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STORY OF THE MONTH
The Solid Roof
by Inas Essa
It was one of winter nights in which snow covered the high hills and deprived many hearts of its warmth.
Sounds of thunder made everything shudder with no mercy, while lightning flashed into minds recalling old memories, good and bad in equal scale.
Clouds obscured the sky that shadowed the moon and offered no way for its pale beams to reach anywhere.
Adam stayed in his warm house; drops of rain hid the scene behind the glazed window. That offered his mind an opportunity to sew fiction stories with no limit, full of love or adventure, but that was of no use as he did not have that kind of free mind and soul.
He shifted his focus to the boiling water in the kettle, its steam swayed his mind among many spheres and pressed many thoughts on it. All of those spheres were full of smiles and cries, failure and success; all were full of people sharing their life with each other. But still he couldn’t share his with another person but his one self.
A violent thunder sound cut through his mind like a sword, split his life to many pieces before his eyes. He filled two cups of coffee to the brim and stood for moments with his eyes darting between them.
For the first time he felt no shelter in his expensive house, under the solid roof and high furniture. Suddenly the lamps grew dim that shadowed his mind like a sooty cloud.
The hustle outside called him back to reality, he felt quite independent of his body, with heavy steps and many strings holding him back, he forced his way to outside.
The wind was blowing everything away; he felt his spirit was mounted quite up to life for the first time, and felt a chance of new life was introduced to him in a far place far away from his rocking chair. Somewhere he didn’t dare to travel to even within his imagination.
He walked some steps away from his house. It seemed a long journey, he looked back at his footprints and found they might belong only to the passing life.
Adam opened his arms under the heavy rain that was dropping against his naked chest. In that moment he felt like he had never tasted any better before.
With his eyes closed he saw still more clearly, he only felt alive when a cry of freedom broke from his throat that sent a shiver through his body.
He watched the variations of the sky, clouds spinning in the changing sphere and could imagine an alternation in the air and into his heart.
Beyond any question he found another reality in the warm embrace of the world that could never be felt without going out from under his solid roof.
Inas Essa, a 24 years old writer, studied journalism at the faculty of masscommunication, Cairo University. She worked as a journalist from 2010 to 2013, and then changed her career to writing poetry and short stories.
Her work has been published in Scarborough arts (Big art book 2013), every day poems and poemhunter.
She lives in Alexandria, Egypt. She adores reading and writing from an early age, loves listening to music and watching classic movies.
Her work mainly concentrates on words and feelings that remain unspoken, whatever out of fear or out of pain. But still they are considered to be the most important part in people's life, because they are devoided of any falsity.
When it comes to be unique, it mainly pushes you to be yourself, in writing, in feeling and in thoughts, so she tries hard to be herself in every word her hand draws.
She hopes one day her work will be read by people all over the world, willing to stretch her boundaries until they no longer exist.
CONGRATULATIONS, INAS! WE LOVED YOUR STORY, NOW TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOU!
1) Why did you decide to write your story?
Well, I think many people can relate to this idea; preferring solitude for some time then they find themselves drifted pitilessly to such atmosphere, with no one to share their life with. Maybe fear of getting hurt is one of the reasons but I think overwork is a strong one also; as some people think that a big deal of money can be a shelter and source of secure. And then you can spend your life alone, on your rocking chair surrounded by your expensive possessions.
2) Do you have any projects you’re working on right now?
Yes, actually I am working on my first book of collected poetry and also a collection of short stories.
3) What things are you doing to improve your writing?
Recently, I have made writing my priority. So, I write for almost five hours daily. Regardless the countless mistakes at first, once I get involved in the story or hit the main idea, I feel my hand swaying on the paper. So it is all a matter of practice.
Of course reading is the best teacher to write well, to seek inspiration and different writing styles as well.
4) What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?
First of all, you must believe in your talent and ability to be a good writer. If you doubt your talent, no one will believe in you.
Secondly, you should have an unbridled imagination and creativity, and not to confine yourself to barren standards or restrictions. If you force yourself to write certain things, sooner or later your writing will become dull and tasteless.
Also they should read as much as they can, for good writers must first be good readers.
Finally, just a pencil, dozens of papers, a quiet place and leave the entire world behind.
5) What author do you admire, living or dead?
Generally, I prefer classic authors; as their ideas are genuine and they have a unique writing style.
Speaking of which, I admire Leo Tolstoy. While in poetry, I consider William butler Yeats the best ever.
6) What recent book made an impression on you?
Well, it is a novel by Nicolas Sparks, message in a bottle. It is really great. The best romantic novel I have ever read. I couldn't put the book down till I reached the end. Then I closed my eyes and conjured up its events and couldn't count how many hours I kept crying.
7) For what one accomplishment would you most like to be remembered?
It is a hard question somehow, for I am so eager to achieve many things and addicted to awards. But I hope my writing release the unspoken that many people keep shut then stay in gloom with no way to express what they really feel.
8) Tell us about your family.
Okay, my mother is an ophthalmologist and father is a retired officer and I have two brothers. They are always supporting me, especially my mom, even though our careers are totally different. But still she always motivates me to accomplish my dream.
9) What would you like our readers to know about you?
An ambitious aspiring writer who dreams one day her work will be read all over the world.
10) Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
My friend, Nourhan Sorour, maybe she doesn't know her rule in my career, but still she was the first one to open my eyes to essential tips in writing and guide me at the beginning. And I am really grateful to her.
11) Is there a message in your story that you want your readers to grasp?
Never to be detached from the world and live alone, or focus only on your work and forget caring about other people, for it won't help you in your depression or hold you close while you are down. Sociability is very important, even though you should stay alone for some time.
12) Finally, do you have anything else to add?
I hope you like my writing. Good luck in your life and thank you so much.
