This one took several months to finish and although I’m not 100 percent satisfied with the end result (When are we, ever?) it’s still a relief and at writing the final word, I couldn’t help feeling that petite, high sense of achievement. I’ve not decided yet what to do with it, but the obvious thing to do is send it out to writing contests or literary journals and fiction magazines. But before I do that, the story must be polished a little bit.

Jalboot is part of an ongoing, long-term project to compile a set of stories that are mainly based or inspired in Bahrain and from its heritage, culture and community. Among the other stories I am hoping to include in that special collection are The Red Hand of Ottoman (which has been accepted for publication by a new literary online magazine called Sky later this year), The Purple Rose, (a Glimmer Train Press “Very Short Story Award” finalist and a contender for the Fish International Short Story Award 2005), and Wings Over Sea (currently in proofing/editing phase). I have a number of other ideas for more stories, probably four or five.

Also, yesterday I received my very first royalty payment! Which I was very ecxited about and happy with, even though it wouldn’t amount as much as any one would really hope for. Nevertheless, the fact that I, as a writer, got actually paid for something I wrote signifies a gigantic landmark.

This means that I’ve made it. That I’ve succeeded in becoming a P.P. (Paid and Published) Writer. That I’ve created something that people actually thought worthy of spending their money on. To any writer, this is what, eventually, it’s all about. No beating ‘round the bush. We want people to read our work… and by that I don’t mean having to “give” someone something you wrote for them to read… but for that someone to actually find your work interesting enough to take a bet on.

A friend of mine joked that next thing I know, I’ll be selling my movie rights, buying a beach mansion and schmoozing with the rich and famous! Well, on this rate… that might take a couple of hundred years!

On another note, this very blog has been nominated in several categories (including Best Arab Blog and Best Bahraini Blog) in the Best Arab Blogs Award 2004. Please take a moment to vote for me by following these links. (you don’t have to register or anything, just click on the link, choose “Ali’s QuixotiQ Writings” and vote):

Best Arab Blog (English)

http://arablogger.com/index.php?module=polls&func=results&pid=37

Best Art Blog

http://arablogger.com/index.php?module=polls&func=results&pid=5

Best Culture Blog

http://arablogger.com/index.php?module=polls&func=results&pid=7

Best MediaJournalist Blog

http://arablogger.com/index.php?module=polls&func=results&pid=11

Best Personal Blog

http://arablogger.com/index.php?module=polls&func=results&pid=14

Best Bahraini Blog

http://arablogger.com/index.php?module=polls&func=results&pid=20