M is for Model

My name is Myne Whitman and I am a model. A role model I mean, lol...not that you could think otherwise. Atala doesn't really like the picture below, he thinks I look too 'serious' and calls it my Maya Angelou picture. Of course Maya A is a truly inspirational role model, and I tell him it's an honor to be compared to her.

I hope you don't think I'm trying to be big-headed by saying I'm a role model? The truth is that most of us are role models whether we realize it or not, even if only to one or two people, friends, family etc. And that is not a bad thing, and should not be regarded as a burden like some people do. I believe that thinking yourself a role model gives one the inspiration sometimes to keep going.

Also, the importance of role models cannot be overestimated. It is crucial for a lot of us, myself included, to be able to have people we look up to, people we can identify with, and people who inspire us. When we can do this, we are energized because we can see our paths more clearly, and our goals are focused.

As a female writer, I'm never tired of mentioning those whom I've read and enjoyed, and those whose books have shaped me. By acknowledging them, I am acknowledged. As the Igbos say, "He who respects the king will one day be king." Some of them are already recognized but it never hurts to add your voice. So reach out today to your role model and say, "you motivated me".

And before I sign off, I have to say this you reading. Yeah you, you motivate me. :)

Have a great weekend!

For those in Nigeria, hope you're planning to vote?

Love - The one that got away.

You know how they say there's always that one person that you should've/ could've spent the rest of your life with? In A Love Rekindled, that could have been the case until fate brought Kevwe and Efe back together. This is a topic that engulfed me while I wrote the book, and I have agreed to discuss it with radio host and presenter, Vera Ezimora. We'll both be dishing on the main characters of A Love Rekindled, and will also take calls and questions from listeners!

You can E-mail all your questions/comments/stories about this show to radio@verastic.com or text 1.443.934.9039. You can also join the conversation by calling 1.646.929.1905 during the LIVE show. Time and Date is Saturday, April 16 by 10am EST, and 3pm GMT. For more information, visit the Verastic Channel on BlogTalk Radio.

To start the discussion, and to have the opportunity to get quoted during the radio show, leave a comment below. Do you have "The One" that got away? Ever heard of it, and what do you think?

L is for Love

Of course, LOL...

Wait a minute though, what is love? How will you describe love?

Is it a feeling or an action?
Is it to love or to be in love?
Can one do without love?
A cool love or a fast love?
Which is the better love?
Why do we even love?
When does love start?
Where does love end?
Have you ever loved?


Over to you...

K is for Kevwe Mukoro

Nigerian Actor - Desmond Elliot

Kevwe is one of the main characters in my new book, A Love Rekindled, and below he answers some questions.

- How would you describe yourself?
Confident, a go-getter, caring

- Is it true that you enjoy spending hours and hours in your engineering design studio?
Yes, I do. After all, my job is my passion. I've been dreaming of having my own company for two decades, and I'm proud of how far I've come in setting it up and growing it to this extent, in spite of all the challenges I've had to face. My vision is to make this the number one engineering design company in Nigeria, so I have to put in a lot of work in pioneering new products to achieve this dream.

- A little bird tells us that you're technophobic. Is that true? Well, I'm not the kind of person to go crazy over the latest gadgets. After all, what is technology for but to enable us to be more productive in our work and lives? I use AutoCAD on my computer at work, but I don't see why I should spend hours on Facebook and Twitter when I shoudl be working on a design project.

- What's your idea of a romantic evening with a loved one?
I'd take my loved one out to a quiet place for dinner and drinks. Then we'd move on from there to a nightclub where we could end the evening dancing the night away.

- Who is more impulsive - you or your twin brother?
I have to say that I am - he's the level headed one, whereas I sometimes fly off the handle. But we're not that different - I can also be composed when I want to be.

_________________

What do you think of him?

J is for JOY!

This is going to be a mostly wordless post. It is getting to that time of the year when the drizzling Seattle rain moves from calming to boring, and I begin to fret for warmer weather. So I was going through some summer pictures on my files and these reminded me to look forward to better days ahead. While I'm thankful for spring, and the beginning of all things new, I can't wait for summer, and hopefully some travel time. Yay! Joy!

*pictures taken in Chicago last year.

I is for Interview - Paschal Obinna Ozoigbo

And today, my guest is Paschal Obinna Ozoigbo, Author of The Dust Must Settle. Enjoy...

1. Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
There is no gainsaying the fact that Africans are where they are today, especially intellectually, as a result of the collective effort of the colonial administrators.

2. Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
Yes, I have one. Glittering Sword is the title. I have quite a lot of projects lined up. And I don't write just to win awards. I write to affect lives, and also to give a message from my satire. My banking job, which kept me extremely busy and therefore out of writing for close to 15 years, squeezed out all the youthfulness in me and made me sort of redundant as a writer. Nevertheless, at 39, I think I have practically nothing to lose. The late Sidney Sheldon, after all, started his writing career in his 50's, and today he is a celebrated writer, the most translated author in the whole world, according to The Guinness Book of World Records.

3. What inspired you to want to become a writer?
Naturally, I am a chronicler. It is a gift from God. Unfortunately, however, I cannot tell it. I can only pass it across in black-and-white. Whenever I read a novel, I always tell myself: but, boy, I can do better.

4. Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
Seeing my brainchild finally in print form, well-bound, ready to be launched to the world through Amazon, the biggest online bookstore in the whole world, and Barnes &Noble. I have attended speaking engagements in Lagos and Abuja as a result, and offers have come from Hollywood, through my publishers, to get The Dust Must Settle from book to screen. I have had a good time speaking with the Africa Regional Chairperson for the The Commonwealth Prize, Ms. Ayeboah-Afari, and also with the Commonwealth Foundation in London. The Dust Must Settle got to them late as an entry for the 2011 Commonwealth Writers Prize. Ayeboah-Afari took her time to placate me, because I was really mad with the publishers in the US for submitting my entry so late, long after the deadline given. You see, in life, on must count it all joy, even when things seem to be going haywire. These therefore constitute my most rewarding experience since being published.

5. If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world.. which would it be?
Barbara Taylor-Bradford's Voice of the Heart.

6. What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?
Cyprian Ekwensi's Jagua Nana's Daughter, which was made into a TV miniseries in the 80's or thereabouts by some Nigerian soap producer/director.

7. What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
Don't write with winning an award at the back of your mind, otherwise when the awards seem not to be forthcoming, you may get frustrated and may stop writing as a result. It has thought me a bitter lesson. Write, just because you want to write. And I tell you, someone out there would see your work(s), fall in love with it(them), and find you--wherever you may be.

H is for Haircut

Forgive me if there seems no rhyme and or reason to my April challenge posts, I did not win the Versatile Blogger award for nothing, lol.

Today I share with you all, for the first time, and exclusively on Myne Whitman Writes, my new haircut. Yes, it is THE BIG CHOP!

I had a hair accident in March after I removed some weaves, and this led to the worst hair tangling known to man. The only solution? Cut it all off. Well, I'm comforted knowing my hair grows quickly. With time I'll share more with you guys about the hair journey.

Have you ever had a hair accident? Is your hair shorter than mine? Do I look like a boy?

G is for Goodreads

Goodreads is that useful website where you can somehow organize your reading, network with other authors and readers, and even get cool giveaways. Both my books are on Goodreads - A Heart to Mend is HERE, and A Love Rekindled is HERE. If you're on Goodreads, you can add them to your shelf or To-be-Read Pile, and up till June, you can enter for a giveaway of the paperback of ALR.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

A Love Rekindled

by Myne Whitman

Giveaway ends June 24, 2011.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Thanks for visiting, and see you soon. I can't believe how awesome this challenge is turning out to be.

F is for Friendship

This is an old poem of mine, and this is a great time to share it. To friends, old and new - THANK YOU!

You were there in my time of need
Not knowing the meaning of greed

If I need it, you’ll give your last dime
Rich or poor, you gave me a good time

You did everything a friend should
And treated me the best you could

You comforted me when I was sad
And laughed with me when I was glad

I recall the times we used to share
And I want you to know I still care

I will always try to be there
Whenever, wherever you need my cheer

When you need me, I’ll be there in a hurry
When you are down, you don’t have to worry

Though some things you do may be wrong
Our friendship will ever remain strong

******************

Please feel free to share your stories of friendship. What was the best thing you did for a friend or a friend did for you? Who is your best friend?

E is for Efe Sagay

Efe is the heroine of my new novel, A Love Rekindled, and her interview is below. Tessa Conte of Tessablurb also did an interview of Efe, and you can find it HERE.

Nigeria Actress - Susan Peters

- How would you describe yourself in three ways? 
Focused, hardworking, a softie at heart.

- You lived out of Nigeria for a while - how did you find it?
I found it very organized. I went to school, I got my first degree and Master's in 5 years, I found it relatively easy to get a job, and I felt comfortable, safe and secure. But I'm glad to be back in Nigeria, closer to my family; I missed them while I was away, because I never returned to Nigeria once during my stay in America. I'm also happy to be working in the entertainment industry, contributing my knowledge and expertise towards its growth.

- It's been said that you're the quiet type. What does it take to get you talking? 
You're right - I'm not a big talker, except when I'm with friends and family, or when the conversation is about interesting topics like music and travel. Current affairs is not really my thing, though.

- We hear that you're an auditing whiz-kid. How did you get to be so good?
I've always been interested in accounting; it's what I studied in UniBen, and I've always been interested in the clues that people leave behind in their financial records. When I travelled to the States to continue my studies, I became even more interested, especially when I took a special course in Forensic Accounting that my school offered. I was lucky to join a whiz team in the Palm Beach Hilton, so I was able to continue feeding my passion and developing my abilities.

- Tell us about your taste in music. Which songs do you really like?
Back in UniBen, I liked soft tunes, R'n'B and easy listening music; I used to follow the UK Top 40, and collected favourites like R Kelly, Mariah Carey, Eternal and Celine Dion. But since I returned to Nigeria, I've been getting into the local popular music scene with D'Banj, Banky W, Asa and Omawumi.

__________

So what do you think of Efe? If you've read the book, do you recognize her? Do you knew a person like her in real life?