepare a schedule for housework, and meals, and writing, and meetings. I just rest. And put it all off till Monday.

What do you do with your Mondays?

Where were we?

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 00:02:00 +0000

Hey hey hey!

I dropped off the map. I know. I wanted to try out writing, rather than just blogging about writing, and as usual, found the process frustrating and depressing. Alas, maybe I am not supposed to be a writer.

Sigh.
But wait...The Farafina Trust Creative Writing Workshop called for entries. I sent in mine. What would it hurt? And I was invited for the workshop.

Yay!

I'm not so bad. Lazy, and lacking discipline and self control (damn romance novels. And chocolate. And cake), but not a bad writer.

Whoooopeeee!

Workshop took 10 days. A couple of my fellow participants - Uche and Sifa - blogged about Day 1, and yes, it was life changing stuff.


Can you see me? Hint: Pink shawl

So now what?

Now to make my wonderful teachers proud. Speaking of teachers, a very big THANK YOU to Chimamanda Adichie, Eghosa Imasuen, Binyanvanga Wainaina, and Aslak Sira Mhyre for investing their time and knowledge in me, and all of us (The Girls and Boys Club of Chimamanda).

I'm off now to make it work.

PS. A big Thank You also to Papa Goo and The Goo for giving Mummy some time off. Big Hug!

Conversations with Myself

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Sat, 25 May 2013 15:17:00 +0000

Me: I want a coke.

Myself: Take water.

Me: But I really want a coke.

Myself: Water is better.

Me: Cooooke!

Myself: How about fruit juice? Or fruit?

Me: Fruit juice? Hmm.

Myself: Better than a coke.

Me: Hmm. Coke.

Myself: How about a malt?

Me: Hmm. Maaalt.

Myself: Yup. Malt.

Me: I'd rather have a coke.

Myself: Why don't you just get yourself a coke?

I am now drinking a coke.

In other news, Hey! It's been a while. No, I have not been avoiding you. I've just been mostly knackered. All I had energy for after taking care of The Goo and Papa Goo was to read.

2013 Reading Challenge

        Timendu has
             read 138 books toward her goal of 300 books.

hide

138 of 300 (46%)

view books

So that's what I've been up to.

Oh yeah, and I've upped my challenge goal back to 300. Fun times!

I know I should say something about my writing but honestly, I don't want to. I will say, I ALWAYS expect things to be easy - school, marriage, childbirth (no words!), writing a book, but they NEVER are.

So...that's all folks!

How's Your Saturday Going?

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 15:15:00 +0000

Holla!

At this moment, I've got a load of washing in the machine, well, just my very red towel that will destroy every other item of clothing, actually...anyway, I've got my towel in the machine, I'm making a Peanut butter and Jam (Pineapple, if you must know) Sandwich for myself, I'm dancing to my Dance Playlist, I'm also reading China Mieville's Kraken and getting ready to do the dishes before I make lunch - Pasta and Chicken Stew.

The Goo says hi!(not really). She found some 3D glasses and is hanging out with Agent Mickey Mouse in the parlour.

Papa Goo is out getting the bacon.

Update: The Goo is now lying on the as yet not mopped floor of the kitchen (ugh) wailing because I will not give her The Jam Jar.

How's your saturday going?

PS. The Dance Playlist
Saved - Third Day
Rome wasn't built in a day - Morcheeba
Sweet Lorraine - Frank Sinatra
I Will Bless The Lord (Reprise) - Byron Cage
Sahj Dhaj Ke - From The (Bollywood) Movie Mausam
Pracatatumba - Cabo Snoop
Om Shanti Om Medley Mix - From The (Bollywood) Movie Om Shanti Om
Potential Breakup Song - Aly & Aj
So Inspired ft. Muna - Waje
Let's Dance - Pastor Hezekiah Walker
Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - Coldplay
Cousins - Vampire Weekend
Idola - From The (Bollywood) Movie Devdas

She's still on the floor. Excuse me...

Q1: A Review

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:13:00 +0000

Hey Everyone,

Yes, I know I disappeared for a bit. No, I still haven't gotten any writing done. I did read a lot of books. Some wonderful and mind blowing - 26A by Diana Evans, The Dating Detox by Gemma Burgess, The Mrs. Club by Ekene Onu, Miss Match by Erynn Mangum, The Other Woman's Shoes by Adele Parks among others.

I did not register for the writing course. I tried to pay online for 3 days and did not succeed and as a result missed the discount window. Will I still take the course? Oh yes, but now there's no hurry. Besides, the money has gone to other things like rechargeable standing fans, and car repairs, and replacing the sliding door.

Anyway, it's April and I should start writing short stories. I may or may not put them up. I haven't decided yet. Maybe I'll let Cho decide. However, for now, here's a little something from me.

Enjoy!

PS. If this post seems brusque, it's because The Goo isn't feeling well, and won't eat, and therefore can't take her medicine...I'm pulling my hair out over here. Say a prayer for her, will you.

A Day in The Life: Mother, Writer, Music Lover

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 10:32:00 +0000

This morning, The Goo dallied at breakfast. It was weird.

I'm not saying she doesn't savour her meals. She does.

I think.

It's just that this morning she had been in Diva! Mode flinging herself on the floor and repeatedly throwing my phone so when she smiled at her Peanut Butter and Jam (nope, not Jelly) sandwich and said, "Triangle"...I didn't know what to expect.

I certainly didn't expect her to take her time to nibble and chew with contemplative pleasure. I could have taken a picture but she doesn't like paparazzi and I didn't want her to toss my phone. She went late to school, holding a sandwich in her hand. She was happy. I was relieved.

Right now, I'm listening to Maria Mena's single Just Hold Me. I love it. Favourite line - If I like rejection, I'll audition. I'm having a Coke from The Can. I'm not supposed to, but I was out in the sun, and this is how I choose to celebrate surviving it. Tastes good. I may have another.

In about two hours, I'll be out in the sun again to go pay for a 6 month online writing course. I hate being blocked, and for someone who has always had fear as a bed fellow, I've decided I would rather write than be afraid of writing utter crap.

What's the antidote for fear? Information. Knowledge is Power. I used to be able to say that in Latin (thanks to Catholic Boarding School). Anyway, writing course to be paid for today. I made a deal with Cho (my BFF) that I would start writing short stories come April 1st.

Am I the only one who sees the irony in that?

Maria Mena is on repeat. I really like this song.

The Road To Hell...

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 08:25:00 +0000

...is paved with Good Intentions.

That about sums up my efforts with Good Intentions. I don't think I have ever had writer's block. Technically, I can't even say I believe in it. I know when I have failed to write it's often because I'm too tired, too lazy or too out of sorts to write. With Good Intentions, it's possible that it's a combination of all three, or just one out of three, or maybe I'm just blocked.

The thing is the more I think about the story I want to write, the less I want to write it. It's just not enough 'story' to justify the work required. Or maybe I'm being lazy.

I tend to internalize a lot of things, and my characters are doing that as well, and stories are about externalizations of conflict not gut burning emotions. The obvious solution would be to have them act out because of their emotions but anything I think up feels so contrived. Sigh.

I'm such a basket case.

Papa Goo thinks I should dump them and do the short story thing. Believe me, I am sorely tempted. Not writing is making me feel guilty which makes me feel out of sorts which impinges (Word of The Day) on my ability to write.

A vicious cycle.

...Sigh. That's my Good Intentions update.

How's your day going?

I Luv Love Stories

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 21:59:00 +0000

Happy New Month! (Papa Goo hates that btw)

Anyway, I've been out of touch. Know why?

I've been suffering from withdrawal. From what?

Romance novels.

If you take a look at what I've been reading since the beginning of the year...

2013 Reading Challenge

Timendu has
read 68 books toward her goal of 200 books.

hide

68 of 200 (34%)

view books

It's clear to see that I've been reading way too many romance novels. It made me realise that...

I'm Timi and I'm addicted to love stories.

There I said it.

But, I am master of my...wants and no matter how much I want to read a Sharon Shinn or (sob) Jude Devereaux novel, I won't. Cos I...I need to open my mind and read some of the other wonderful stories in other wonderful genres out there.

Sob.

Even if I really don't want to...

Right now, I'm struggling through

26A by Diana Evans (Intriguing book. Slightly mental. Half of the time I'm like 'what in the world am I reading?')
Digital Fortress by Dan Brown (Mr. Larry Brooks of storyfix.com said read Dan Brown so I decided to start from his first book. There seems to be some sort of love story playing out so I am somewhat mollified)
How to read like a writer by Francine Prose (Yes, I'm still reading this...I've got nothing to say in my defense)
Earn what you're worth by Nicole Williams (Currently stuck on a navel gazing exercise...no offense...)
Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes (I'm actually enjoying this. Why am I not going through it faster? It's no love story...)
Side Jobs by Jim Butcher (I can't continue this until I read the next book, or books in the chronological order. Unfortunately, according to Wikipedia, Harry Dresden's love interest does not return till Book 12...Why Mr. Butcher, why?)
The Mrs Club by Ekene Onu (Actually haven't started this but I probably will tonight. It's for the Unnamed Book Club so Yay!)
The Salmon of Doubt by Douglas Adams (Stephen Fry said to read this slowly in the foreword so that's what I'm doing)

In other news, here's my playlist of the moment:

Eternal - Sanctus Real
Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - Coldplay
One Touch - Nicole Muellen
Set Fire to The Third Bar - Snow Patrol
You Can't Hide - Sanctus Real
Prayer to Love - Jaci Velasquez
Bittersweet Symphony - The Verve
Prodigal - Casting Crowns
Washed by The Water - Needtobreathe
Real Life Fairytale - Plumb
Jesus, I lift my eyes - Jars of Clay
Wait and See - Brandon Heath
It Will Rain - Bruno Mars
With You in My Head - UNKLE featuring The Black Angels
Every Time I Breathe - Big Daddy Weave
Trust - Sixpence None The Richer
Polka Dots and Moonbeams - Frank Sinatra
Jesus - BarlowGirl
God will lift up your head - Jars of Clay
I Speak Life - Donald Lawrence

In my next post, an update on Good Intentions and an interview from a make up artist.

Good Intentions and a Dash of Something Old

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:40:00 +0000

Hello, all you wonderful people!

It's been a while. How have you been? Good? Great!

I have been tweaking things with Good Intentions and Major Changes are underway but I won't be telling you what said changes are 'cos I don't wanna jinx anything. You understand, right? Sweet!

Anyway, since my heroine is a make up artist, I took it upon myself to trouble my make up artist friends and grill them about the whys and hows of their business. Expect interviews soon. Till then how about something from Gypsy Black's archive. This was my first Cover Story (in 2008, I think); an interview with the very kind, very wonderful Banke Meshida Lawal. Enjoy!

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE

I met Mrs. Banke Meshida Lawal on the day before St. Valentine’s Day at her BM Pro Studio in Ikoyi. I was a little late and very nervous, but she just smiled sweetly and said, “I’m Banke”.

Banke Meshida Lawal is the soft-spoken, very endearing owner and founder of BM Pro Studio and cosmetics range. After she had consulted with a client for a few minutes, we settled into her office for the interview.

BM: I’m Banke Meshida Lawal. My maiden name is Meshida, and my married name is Lawal. I’m married to Lanre Lawal (she adds with a smile); we got married one year ago on February 10th.

GYPSY: Do you have any kids?
BM: No. (GYPSY: Why?) It’s not yet time for kids.

GYPSY: What’s your romantic life like?
BM: Because I’m married to my best friend, every day is a fantastic day in our marriage and it’s been fun, you know, being with someone and being married to them.

GYPSY: Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. Any plans?
BM: Valentine just crept up on me. In fact, I just realized today that it is valentine’s tomorrow, but I really don’t have any plans for tomorrow.

GYPSY: Maybe your husband does?
BM: I hope so (she laughs softly), I hope so.

GYPSY: You are THE make-up artist. How did you get here?
BM: I suppose I am where I am today because it’s God’s plan for my life, but apart from that, a lot of hard work, a lot of dreaming and going to live my dreams and being focused on what I’m doing.

GYPSY: You have a first degree?
BM: In English, from the University of Lagos.

GYPSY: So how did you move from English to this?
BM: I think because English afforded me a lot of time to do what I wanted (to do) with myself while at the University. It was a good course; I enjoyed it. I didn’t see it as a problem. I was doing a degree I enjoyed, and I also had time for extra-curricular activities. Also, I’ve always loved to draw and paint and what I do now is an extension of art, and I started doing makeovers while at the University and it just followed. I just fell into this profession.

GYPSY: When did you start branding yourself as Banke Meshida – Make-up Artist?
BM: I think even while at school…when I was in UNILAG, I used to do a lot of henna tattoos on myself, I’d do my hair in funky, outrageous styles, so I think that helped in branding me because then a lot of people knew that there was this girl who used to do her hair funny and dress funny and have tattoos all over her body. I think the branding started then. And I had a lot of acquaintances, so…I wouldn’t say I was a social person, I just, you know, had a lot of people that I knew and…acquaintances so to speak and you know, for a brand to kick off, you need to be out there and I guess subconsciously, without making an effort, I was always out there.
And like I said, English…I wouldn’t say it was a simple course (she giggles a little, almost apologetically), but it gave me a lot of time to do other things.

GYPSY: Did you meet your husband in school?
BM: Yes I did.

GYPSY: How did you meet him?
BM: I met him one really hot, sunny day in the car park, and he was with a friend. We have a mutual friend who introduced him to me and eh, I thought, ‘Wow, this guy looks fit!’ (GYPSY: Okay!) You know (laughing bashfully), and I’ve always been the sort of person that if I like someone there’s no need beating about the bush and being…not coy but, it was I liked him and that was that. Of course, the feminine side of me had to find out who he was and if he wasn’t attached and all of that. So it was fun while we were courting, and basically I met him through a friend.

GYPSY: Your husband is a Muslim (and you are a Christian). Is that a problem now that you’re married?
BM: No, it’s not. I suppose because in our relationship it’s always been about the two of us. I don’t know when our kids come if it will still be about the two of us, but we’ve just been able to balance our lives. In a relationship, it’s about respect and trying to understand the other person; what makes them tick, what they are all about. It’s a learning process really, and once you know you don’t want to hurt the other person, it will work itself out.

GYPSY: When did you open this studio?
BM: This particular studio, I opened in 2006. Yeah, but previously I was at Rumens Road, Ikoyi. I opened that studio in 2003.

GYSPY: What's your clientele like?
BM: People from all walks of life, both on the Nigerian and the international scene. Anyone really that has a knack for great make-up.

GYPSY: You have a make-up range now?
BM: Yes, I have my own make-up line; it’s called BM Pro. It’s a colour cosmetics line, in that we cater for Black skin, Asian skin, but most importantly, the Nigerian weather. It dictates what we have manufactured. Over the years, I’ve found out that most known brands didn’t cater for the Nigerian weather because it’s a humid and dry weather that we have here. Most products cater for dry and cold (weather) while a lot of them don’t even understand the extent of the humidity we have here. That’s why there are some things I wouldn’t do as a make-up artist, other people might do it but I don’t and I know why.

GYPSY: Things like what?
BM: Using oil-based foundation. If you’re abroad where it’s dry and cold that’s fantastic but if you’re here, I don’t think that you do because you put it on in a few minutes you need to touch it up.

GYPSY: Is your product range just cosmetics?
BM: There’s a lot of skin care in there. There’s the serum; the anti-shine serum, the cleansers, foundation primers.

GYPSY: Do you want to expand it?
BM: If the course of my work dictates that we should do more skin care then we most likely will. I don’t rule anything out. It’s what will give our customers the utmost satisfaction that dictates what we do.

GYPSY: When you started did you expect it to be this big?
BM: Em, no, I didn’t. I was just doing what I enjoyed doing. Over the years, I would look up some products, crush it, mix it, if it works…if it works for me, then it was fine. But, technology and the fashion world keep changing, and because I really am interested in those things, you know, I go along with them. I go along with the changes and try to bring them back home. Bring it to Nigeria and let people know what’s in and what’s out. I just try to help people achieve great results with their make-up.

GYPSY: Do you think what you do is important?
BM: It is so important. I can’t emphasize the importance of a well made-up face, because it does a lot for your confidence and confidence is key. One of my mantras is ‘Beauty is in-built but an attractive face is worked on.’ You can make your face look really attractive and you can use it to achieve perfection with your face.
In every day experiences, confidence plays such an important role in everything you do and if you’re not confident you’re not going to be able to achieve. It’s so important I can’t overemphasize it.

GYPSY: When you hear the word ‘competition’, what comes to mind?
BM: What comes to mind is, ‘Okay, so this is new’.
I see now that there are a lot of make-up artists which is great, because I...we can’t cater to…what’s the population of Nigeria now? And there’s just 6 or 7 of us in my team. We can’t do everybody. We will do the people that we can.
Each time I see make-up artists, it impresses me because I can see that there are a lot of people out there who realize it’s not only white collar jobs that can earn you an income. It can be anything, it’s possible for you to do anything as long as you’re focused and what you’re offering is very good, you will eke out a living and a very good one at that.
For me, competition is out there. It doesn’t dictate what I do. What I do I do because I’ve thought about it, and I want to do it. Then also, maybe it makes me raise my stakes. It helps me to go one step further. In this town, you have people, everywhere really, once you do something, everyone rushes in to do the same. I want to be one step ahead of everything.

GYPSY: At the end of the day, what do you want to be remembered for?
BM: Changing the face of make-up. BM Pro is the first Nigerian make-up brand. I’m proud of that. A lot of make-up artists use BM Pro. I’m so happy with that. When I go for an occasion and I see the make-up is BM Pro colours, that makes me very proud.

I would want to be remembered as someone who changed the face of make-up products in Nigeria, and helped Nigeria grow in that field.

...where were we?

noreply@blogger.com (Timi) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 09:44:00 +0000

Hey everyone!

Sick leave over. Ended it with The Hobbit and Cho and a lot of chocolate. Life is good. God is faithful.

Apparently, YED has not been published since they went on their Christmas break, so I am not behind. Yay! I am right on top of it. Yay! So back to work.

I've written only 800 words of Good Intentions. Out of 100,000. My procrastination is powered by fear, but I'm gonna have to do it afraid, so I'm going to log in some words today. I'll keep you posted. Here's my Good Intentions playlist, made up of songs that remind me of my plot and characters. I don't know if I can actually write with it, but we'll see.

Take you back - Jeremy Camp
Superhuman - Chris Brown and Keri Hilson
Nothing without You - Bebo Norman
Fighting Temptation - Dietrick Haddon
Hope for Every Fallen Man - Relient K
You Decide - Brandon Heath
Grey - BarlowGirl
Talk to me - Jill Scott
In Better Hands - Natalie Grant
Hands up - 2PM
Walk by Faith - Jeremy Camp
Body and Soul - Billie Holiday
The Fight Song - Sanctus Real

Does the playlist give you an idea of what Good Intentions is about?