Go to GRANDMA'S WORLD
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- Go to I have just found the best writer on the BN, a master storyteller.
Benzinha
How wonderful that you are engaged in your book. I agree with you about Jumai and am going to buy his book. There is a link on his blog. I don't think he can keep the extracts up here for much longer.
posted by
beachbelle
on February 3, 2004 at 11:27 AM
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Tamara99 and exoticname, thanks for stopping anad commenting. I hope that
you have had a chance to read Jumai. He can be an example for all who specifically hope to call themselves "STORYTELLER".
He has inspired me to stop blogging, which is sad, and to just write on my book. His larger story, that of a dead African, is told in shorter stories, one disaster following another as his quality of life degenerates. Each smaller story stands alone, fully fleshed out and alive. Each story holds another problem or humiliation which leads to his "Dead African" status, I think.
What an inspiration to me, to write what I have whined about for years, dreamed about for a few years, and to Just Do It, as so many say now. I have been Doing It for two weeks now and am loving the whole experience. Thanks Jumai.
posted by
benzinha
on February 3, 2004 at 11:20 AM
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You write really well too
Just the way you describe the writings of Jumai makes everyone want to read his blogs.
Thanks for the recommendation, I'll go check him out.
posted by
exoticname
on January 28, 2004 at 4:28 PM
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I noticed I only had read you once this month, which I thought was strange
....then I discovered you deleted the blog that was in my favorites, so I wasn't queuing up to read.
Will have to catch up on what I've missed.
--T99
posted by
Tamara99
on January 25, 2004 at 9:06 AM
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oceandancer, I am glad that you like his writing. Jumai weaves words into
beautiful hand knotted rugs which you can sit upon and use to fill up your senses, both tactily and visually.
posted by
benzinha
on January 22, 2004 at 1:48 AM
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Thanks, beniznha
I've checked out his blog and like it a lot. :-) As I like yours a whole lot!
posted by
Oceandancer
on January 18, 2004 at 1:48 PM
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Mighty Holy Warrior, I think that you will like his writing. He speaks as
a simple man about complex subjects and common problems which we all share. His unique African voice might help African Americans, and others, to understand themselves a little better. It's his writer's voice which I love. I hope that you enjoy his work as I do.
He has taught me one thing and that is to pick a writer's voice in my tale telling, unique to each story. I should use my folk humor, old sayings and common understanding of those around me when speaking of everyone in the story. I try to do this, but feel that my voice is my mother's still and not uniquely my own.......I shall incorporate more abuelitas that I know and love into my voice as I try to write my first "Abuelita" story this year.
Thanks for stopping to read about Jumai, he could inspire many people to write better stories, even though many of us are 'fabulous' writers already, there are still writing schools to attend and learn in. Reading teaches us so much.
posted by
benzinha
on January 16, 2004 at 9:51 AM
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katray, I saw that you had read him and wanted others to find him, too.
Globally universal voices help us all to see that we are one people, experiencing the same things under varied circumstances. Our foolishness and pain, whether experienced in big cities or small villages, are what give us common ground to stand upon and relate to one another.
posted by
benzinha
on January 16, 2004 at 9:42 AM
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Benzinha, Mi Abuelita, If You Say Jumai Is The Best Writer On BN, Then That
must be the case, because I certainly do trust your judgment. I will start reading his works today.
posted by
Feenix
on January 16, 2004 at 5:48 AM
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I've added Jumai to my favorites list,
but then I had already added you!
posted by
dknowles
on January 15, 2004 at 11:16 PM
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Benz., I discovered him today and he is outstanding!!
His writing carried my mind and heart away to another continent and reality. However, you have the same effect on me; maybe not another continent, but certainly other worlds. Yes, his voice is different, as are all our voices. My reading experiences and opinions. Please keep writing!
Katray.
posted by
Katray2
on January 15, 2004 at 9:58 PM
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jems, after reading him, you will understand why I feel so inadequate.....
posted by
benzinha
on January 15, 2004 at 9:46 PM
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A Beautiful Post--With One Exception
Abuelita,
Once again you have written a beautiful post. You have convinced me to go read his work. However, you said one thing in your post that I disagree with: He is writing the stories that I would write, if I could write. I'm so sorry, but this is WRONG WRONG WRONG! You can write...and you can write well! So you just hush your mouth about not being able to write.
posted by
Jemmie211
on January 15, 2004 at 9:37 PM
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