Beyond myth

 

 TITLE ----BEYOND MYTH

INITIATIVE DEVELOPER------------------SIMON MUREU

 

CALL FOR NETWORKING AND FUNDING

 

PURPOSE-----TO DEVELOP A WRITERS GUIDES

FOR UP COMING RESEARCHERS

 

THE MASK BEHIND COLLABORATIVE WRITING

 

BY SIMON KAHOKO MUREU

 

It is not a merry making for a writer! With complexities in it, collaborative writing is mind and soul searching area many writers would like to keep away from unless one is involved, its difficult to understand it.

 

FIRST ATTEMPT

My first experience in collaborative writing come into my way when I was still a bidding writer when the then editor of STEP MAGAZINE Mrs. Konnie  Kisuke assigned two of us to work on an article. But as soon as we had started my would be co author found the going being rough and opted to drop.

 

I felt discouraged and with a deadline just two days ahead, I moved on to interviewing and research work. I managed to complete the article in time.

 

MY ANOTHER PROJECT.

My second involvement came in the year 2004 when members Association of Africa Christian Writers agreed upon writing a book. Many of them found it being difficult and got out of the Forum. In hurry, I did a short research on how to undertake a collaborative writing project and E-

 

 

 

 

 

mail my finding to all members. It didn’t help either. I took my stories to Today in Africa Magazine and got Published.

 

ROOTS IN COLLABORATION

Working collaboratively is not a new happening. We all enjoy a Godly approach in it. In the book of Genesis 11:26 God said: “ let us made a man in our own Image, in the likeness of our Selves”.

 

 

 

AFRICAH SOCIALISMS

In almost every African Community, people work together digging in their Lands, feast together during their all ceremonies like marriages e.t.c

 

In Kenyan Society, the Motto towards collaboration is known as “ Harambee” ----- pushing Together. This togetherness had helped to develop many schools, Hospitals and churches. All community’s projects are undertaken collaboratively. Writing is not optional.

 

THREE AUTHORS WORK

In my reading life, I found the book “Holy Blood Holy Grail” as a great work of co- authorship. It took three authors about thirteen years to compile with enough research been done, the book now believed to be a historacy and foundation of Dan Brown’s book “The Da Vinci Code” by critics almost reverberated the western world when it was published in early 1980’s.

 

MORE DARING.

I have continued undertaking a collaborative writing projects and in September/ October 2008, I undertook three of them. I always meet new complexities and challenges which I dare to.

 

PROJECT’S OWNERSHIP

All collaborative writing projects are in- house mooted and planned with a groups identity. A publisher/editor would develop an idea. Once this has been rooted, writers would be poached for There maybe Agents Included in the planning.

 

 

WRITING GUIDELINES.

Before I agree to work on assignment, I read the Guideline. The idea may sound interesting but without clearly detailed information and a complete project’s Out-line, then assignment would lead to nowhere.

 

 

 

WRITERS MY FRIENDS

It’s very important to understand who would be my working mates. What have they done in the past? This would help me to gage a writer’s abilities.

 Collaborative writing projects are done under signed agreement…….. or contract I fear coming across writer who would drop out half way.

 

FINANCIAL ASPECTS

In this area of writing one would need money to cover the traveling due to researching etc. publishers would pay out some advance for major works. Some short assignment don’t call for a first payment. I always undertake the short ones.

 

UNDERSTANDING THE FUNDAMENTALS.

Even if a writer should be involved so as to understand this area, one ought to know some fundamentals to be followed In the out-line details on whether the work would be Simultaneously or Sequential must be availed.

 

APPLICATION.

In simultaneous writers maybe working together on the chapter, on the same table while in sequential work is divided among the working team.

 

In my first experience, I was to undertake research and interviewing while my mate was to compile …….. the third person was the editorial assistant and then editor’s Desk. I had a feeling of PARTICIPATION.

 

 

OBSERVATION.

Although I held that feeling, I didn’t have first hand experience of my SUBJECT and I had to apply my knowledge through outside sources of researching and observation.

 

PARTICIPATION.

In my second assignment I had more knowledge of my subject but I had to go out for more information. You may mix this as internal and external amounting to observation and participation.

 

 

TECHNOLOGY COLLABORATIVE.

In the recent times we are not only collaborating on team-workers. A computer is playing a major role in our writing field and is out eliminating many hindrance in simultaneous collaboration.

 

BRAINSTORMING.

A good strategy in collaborative writing ought to come during a group’s meeting. It always stimulates one’s creativity and a clear flow of mind.

 

MORE POINTERS.

• I need to develop to trust and how to communicate my idea with others, as this is more essential.


• To be a keen listener and able to ask my questions effectively.


• When my coauthors failed in my first two projects, I felt angered and feared disagreement arising amongst us. I had to approach the issue from a polite and friendly manner. Editors call this SUBSTANTIVE CONFLICTS.


• In collaboratively writing one must be FOCUSED in all time and always agreeable to reviewing.

 

 

Collaboratively writing remains difficult and wide area to understand. I learned this the hard way---- and at times enjoys the fruit out of it. It’s a worthwhile struggle! One should be involved in.

In a wider range collaborative writing would  be always be tailored to educate, inspiration and entertain. All researchers are called upon to inform and pass information to public for understanding.

In environment, writing in East Africa is  of poor quality. It lacks  enough information and any would be educational and in depth approach.

On 3rdNovember , 2018, a Kenyan expert Ms. WangaiKamonji in her presentation at a PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN EAST AFRICA WORKSHOP held at British Institute in Eastern Africa described the way and the manner of researchers. “Its poor and lack almost any information.”

Having read more than t70 articles in about  three years, the expert could not, together with other in the discussion see any building climate change adaptive capacity in East Africa through local media. It was even said……Local Researchers publish their works outside the region. And many of them hold more information to themselves.

Would this be an accepted and a common practice of many researchers to hold more information in and or confidence matters to themselves and for long……..and that they have the responsibility not to divulge conversation of interest?

According to UN-Environment Climate change international Legal Regime and UN-Environment Human right and environment, it is an act of injustice to withhold any information and the public should always have a free and fair access to information as need would be.

In Africa, Researchers .. In any given field tend always to undertake their writing alone. This is caused by the fear of not having enough researching and in other times, their hunger for the “take – all credit” to oneself. They end up coming a long way with nothing.

The days of writing-up journal articles single handedly are long-gone. Networking is the order of the day. It’s either you team up or throw away the towel.

For many researchers in Africa reading in through many journals`, mostly “British” one would   find there-in how collaboration writing is being done. Look at or for the following:

• Title


• Lead-Author


• Co-Author


• Region


• Review


• Editorial and readership


• Technical advice, contributor and format.

And other features . Any articles intended for a journal publication ought be: Opinion, experience, expression, Report and Case Study.

While She was deliberating on her presentation…..”Building public and Scientific Collaborations” during the said workshop, Prof. . Glade narratively challenged the researchers to highly understand their cause and learn to collaborate with other people in all

Areas of interest.

Collaborative writing is no optional

 

About the Author:

• Holds a Diploma in Freelance Journalism, certified Chaplain- Disaster Management,,Diploma in BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY Environment studies with –UN-InforMEA and awarded four Badges for participation.


• Self-educated……..

MANY ARTICLES  pulished in Kenya, U.S.A and south Africa

The year 2015 nanowrimo national novel writing

 

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PRESENTING THE WORLD OF ARGUERS

BY SIMON KAHOKO MUREU

 

Writing Argumentively is always said to be dangerous. It has caused major problems to those who had tried to venture into it yet it remains the most interesting area in writing world.

 

The risks which may be borne out of this area might be death, imprisonment as well harassment from dictorial Authorities  it is mostly viewed as Dictum.

 

COLD WAR

During the cold war Era, every writing that didn’t fit the taste of either the capitalisms or communism could be held as the most dangerous form of literature depending the ideology approach of the given taste of a country.

 

In the long path Argumentative writing has created many Martyrs as well as heroes.

 

WHO’S WHO

The works of a Kenyan novelist Ngugi wa Thiongo, old and new has all along been Argumentatively written. Work done for a cause. After his play “I will marry when I want” and the book petals of “Blood” were published Wa Thiongo had to be detained

 

Another writer who found himself in the hot soup was Peter Abrahams from South Africa. The author of the famed book ….. “mine boy” among other books could write argumentatively. He wrote with a purpose.

 

The work of those two writers didn’t go down well with the leaders in Kenya and South Africa. In Kenya Wa Thiongo’s writing argued his readers to fight and free themselves from neo – colonialism while Abraham’s called his country’s natives to fight on and bring down the curtain of colour Bar.

 

The two were termed as communists and dangerous men. By the time they fled into self – exile they had become heroes among their people.

 

CHURCH IN WORK

As the fall of communisms dawned, the Christian church took over the fighting on evils being committed against the people by those who were in Authority. The talk become…. “We need democracy!

 

New publications came into being. Newsletters were born but only lasted for a short time before being prescribed. Bishops and pastors started printing out their summons and giving them to their faithful’ before the start of the service. EPISCOPAL letters started being issued. Every writing that came out the church by then were argumentatively written. The errant Bishops had to be dealt with. They were called to get out of the Pulpit, join the political arena or shut up.

In 1988 here in Kenya a Christian leadership magazine issued a special edition that argued the Christians to reject the results of a flawed Queuing Election. Beyond magazine was proscribed, its editors were jailed. They become Martyrs in the modern times.

 

BOOK OF EXODUS.

The book of Exodus is the most interesting work of Moses/. God prepares Moses to go, lead out the Israelites from Egypt. Moses underrates himself and aroused an Argument ......chapter 3:1 – 15. The argument between Moses and God is clearly driven, tailored for a cause …….I AM WHO I AM, GO, BRING MY PEOPLE OUT OF EGYPT AND  I WILL BE WITH YOU. With a critical eye, Moses wrote argumentatively.

 

JESUS’ AUTHORITY

If Jesus, a man who held a hard- spot stand towards letter writers could have authored His gospel by himself, one could read a very good piece, one with Authority. In the Gospel according to Mathew 15:24 – 26 may end up being a good argumentative reading.

 Imagine Jesus writing a volume larger than the whole world: John 21:25 which could be full of argumentative as he ushered his flock into his kingdom.

 

In most part of the world Christian writers tend to shy off writing argumentatively. They fear of being hated, arrested or even detained. They assume this mode of writing as Death on the plate, yet they found themselves in it either way.

 

From time to time I have been doing articles of this kind. The world is still being oppressed. The chains of Bondage and encroachment of enslavement meted upon the  people by the world Authorities ought be discontinued Christian writers should always be there, ready for action. Here is how to go into Argumentative writing

 

Meditative ness: one must have designed mind, understanding your mental ability, plan on how deal in fears.

Purpose: a good argumentative writing must Sprain the mind of the reader sporadically.

 

THE BIG PICTURE: To educate, provoke and arouse the mind of readers mind into action towards the claims you have presented. An imminent disagreement ought to occur.

 

INTRODUCTION: Like, in any story you may have read or written, attention to grabber your readers is a must.

 

CONTENTS: Most of argumentative writing are done in claims. Presentation of claims’ alternative act. One need not to be a politician. They are many issues as its in features. A good claim would arise from “GAY Marriages” It had “movers” or protagonists and opposers (antagonists) Is Gay marriage normal, why? If it’s not a good opposing ought to be presented

 

 

 

 

OPPOSING: If you tend to differ your views must be both fair and complete…… bringing out all weakening points to some strength.

 

The last sentence should always leave a strong impression and calls for action on related issues. A claim must be supported by good reasons.

 

PRESENT DAYS

Of late, things have been changing and very fast. People are embracing changes every day in their living style. Unlike the old days of Wa Thiongo’s and Abrahams, argumentative writing has all along been changing.

 

It’s currently being used in Radio, T.V, Computers, and print media for promotional needs.

Human Rights activists are now using it more than ever before instead of issuing “I have a dream” speeches. No wonder the members in Business Community continue to enlist the public Relations service for well creatively written documentaries.

 

WRITERS EYE

A writer’s eye is a must; one must see the world from a controversial point of view and create a psychology of a believer and a doubter. Always be a good listener there is a need to hear what the world is saying.

 

SYNOPSIS

This is a summary of what you are writing. It presents only the major points, deleting the supporting information first. Use statistics as a “gives an example” remember to incorporate all sources of your information.

Gathering of information from the website would be exciting but care ought to be taken. There are a lot of junks. Evaluate the materials you need very carefully.

 

 

From all corners in the larger world argumentative writing continue taking shape. Can a Christian writer afford to be sitting on the fence and for how long?

 

It’s a high time to venture in argumentatively written work. The crux of the matter is The World hated Jesus Christ due to his claims and arguments. We can’t afford being victimized.

 

The days of cold war are gone and buried. Christian writers must stand and be counted. “NO PEACE ON EARTH”, they have been reasoning “YES”, one may agree. And who will fight for peace on Earth. If not them? The time of getting down from over fence is now. To write argumentatively.

It is not all that dangerous

 

Simon Kahoko Mureu

Freelance Writer Nairobi,Kenya