I am pleased to present my first blog interview with the inspiring author of The Harem Boy's Saga, Bernard Foong (Young)
· Where are you from?
I was born into a privileged Malaysian Chinese family. Following my brothers' footsteps, I was sent to an exclusive boarding school in England. It is there that I was inducted into a clandestine organization, E.R.O.S. The Enlightened Royal Oracle Society. For four years, unbeknownst to my family, I was willingly and happily part of a Harem.
· When did you start writing?
I believe my geographical location (being in spiritual and beautiful Maui, Hawaii) inspired me to pen my seven book series.
Now that I’m semi-retired from my once very active fashion lifestyle, it is time for me to reflect upon my unique early experiences and to inform the world what my positive experiences in the Middle Eastern harems were like.
I believe my early experiences shaped my adult life to who I am today.
· How long did it take for you to complete "A Harem Boy's Saga?"
It takes me close to 18 months to complete each volume of A Harem Boy’s Saga. These are pretty thick books (approximately 600 pages to each book).
I spend a lot of time researching the historical accuracy of that period of my life. It is an important factor to consider when writing memoirs/autobiographies and biographies.
I’ve already published three books in the series of 5-7 books (Solstice Publishing) I want to complete.
Each book is approximately 3 months of my adolescent life in each of the six Arabian Household harems. I was in 6 different Arab households and a year was given back to the secret society to groom a Freshman/Junior as his Big-Brother/chaperone/guardian/mentor accompany him to his 1st household.
· Is there a message that you wish to spread with your writing?
These are some of the goals I hope to achieve through
A Harem Boy Saga:
· Provide Tolerance to Sissy Boys by understanding parents/peers and the community.
Anderson Cooper 360 documentary on the devastating treatment of effeminate boys influence me to tell my story.
· Bullying can be avoided through Big Brother/Big Sister volunteer programs in school or outside school system. Older students acting as mentors to younger students.
· Gay Adolescent Tolerance – parents/child/siblings relationship issues.
Support/mentorship program to all parties involved to foster understanding and acceptance of Gay kids.
· Provide an Alternative Educational System;
Understanding Big Brother/adolescent mentorship programs in schools, BB as protector to keep younger kids from being bullied.
· Human Relationship Building Program;
Between parents/teachers and young students on sexual topics/issues, especially when adolescent are just discovering their sexuality. They can be guided on a healthy and honest sexual journey instead of “don’t ask, don’t tell” hide it behind the closet policy.
· Do you have a particular writing style?
I like my writing to convey my emotions, thoughts and experiences when I was at the age when I was groomed to enter and when I was in the various harems. Therefore, the answer is Yes. I do write in a particular style that reflects my youthfulness at that period in time and era. I hope my innocence and inquisitiveness comes through in my writing.
· What was the hardest part about writing your books?
I presume the hardest part is the grueling hours I spend on the computer. My life-partner thinks I’m a computer addict. J I’m a very organized, discipline and diligent person. When I sit down to write, nothing around me will distract my focus on my writing.
I let my thoughts flow naturally out of me as I remember the events. Although I cannot remember the actual dialogues spoken – I remember the gist of what was being said.
I also have an abundance of old photographs taken during those early years, documenting my life then. I use these to trigger my memories to document the events in the books.
I need complete silence when I write – which is usually 8 – 10 hours daily.
· Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Stay focus. My modus operandi: the 3Ps: Perseverance, Persistence & Patience.
Be diligent about setting a time frame/goal to finish your manuscript.
Not to worry about what you are planning to write. Once you begin with the 1st word, you’ll know what the next word is going to be. When I write, it’s like channeling a separate spirit/entity within my person. Thoughts flows automatically through me and I write what comes naturally out of my hand.
To me documenting A Harem Boy’s Saga series is like a divine calling. There is an inner angelic voice that directs when I put words into the computer/paper.
· What would you like to say to your readers?
I quote one of my reader – Ms. Wendy Acosta who had read the first 3 volumes of A Harem Boy’s Saga; a memoir by Young within a matter of a week and half:
5.0 out of 5 stars OMG, OMG, OMG - I can't believe this is a real story!, September 22, 2014
By
Wendy Acosta - See all my reviews
This review is from: Initiation (A Harem Boy's Saga Book 1) (Kindle Edition)
Never have I read a story that has me exclaiming "OMG, OMG, OMG" every few chapters. This autobiographical story shares the intensely personal journey of a young boy as he comes of age in the midst of a male harem in the Middle East. He experiences all the things that forbidden and taboo...you know those "unmentionable elephants in the room" that we are warned about from an early age. I had to read this real life adventure to find out how messed up and damaged he must be. Imagine my surprise to meet an emotionally healthy young man who successfully grabs all life has to offer and does it with an innocence that is simply beautiful.
Don't read this book if you aren't ready for your ingrained beliefs and values to be challenged. Don't read this book if you are not ready to delve into a side of our global society that is well hidden from most. Don't read this book unless you too are ready to step into a new adventure. Initiation will change how you view the world.
Well done Bernard.
Wendy had summed up my series excellently and this is exactly what I like to say to my readers.
· What is next for you?
I’m currently working A Harem Boy’s Saga – IV – Metanoia; a memoir by Young.
My Yuletide short story book “No Distance Between Us” (a true to life coming-of-age gay love story) is schedule for release on Nov. 4th 2014.
I’m also working with Solstice Publishing on having A Harem Boy’s Saga series made into audio books.
I’m also working with a publicist – as a speaker in conducting writing workshops. Starting in Hawaii and then nationwide before doing international speaking engagements and writing workshops.
I was born into a privileged Malaysian Chinese family. Following my brothers' footsteps, I was sent to an exclusive boarding school in England. It is there that I was inducted into a clandestine organization, E.R.O.S. The Enlightened Royal Oracle Society. For four years, unbeknownst to my family, I was willingly and happily part of a Harem.
· When did you start writing?
I believe my geographical location (being in spiritual and beautiful Maui, Hawaii) inspired me to pen my seven book series.
Now that I’m semi-retired from my once very active fashion lifestyle, it is time for me to reflect upon my unique early experiences and to inform the world what my positive experiences in the Middle Eastern harems were like.
I believe my early experiences shaped my adult life to who I am today.
· How long did it take for you to complete "A Harem Boy's Saga?"
It takes me close to 18 months to complete each volume of A Harem Boy’s Saga. These are pretty thick books (approximately 600 pages to each book).
I spend a lot of time researching the historical accuracy of that period of my life. It is an important factor to consider when writing memoirs/autobiographies and biographies.
I’ve already published three books in the series of 5-7 books (Solstice Publishing) I want to complete.
Each book is approximately 3 months of my adolescent life in each of the six Arabian Household harems. I was in 6 different Arab households and a year was given back to the secret society to groom a Freshman/Junior as his Big-Brother/chaperone/guardian/mentor accompany him to his 1st household.
· Is there a message that you wish to spread with your writing?
These are some of the goals I hope to achieve through
A Harem Boy Saga:
· Provide Tolerance to Sissy Boys by understanding parents/peers and the community.
Anderson Cooper 360 documentary on the devastating treatment of effeminate boys influence me to tell my story.
· Bullying can be avoided through Big Brother/Big Sister volunteer programs in school or outside school system. Older students acting as mentors to younger students.
· Gay Adolescent Tolerance – parents/child/siblings relationship issues.
Support/mentorship program to all parties involved to foster understanding and acceptance of Gay kids.
· Provide an Alternative Educational System;
Understanding Big Brother/adolescent mentorship programs in schools, BB as protector to keep younger kids from being bullied.
· Human Relationship Building Program;
Between parents/teachers and young students on sexual topics/issues, especially when adolescent are just discovering their sexuality. They can be guided on a healthy and honest sexual journey instead of “don’t ask, don’t tell” hide it behind the closet policy.
· Do you have a particular writing style?
I like my writing to convey my emotions, thoughts and experiences when I was at the age when I was groomed to enter and when I was in the various harems. Therefore, the answer is Yes. I do write in a particular style that reflects my youthfulness at that period in time and era. I hope my innocence and inquisitiveness comes through in my writing.
· What was the hardest part about writing your books?
I presume the hardest part is the grueling hours I spend on the computer. My life-partner thinks I’m a computer addict. J I’m a very organized, discipline and diligent person. When I sit down to write, nothing around me will distract my focus on my writing.
I let my thoughts flow naturally out of me as I remember the events. Although I cannot remember the actual dialogues spoken – I remember the gist of what was being said.
I also have an abundance of old photographs taken during those early years, documenting my life then. I use these to trigger my memories to document the events in the books.
I need complete silence when I write – which is usually 8 – 10 hours daily.
· Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Stay focus. My modus operandi: the 3Ps: Perseverance, Persistence & Patience.
Be diligent about setting a time frame/goal to finish your manuscript.
Not to worry about what you are planning to write. Once you begin with the 1st word, you’ll know what the next word is going to be. When I write, it’s like channeling a separate spirit/entity within my person. Thoughts flows automatically through me and I write what comes naturally out of my hand.
To me documenting A Harem Boy’s Saga series is like a divine calling. There is an inner angelic voice that directs when I put words into the computer/paper.
· What would you like to say to your readers?
I quote one of my reader – Ms. Wendy Acosta who had read the first 3 volumes of A Harem Boy’s Saga; a memoir by Young within a matter of a week and half:
5.0 out of 5 stars OMG, OMG, OMG - I can't believe this is a real story!, September 22, 2014
By
Wendy Acosta - See all my reviews
This review is from: Initiation (A Harem Boy's Saga Book 1) (Kindle Edition)
Never have I read a story that has me exclaiming "OMG, OMG, OMG" every few chapters. This autobiographical story shares the intensely personal journey of a young boy as he comes of age in the midst of a male harem in the Middle East. He experiences all the things that forbidden and taboo...you know those "unmentionable elephants in the room" that we are warned about from an early age. I had to read this real life adventure to find out how messed up and damaged he must be. Imagine my surprise to meet an emotionally healthy young man who successfully grabs all life has to offer and does it with an innocence that is simply beautiful.
Don't read this book if you aren't ready for your ingrained beliefs and values to be challenged. Don't read this book if you are not ready to delve into a side of our global society that is well hidden from most. Don't read this book unless you too are ready to step into a new adventure. Initiation will change how you view the world.
Well done Bernard.
Wendy had summed up my series excellently and this is exactly what I like to say to my readers.
· What is next for you?
I’m currently working A Harem Boy’s Saga – IV – Metanoia; a memoir by Young.
My Yuletide short story book “No Distance Between Us” (a true to life coming-of-age gay love story) is schedule for release on Nov. 4th 2014.
I’m also working with Solstice Publishing on having A Harem Boy’s Saga series made into audio books.
I’m also working with a publicist – as a speaker in conducting writing workshops. Starting in Hawaii and then nationwide before doing international speaking engagements and writing workshops.
Thank you for stopping by, The Nerd Girl's Reading Corner!
For further information please visit or contact:
Bernard Foong (a.k.a. Young)
Available on Amazon
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KOEXWQQ
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