Hi Badiaa Hiresh, thank you for agreeing to this interview.
Oltobooks : Tell us a little about yourself and your background? Badiaa Hiresh : Badiaa Hiresh was born in Lebanon in 1964 where she eventually lived and worked, raising her two daughters Vanessa and Tiffany. Badiaa also spent time in the USA after surviving the bitterness of the Lebanese Civil War, which gives her a unique international perspective on her home country. After working as an accountant and manager for the family jewelry business, Badiaa found herself in the field of education, helping to start a school. As well as writing, Badiaa is an advocate for peace, spending many years as a Peace Coordinator. Badiaa, the child born to a painful beginning, dreamed, and reached International by publishing three books, Where Is My Angel?; Mommy, I Am A PACER; & Life’s Detours, Alexandra’s Choices.
Oltobooks : What are your ambitions for your writing career? Badiaa Hiresh : To inspire readers and change their life, and see my books on the big screen.
Oltobooks : When did you decide to become a writer? Badiaa Hiresh : I wrote since I could think and hold a pen. Having lost my mom at birth, made me write to her in my mind, and speak to her to feel safe; and then came my diary.
Oltobooks : Why do you write? Badiaa Hiresh : The topics I write about touch upon reality. I want to heal the world from pain, I want people to get over their issues and deal with them and prevent them through actions.
Oltobooks : What made you decide to sit down and actually start something? Badiaa Hiresh : I always had that passion and imagination. When I was in Grade 2 I won the reading award and I always knew and wanted to write. So what made me decide to sit down and actually start something, well, imagine you are at school event, all mothers are there, and your mother’s seat is empty… so you fill the blank of the seats, events, life moments, etc… with words.
Oltobooks : Where do your ideas come from? Badiaa Hiresh : From real life events, personal and those I lived, and witnessed.
Oltobooks : What is the hardest thing about writing? Badiaa Hiresh : The hardest thing about writing is writing about yourself, and the decision of how much to say!
Oltobooks : What is the easiest thing about writing? Badiaa Hiresh : The easiest thing about writing is the process itself, at least to me. Once I start, I keep on writing, no planning, no mapping, just words and ideas flowing!
Oltobooks : If this book is part of a series, tell us a little about it? Badiaa Hiresh : Where is My Angel? my biography Once upon a time, a child was born. Between the different events, that child learned that the end in sight is more important than the beginning. My story is not unique, maybe the sequence happening to one person is. I am every woman, every story behind closed doors, every marriage, and every company. This is the story of a woman born in Lebanon with an international view on life. After losing her mother at birth, being exiled to the States and experiencing family leaving her life, Badiaa developed an inner strength that has allowed her to cope with events that would have broken someone less strong. With time, she learned to stand alone. She learned about the importance of a smile, she learned about the steps towards happiness, she learned about true friendship, she learned about inner-peace, she learned about what makes a family, and additionally, she learned to differentiate between fate and destiny. Fate came with her birth, but she knew that destiny was in her own hands. Mommy, I Am a PACER: Meet Abigail. Abigail is a girl who’s made a difference in her community by becoming a PACER, but what is a PACER? A PACER is a person who exhibits perseverance, agility, clarity, empathy, and respect. In this collection of short stories, each book represents one of the letters of the word PACER and its attributed characteristics. Join Abigail as she perseveres in welcoming new members into her community, demonstrates her ability to make quick and successful decisions, learns to resolve conflicts by talking openly and honestly with others, and so much more! Mommy, I’m a PACER encourages children to adopt the attitude of a PACER and teaches them how to interact with others and react positively to many different day-to-day situations. Life’s Detours, Alexandra’s Choices This story is about women and for women. Can broken hearts be mended? Alexandra is a dreamer, the youngest child of a large, reserved family. She longs to escape her small-town life and begins a secret life when she is nearly sixteen, singing at a small pub in the next town over. Her parents find out and give her a choice: stop singing or leave home. She leaves and soon finds herself involved with a much older man. When she discovers she is pregnant, however, her entire life changes once more. She sets out on a journey to a big city, determined to make her own choices and find her dreams, regardless of the challenges she faces. Between the life chosen for us and that we chose, we learn lessons that we forget with time. We end up sinking, derail from the right path, and then miss opportunities as we dread embarking on new waves, thanks to the depth of the wounds caused by those closest to us. But when we feel most disappointed in ourselves, we must be strong and remember we deserve happiness, justice, and success. This novel follows the life and journey of a young woman facing an unexpected pregnancy without support from anyone and choosing to chase her dreams anyway.
Oltobooks : What are your thoughts on writing a book series? Badiaa Hiresh : I love it, I did in the 5 short stories of Mommy, I AM a PACER, it connects you with the characters.
Oltobooks : What is your favourite positive saying? Badiaa Hiresh : Nothing will change until the day you take the first step. You are not alone!
Oltobooks : Where can you see yourself in 5 years’ time? Badiaa Hiresh : Watching one of my books on the big screen, and in inspiration talks.
Oltobooks : What advice would you give to your younger self? Badiaa Hiresh : Keep your diary at your fingertips and document your life!
“Will you be my #Valentine? It all starts with the way you ask…& remember many are too shy to ask, so take the first step,a step can lead to a whole new level!” #MOI Did you read my books? Well, Love always wins!
I am the Host of the online daily Livestream “Let’s Grow Corporate Style”
“Perfection standards are in your hands… Right or wrong is an opinion…
People will judge, people will criticize, with time people forget a story, to move on to another person and/or story, but deep down there is a story, right or wrong is an opinion, and it’s yours, of your story and your opinion of the facts!
You are faced in life with obstacles & challenges that arm you with more skills and self-confidence… It’s your life, live it to look back not to regret, missing an opportunity or messing it up…
#MOI Live it, for you!”
I am the Host of the online daily Livestream “Let’s Grow Corporate Style”
“Time flies, but how could it… Time is particles, but I am still here… Time is wind, but sometimes I don’t feel it… Time is age, oh yes, now I understand, it shows! The concept of age versus time, days are passing, body is aging, skin is changing, and every one else is… Yesterday is gone but its pain remains… Don’t let it hold you in yesterday’s, move with time & embrace the dust of wind… who knows, particles of love fly everywhere!”
“Practice what you preach, I told myself. Sharing with you my LIVE READING on #WorldReadAloudDay”
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“What makes freedom… if you can read, you have a free mind; if you can read, you are alive; if you can read, you are the master of your mind; if you can read, you broaden your knowledge; if you can read, you improve your concentration; if you can read, you learn, you are aware, you know more, & then you can help more!
“Don’t hide no more… I told myself! I have been contacted on Telegram for a while by this same person, calling me by my nickname. Occasionally, I short answered with a Hi, or a smily emoji. The one side conversation never stopped, he was persistent… so, I decided to send a voice, asking, do we know each other?
& he answered, of course, we went out together like six years ago, you were sweet, genuine, a very nice lady, we walked by the beach, we went dinners, and then suddenly you vanished!
I couldn’t remove that woman of my mind, he said, she was too sweet to let go, she was too real to forget. I knew, he said, you must have a lack of trust, I knew he said you must have been deceived… I knew, I knew, & I knew… he kept on going, and then he said, I couldn’t let you out of my mind!
Another phase, not knowing what to answer… Deep in my mind, I had no recollection of the person! A very sad moment, I lived, why is it that I cannot remember him. Where is my heart? Am I alive? Am I damaged?
Dear man out there, Kindly handle with care!” #MOI The damaged woman, on behalf of those out there, did you ever feel the same or am I alone! I am the Host of the online daily Livestream “Let’s Grow Corporate Style” & Author of *Life’s Detours – Alexandra’s Choices Book by #MOI, Can broken hearts be mended? *Where is My Angel? Book by #MOI and Read about the role of Faith in my life *Mommy, I am a PACER! Book by #MOI because I believe that children are the future, the change… All are available on this Amazon link: Click to purchase or view the books Through the publishers: Archway Publishing from Simon and Schuster: Life’s Detours – Alexandra’s Choices Novum Publishing link: Where is My Angel? Dorrance Publishers link: Mommy I Am a PACER! Follow me @ https://youreverydaycoffeeblog.wordpress.com/ Subscribe for free to my I Channel, News & Broadcast on YouTube
“Today’s goal… That is how every day should start. Wake up, stretch, practice deep breathing, close your eyes, and set a goal for that day. Make is easy, make it feasible, and do it!
My goal today, is to hydrate properly, and drink my tea! What’s yours?
I actually realized that short term goals, and rather daily achievable goals, will boost my energy, especially in days where we lack motivation. Keep it going you guys, let’s make it happen!”
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