Since I started the blog, I've met authors from all over the world. Today's guest author is Tarek Refaat, who is in Egypt! If you're interested in social justice or want a thought-provoking read, seek out his novel Ruptured.
Welcome to the blog, Tarek! Could you tell us a little bit about Ruptured?
Well, thank you, Rachel, first of all, for hosting me on your blog! It’s a true pleasure to be here. As to Ruptured... It’s my first published novel and it basically discusses a common issue that, despite it taking place more often in eastern societies, I believe it might be all over the world but in different grades: and it is how societies deal with rape victims. Basically, I want to voice out that people who pass through such situations or even similar or slightly different still have the right to live as a decent normal human being, they cannot be simply marked or labeled as expired goods.
What led you to write this book?
Well, the book’s idea itself; I wanted to write something related to such an incident but wanted a different flavor to it. It was hanging in the back of my mind for almost 3-4 months before I actually began to write the story. And then one day on my way to work it just struck me and I began to write.
How did you handle writing about such a difficult subject?
Well, I’m a person who doesn’t prepare a script or a storyboard, I just see the characters…the events, and I begin to instantly write. I do not like to try to constrain or narrow my vision, I just let it come as it is. In some parts it was so emotional during the writing, sometimes it brought me to tears; at other moments I felt rage. Such a type of story is usually full of mixed emotions.
Who are your favorite authors? How have they influenced you?
Well, believe it or not, I am mainly a history reader, and not much of a literature reader, so I’d say two of my favorite authors are Paul Brickhill, author of the biography of Sir Douglas Bader which was called Reach for the Sky, and also famous author Tom Clancy, author of The Hunt for Red October, which was transformed into a movie starring Sean Connery. And other famous movies.
What is your best advice on writing?
My main advice which is one I took from Tom Clancy in person when I first sent him a something I wrote; he said, “Write, write every damn day!” This advice has come in very handy for me. And I believe it would be very beneficial for fellow writers and authors.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Tarek!
Bio
I'm an Egyptian author who works in the field of information technology, not exactly the closest job to writing! I've been into writing since I was thirteen.. But I never really gave it serious thought until a few years back. I am currently working in the field of Information Technology, but that doesn't hold me back from pursuing my passion for writing!
Tarek Refaat can be found online at his blog, energizre.wordpress.com, and on Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter under @energizre. There is also a Facebook group for Ruptured.
Ruptured is available at Amazon and Lulu. Unfortunately, printed copies are only available in Egypt at the moment.
Welcome to the blog, Tarek! Could you tell us a little bit about Ruptured?
Well, thank you, Rachel, first of all, for hosting me on your blog! It’s a true pleasure to be here. As to Ruptured... It’s my first published novel and it basically discusses a common issue that, despite it taking place more often in eastern societies, I believe it might be all over the world but in different grades: and it is how societies deal with rape victims. Basically, I want to voice out that people who pass through such situations or even similar or slightly different still have the right to live as a decent normal human being, they cannot be simply marked or labeled as expired goods.
What led you to write this book?
Well, the book’s idea itself; I wanted to write something related to such an incident but wanted a different flavor to it. It was hanging in the back of my mind for almost 3-4 months before I actually began to write the story. And then one day on my way to work it just struck me and I began to write.
How did you handle writing about such a difficult subject?
Well, I’m a person who doesn’t prepare a script or a storyboard, I just see the characters…the events, and I begin to instantly write. I do not like to try to constrain or narrow my vision, I just let it come as it is. In some parts it was so emotional during the writing, sometimes it brought me to tears; at other moments I felt rage. Such a type of story is usually full of mixed emotions.
Who are your favorite authors? How have they influenced you?
Well, believe it or not, I am mainly a history reader, and not much of a literature reader, so I’d say two of my favorite authors are Paul Brickhill, author of the biography of Sir Douglas Bader which was called Reach for the Sky, and also famous author Tom Clancy, author of The Hunt for Red October, which was transformed into a movie starring Sean Connery. And other famous movies.
What is your best advice on writing?
My main advice which is one I took from Tom Clancy in person when I first sent him a something I wrote; he said, “Write, write every damn day!” This advice has come in very handy for me. And I believe it would be very beneficial for fellow writers and authors.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Tarek!
Bio
I'm an Egyptian author who works in the field of information technology, not exactly the closest job to writing! I've been into writing since I was thirteen.. But I never really gave it serious thought until a few years back. I am currently working in the field of Information Technology, but that doesn't hold me back from pursuing my passion for writing!
Tarek Refaat can be found online at his blog, energizre.wordpress.com, and on Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter under @energizre. There is also a Facebook group for Ruptured.
Ruptured is available at Amazon and Lulu. Unfortunately, printed copies are only available in Egypt at the moment.
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