introduction

As Salamu Alaikum brothers and sisters Welcome all new members,Ramadan
Mubarak May Allah Bless us all

Welcome and salaam to all! Heather muslima, my mom is a muslim convert from Nebraska too! And to the Indian newbies, my dad is from India too! HE HE! Love all mixtures of people here! Hope all of you have a blessed time in this forum!

First novel-- I'm an essayist... this came to me in a dream. I've dreamed of the Middle East for a long time- for some reason it appears as a "spy v. spy" in that I am watching someone, but trying not to be seen... the other night after meeting with a group of writers, the premise came to me. I'll set it in a three month period- In the Gaza strip, using the actions of a paramilitary group working against Israel,

That being part of the premise... and having a "Christian Palestinian" as friend here, who's older brother was a part of the resistance... I want to be able to create three dimensional Christians, Muslims and Israelis... which means that there is more to them than their politics-- family, friends, internal belief structure as well as the dogma of the various faiths.

I have spent years with the Christian Orthodox friend... so, I have that background. I dated a Muslim who converted to Christianity here in the states... his brother didn't... so I have some of that family conflict- but I don't know any Muslims well. I don't know much about Islam other than historically- and some of the snippets I got from Samir's friends when we traveled- One was a scholar, who had also converted and was creating a book for converts that resembled something he had experienced as a Muslim; a book that guided one's study and practice.

I'd give ya more, but I haven't copyrighted yet... so, until I know its mine, I'm not putting it on the net... Stephanie Meyers lost a whole book, and since this is my first, I can't afford to lose it.!!!

As to how far along... I have one page--- and a boatload of research to read.

Hi, All!
I feel like the old woman... I'm 54, my handle (herbsinger42) is based on my gardening and herbalistic skills, My first name is Melody-- hence the 'singer' part.

I'm a pagan, or naturalist, but I cannot perceive the creative spirit being wrong in creation, and somehow, out of the slime or by divine motion, we are here. We sometimes disagree on what reality looks like. I'm convinced we are just looking at the same thing from different angles, and are missing key elements that others find obvious.

I'm here because I'm writing a novel-- If you don't want your opinion ending up in print... better not talk to me. Better yet, do I need to ask permission of each forum? I read the behavior code, and didn't see anything, but want to be open about my intent.

So: your intros have all been brief- I'm a Las Vegas native in the US- Vegas is more commonly known as Sin City because of our gambling. Ironically, prostitution, while prevalent, is illegal in our county. However, displays of skin in shows is not- and so, Sin City.

I have a preconception of Israel as a bully in Palestinian relationships. I take my government to task at every opportunity for propping up a terrorist regime, (my read of bulldozing communities, farms, orchards and groves on a regular basis and stealing property that wasn't stolen by the UN...) Hitler followed what the US had done to the natives in the Americas... seems Israel took a page from the book, as well.

My take on why- other than thuggishness?? Water rights.
Could be I read this because I'm from the desert south west of the US. Water is life.

Ok-- steppin off the soap box. OH! I'm a fan of a show called Firefly, and the subsequent movie, Serenity- you may notice I will use the slang for some verbs... and contract 'verse to mean all of the known universe... it is merely homage to my favorite storyteller of our time, Joss Whedon. Please do not be offended, or assume I'm speaking Bush.
I'm a screaming liberal, so, not Bush. Nor Bush II.

I'll be quizzin' y'all regularly... Blessings!