It Could Happen Anywhere

I was going to start the interviews of my author friends after January began, but last night one of them sent me the answers to the interview questions and I had to share this interview now. I cried when I read about this woman's life. It began so typically, but in a day, everything changed for her and her country.
Somehow, here in the United States, we feel insulated from this kind of thing. After reading this I realize that it could happen here or anywhere.

The thing that stood out to me is that she has a very joyful personality even after everything she has been through. You will not feel depressed after reading this interview. She is a very positive person. Please read the interview with my new acquaintance, Sanela Jurich.

My name is: Sanela Ramic Jurich

My genre: 1.Fiction / Historical 2.Fiction / War & Military (Although I wanted it to be Romance).
The title of my book is: Remember Me
My website: http://www.sanelajurich.tateauthor.com

1. How long have you been an author and when did the desire to write (the writing bug) bite?

I've been a published author since June 7th, 2011, but I knew I was going to be one ever since I can remember.

I heard someone say once that in order to become a writer, you don’t just learn the skill; you have to be born with it. It’s inside you all along. It’s your calling.

I strongly believe this to be true. I remember exactly the first set of books I’ve ever read. It was Greek Mythology given to me by an old neighbor. I was seven years old at the time.

I know, you might say that Greek Mythology is too complex for a seven-year-old, but to my-seven-year-old mind, this was fairy tales. I loved reading about those strong, smart, wise Gods and gorgeous Goddesses.

And as I was growing up, each time I’d feel lonely, or sad, I’d always go back and read those wonderful stories that never failed to inspire and make me feel better.

Soon after I read those, I had my library ticket and was spending most of my after-school time there. My parents didn’t mind, since they both worked. I was left alone a lot, so the fact that I’d actually enjoyed being in a library was kind of like a relief to them.

I absolutely loved reading and so, in my heart, I knew that some day I was going to write cool stories to make people laugh and feel good.

I wasn’t going to write sad stories; all of them were going to be happy and fun. Filled with love. I’d sometimes write short stories just to amuse myself. They were filled with child’s imagination, funny names, and, always, love…

At some point, I'd even started to think like I was reading a book. For example:
I’m having a normal conversation with a friend or someone, at the end of their sentence, I’d think to myself something like: She said, as she looked away. Or... she stated, but the icy look in her eyes said otherwise….

I learned to read people’s facial expressions at a very young age. It was all so amusing to me. I loved being in a crowd - like in a crowded bus. I’d hide in the back and just watch people, telling myself their stories, just by reading their facial expressions and body language…. I’d usually make them funny.

When I was fifteen, my whole life changed in a blink of an eye. The world I saw through my fifteen-year-old eyes was not innocent and pretty. It was filled with death, sadness, and hatred.

You see, I was born in this cute town of northern Bosnia, called Prijedor. Now days, this town is known for its horrible concentration camps that were run by the Serbs in 1992.

I know, when you hear the words “concentration camps” you think of the World War II and Nazis. But no, this was not our grandparents generation time, this was our generation, 1992… on the threshold of the 21 century.

I remember my parents talking and thinking that war was going to end before it had even started… the world would not let another Nazi genocide go on.

But, to our surprise, the world did let it happen. It went on for four years: Genocide, Ethnic Cleansing, Concentration Camps, raping and slaughtering women and children…

It all happened.
And so my writing had to be put on hold....

When I had finally moved to the United States in 1993, I was a completely changed person then. My dream of becoming a writer became just that… a dream; so distant and unreachable. I thought that even if, somehow, I managed to learn enough English, I could never write happy, fun stories any more. My mind was reset and it was filled with darkness, pain, and distrust.

But in time, little by little, my sense of humor returned. The writer in me was getting tired of being quiet. So I'd started thinking like I was in a book again.

For example; I’d go to the Six Flags with my husband, children, and our friends, but because I’m afraid of heights, I wouldn’t go on any of the rides... (I know... I bore myself sometimes too).

So, anyway, I’d sit on the bench and wait for them to get off their rides. It’s perfect because the place is always crowded which gives me a chance to just watch people undetected. For example, I'd see a guy talking to a girl. I'd watch their facial expressions and body language to determine whether they like each other, so my inner analogue would go something like: “I don’t care,” she said firmly. Turning around, she smiled, ever so slightly.... Etc.

One day in July of 2009 on my way to work, I'd dropped off my two boys over at my mom’s house. She had made some comment about my kids, which got me a little upset and I thought to myself, boy, if this was a book, that comment would be perfect…

And so, my mind had started building a web of events and before I knew it, I had about three chapters. The character of Sabina, the mother, was born…

2. Why did you choose the genre you write in? Are there plans to write in another genre?

Honestly, I didn't chose this genre. It kind of chose me. When I first started writing this book, it was going to be a romantic tale between Johnny and Selma. However, as I was writing it, the story itself took me to a completely different direction then what I'd previously had in mind. I know it sounds kinda crazy, but it's true.

What's amazing about writing is the fact that you never really know where you'll end up. Your characters take on a life of their own and you just go with it.
So anyway, Selma and Johnny fall in love when she is sixteen. They get separated by the war. The story is told from Selma's point of you, so she tells you about her falling in love, then being taken away from home and thrown into a concentration camp where she gets raped and tortured repeatedly.

When she finally gets out, she's broken beyond repair and doesn't want Johnny to know of anything that she'd been through. On their way out of their home town, she witnesses Johnny getting killed by one of the soldiers...

However, as I said before, the romantic in me could not let my book have an unhappy ending, so I'd found a way to bring Johnny back into the picture and restore Selma's faith in God.

At the end, love prevails and they live happily ever after.
So, I thought the genre was definitely going to be romance, but the experts at Tate said it was Historical... I guess it's a little bit of everything.

3. Please tell about each title here:

So far I only published one book - Remember Me.

I did, however, sign another contract with Tate Publishing and am waiting for my second novel to be sent to production. It's going to be a sequel to Remember Me. Not sure what the title is going to be yet.

4. Do you do speaking engagements? Tell about your subject matter.

Yes, I do.
The subject that people seem to be most interested in is my own story of how I became an author.
Others ask questions about my experience in Bosnia, and so I talk a little bit about both.

5. What has been your most rewarding experience as an author?

Getting some things out into the open and having people read and comment about my work.
6. Where can your books be purchased?

My book can be purchased anywhere books are sold: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Books a Million, etc. It can also be purchased directly from my websitewww.sanelajurich.tateauthor.com and Tate Publishing's website as well. Also, autographed copies can be ordered from my website via PayPal.
7. How can readers reach you through twitter? through facebook? through your blog? through your website?

I can be reached through my website and Facebook:www.facebook.com/sanela.jurich

8. What was your biggest surprise at being an author?
I was really surprised at how much marketing I have to do myself. I was one of those people who thought that the hardest part was behind me once I signed that contract with the publisher. Boy, was I wrong, haha!

However, I try to look at it in a positive way and enjoy every single moment of it. I am loving every step and the experience I'm gaining. There is absolutely nothing in the world I'd rather be doing than writing and then sharing it with others.

9. We all know that writing can be a lonely occupation, what do your family and friends do to lift you up when you are down?

They buy me books and leave me alone, haha!

10. What is the last song you sang while you were all alone at the top of your voice and where were you?

It was an old song by Boys II Men - End of the Road.
I was in the kitchen loading up my dishwasher. I thought I was alone until I heard soft giggles coming from behind me. My nine year old son, Denny and my four year old son, Devin were cracking up. They find it hilarious that I have an accent even when I sing.

Looking Back and Looking Forward

Last week I ordered a book. Actually, I ordered a lot of book for the Kindle that Terry gave me for an early Christmas present. The book I am talking about is the collection of blog post from this blog.

Every year, the book has been offered. I never followed through and had it done. I am very excited to hold it in my hands. It is supposed to arrive this Monday.

One of the reasons I am excited about having it in my hands is that I will be able to look up all the authors I have interviewed from the beginning of the blog until now. To see all of them in blog form is a lot of pages to go through.

I like that the book has a Table of Contents. That way I can find my author friends easily. I can also find posts that I have written and see how things have progressed from my first days of being a published author.

While I don't like to spend a lot of time looking back with regrets, I think it is good to reflect on where I have come from and dream of the places I hope to go.

It isn't even January yet and I am thinking of the adventure of 2012. God has taken my hand and lead me through doors that I would never had the courage to walk through without Him.

His dreams for me are bigger than anything I could imagine. There is a Scripture that speaks of this as well as the fact that He sings over me. New adventures are scary to me, but I know I am not alone as long as I keep holding onto God's hand. He has also given me a very supportive husband who believes in the dreams God has for me, too.

I urge you to reflect on the past and dream of the future in these last days of 2011. God bless you.

Tick Tock the Game is Locked

I entered the unfamiliar place and looked around the expanse of the large building. The others were already gathered and enjoying refreshments and pleasant conversation. The organizer of the group looked up. Her smile was wide and friendly as she greeted me.
Her friendliness helped me calm down a little. She leaned close to my ear. "I think this is everyone. Is there anything else I need to tell them besides what is in your bio?"

"No, nothing more...thank you," I said.

The introduction sounded flowery and a little overdone in my ears. Did I actually write those words on my biography?

At times like these, there was a mental recording with words that other people had said to me throughout my life playing loudly in my head. Most of them were made by my mother.

Not all of the sound bites were negative, but I tend not to remember the positive words so much. "Just who do you think you are? If they really knew you, they wouldn't have asked you to speak to their group?"

I took a slow, deep breath to turn off the tape player that, by now had picked up speed and was threatening to drive me mad.

They were clapping. The woman nodded in my direction with a bit of panic in her eyes. She doesn't know if I am going to freak out and run out of here.

I stood behind the small podium and made eye contact with several of the club members. It was something I had learned from my short stint in my membership to Toastmasters.

I smiled. I placed my note cards on the podium and remembered to thank the organizer. It was a good thing that I wrote her name on the first card because I had no recollection of her name at the moment.

The club had asked me to speak to them about growing a membership. Somehow, that was the topic of the year in my speaking rounds.

The year before had been speeches about the epidemic of bullying. That was an uncomfortable, but necessary topic that needed to be exposed. I wasn't ready to let the subject go.

I began:

Tick tock,

the game is locked,

and nobody else can play.

Hooray!

and if they do

we'll take off our shoe,

and beat them till

they're black and blue.



The atmosphere in the room was so cold that I thought about breathing out to see if I could see my breath. I looked from one cold stare to the next.

"Yes, ladies, this was my first exposure to clubs. I learned this little rhyme by heart in the first month of first grade."

I scanned the room and saw some of the eyes soften. "Did you ever hear this when you were a kid?" I asked.

"Right off, I decided that I wasn't going to try to fit in to any of the clubs in first grade. That decision was made when one of my friends tried joining over and over.

"Every time she approached a group of girls, they joined hands and swung their arms back and forth saying the sing-song rhyme."

Someone nodded knowingly. "I secretly wished I belonged to a 'club' so I could say those words, too. Then, I didn't like myself too much for wanting to keep good little girls out of the little 'club'."

"Ladies, your club membership numbers are down because of this very thing. There are many of us who have been 'locked out' of clubs all of our lives."

Tears threatened my eyes and I felt a large lump form in my throat. I needed to tell something funny to lighten the mood. I couldn't allow myself to be this transparent.

I took out the pictures of my grandchildren that I carry with me for all my speeches. They were good for a laugh because they were not the normal poses of perfect smiling kids, but pictures of them in their more unflattering poses. The group seemed relieved to laugh when they saw the four of them frowning and pouting into the camera.

Good, the room warmed up some. The gravity of the message I had to bring to them drew me back. I had to be transparent.

"Tick tock the game is locked happens not only in grade school or organized men and women's clubs. It happens in churches and in neighborhoods and everywhere people gather together."

"It is a form of bullying, in my opinion, because it turns a person against themselves. They wonder why they aren't good enough to belong."

I thought of the many times I stood before the mirror and spoke to the reflection saying, "I don't belong."

"It can happen in families. Tick tock the family is locked and no one else can stay.. or fit in...or ...matter.

"Ladies, if you want your club to grow, open your arms. Don't lock them. Extend love and help. Think of ways to bless and your club will overflow. It won't be known as an 'exclusive club', but an inclusive one.

"Let's change the sing-song rhyme this time to say:



Tick tock

the game's not locked.

We need you to come and play.

If you do, you won't be blue

and we will help you find strength anew.



"You know, Jesus was locked out, too. There was no room for Him, either. If you have ever had 'tick tock' sung to you, I want you to realize that He understands.

"He has never sung that song to anyone. In fact, He says, Come unto Me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Come and learn of Me."

I sat in the seat next to the organizer, Mrs. Whats her name, and she gave me a hug. "I was locked out of a lot of clubs in grade school and everywhere. You gave a talk that we needed to hear," she said.

After the minutes were read and the treasurer's report approved, the ladies filled small paper plates with cookies. Someone brought me a plate and some hot apple cider.

I could swallow again. I hadn't realized that my mouth had turned to cotton. One by one, they slipped up close and told me that they had experienced 'tick tock,'

I couldn't help but think, If we have all experienced being left out then, why oh why, do we leave other people out? Then, I remembered that I had wished that I could be one of the singers of the rhyme. God, forgive me!