Daily thoughts

Which Fictional Character?

If you had to switch lives with a fictional character for a week, who would you choose?

I’ve read too many fictional books that it’s hard to think of a certain character to swap lives.

Some of those characters stayed with me, like Jane Eyre. 

By the way Jane Eyre was the first novel I read and studied for my English degree. I loved this book, and later I read more by Charlotte Bronte. 

I liked other fictional characters too: Anne Shirley, Judy Abbot, and others I can’t remember right now. 

But honestly, I can’t imagine swapping lives with any. My imagination can’t work on this idea. 

Perhaps it’s because these characters belong to someone else; their authors. 

I believe writers temporarily swap lives with their characters, to make them come alive on the page.

And as you read, you become an invisible guest hiding under a magical cloak; seeing things, but not seen. 

So perhaps the best option is to write a book and create your own story.

Hopefully, one day, I will.

With fiction–and–characters thoughts,

Nahla

Daily thoughts

Don’t Trade a Secret?

This post was inspired by Weekend Writing Prompt #484: a weekend challenge to write a poem or a piece of prose in exactly 90 words using the word “Trade”.

I wish I could say I followed the instructions, but my mind and my pen had another thought.

So here’s the piece they ended with: 

People ask, always ask, so many questions.

Perhaps out of curiosity, admiration, or even envy.

And everyone has at least one secret in life.

But not every secret can be traded.

Why trade your privacy for public interest?

Isn’t privacy supposed to be one of your secrets?

Why trade trust for any gains?

Isn’t trust supposed to be a secret held between two?

Why trade your hard-earned toil for vanity?

Isn’t your toil meant to be a quiet secret for a good cause?

They say that in the professional world, every trade secret is protected by legal regulations.

So how come people trade their own secrets with no regulations, no considerations, and no sense of decency.

Kindness and loyalty still exist, and the world is not as murky as some people try to paint it.

But it’s wiser to think twice before trading a secret for anything at all.

With don’t-trade-your-secrets thoughts,

Nahla

Just writing

Welcome August 2026

Today, I can welcome August with a big smile.

First, because I finally finished The Sea Keeper’s Daughters, and it turned out to be a unique story.

Second, because I have a plan, and a promise, to read a list of more books this month.

It’s a bit embarrassing to gather the harvest of only one book at the end of the month. 

But of course, July understands my situation: the holiday, the jet lag, the cold, and the house chores that never end.

And August looks, so far, supportive and considerate. 

Third, because the weather is nice so far.

It’s been rainy, a bit windy over the last few days, but that’s better. Actually, that’s a blessing, after the heat wave that lasted until the end of July.

Fourth, because I finally made my coconut frozen-yogurt ice cream with four simple ingredients: coconut milk, yogurt, shredded coconut, and honey. And, it turns out like something from another world. 

There are more reasons to welcome August, but that’s enough for now.

With welcome-August thought,

Nahla