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  marcoujor's musings

mar's Desk

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marcoujor: The Power of His Pen

5/20/2015

24 Comments

 
Picture
This past Saturday I published a very special story on my Inspiration Station blog called: 'Tell Skinny I Said Hi.'

I take my comments to heart, am often inspired by them, in and of themselves. My friend, Vicki Warner of WarnerWords, reminded me of this in her insightful remarks, including: 

"...these things are always doubly shocking when they happen to someone you know."


My mind wandered to a friend and writer many of us have held close in our heart and prayers over these last weeks, Vinaya Ghimire.

Vinaya and I became friends after I interviewed him, now more than two years ago, in this very interesting piece if you want to check out: Interview with Vinaya Ghimire.

WarnerWords published A Nepal Update by Vinaya Ghimire this past Saturday with the latest news written from Vinaya himself to inform us of what has been happening since this series of earthquakes and the aftermath.

Vinaya has inspired me beyond belief throughout these days of fear and uncertainty.  Perhaps because of a challenge to 'step up' from his wife, Vinaya is using contributions from friends all over the world to help feed and support his entire community.
 
He is also using the gift of his writing to 'pay it back'.  Specifically, he is giving all of the proceeds from his recently published e-book about the People's War in Nepal right back into helping the people of  Nepal.  How cool is this?
 
I had asked Vinaya for an 'exclusive' well before this disaster.  I had purchased the book for myself and for a couple friends as gifts. It's priced at $3.99 - which is affordable to most budgets.  
 
I was thrilled that Vinaya was able to give us a bit of the 'back story on the story' as I like to say... :)  That gives a book much more meaning for me and I hope it would for you if you decide to purchase this or gift it.

PictureVinaya Ghimire, Author
I would highly recommend this book to my nursing students, especially those I have taught in Cultural Anthropology class.  That being said, I would remind a potential reader of the value "I" see in expanding my understanding of cultural norms and practices outside of Western civilization.  Because of reading this, often difficult to swallow, book I know Vinaya and his community will survive this latest tragedy as well... they are survivors.



Picture
Vinaya, I dedicate this song to you, your family and community: Cat Stevens' Kathmandu
So, here...right from Vinaya himself, is his exclusive! 
PictureCLICK HERE to get it from amazon.com
Maria: What is the title of your book?

Vinaya: People’s War in Nepal: Songs and Narratives From the Frontline. 

Maria: Where did the idea come from for this book? 

Vinaya: Since a long time I was thinking to write about the pain and sufferings of common people during the height of Communist insurgency in Nepal (1996-2006). I was dillydallying for a long time. However, one day when I was going through my previously written works, I found that I had enough poems and stories about Nepalese civil war.


Maria: What genre does your book fall under?

Vinaya: The book is an anthology of flash fictions and narrative poems.

Maria: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? 

Vinaya: Since the stories and poems collected in People’s War in Nepal are based in Nepal and about Nepalese civil war, I believe local actors would do justice. 

Maria: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? 

Vinaya: There are three long narrative poems and three flash fictions in People's War in Nepal, which depicts the plight of common people stuck between the security forces and rebels. 

Maria: Is your book self-published or represented by an agency?

Vinaya: I self-published the book through Amazon.
 
Maria: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? 
 
Vinaya: Actually, I did not sit to write this book. These poems and stories were written randomly and published on different websites and newspapers over the period of seven or eight years. Compiling the poems and stories in one volume and revising them took more than six months.

Maria: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? 

Vinaya: Many local writers have written fictions and poetry about communist insurgency in Nepal. Some of these books have also own prestigious prizes in the country. However, these books are in local language. My vision could be limited, however, I have not found any books in English language on this line. 
 
Maria: Who or what inspired you to write this book? 
 
Vinaya: I was lucky that nothing happened to me and my loved ones during the ten years of Nepalese civil war. However, I was a witness to the bloody war in my backyard.These are the stories of men and women who were the victims of war. This is not a historical account; however, the characters did actually exist and the incidents actually happened. 
 
Maria: What's next?  Working on any new books / ideas you can share with us...? 
 
Vinaya: I am working on a children story book. The book will be out in a month or two.

Thank you so much, Vinaya - keep in touch when you can, mar

24 Comments
Mary link
5/20/2015 03:58:05 am

What an extraordinary young man our Vinaya is! Obviously your timing of this post makes us more aware of what he and his family are going through right now. Then, to see what they've already been through all you can do is admire them!
Of course buying the book and making donations on GoFundme can only help them help their community more.
Well done dear friend.

Reply
Maria link
5/21/2015 03:49:46 am

Thanks, dear Mary. I couldn't agree more.

Reply
femmeflashpoint link
5/20/2015 04:06:42 am

Mar and Vinaya,

I can't imagine how difficult it must be to put entire communities back together after an earthquake with the destruction magnitude Nepal is recovering from.

I think it's interesting that art has seldom been regarded as a means to produce aid in a crisis, but with Vinaya's use of his craft and other writers using their own venues, a good deal of assistance is being generated.

Your article title is appropriate, Mar. Pens make words and words pack power.

Well done and best wishes and prayers for Vinaya and the people of Nepal.

femme

Reply
Maria link
5/21/2015 03:52:01 am

Dear femme,
I'm also most impressed that Vinaya is using the gift of his writing to help his community. It's truly 'paying it back'. Love and hugs, mar

Reply
Gail Sobotkin
5/20/2015 04:54:21 am

Dear Maria and Vinaya,
This was a fascinating glimpse into the story behind Vinaya's book, People's War in Nepal, and it gives us further insight into what the people of Nepal went through years before the current earthquake trauma making their plight at the present time even more poignant.
I think Vinaya, with his excellent command of the English language, his desire to tell the stories of Nepal beyond the borders of his home country, and his gift for writing gripping prose and poetry make him an extraordinary, "unofficial" ambassador for his community and country.
Glad to see you helping to extend the reach of his stories throughout our country and internationally. Also glad you are recommending his book to your nursing students as a way of learning about other cultures through literature.
Sending Blessings & Prayers,
Gail

Reply
Maria link
5/21/2015 03:54:35 am

I love your phrasing of Vinaya being an "unofficial" ambassador for his community and country, dear Gail. Thanks for stopping by and your ongoing support. Love, hugs and peace to you, Maria

Reply
Martie link
5/20/2015 04:55:17 am

I've just read Vinaya's book, People's War in Nepal, and I am still in a state of shock, realizing the devastating effect of war on the human psyche. As if war turns humans in living machines with only 3 drives - kill, eat and have sex.

I hate war!

The earthquakes in Nepal are 'acts of God', and don't fall in the same category as wars. Even while the suffering may be the same, there is a different tone in the human soul while meeting all the challenges on hand.

This is an insightful and beautiful interview with Vinaya. Thank you, Mar :)

Vinaya, I hope with all my heart that you and your people will rise above that war and also above those earthquakes and their destructive consequences. Somehow adversities give us the opportunity to rise and shine.

Reply
Maria link
5/21/2015 03:56:46 am

Dear Martie,
Thanks for this passionate and heartfelt comment. I know that it will mean the world to Vinaya, as it does to me. Love you and hugs, mar

Reply
Theresa
5/21/2015 11:13:18 pm

What a fantastic interview with our one and only, Vinaya! I have always held Vinaya in high regard as a man who will go out of his way to help others. book sounds interesting and I will be sure to purchase. I remember he helped me with a fun project and was patient and kind and took hidhis time . God bless him and his family.

Maria link
5/22/2015 01:34:40 am

Dear Theresa,
I remember the collaboration you and Vinaya worked on and totally loved it...two beautiful talents for sure.
Thanks for your support, prayers and kindness to Vinaya here. Love you very much and hugs, Maria

Reply
Mike
5/20/2015 04:58:31 am

Vinaya provides an interesting profile of someone living an ordinary life and thrown into a regional crisis of epic proportions. Maria this is such a timely interview. Vinaya allows us to offer support directly to his neighborhood and his family bypassing all the bureacracies. He and his family will dig out of this and we can be a small part of this as part of his online writing family.

Reply
Maria link
5/21/2015 03:59:56 am

Your comment offers insight and wisdom, dear Mike - always happy when you stop by.

Reply
Shauna
5/20/2015 05:16:36 am

The timing of Vinaya's book proves that everything happens in due time and for a reason. Readers of his book will not only get a glimpse into what being directly subjected to war is like, but will also help bring restorative aid to Nepal.

Stellar interview, as always, my dear Maria!

Reply
Maria link
5/21/2015 04:04:13 am

Thanks, dear Sha - I couldn't agree more. The timing of Vinaya's book feels way more than coincidental to me... :)

Reply
Peg link
5/20/2015 07:55:59 am

Speechless at the level of devastation the people of Vinaya's village have endured from nature and from war. His spirit and generosity will certainly help them reclaim their lives. What a fascinating glimpse into his book. Thanks for sharing this interview to give us a closer look into this writer and friend, dear Maria.

Reply
Maria link
5/21/2015 04:06:49 am

I'm grateful you stopped by...I know Vinaya will be checking in as he can to see how many of his friends are sending their thoughts and prayers, sweet Peg.

Reply
sannel link
5/20/2015 10:00:04 am

Having lived through earthquakes in Greece, I can understand some of the tremor Vinaya is going through. Actually, I can remember it quite vividly.
To keep your family and loved ones safe becomes a priority, just like Vinaya is trying to do. He is an extraordinary young man, and I know he will pull through this,.as well. Thank you Maria for posting a post about our good friend,Vinaya. My prayers and well wishes is with him, his family and the people of Nepal.
Love and hugs,
Sannel

Reply
Maria link
5/21/2015 04:12:42 am

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all closed our eyes and imagined holding a blanket of support across the miles from the east to west coast of the United States & Canada to South Africa to Sweden & Greece to keep Vinaya and his community safe...

Sannel, you and Martie and all of our other dear friends reminded me of this...thank you for your empathy, love and support.

Love you, peace and hugs, Maria

Reply
Sunshine
5/21/2015 02:29:32 pm

I learned so much about life in Nepal from Vinaya's book...a wonderful interview and a very interesting story!

Reply
Maria link
5/22/2015 01:36:49 am

I agree, Sunshine - I'm sure Vinaya appreciates your support as well!

Reply
kim kimmie
5/21/2015 03:05:44 pm

Dearest Maria
Such a lovely way of bringing attention to our wonderful friends Vinaya who continues to be a light to his country and fellow countrymen. My prayers continue to be with him and the people of Nepal.
God bless my friend
Kimmie

Reply
Maria link
5/22/2015 01:38:41 am

Dear Kim,
So happy to see you here and I know Vinaya will be as well. Your prayers and support mean the world and so does your friendship.
Love you and hugs, Maria

Reply
Vinaya
5/22/2015 01:58:11 am

Dear Maria
Thank you very much for the interview.
This is a marvellous promotion. I have been busy moving my family from Kathmandu.
I will get back to you soon, Vinaya

Reply
Maria link
5/22/2015 02:00:09 am

Dear Vinaya,

Thanks so much for this note. We all understand how busy you must be with your family during these days.

Know we are all thinking of you and sending our positive energy and prayers to you and yours. Hugs, Maria

Reply



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    Marcoujor

    Welcome to my desk...

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    mar  



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