Asalaamu Alaikum

Wow! Its almost 3 years since I posted! Back then I had just joined IG and was writing my second book and there was not even a whisper of a plague,😷 subhanallah. My second book Tales from the Junk Drawer & More has been out since 2019 and debuted at SMArt Fair (Sarnia Muslim Art Fair) in October. I also traveled back to Malaysia in March 2019 alhumdullilah which seems like a dream and who knows when we will ever return or travel anywhere again. What have I been writing in the meantime? To be honest, not much. My writing friend called me recently and asked me and I said only two poems; COVID19 really shut me down with kids at home all the time and so much sad news. She said she had also only written two poems but one of them was put in a book. Alhumdullilah. I shared one of my poems called Inhale on IG, please do check it out. My two books are still for sale on my Etsy shop and locally at The Exmouth Pharmacy on Exmouth Street in Sarnia. Here's to hoping this year will be better in every way now that people are starting to be vaccinated. In the meantime stay home and hug your loved ones. Maybe this year I will start writing again, Allahu alim. May Allah lift this plague. Amin.

I'm on Instagram!

I'm on Instagram!

So, I've been missing in action for quite some time. What have I been up to? Well I told you about my new blog and about my Etsy shop, well now I'm on Instagram! I keep following my daughter Handmade Beginnings around on social media. She knows all the new cool things to sign up for. My name on Instagram is just like my name on my Etsy shop ChristineDupuisBooks. On Instagram I used link tree to add all my links. Its a good tool to use. I'm learning so much about how to use Instagram which is different from Facebook in many ways. I've put a highlight on my page which has book reviews. If you've read my book and have a review, send it to me here or share it on my Instagram and I will add it to the highlight. 

Right now I'm still working on my second book, an anthology again with my writing club. I have more stories this time and not only about myself. I've also joined a Muslim writing group on Facebook with Naima Roberts. So many Muslim writers around the world with so much experience under their belt. Its amazing to see them all come together in one group because in real life you don't come across them that often. She's giving writing prompts and doing facebook lives for motivation and q & a's. 

Another thing I've been up to is planning an Art Fair. I've named it SMArt fair. Sarnia Muslimah Art fair. There will be Muslim women presenting and selling all sorts of art including  writing/books and magazines, paintings, crafts, knitting, needlework, henna, cooking, baking, and also any businesses they are involved in. Its a great way to showcase the creativity of the local Muslimahs and bring awareness to the surrounding areas that Muslim women are engaged and productive.  This event will take place at the Sarnia Mosque on London Line on Saturday May 5th from 1-5 pm. 

So did you miss me? Add a comment below and come visit me on my new Instagram account. 

Logo Gift

No that isn't a typo! For Eid I was gifted a logo by my son and daughter. I also have a new website to promote my book and my writing! It was quite a shock on Eid when my son showed me my website on his TV screen in front of everyone! Who knew what these kids were up to? Apparently they did it quite quickly too. You can check it out at Christine Dupuis .com. After that they told me that they had contacted Farhana Faruq (you may know her as Sketched Soul from her blog)  to design a logo for me. All I had to do was collaborate with her and ta da, a new logo would be created. I played with the idea of using my blog name here and a logo with a shoe but then I thought my readers wouldn't really find me as they now knew me by my real name because of my book  and plus with my new website too, I decided to use my real name on the logo. So, then, I thought about what design details I would want in my logo. Of course I chose a book, but then, I needed something to show how it was written. I told her to give me samples of different writing implements along with a book. I chose what appealed to me and then I thought I wanted to show something about my kids, since I wasn't using the shoe anymore, so I came up with the idea of stars coming out of the book. We kept tweaking it with different sizes, colours, positions, fonts and experimenting with 2D vs 3D until after consultations with my family I finally made my choice. So voila!

Sarnia ArtWalk -June 3/17

I know talk about last minute! Today I will be at the Sarnia ArtWalk in front of the library from 3-5 pm selling my book BREEZES,CURRENTS and SIGHS. At the same time my daughter will be doing Henna tatoos. Come out and see us at the Sarnia Muslim Association booth.

My last booksigning was an awesome experience at RamadanFest. Not only did I have a booth where I signed and sold my booth next to two other authors including my friend Huda, but I also got to go on stage and read a selection from my book, microphone and all! It was a great chance to share my writing with the Muslim community in Mississauga.

Hope to see you today at ArtWalk!

Ramadan Festival Book Signing

I had my second book signing which took place at the library as snow fell even though its spring. Small turnout made for a cozy reading. Family and friends showed up.  I read one story and one poem. The book is now available at the library.

My third book signing insha Allah will be in Mississauga, hitting the big times now by going to the GTA! Its all happening at the Ramadan Festival on May 21st from 12-8 pm. Won't you stop by?

I Wrote a Book!!!

I've been very busy launching my new book this year alhumdullilah. Its an anthology with six other authors which is a compilation from our writing club. We've been working on this for over a year and for the other members even longer as they were part of the group before I was aware of it. Its a local writing club and I am the only Muslim among them. Strangely they insisted I write my coming to Islam story and so that's included as well! masha Allah. Some of the stories are fiction but my section is all non-fiction and includes some poetry as well. The title of the book is Breezes, Currents and Sighs,chosen by one of the writers.  We had a book signing already and our books are available for sale from that venue and next month we will be having a reading and signing at the local library. I have also been selling copies to family members (don't worry I didn't charge my parents!) and friends. I have copies floating around all over Ontario, Canada now. The book is getting great reviews, masha Allah.

Here is one : "I have to say you are so talented,great writing. You should think about doing this for a living. The writing was so smooth and engaging. I definitely wanted to read more. Please send me more stuff when you can. I really enjoyed your work.  " JD

and another "a collection of stories and poems by 7 authors from Ontario,Canada. Some are fiction and some are reflections, true accounts of life that resonates with many of us no matter where we are, portrayed in good honest to goodness words"  YH

The book is not for sale at any book store or online but if you want a copy, they are selling for $15 (Canadian) plus shipping (to be determined by your location). you can contact me at omwits at gmail.com, you can pay by e-transfer.

Our writing club is busy preparing to write another book this year. Readers can't wait for our next edition!

NaNoWriMo newb.

Do you know what NaNoWriMo is? I found out last year but didn't join. Lots of things going on last year.Well it stands for National Novel Writing Month. You are supposed to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. Its been a week and I've only written 1500 words but that's more than I've ever done before, so let's celebrate! Its a start and that's something I haven't done at all.  So what am I writing? My memoir. I don't know why I feel I have to write this or even why anyone would really care but maybe someone does and that's what counts. If I reach even one person then it matters. I know, so cliche but its how I'm feeling right now.

What else have I been writing? Well I just about completed all the writing for the anthology I will be a part of,which is due to come out soon. But wait, they also want me to write just one more thing. I'm a little busy right now though. They also asked us to write about who we think will win the American election. Anyone else feeling antsy on this election eve? I'm not even American but as its closest neighbour besides Mexico we are feeling the heat and we don't need more global warming. Well some people think that's fake, ahem. You know people who are into redecorating by putting up walls, just saying. Oh and about that anthology, I was in the paper for that along with my writing buddies.

Anyone else writing anything fabulous these days? Got a blog or a book? Let us know. Are you a Nanoer too?

Grandma in the shoe for the 6th time. Alhumdullilah.

Recently my daughter had a son and so now I have my first grandson, masha Allah. The Uncles are really happy! I kept boys clothes for so long from my son who will turn 10 this month but finally started to get rid of them last year or before that so now this grandson does not have any hand-me-downs! Clothing shortage, lol. But no worries, every baby comes with his own rizq. (provision). May Allah make his a righteous Muslim and grant him jannah. Amin.

Ramadan 2016-What's new in the shoe.

So as you all know by now I have MS. Alhumdullilah though, I've been able to fast. I recently read an article about a woman who couldn't. MS is a tricky disease it presents differently in different people and it fluctuates in different ways too. Everyone needs to take their own situation into consideration and of course consult their doctor if necessary. Lots of non-Muslim doctors have a knee-jerk reaction to fasting in general so you might want to consider asking a Muslim doctor.

Another great piece of news is that I have started a new dawah initiative; spreading Islam through my Little Free Library. I got this idea 2 years ago and then commissioned a carpenter to do it last year but it took a year for it to get done due to his unforeseen complications. Alhumdullilah its done in time for Ramadan this year and I am so grateful and just tickled pink. Yes its pink :)

A few years ago I gave out boxes for Ramadan in order to do dawah and this year my teenage daughter wanted to do it again so from her own funds she has gone out and purchased more supplies to make it happen again insha Allah.

I've also set up a convert iftar again for the 3rd year in a row. May this help the converts to feel included and helped with our new welcome boxes. (New Muslim Care). 

What's new for you this Ramadan?

Nobody Cares?

So the other day we got to talking about me and what I want to do with my life and I said writing of course and they said you should have a blog, and I told them I already have one. Then they said I can't just write about my life, nobody cares! What???!!! Harsh! Ok, I guess if you want to make money you have to pander to the majority, the trends etc. I'm not the kind of person to follow the lowest common denominator. I could care less about what most people care about lately like hijab tutorials or recipes (I have a few but certainly not obsessed). They were not impressed with my opinion. You see the reason I studied Advertising instead of Journalism is because I wanted to be creative. I didn't want people dictating what I could and could not write about. I like to be free to choose my own topics and present them the way I see fit, regardless if anyone is interested on a large scale. Even if I have to find a niche group that is fine. So I won't make millions I guess but I want to be true to myself in the end. I don't want to be a sellout. Not even for sales. So where does that leave me? Right here, I guess. But my intention is to write books because I love to and because so many people have told me I should, people from all walks of life. I'm sure there are people out there who are looking for a fresh voice and will CARE!

Old Grandma in the shoe for the 5th time!

Last night my son, my oldest, had a daughter (well my daughter-in-law did). This is their second daughter. For me its my fifth granddaughter. Good thing I don't have to fit them in the shoe too,lol. One day I will have more grandchildren than children which is an obvious thought but still mind-blowing to me. Alhumdullilah, masha Allah. May she grow up to be a righteous Muslimah and be the coolness of her parents eyes and be granted Jannah. Amin.

Nothing But Love - Book Review

Zaneefa Zaneer is the author of this new soon-to-be released title. Previously she was the author of Let Me Bloom and Rhythm of Love published in Sinhalese. Her new book is published in English.

Nothing But Love is set in Sri Lanka and follows the story of A.B. as she deals with her past and with her new future as a wife by name only. What has brought her to this point in her life? And what about her new husband, why is he settling for a sham marriage? This book will take you on a roller coaster of emotions dealing with topics like being an orphan,widowhood, wearing niqab,secrets, missed communication and misunderstandings.

This author's style is reminiscent of Umm Zakiyyah's. If you've ever read her books you will understand what I mean. Her books are good,clean,Islamic fiction but try to focus on real life problems.

I really felt the emotions of the characters in this book and enjoyed reading it. The only advice I gave to Zaneefa, was to include more information about Sri Lanka for readers who are not familiar with the country, such as myself. These updates may be in the final release.

If you are looking for a new, Muslimah author to read, then consider the book Nothing But Love, soon to be released on Amazon.com.

SEO or no?

I'm taking an SEO course now, mainly because its what everyone in my field (Advertising) is supposed to know. This is my only webpage and seeing as it doesn't generate an income, its kind of not important for me to take this course right now, but if I ever get around to writing a book and having a website for it, then these techniques would be important for me to know. The course for me is a snore, but maybe because I just keep reading and not applying the knowledge really. At least I know I could never imagine myself doing this for a living, just like the Microsoft courses I took last year, although all knowledge is beneficial. I think I just basically want to write and leave all the technical stuff to the experts which isn't practical when you can't pay said experts. Hmm...there's always Go Fund Me right? Well, maybe I should just focus and buckle down and write. Yes, I said it before. Well, at least I am writing pieces for our local anthology, so I am not getting too rusty.

How about you? Have you taken SEO? Have you applied it to your webpage? Or do you do it for a
living?

Update :April 1st. Just completed the course. Its not my cup of tea, still can't see myself doing it for a living but I'm happy to be more knowledgeable now in this area. Its a lot of work that's for sure. 

10 Things I Hate About Me-Mother-Daughter book review.

Years ago I read this book and shared my review with you and now my teenage daughter has read it and written a review on her blog. Please read both and let us know your thoughts. Have you read it? Would you read it? Do you agree with either of us? Have you ever read the same book as your child?

Swimming in words.

I've taken 4 online writing courses now and am feeling overwhelmed. I need to take a breather. But maybe I can't ; still books to read about writing ie memoir writing. Phew.

 Suddenly, also, there are writing courses for Muslims, but at a price. I watched some webinars for Zarinah's course; she wrote Jihad of the Soul which looked interesting and had lots of free tidbits. Ribaat is offering one also which has already started.

 I need to finish off these how-to books and review my courses and then buckle down and actually write something. But wait! I'm supposed to have an intention, oh,whoops? You mean cathartic exercise is not a sufficient goal? I have a lot of self-reflection to do and probably istikharah prayers. Writing is a very serious endeavour and lives on long after you are gone. May Allah purify our intentions and lead us to create a masterpiece for the sake of Allah. Amin.

Have you written a book? What's your advice?

Think outside the GTA box!

A little pet peeve I have which was resurrected once again at RIS (Reviving the Islamic Spirit) is, people from GTA (Greater Toronto Area) who are not aware of any cities outside their area! Where are you from they ask, which city are you coming from etc is the question and each time when I tell them their eyes glaze over. I try to help them by telling them how far south it is compared to Toronto and even that it is near the border which leads them to say oh, you live in United States! SubhanAllah can someone please buy a map for the people of the GTA? Or introduce them to Google Maps or get them a GPS or an atlas...anything! When I lived up north and I traveled to the GTA and told them where I was from, they would always say oh, north of Barrie? That was always their absolute cutoff. As for being south of the GTA, well you better not live any further than Kitchener and if you are super lucky then they might know London (Ontario of course!). Beyond that is no man's land, a veritable hinterland. Some of them know Windsor though because if they want to get to the States (where I don't live..sigh) then they have crossed the border there. I think all people in the GTA should be forced to take a geography course of at least Ontario, if not the rest of Canada. For sure I guess they know Ottawa (it is the capital of Canada after all and also right here in Ontario) and Montreal and Vancouver. Not much else exists though. What can we do for our lost sisters and brothers in the GTA? Oh and did I also mention that they think big cities are towns? Yes, you live in a mega city but that doesn't mean that smaller cities in comparison to you, are towns. I guess a town would be a village to them. I dare anyone from the GTA who is reading this or perhaps your friend who knows less than you ahem to take out a map of Ontario and gaze down BELOW Kitchener-Waterloo and then gaze ABOVE Barrie and discover new cities! For those really brave souls, you can also plan a trip somewhere new, outside the GTA box! I dare you!

Finding My Voice

Tonight was the night I shared my writing with my writing club. It really was the first time I shared my writing out loud with anyone, besides speeches I gave in school so many eons ago.

I had no idea what they would think regarding my topic or my writing talent or lack thereof. All I could do was read and share my outlook on the world and wait and see how they would react to it. It was very silent and then I got to one part and found myself overcome and had to stop. I apologized, but they said that it happens to everyone when they read at one time or another. I felt validated and then the leader of the group finished off my piece for me as I quickly composed myself. In the end they said they liked it and the leader told me to keep writing and that this story was definitely going to be in the anthology. I felt like I had come home. Birds of a feather really do flock together, but sometimes, you just need to find them.

STOP THE PRESSES: My third daughter has a new blog! Young Muslim Girl in the Shoe.

Nope, I didn't come up with the name. She did all this when I wasn't around. Love how it ties into my name choice. So if you want to read about how it feels to be the daughter of the Old Muslim Woman in the Shoe and how it feels to be a half Malay Canadian teen growing up in Canada then go to her blog now! Tell your teen daughters too! Then come back here and tell me what you think ;) Now I have 2 daughters blogging. Check out her blog here.

And if you want to read my other daughter's blog, the oldest one with the 3 kids then go here. In case you forgot, I have 5 daughters and 5 sons. Masha Allah.

Writing Club? Write on!

So remember when I told you about  the woman who told me she had no time for a book club because she was taking 4 Gale Writing courses? Well she also told me about a writing club, well actually two. One in a town about 20 minutes from me which I went to once but then she told me there was actually one in my town and gave me the email. But no one answered my email. So what to do? Then an article appeared in the local paper mentioning a writing club and the one running it was the one I emailed! So I got in contact with the place that runs the club and was told that they were meeting that very night! Did I just write 3 sos? Forgive me. I know that's wrong. Anyway, I grabbed my beautiful writing book that my daughter ; Handmade Beginnings made for me for Eid, and headed on down! I was a little late since I had to do my prayer first but when I arrived I saw that they had a special guest who was telling them how they could get their anthology published finally. I also have to submit a piece too for the book apparently,ahem,so nice of you to ask. Now I have to think about something to write about. You've been following my blog right? In your humble opinion, what would be the best topic for me to write on?

His Book and My book.

Now that all of my kids are going to school, I have time to focus on myself. Before September came I signed myself up for an Arabic class. My sole reason for this was to learn the language of the Quran. It is really disappointing to not fully understand what is going on when you are reading Quran or saying your prayers and spending time in the mosque. For example I never know whether they are reciting Quran or saying a dua at the mosque. Feeling like a stranger in your own religion is a very painful thing to go through. So to rectify this I signed up for Arabic1a with Rabata. If you are unfamiliar with them, they are a group of sisters mainly a sister; Anse Tamara (a convert like me) who studied in Syria then started this online portal of Islamic learning. Arabic 101 was too easy for me as I already know my letters and basically how to read so I chose the next level. Its been a few weeks now and there are two classes per week including grammar and vocabulary. At first I was literally getting headaches and the teacher said its normal when learning a new language. It never happened to me before when learning other languages though. This is really intense for me I guess. Another strange thing is that sometimes now I think of random Arabic sentences. This is amazing to me since I only just started learning.

The second kind of learning I am doing kind of fell in my lap! I asked a woman from the mosque if she would be interested in starting a book club and she said she had no time! She said she had just signed up for 4 writing courses. I expressed an interest and she said I could sign up too and that they were free through the library website! My library doesn't offer these courses sadly, but, my old library does in the city I used to live in. I still have my card from that library and our town has privileges with theirs so I signed up. These courses are offered through Gale.  The course I am taking now is Writing for Children. I also signed up for 3 other courses. This course has homework just like my Arabic course so I am very busy now with that and like I mentioned in the last post, teaching the kiddies in the mosque. Sadly though we still have no book club at the mosque.

So insha Allah one day with Allah's help I will be able to understand the language of the Quran and also write a book of my own.

A little bonus for my hubby was that when I went to the library I saw a bookmark there advertising another Gale resource; CHILTON. If you are a car enthusiast you will know what I'm talking about but if not it refers to the repair manuals used for cars. He has already used it to fix the power locks in our van. Alhumdullilah.

Book I borrowed from the library (not part of Rabata) which has proved useful.