Q & a with Adel

What made you want to be an author?

First, I don’t think of myself as an author or writer! When I was eleven years old, I started writing my journals to express my anguish about the circumstances I was facing. In the process, I also discovered an affinity for reading books as a coping mechanism. Whoever cared to listen to my life story often told me I'm a storyteller. To me, I was only sharing some aspects of my life rather than telling stories.

Did you enjoy school?

As a child, I immensely enjoyed school! My sense of worthiness came as early as elementary school and continued during my graduate-level program in university, as all of my teachers recognized my abilities and always encouraged me to excel. As a premature baby blessed with a petite physic, I found academic success made me look taller and equal to other students. “Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.” —Confucius

How many books have you written?

With the help of my editor, I've written three books so far (memoir). Those books are translated into two of my native languages: Arabic and Amharic. In the future, I might be writing a couple of books on self-improvement topics such as hiking and running marathons. I feel I have the knowledge to share for those over fifty who wish to start running marathons and hiking, as I was fifty-two when I ran my first marathon. Also, I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro at the age of fifty-five. My intent is to inspire and encourage everyone and share my experiences as an old fart who has turned the corner on some major challenges and is now enjoying life to the fullest.

What is the first book you wrote?

The first book is titled ‘To Have Nothing’. To Have Nothing is characterized by a peculiarly nostalgic, reflective tone. It’s a longing for longing, both retrospective and prospective. It is a tell-all of my first sixteen years on this planet.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

In life, if we choose to focus, there are plenty of sources for inspiration! I am inspired by a toddler who's struggling to figure things out (including how to talk, walk, etc.). I derive energy from an older person who's determined to walk, read, and do other basic tasks despite being challenged by physical or mental disabilities. I'm empathetic to immigrants who are striving to survive in a different environment. I'm in awe of a single parent who's working hard to make ends meet. With every disabled person who's never given up on life comes inspiration!

Do you have any writing tips for an aspiring author?

Again, I don’t view myself as a writer. My poorest marks were in writing during my schooling. Ditto during performance reviews at the workplace. My writing comes from a technical perspective. However, I believe, writing is a thought process rather than the mere construction of sentences. If you can clearly envision the story in your mind and are able to convey it to another human being, you're a storyteller. If you can tell a story, you only need some assistance to be an author; I'm a prime example of that. “Each of us is a book waiting to be written, and that book, if written, results in a person being explained.” —Thomas M. Cirignano. That sums it up!

The key to good writing is reading—read, read, read!

Is it true that you have lived on three continents and speak, read, and write in three languages? If so, why?

Yes, I was born in Africa (Ethiopia), matured in Yemen, where my ancestors were and I was molded to be a near-complete person in North America (the US and now Canada). I cherish my multicultural background combined with western education. “The deal with multiculturalism is that the only culture you're allowed to disapprove of is your own.” ―Martin Amis

Who are your favourite authors?

I read many fiction and non-fiction books and it's hard to pick one favorite. The interesting part is that what you read as a child, teen, or young adult leaves you with different impressions about matters and life than what you have as you move through your adult years. I would rather categorize my favorite books and authors in the same manner. As a young boy, I loved to read religious books, whether it was a Jewish holy book, the Bible, or the Qur’an. And as a teen and young adult, I gravitated toward Russian literature, particularly socialist and Marxist writings. This was a period when I read historical and biographical books on topics such as wars and world leaders. When I entered midlife, I tended to be attracted to more diversified reading including professional and personal development books. (Maybe I was subconsciously wanting to prepare for my midlife crisis!) It would be unfair to choose one favorite over any other.

In addition, I still read books in three different languages, and I don't want to show preference to English language writers over Arabic or Amharic language writers.

If I had to list my favorite writers or books, I would include Naguib Mahfouz, Khalil Gibran, Taha Hussein, Abbas Mahmoud Al-Aqqad, and Nawal El-Saadawi from the Arab world.

From the Ethiopian side Haddis Alemayehu, Baalu Girma, Tsegaye Gabre-Medhin, and Mammo Wudneh to be the best Amharic language writers.

As for European and North American writers, I would say, Albert Camus, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Leo Tolstoy, Maxim Gorky, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Mark Twain, Ernst Hemingway, and Frank McCourt are my favorites..

In the recent decades, several new writers came to fold, but I tend to focus on the older generation as they left me with a lasting impression!

What is your favourite book of all time?

All or none.

Where did you grow up?

I spent my first sixteen years in Ethiopia and another dozen years in Yemen. The rest of my life has been in the US and Canada.

What for you are the stand-out career highlights so far?

Most of us have many careers or journeys in life. Workwise, as a computer engineer, IT expert, and project manager, I have served many organizations in various sectors with dedication and commitment. They have all been good to me, and it’s hard to pick one highlight. I also have a running career and parenting responsibilities, and I spend a lot of time hiking and playing soccer.

Who or what inspires you?

From sports, during boyhood, I was inspired by Ethiopian marathon runner - Abebe Bikila, the barefoot Olympic gold medalist. Then later in my life, I discovered a Canadian hero - Terry Fox!

When it comes to science and technology, people in the West tend to credit those with Judo-Christian backgrounds such the likes of Blaise Pascal, Charles Babbage, and Ada Lovelace. I'm not able to deny their contributions.

My source of inspiration comes from Mohammad Ben Musa Khwarizmi. When I was in university, I was asked the same question and I had the same response. Someone said to me that my choice was because I was from the Middle East like he was. Such a comment spoke more about that person than me. Khwarizmi was a Persian scholar famous for putting together a complete understanding of algebra as the field of mathematics we all know, as well as other notable works in astronomy and geography. Now we can hear his influence in the form of a term used by many without really knowing about its origin: algorithm!

What has been the proudest moment in your writing career?

Getting my first memoir published in three languages.

What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

I recognized the power of language when I saw my ability to read the news coverages at the age of ten. In 1972, when the summer Olympics were in unfolding in West Germany, I read the newspaper aloud for a group of adults who didn't know how to read. “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” —Frederick Douglass

What is the most difficult part of your writing process?

I was born left-handed and forced to eat and write with my right hand. Arabic is written from right to left, and Amharic is right to left. My neurodevelopmental disorder from childhood (ADHD), where I can easily be distracted, hampers my inability to coordinate the speed of my thoughts with my fingers when I attempt to assemble properly written words. My struggles with writing have never been due to a lack of imagination or observations or the ability to formulate ideas, rather, the challenges induced by environmental factors.

Studying engineering and computer science was one of the contributing factors to creating obstacles for the writing process. Computer programming languages (if you call them that), are a list of commands. To be a good computer programmer, you have to forget everything you know about sentence structure.

If I may add, working with three different languages was both interesting and challenging. When you land on a word or expression that is suitable for one type of language, you may find it to be offensive for the other ones. Juggling proper way of conveying the message between Amharic, Arabic and English languages was very tricky. Language is also cultural.

You say you don’t call yourself a writer; at what point do you think someone should call themselves a writer?

To me, the answer this question is borderline subjective. Society labels a person who fixes broken chairs for a living as a carpenter. I don't have the knack for writing, I don't write for a living, and I'm not trained to be a writer, so why I should I call myself a writer? There is a significant point or milestone one must reach to be called a writer. If a reader considers my writing worthy of their time, perhaps I am a writer to that person.

Let's look at it the other way. A four-year-old child who attempts to draw the sun, the moon, mountains, a dog, a horse, and their parents may have every right to call themselves an artist. It's a state of mind and a realization of how the child envisioned it. Children have no notion of better artwork to compare their drawings to; grownups can judge the child's work to be inferior or not.

What part of your book(s) was the most fun to write?

The most fun and easiest part of my books to write were describing my childhood days. I was able to be brutally honest while admitting all of my flaws. I didn't have to worry about siblings, coworkers, friends, law, culture, or religious aspects.

What was your hardest scene to write, and why?

The two hardest parts of writing my three books were the topic of my marriage and a couple of workplace encounters. There are legal and moral obligations to be careful with. What I didn't say was more than what I shared in my books. I was trapped between being honest with my readers and being haunted by the unintended consequences. Moreover, I was burdened by my innate worrisome attitude to not come across as blaming, judging, or being vindictive. I had to handle the anxiety I had about not being able to see my own blunders.

What’s your favourite writing snack or drink?

I grew up poor where food was scarce, and I only eat to survive. I try to eat as little as I can. Eating is not something I consider a recreational activity or a drug to abuse. Whether I’m writing or reading, I have my cup of coffee accompanied by three pieces of dates and a hardboiled egg.

Has writing and publishing a book changed the way you see yourself?

Needless to say, it definitely did in the same manner as my single parenting journey has changed my perspective about mothers. As a child, my first toy was a book. I owned and read thousands of them! Now, I look at books and the process of publishing differently. That was huge learning in my life, and I'm fortunate about that. Writing and publishing a memoir is a process of self-examining with the end result being total cleansing.

If you could invite any three people for dinner, whom would you invite and what would the meal be?

First, I would rather ask the parties for their preferences and dietary restrictions. I personally don't eat pork, and some people have severe allergic reactions to some food types.

When I was born, my father named me Ad (Aad, Ade), after an ancient tribe from Southern Arabia, who rejected a monotheistic doctrine or a belief that there is only one God. The tribe is known to have existed from the 8th century BCE to the 5th century CE. I belong to this tribe.

As for who the three people I would invite for dinner they are Abraham, the founder of Judaism; Jesus the teacher of Christianity; and the Prophet Mohammed, the messenger of God, to further discuss the topic.

All things being equal, I would say the meal would an Ethiopian cuisine.

Life is good!

What is the funniest typo you’ve ever written?

Well, that is an interesting question! I have too many of them to list. I'm not sure about funny, but certainly embarrassing. They all happened to two of my female superiors at the workplace. I wrote, "I'm a bit dick today and I won't be able to come to work" while I meant to say, “I'm a bit sick.” The other one was, "I know you're busty. Would you mind looking at the financial statements I sent you?" She happened to be a big-breasted lady. How one can redeem himself from such blunder?

Do you feel like you’d be a better writer if you wore sparkly socks during your writing sessions?

Any socks do the deed!

What DO you wear when you are writing?

I embarked on my writing journey when the COVID pandemic hit the planet. I turned the preventative lockdown periods into an opportunity to write. During the pandemic, I worked from home, and I didn't have to wear business attire. My entire writing was done wearing pajamas.

Do you ever take random writing breaks to dance? If so, when do these breaks generally occur?

I only dance when cooking! I listen to soul songs while writing, and the only thing I would do is to take a break every couple of hours to stretch.

And on a scale of 1-10, how good is your dancing?

I started dancing in my twenties. While I was attending college, at Boise State University, I often ventured to clubs with friends and was always a designated driver because I don’t drink. Back in the 1980s, Boise was an all-white city. Girls automatically assumed Black men know how to dance, and I got frequent requests to be on the dance floor. I heard a comment saying, “We never saw a nigger who doesn't know how to dance.” The word nigger didn't bother me as much as my inability to dance well. I practiced day and night and almost managed to dance like Michael Jackson! At least in my mind!

After some 30 years, I was invited to submit a video clip for a dance contest. It was for a college reunion. The winner would get a package of free flights and accommodation to attend the reunion. The organizers chose the song and requested the dance to be staged at four different settings, along with four country song moves (two-step, then cowboy boogie).

The song was "The Git" by Blanco Brown. I performed the dance on a hiking trail, on a downtown Calgary street, at a local cowboy bar, and in my kitchen with my dog while my daughters assisted me with the dance moves as well as video recordings. I was foolish enough to post it on Facebook, and one of my hiking/running mates commented saying she had "...never seen a Black man like you who has no rhythm...lol!" I think that puts the scale in negative number territories!

What is your favourite word, and why?

“Perhaps!” It gives me the elasticity to back out.

Someday I want to ________?

Fall in love. again!

The first time I was fifteen and it was in Ethiopia. The second and third times were in Yemen when I was eighteen and nineteen. Two of them are mentioned in my book. I hope they were real love, not just boyhood infatuations. It’s overdue, regardless.

Tell us about a unique or quirky habit of yours.

I tend to repeat my regretful moments!

What’s the one thing you can’t live without?

Music or Books one of the two.

If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?

If being invisible is death, I would like to be dead in order to visit some of my old friends and tell them about my books!

What are you afraid of?

Losing trust, purpose, and hope!

Do you have any hidden talents?

I haven't found one in particular yet. I keep discovering minor ones every now and then though, like photography.