sometimes, we have to come to an understanding that delays are part of life. when you accept that, it makes things easier and less stressful.
i've come to that conclusion only after a few minutes of swearing, pacing back and forth and punching my pillows. this was after hearing 'wife of the heart' would be shipping late. i was given a heads up, so on one hand i can be a bit less stressed but on the other hand, it is frustrating. being the main person behind 108 Press, i strive to deliver and well, this is the first time that's not going to happen. the only thing i can promise you, the public is that we are pushing forward and you can still make pre-orders for a copy of 'wife of the heart' right now!!! and i hope that the next time we won't encounter this again. i'm too young to have an advil addiction.
thank you for your understanding and most importantly, your support.
i guess the overwhelming question most people have is, 'why'd you put this book together?' over time, the strongest reason i can give is this: i wanted something that would stand tall throughout time that showed how much i cared about this woman. i wanted to show how that changed me, and my writing.
i wanted to celebrate who this person was to me. i wanted to show that despite how things might have ended, she had a positive impact on my life. does it sound corny? maybe. but if we all chose to look at things this way, i think we learn and we grow that much wiser. and so do they. plus, when i looked back at some of these poems, i was taken aback at the depth of emotion and clarity in the words. and i couldn't see them being tucked away in a desk drawer forever. it wouldn't be right.
that's it in a nutshell. no john hughes plot arc, no obsessive aspect. until the next post readers, keep it light!!
okay, let me dial back on the cinematic effects. when i set out in 2008 to publish my first genuine book, i wanted a name for my printing brand that would be simple yet powerful, and full of meaning without being exclusionary. i had come home from work one evening, exhausted as usual. i wanted to lift my spirits up a bit, so i popped in one of my favorite kung-fu movies, 'The Water Margin'. i had first seen this movie on TNT after an NBA double bill and was instantly taken in. that version was the Westernized, overdubbed take on the story and a couple of years later i got my hands on the original Shaw Brothers version, fully re-mastered.
'The Water Margin' is one of the four key classics of Chinese literature. it's based on real events and people, specifically the Song dynasty of the 12th century. the heroes of Liangshan mountain in northern China decided to fight against the tyranny of the emperor of that time, their struggle for justice capturing the hearts and minds of the people. the movie itself covers only 4 chapters out of the book. it spawned a sequel by Shaw Brothers and remains a classic story told over and over again. you know how many of the Liangshan heroes there were?
108.
at that point, i got inspired. if 108 fighters could change the destiny of a nation, that means that each person used their will and their inner strength to accomplish the impossible. which is what some have felt about me, from friends to family members. and that number held so much weight. even with the numerology of the Five Percenters, a faction of Islam, the number 108 stood out to me. because what i write, what i want to give to the world, i want to be thought provoking. i want it to create change for the better. and having this kind of inspiration would only help me succeed that much more.
nothing like being near the end of a journey to make appreciate even further why you began it in the first place...
good people, the books are due to arrive soon and i'm looking forward to the time when i can pack one up and send it out to you. working on this book has had its peaks and valleys and none so much as in these past couple of weeks. it's like seeing the flowers you planted slowly opening themselves up to the world to show off their brilliance in bloom. and i feel that 'wife of the heart' will have that same effect not only on you once you read it, but on me.
when i first heard 'sunshine' from lupe fiasco, i thought it to be one of the most slept on tracks he ever created. and in time, when i talked to the young lady who would be the inspiration for 'wife of the heart', i began to associate this song with her. and i still do.
*corny moment*whenever this pops up on my iPod, i like to think she's thinking about me.
okay, enough of that...enjoy the track!! and support dope hip hop!!!
the woman at the core of this new book, 'wife of the heart' is from a culture and country that is heavily publicized and somewhat misunderstood to a certain extent. Somalia, to me, i knew to be different from other African nations for a couple of reasons. One being that my mother worked in the United Nations and knew a few people from there and shared that knowledge with me. Another reason was because I have family from there. In some respects, i feel 'wife of the heart' is a tribute to her beauty as well as the beauty of all Somalian women. it may be an unorthodox tribute because being outspoken in this way is not seen that often in their society but i've always felt that the best appreciation of someone no matter in what sense is to say it loud and proud. and hopefully this book will have accomplished that for you.
if there's anything more alternatively nail-biting and tedious, it's waiting on quotes and a sample copy from your print house. while most of the hard work is done in terms of writing, layout and editing, i know there's more to be done in terms of promotion, calculating some shipping and whatever else might come up. and you start getting more aggravated waiting, like, 'WHERE IS IT? I WANNA GET BACK ON THE GRIND!!!'
can you tell i'm anxious?
best thing is, just as i'm finishing up this post, my quote came in!! now it's all about the printing!!
i hope everyone's enjoyed their labor day weekend!!
well it's done...'wife of the heart' is an official draft and now it's a matter of waiting...last week was NO picnic. but finally i'm back up, and got a lot accomplished despite the mishaps. look out for an update soon for those pre-orders(and for those who have, i've got you covered)for 'wife of the heart'. i think i'm going to switch things up next time i speak with you fine folk...until the next time!!!
