Today we talk about The Movie Reel, a book by Azira Lee published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author, Azira Lee, to get to know her better, what prompted her to write her book The Movie Reel, as well as the added value her writing style received from having lived in different continents.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- What was the moment that prompted you to the writing of your book?
I had been living in Cambodia for 2 years, after a short stay in the USA. I had travelled to the States after living in South Korea for 11 years, and realized the conundrum I found myself in, that culturally I had no box to which I could be ascribed to, in as much as I was an anomaly that seemed to belong nowhere. My faithful companion Simba, had always been at my side to offer unconditional love and affection in my many meanderings around the world, and his passing over the rainbow bridge plummeted me into grief. It is at this moment I began to write this book. Although I have written throughout my life. I self-published a children’s book on Amazon called ‘Anxious Annie’ in 2018 and prior to that technological advancement in publishing, I had written another children’s book about being “green” and looking after our planet, called ‘Cody and Fox’, which was never published. Prior to that, my poetry was published by the African Institute of Poetry. However, this endeavour was different in that its purpose was an inward reflection of self, an internal survey of my mind, within my own reimagining.
- What characteristics your audience should have to appreciate your book?
This book was intended for those who understand our quantum nature. Interestingly, the word quantum was derived from the Italian word quanta, meaning weird, back in the day. So that is precisely the individual that this book seeks. The person who does not ascribe to the social norm, the individual that thinks for themselves and realises there is much we do not know. And finds comfort in their own world of their own making. Perhaps they have been labelled by society and have yet to find their own voice amidst the shouting majority. It is for these quiet ‘oddballs’ that I wish to extend a helping hand. A silent gesture of oneness that does not require sameness, and it is precisely why the narrative of the book is non linear, as even a linear narrative is contrived and manipulated. This is a gentle expose` of conceptual pictorials for a new generation.
- What added value has having lived in different continents brought to your writing style?
Since language plays such an important part in communication, when one finds themselves unable to verbally be understood, one finds interesting non verbal ways, and at some very deep level a third language is developed. This third language can be described as a subtle intentionality within a given context. This third language came in handy when travelling in parts of the world where English was not widely spoken and in places, I had not yet acquired the language. Similarly, different cultures and traditions can bring to light the failings in one’s own cultural indoctrination, as a crude example, in my childhood I was told never to open an umbrella indoors, however, in South Korea that was not a part of their superstition, and so the critical thinking is awoken and one starts to seek common sense over things like tradition and formulate one’s own understanding of how the world is through empirical evidence and not based off second hand information that perhaps has an agenda. The world is a beautiful place, full of inspiration, one needs only to step out of their comfort zone to explore its vast landscape.
- How was your publishing experience?
I have been excited to work with a publishing house. The team involved are dedicated and professional. It has been a learning curve for me, as to the actual process, but felt guided and supported by a team which made the experience wonderful and worthwhile. What I have enjoyed the most is the opportunity to really analyse and self-critique my work on a level I had not done before. Needless to say, an artist never insists on how their work shall be interpreted, however the intention must be made clear, and working within this publication process allowed for that clarity. I am tremendously grateful for the experience, and feel I have learnt a lot.
- Are you working on a new writing project you can tell us about?
Indeed I am. The next instalment in this series of quantum narration extends itself further as in a new adventure we follow the meanderings of ‘The Radical Monk’, who recounts the story in a faceted, multidimensional array. We are enveloped in a story during a time of chaos, and new beginnings. It brings history into the present, and the future is left up to the readers imagination. In order for the reader to ask themselves in all honesty, what state of mind they’re in, as our reality, as it becomes ever increasingly apparent in the book, is the state of mind we are living in. One of the main themes included in the next book is the purpose of the human being, which is that we are born pure and joyful at heart and the trick is to die just the same, that life is filled with ups and downs, but there is a part of us that remains untouchable and endures it all.
Europe Books thanks the author, Azira Lee, once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside her on the editorial path that led to the publication of her book The Movie Reel. We wish her the best of luck for her future works.
To you, my readers, I wish this book let your reading time an enjoyable one, that you can really feel through the pages of this book the profound understanding that makes you a unique person and that you can still find a place to speak up amongst the screaming majority.
So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy your reading!
Your editor!