Sometimes, writing is just damn hard. Okay, most of the time. Like now, as I’m trying to pull together the vast mass of rough pages for the new book, a biography of Muhammad, into a readable whole. The research has been great, and reading through what I’ve already written has been exciting. But now it’s time for craft — time to shape and rewrite everything into a coherent narrative that makes sense to others, not just to me. And that’s a whole different ball game. I’ve been tussling with just the two opening chapters for the past two weeks, approaching them this way and that, ‘solving’ the problem at night only to come back and totally unsolve it all over again the next morning. Just now I came across this video, and that kitten could as well be me, the two perfect green apples the two perfect chapters I know are there but can’t quite get my hands on:
[youtube=http://youtu.be/8-1F-CokXNU]
All of which is by way of saying that I think I’m going to have to take a break from posting here on the AT for a while — a few months, probably — and really focus in on getting a full draft written. Because though I know some people are capable of stunning amounts of multi-tasking, I also know I’m not one of those people. I need to become what any writer mid-book really is: the most boring person in the world, totally mono-focused, all but unaware of everything else that’s happening.
The problem is that writing this blog is a wonderful and (to me, at least) surprising exception to that opening statement that writing is hard. I find blogging a delight, and somehow even when I write out of anger, it’s still fun. And your responses and comments are part of the delight and the fun, as well as enormously encouraging. It really does feel like an ongoing conversation, and one I will badly miss. So not-blogging (unblogging?) is going to be hard. Which of course means that if I can’t resist, I may still post something from time to time. Just not with any regularity. Not until I have a full readable draft of The First Muslim (yes, that’s still the title).
There’s an upside, though: not only will the book get written sooner, but when I come back to regular blogging (like three times a week), it’ll be with a huge amount of pent-up energy and appetite for the fray. So this is absolutely not a farewell — not least because I’ve only just begun to touch on all the things I wanted to explore when I began the AT fifteen months ago — but just a temporary au revoir.
So please, bear with me, and wish me luck and bon voyage. I’ll send postcards from time to time, telling you where I’m at. And I’ll be back! — Lesley
May the muse walk with you daily. I will miss your blogs, but thanks for letting us know that you have set your “writer at work” sign out. I highly recommend Susan Shaughnessy’s “Walking on Alligators,” even though I am guessing you rarely need those daily bits. I found my copy at Henry’s Fremont Place Books, but sadly he no longer there has his shop…. sigh.
Yes, I feel the same way about Fremont Place Books — it’s left a hole in my local universe.
**sigh** so totally understand that headspace – good luck for sure – and i think that’s a FABULOUS title. xx
Great! Thank you.
Best of luck finishing the book.
Thanks Rubina — appreciated.
Ah, Lesley, this is so totally understandable. A book requires extraordinary attention–I became totally useless for anything else while I was working on mine. I will truly miss the AT–I read every post–but my temporary fast from your intelligent and heartfelt commentary will make the ultimate feast of your book all the more rewarding. I’ll look at it as the way I, as your avid reader, can assist in your writing process–by appreciating your need to focus. Multitasking never really works. I couldn’t even manage to pack my swim goggles and my towel at the same time this morning, much less write simultaneously about both the inner life of a prophet who lived centuries ago and the state of our modern world. Happy writing. It’s rarely easy, but I wish you many moments of enjoyment in that crafting stage–
Mary, you get it perfectly — the problems of dual existence in seventh-century Arabia and the twenty-first century globalized world. Looking forward nevertheless to your book on Mother Teresa. The Amazon page is impressive (selling well a month before its release!): http://www.amazon.com/Unquenchable-Thirst-Following-Service-Authentic/dp/0385527470/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310356457&sr=1-1
I too will be sad to see you disappear from the ‘blogosphere’ for a while! Best wishes for your book. I’ve never written one so I can’t say I know how it feels, but best wishes all the same!
It feels — it always feels — like I’ve never written a book before. I know I have — several, in fact — but somehow that never helps. Your best wishes do. Thanks.
Salam. Wish you all the best in your new book titled The First Muslim. Suggest to consider an addition into the present title ie The First & The Muslim . Obviously subject to if it coincides with the contents of your book.
Thanks Muzaffar — I’m aware of the tradition that Abraham was the first Muslim, but since Muhammad is told three times in the Quran to say that he is the first one, and since it instantly identifies him for non-Muslim readers, I’m sticking with it unless a brilliant alternative comes to me. — L.
And yes, there will be a sub-title, though haven’t formulated it yet.
hi lesley,
the anticipation of your most awaited work has made your ‘unblogging’ a bit bearable. infact i would love to read the unpruned version of the book, as i devour every word of your authentic research.
your description of the events, conjures a kaleidoscope of history in motion, and draws me deeper into the vortex of my religion.
while you take a break with writing, i can take a break with ramzan, hoping to find your book waiting for me thereafter…..
prayers for the same…
nuzhat.
Thanks Nuzhat, though I fear I’ll never be able to live up to so much expectation! — L.
Good luck with your book. i am eagerly waiting for it(love the title by the way). I have been trying to get hold of “after the prophet” but cant seem to find it in the biggest of book stores here.
Thanks Meezan. And here’s the US Amazon link and the UK one: http://www.amazon.com/After-Prophet-Story-Shia-Sunni-Split/dp/0385523947/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1310411539&sr=1-1 http://www.amazon.co.uk/After-Prophet-Story-Shia-Sunni-Split/dp/0385523947/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310411614&sr=1-1
Unfortunately amazon and the likes don’t deliver in Pakistan. Apparently those guys don’t trust us with books.
Yup — dangerous things, books. Aaaargh. How infuriating.
Hey Lesley,
So I finally got my hands on “After the Prophet” and finished it moments ago. I thoroughly enjoyed it and really would like to thank you for all the hard work. The anticipation for your new book has now doubled (no pressure). I wrote a few humble lines on goodreads about the book and I am just going to copy it here. Cheers.
“I always feel uncertain when reading history books specially Islamic history where there are so many contrasting versions of the events that defined pretty much who we are today. Lesley has taken a very sensitive topic, has considered both sides of the story to narrate and connected it very shrewdly to the modern day. It was a really interesting read for me personally because this was coming from a outsider looking into some of the darkest times of our history which we are not very comfortable talking about. Although I was familiar with almost all the major events that led to the divide, I found myself chuckling at the spectacle; the big names being stripped of all the holiness and reverence and being presented as just silly little mortals with doubts, failures, weakness and everything human. I imagine if I was not so emotionally invested in subject of the book I would have grabbed some popcorns and a soda while reading it. The whole thing at times is so twisted and interesting that it almost feels like something out of a tragic Shakespearean play.
One cannot stop to wonder whether this divide between the two sects is ever going to be bridged, how this is going to further shape our history and how much more will this provide others the opportunities of exploitation.”
Thanks so much for your appreciation, Meezan. Yes, I chose the word “epic” in the subtitle because it was the right one. An amazing story, precisely because so human. Re your anticipation of ‘The First Muslim’: just finished the final manuscript. Am coming up for air, and will start blogging again in a few days. Found out yesterday that publication date here in the US is January. Suddenly, that seems like next week!
I am sad to see a really great thinking stimulus vanish for some time. Thank you for all your previous post and the time you took to share your thoughts with me and other readers. I wish you all the best finishing your book. I hope it will go smoothly as it would make you come back here faster 😉
Fingers crossed! — L.
I love the way you delivered the (sad) news, and the idea that your check-ins on the blog from time-to-time are like postcards. You will be missed, but we’ll all look forward to being able to share in what you end up creating in the meantime!
Thanks Nancy! Just hope they won’t be postcards from the edge… — L.
I’m excited about your new book Lesley and will miss your wisdom and the issues you dared to speak about which made me feel sane 🙂 come back soon… I would be more than honored to hear from you should you ever have questions for a humble Egyptian scholar in search as well for lost truths:) love
The honor is mutual, Lamiaa — Thanks! — L.
Hello,
Just a thought regarding the title. Perhaps calling the book “The First Muslim” may not be appropriate and could be offensive to some Muslims if not most. Muslims consider Adam to be the first Muslim (first prophet and first human to submit to God’s will). Perhaps, “Muhammad, The Last Prophet”. Hope that helps, and good luck with the book, I look forward to reading it.
Tom
Thanks, Tom — and see earlier reply to Muzaffar. Since the book is written primarily for non-Muslims, and since there are already dozens of books titled ‘Muhammad,’ I think I need something that speaks more invitingly to my primary audience. While some Muslim traditions have since said that Abraham was the first Muslim, and others Adam, the Quran does say it is Muhammad, repeatedly (three times as opposed to once, far less directly, for Abraham). Of course I’ll discuss the issue in the book itself.
Hi Lesley, Good luck with the book. Can’t wait to see it published.
I am wondering if you have a muslim “guide” who can clarify contradictory issues that might arise.
For example, the issue you mentioned above was thoroughly discussed among muslim clerks before and an explanation was given..
Thank you. This is obviously not an “authorized” biography, so good Muslim friends trust that I will find my own way. Just as obviously, I make no claim to speak for Islam, just as I made no claim in previous books to speak for Christianity or for Judaism. My approach is historical, not theological.
To repeat what I just replied to a commenter on another post: I don’t subscribe to the idea of a single truth, let alone whole truth or absolute truth. One tries for truth in the very human acknowledgment that is always debatable. I try to come as close to historical fact as I can, using the earliest sources and deep context in the form of cultural, political, economic, and comparative religious studies.
Rabeeh — see answers above (or maybe below — am not sure how it’ll show online) to Saima Abbasi. Thanks — Lesley
Muhammad was the first Muslim in his era it is true with the new scripture he was given being the first to accept it but all messengers who came before him from Adam, Noah, Abraham, Solomon, Moses and Jesus are described as muslims in the quran which is an adjective describing a state of surrender to the will of God and at the same time connecting their faith in the One God and his massage to humanity throughout time.
Because of course I’m behind on my blog reading I’m just now seeing this. So I wish you good luck and bon voyage and as I’m anxiously awaiting the outcome, I can really only say: Hurry up already! Catch the apples!
🙂 Good luck!
Thanks Em — am hurrying as fast as I can (but feel rather like Aesop’s tortoise…)
Really looking forward to your book Lesley, I’ve really come to love your style during the past few months, best of luck charging the mountain!
Greetings and best wishes from Hungary! 😛
Thank you — am a third of the way up the mountain! — L.
I just found your weblog a few weeks ago, and I think I’m so unlucky that you’re not going to write for a while! Anyway, good luck with your writing and I’m eagerly looking forward to read your book about the biography of Mohammad.
Thanks Elaheh — I’m looking forward to being able to read it too!
Ma’am Lesley,
Hope you are doing fine with your book?I am reading your book ‘After the Prophet’ salaat o salaam.and I want your attention about some details about the burial of Prophet Muhammad salaat o salaam.
I did a research paper on the death of Prophet Muhammad Salaat o salaam. I wish to add that the details of His salaat o salaam are not the whole truth, the main source of Prophet Muhammad salaat o salaam’s life are the books of Hadith. Kindly check these references because in these books their is diffrent account about burial.
For the life of Prophet Muhammad salaat o salaam only history books are not enough as Hadith books has more authentic and detail about His life.
Waiting for your rerply.
As you’ll see if you read more of this blog, I don’t subscribe to the idea of a single truth, let alone whole truth or absolute truth. One tries for truth in the very human acknowledgment that is always debatable. I try to come as close to historical fact as I can, using the earliest sources and deep context in the form of cultural, political, economic, and comparative religious studies.
Ma’am Lesley,
i am really and deeply sorry if my comments are inappropiate,
i am not judging you or your work here or any time.writing a book is a creation and very hard work.
as a matter of fact i watched your ted video about reading Quran and really like it and in your book After the Prophet (salaat o salaam) i cried on the account of death of Ali.
very humbly and with due respect i just want to state that history can be made in drawing rooms today and in past.
as you mention in your book how Hadiths were collected so in my opinion for the life of Prophet Muhammad (salaat o salaam) hadiths books are more reliable.
your details about Prophet Muhammad (salaat o salaam)’s burial support the basic idea or theme of your book,that why shia splited from main stream and it support shia thoughts as well…
if you like i will send you those refrences about the burial in hadiths books.
i have so many questions for you also…
No insult taken, Saima. I appreciate your intent, but right now, mid-book, is not the time to explain myself or my research. You might just have to trust me that I get at least something right… Ramadan mubarak — L.
Good for me coz as the month of ramadan has it’s own different activities from rest of the year so this thing is also taking up my time. I will wait till you ll have time.
Good luck with your book.
Lesley .. do you have an active facebook page?
Sort of…
Hi Lesley, we have been waiting quite long for your new book. And I am not able to get updates anywhere. Would you be kind enough to give us idea on when it would be out.
Updates at your service, Mirza!
Here: http://www.amazon.com/First-Muslim-Story-Muhammad/dp/1594487286/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348003028&sr=1-1&keywords=the+first+muslim+hazleton
And here: http://accidentaltheologist.com/2012/08/30/an-early-nod-for-the-first-muslim/
Publication date is January 24.
This will be available on kindle, right? I don’t see any kindle link.
Am sure it will be. Patience…!
Thanks Lesley. And God bless you.