Seasoned Poet and academician hulya yilmaz (Turkey) and her take on “Twist of Fate”, an international charity anthology
Originally posted on Kiriti's blog site (http://kiritisengupta.wordpress.com)
Interviewer : Kiriti Sengupta (India)
Interviewing hulya yilmaz (U.S.A)
Kiriti: Hi Hulya !! Greetings from India, this is Kiriti. I must congratulate and thank you for your contribution in the global anthology, Twist of Fate. Would like to ask you a few things, are you ready ?
hulya: Hi Kiriti! Greetings from the U.S. Thank you for the congratulations regards my contribution to the Twist of Fate anthology. As for your questions, I am ready.
Kiriti:What made you contribute for this anthology ?
hulya: I was invited by Alan Jankowski, a published author and a friend, to join the “Helping :Tornado Victims in Oklahoma” event, conceived by Indies In Action. Once I accepted his invitation, I became a member of this closed group, liked very much how the interaction was proceeding among the members. The objective immediately appealed to me, as I had never been in a situation to reach out with anything of mine to help the victims of a natural disaster. When I was a child and still living in Turkey, my country of birth, there was a strong earthquake from which my family, relatives, friends and I, all came out without injuries or heavy material losses. But the fright is something I could never forget. It was a horrifying experience for me. I can’t even imagine the devastation anyone feels after a tornado wipes off so much out of their life. I knew I had to get involved. So, I began composing poems for those who are still suffering.
Kiriti: You did your doctoral research from the University of Michigan. You are a Professor of German language and literature. Higher education usually makes person selfish, this is a common saying. What is your opinion in this regard ?
hulya: To be frank, I had not yet heard of this saying. Regardless, I would respond to such claim by referring to my extensive teaching commitment – one that spans over thirty-six years. I don’t think any academic can be viewed as selfish, if s/he has had such exceptional dedication to helping students of all walks of life become independent learners of anything of their interest, including their own lives.
Kiriti: It seems from your Facebook profile that you are not interested in Politics as well as in Religion. Do you think barring these would help you serve the people, the victims of tornado better ?
hulya: What my statement refers to is the fact that both cannot be separated. On my profile page, under “About You” as well as “Favorite Quotations”, I cite from Mahatma Gandhi: “Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is.” I have seen too much hatred and destruction all over the world in the name of religion and politics. I have no use of them in my personal life. As for serving the Oklahoma tornado victims any better or worse on account of political or religious inclinations, my actions speak for themselves: Had I not been able to care for my fellow humans on the grounds of my apolitical, non-religious stance in life, I would not have been here in the first place. For, I would not have gotten involved in this project, nor would I have worked hard to compose poetry for acceptance in the anthology. I couldn’t be there in person for several reasons. I will, however, be there through my two poems written only with them in mind – to me, the most sincere way to tell someone you care.
Kiriti: Hopefully you are aware of Paulo Coelho, an international bestseller. Most of his writings involve spirituality. Do you think spirituality sells ?
hulya: I certainly am. In fact, one of his statements is another favorite quote of mine: “Now that she had nothing to lose, she was free” – one of the rare ones I can re-tell from memory. I am, however, not quite sure what you mean with the question. If you are referring specifically to Twist of Fate being a spirituality-inspiring work compilation, then my answer would be this: I very much hope so! Didn’t we all unite in the creation of the anthology in every which way we could in the hope it will sell in order for the funds to arrive in the hands of the victims?
Kiriti: Do you believe that your contributions would fetch success to the anthology ?
hulya: I can’t possibly see my work under such self-absorbed lens. Twist of Fate – as every one of the contributions in it – is the product of a large number of creative, artistically inclined or oriented people from all walks of life. The fact that we have united in the making of a memorable work of art, reflections and literature through our hearts, minds and talents would constitute by far the greater potential for success than any one single work.
Kiriti:Thank you so much Hulya for answering me. I wish you all a stupendous success. Keep Well.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Allison Bruning - June 13, 2013
June 13, 2013
Originally posted on Kiriti's blog site (http://kiritisengupta.wordpress.com)
Interviewer : Kiriti Sengupta (India)
Interviewing Allison Bruning (U.S.A)
Kiriti: Hi Allison !! This is Kiriti from India. I must congratulate and thank you for your contribution in the global anthology, Twist of Fate. Would like to ask you few things and I would appreciate if you, please, answer me. Are you ready ?
Allison: Sure, ask away.
Kiriti: How did you come to know of this anthology ?
Allison: I’m a bestselling author who had met Stephen Wilson through one my literary contacts. When the Newtown, Connecticut shooting occurred on December 14, 2012, I had wanted to do something to offer the victims’ families hope. Stephen contacted me soon afterwards asking if I had wanted to participate in the Angel’s Cried Anthology. I accepted his offer and gave him my award winning short story, Field of Grace.
When the Moore, Oklahoma tornado struck I once again felt the urge to do something. I had hoped Stephen would step up to the plate and offer another anthology so I kept my eye out for it. Sure enough, Stephen did. I quickly joined the effort.
Kiriti: Was this your conscious decision to contribute ? Or did anyone request your contribution?
Allison: Like the Newtown shooting, I had a personal connection to this tragedy. On March 2, 2012, my husband and I were in the tornado outbreak that had occurred along Kentucky and Indiana border along the Ohio River. The tornado super cell had formed early that morning along the Ohio River sending several tornados throughout the area starting at 9am. The meteorologists had no idea where the tornados would strike and there were so many they couldn’t keep up. I knew the tornado was coming. I just had no idea where. I had kept my eyes on the news all day, it had been running all day long due to the outbreak. I had seen the tornado wipe Henryville, Indiana off the map and then a few moments later the meteorologists said it was heading our way. Our town would be next. The tornado did come. The sirens blared and my husband and I only had a few minutes to seek shelter before we heard the rumbling of our roof. Although, the tornado had been over our house it did land two streets away from our home. Afterwards, it touched down two more times in various spots and headed towards New Liberty, Kentucky where it destroyed that town.
My heart sank when I had heard what had happened to Moore, Oklahoma. When I learned Stephen had decided to put together an anthology to raise funds to help the families there was no question in my mind what I should do. I know firsthand what that community will go through in the cleanup process. Oh, sure everyone will help out for the first few months. The media will be there and there will be national attention. Yet, all of that will fade away after a few weeks to a few months time. Although the attention will be gone the cleanup efforts won’t. It took a year for Henryville, Indiana to rebuild and even now their families who still struggle after such a large loss.
Kiriti: You are the Founder & CEO of Mountain Springs House, a traditional publishing company. Apart from your literary contribution what other help you are forwarding towards the publication of Twist of Fate ?
Allison: I am helping Stephen with the formatting for the eBook version of the anthology for publication on Smashwords and Kindle.
Kiriti: Do you think that Twist of Fate would appeal the general public ?
Allison: I believe so. There are a lot of families in America who have faced natural disasters. Although this anthology is about tornados I think anyone who has faced a natural disaster could understand the heartache the residents of Moore, Oklahoma are facing today.
Kiriti: It is a team-effort, no doubt. Keeping your attention primarily on charity, do you think that Twist of Fate may well be treated as a Collectors’ Edition, from the point of its literary value ?
Allison: Yes. Like Angel’s Cried, the anthology is something to keep because it marks a significant American historical event.
Kiriti: Thank you so much Allison for answering me, I wish you all a stupendous success. Keep well.
Originally posted on Kiriti's blog site (http://kiritisengupta.wordpress.com)
Interviewer : Kiriti Sengupta (India)
Interviewing Allison Bruning (U.S.A)
Kiriti: Hi Allison !! This is Kiriti from India. I must congratulate and thank you for your contribution in the global anthology, Twist of Fate. Would like to ask you few things and I would appreciate if you, please, answer me. Are you ready ?
Allison: Sure, ask away.
Kiriti: How did you come to know of this anthology ?
Allison: I’m a bestselling author who had met Stephen Wilson through one my literary contacts. When the Newtown, Connecticut shooting occurred on December 14, 2012, I had wanted to do something to offer the victims’ families hope. Stephen contacted me soon afterwards asking if I had wanted to participate in the Angel’s Cried Anthology. I accepted his offer and gave him my award winning short story, Field of Grace.
When the Moore, Oklahoma tornado struck I once again felt the urge to do something. I had hoped Stephen would step up to the plate and offer another anthology so I kept my eye out for it. Sure enough, Stephen did. I quickly joined the effort.
Kiriti: Was this your conscious decision to contribute ? Or did anyone request your contribution?
Allison: Like the Newtown shooting, I had a personal connection to this tragedy. On March 2, 2012, my husband and I were in the tornado outbreak that had occurred along Kentucky and Indiana border along the Ohio River. The tornado super cell had formed early that morning along the Ohio River sending several tornados throughout the area starting at 9am. The meteorologists had no idea where the tornados would strike and there were so many they couldn’t keep up. I knew the tornado was coming. I just had no idea where. I had kept my eyes on the news all day, it had been running all day long due to the outbreak. I had seen the tornado wipe Henryville, Indiana off the map and then a few moments later the meteorologists said it was heading our way. Our town would be next. The tornado did come. The sirens blared and my husband and I only had a few minutes to seek shelter before we heard the rumbling of our roof. Although, the tornado had been over our house it did land two streets away from our home. Afterwards, it touched down two more times in various spots and headed towards New Liberty, Kentucky where it destroyed that town.
My heart sank when I had heard what had happened to Moore, Oklahoma. When I learned Stephen had decided to put together an anthology to raise funds to help the families there was no question in my mind what I should do. I know firsthand what that community will go through in the cleanup process. Oh, sure everyone will help out for the first few months. The media will be there and there will be national attention. Yet, all of that will fade away after a few weeks to a few months time. Although the attention will be gone the cleanup efforts won’t. It took a year for Henryville, Indiana to rebuild and even now their families who still struggle after such a large loss.
Kiriti: You are the Founder & CEO of Mountain Springs House, a traditional publishing company. Apart from your literary contribution what other help you are forwarding towards the publication of Twist of Fate ?
Allison: I am helping Stephen with the formatting for the eBook version of the anthology for publication on Smashwords and Kindle.
Kiriti: Do you think that Twist of Fate would appeal the general public ?
Allison: I believe so. There are a lot of families in America who have faced natural disasters. Although this anthology is about tornados I think anyone who has faced a natural disaster could understand the heartache the residents of Moore, Oklahoma are facing today.
Kiriti: It is a team-effort, no doubt. Keeping your attention primarily on charity, do you think that Twist of Fate may well be treated as a Collectors’ Edition, from the point of its literary value ?
Allison: Yes. Like Angel’s Cried, the anthology is something to keep because it marks a significant American historical event.
Kiriti: Thank you so much Allison for answering me, I wish you all a stupendous success. Keep well.
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