The Windhoek Connection - 29 November 2022

A Bed on Bricks

Marisa (‘Mel’) Kelly is a long-time resident of Namibia who has worked as an editor and writer of factual content since 1998. Her first work of fiction, the short-story collection A Bed on Bricks, has just been published by Modjaji Books of Cape Town. The Windhoek Connection asked her to reveal a little about the process of getting her work into print.

Tell me about your book, A Bed on Bricks

It’s a collection of nine short stories for adult readers, all of which are set in Namibia or another sub-Saharan country and many of which feature themes to do with nature and/or the supernatural world.

How long did it take you to write this book?

The first story in the collection was originally published online by the Kalahari Review back in 2017 and, in between work commitments and launching a community project, it took a further two years to complete all the other tales ready for submission to a print publisher. Plus, of course, many decades of accumulating all the raw material on which they are based!

"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members."

– Coretta Scott King

How many hours a day do you write?

I can only write productively for about 3 hours on a good day, then the work gets uninspired and repetitious. However, each hour spent writing probably represents 20 or more hours spent on mental drafting, building characters, and clarifying ideas and then later, probably a similar number of hours spent in online research and revising the rough draft.

Where did you get the ideas for the book?

From a lifetime spent in close observation of the natural world and the wide range of people I have encountered over the course of a most interesting life. I often try to create a character with whom I have nothing in common, then work through his or her motivations in a certain dramatic context – especially if they are very different from what my own might be. To just write from my own point of view would not be challenging to me as an author, or interesting to my readers, I feel.

How many books have you written?

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This is my first collection of fiction to be published in print. I have been a prizewinner in two short story competitions over the past couple of years and another of my stories will be published shortly by the Goethe-Institut Namibia in their anthology In Times of Pandemic.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in the course of writing this book?

Well, not unsurprisingly, I discovered that the process of planning the first version of a book through to seeing it realised in print is an even more long, drawn-out and tedious process than I’d anticipated – especially during a

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W&B ANKERPLATZ CENTRE SAM NUJOMA AVE SWAKOPMUND NAMIBIA

pandemic. In this regard I have to give props to the team at Modjaji Books who persisted with developing my manuscript with a high degree of professionalism during extraordinarily trying times for the publishing industry. On a personal level, writing about a diverse collection of characters and exploring their personalities and actions made me confront my own tendency to be somewhat judgemental, I suppose! I do try to write in a neutral register so that my own viewpoints are not foregrounded; I want my readers to make up their own minds about how much they empathise with, or disagree with, the ways that people behave in my stories.

Did you know…

…a Petabyte is a lot of data.

We all know 1 GB is the same as 1024 MB, but did you know that 1 petabyte (PB) is equivalent to 1024 terabytes (TB)?

To give an example of how big this is, a 1 PB hard drive could hold 13.3 years of HD-TV video.

A 50 PB hard drive could hold the entire written works of mankind, from the beginning of recorded history, in all languages.

Are the short stories in the book based on real people/true events?

No. In a small community like Namibia, I would be on dangerous ground if I did that! Let’s say that I take little hints of character traits from people I’ve met to create a set of characters, place them in setting that I think will be interesting to people outside the country, and then work all that into an abstract idea or philosophical question that I have been developing, to give the narrative a more universal scope. For example, in the story ‘The Copper Bowl’ I ask: “if you love someone and they don’t love you back, is your love wasted?”

It's also important to say that I never write auto-fiction. None of my characters are like me and none of the situations I describe reflect something that’s happened to me. Being fond of my privacy, I am not one for divulging my own experiences and won’t be tapping them for inspiration in an unmediated way.

How challenging was it to get the book published? Or did you self-publish?

Self-publishing is not to be sneered at but it was important for me to get the backing, and expert support, of a publishing company behind me. Only by securing that can an author really know that their work is worthwhile, not to mention enjoy the editorial, marketing and distribution expertise of a professional team that truly knows what it’s doing.

Where can I get a copy? Is it also available online?

Right now, people heading across to RSA for the holidays can order it from Modjaji Books online or at any good book shop there. Otherwise, let’s ‘support local’ and buy a copy from the incredible team at The Book Den in Windhoek. They are happy to ship a copy to anywhere in Namibia. (In the future it may also be available online and through international distributors. So, watch this space…)

Author Mel Kelly

WhatsApp’s Adding a New Option to Send a Message to Yourself

Source: socialmediatoday.com

This could be handy – WhatsApp’s rolling out a new option that enables you to send a message to yourself be good for keeping notes, sending links that you want to get back to, keeping track of appointments, etc.

As you can see in this example, you’ll now see yourself as a contact in your WhatsApp recipients list, with WhatsApp highlighting examples like shopping lists, travel inspiration, voice notes, etc. The feature has been few weeks, with beta testers getting access in late October. WhatsApp has now confirmed that it’s being rolled out to all users, on both Android and iOS.

As noted, to send yourself a message in WhatsApp, you’ll be able to choose your contact info from the top of your contacts list. Tapping on that will open up a chat window, where you can send yourself a quick note. Which could be: ‘Hey, you look good today’, just to give yourself a little pep, or maybe text yourself a joke that always makes you laugh, no matter how many times you see it.

There’s a range of ways this could be used – I regularly send myself notes (via email) of story ideas and prompts that I’ve logged on my notepad, usually while waiting to pick up my kids.

It’s a small, but potentially helpful addition. The new ‘note to self’ option is rolling out to all users from this week.

Upcoming events Upcoming events

Catch the full listing of all upcoming events in and around

Windhoek at windhoekconnection.com.na

Drumming Circle at Joe’s Beerhouse, Wednesday, 30 Nov · 6 – 7 PM

Brought to you by Ongoma Drum Café Namibia. For adults and kids alike. Even for those who “don’t have rhythm”. Especially for those! ;-) Drums are provided. Fun is guaranteed. Entrance is free. Donations are welcome. (Suggested participation fee: N$ 50, kids N$ 20)

Silverspoon Hospitality Academy Food and Wine Pairing, Wednesday, 30 Nov · 6 – 10 PM

Pairing food and wine is one of the great culinary pleasures. But, it can also be one of the most mystifying and intimidating elements of planning a meal. Join us for an evening of pure bliss and knowledge together with SeaprideFoods. We will be tasting the exquisite Plaisir de Merle. To find out more or to make a booking, just give us a call at 061 240 944. T’s & C’s apply.

REFLECTING ON KNOWLEDGE RE-CREATION, Friday, 2 Dec to Saturday, 3 Dec 2022

a workshop by Nashilongweshipwe Mushaandja and Julia Rensing. This workshop provides a platform for cultural practitioners to present their art, films, performances, scholarly work or thoughts. The workshop allows us to uncover how our different disciplines are making and challenging knowledge. For more information and to register contact knowledgerecreation2022@gmail.com.

Baby Expo, Saturday, 3 Dec BUMP, BIRTH & BEYOND! Discover all you need to know for you, your pregnancy or young child. Gain expert, up-to-date advice from our diverse range of exhibitors and experiment with products and services to find what best suits your needs. A huge range of products and services will be on show – this expo is not to be missed! For bookings contact events@mediaartistry.com - deadline 7 October 2022.

Windhoek se eie Boeremark: 3 December 2022

Die boeremark word op die skougronde gehou (lewende hawe kant), vanaf 8h00 to 13h00. Binne parkering beskikbaar vir senior burgers. Ingangsfooi: N$5.00 (Pensionarisse en kinders: gratis)

Tuesday, 29 November 2022

Centre Tal Street (Windhoek)

Channel Life Centre Post Street Mall (Windhoek)

Grootfontein Town (NG Church Hall)

Old Mutual Life (Windhoek)

Wednesday, 30 November 2022

Centre Tal Street (Windhoek)

Channel Life Centre Post Street Mall (Windhoek)

Windhoek Consulting Engineers

Thursday, 1 December 2022

Centre Tal Street (Windhoek)

Channel Life Centre Post Street Mall (Windhoek)

Pupkewitz Toyota (Windhoek)

Friday, 2 December 2022

Centre Tal Street (Windhoek)

Channel Life Centre Post Street Mall (Windhoek)

Maerua Mall Checkers (Windhoek)

Saturday, 3 December 2022

Centre Tal Street (Windhoek)

07:00-18:00 08:30-16:00 10:00-18:00 09:00-15:30 07:00-16:00 08:30-16:00 09:00-15:30 07:00-18:00 08:30-16:00 09:00-15:30 07:00-16:00 08:30-16:00 09:00-16:00 08:00-14:00

Caramel Stuffed Nutella Cookies

Caramel Stuffed Nutella Cookies

These caramel stuffed Nutella cookies are extra soft and chewy with a hidden caramel surprise inside. For best success, use the caramel candies suggested in the recipe and don’t skip the chilling step.

Ingredients

• 313g all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled)

• 10g unsweetened natural cocoa powder

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 170g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

• 150g packed light or dark brown sugar

• 100g granulated sugar

• 1 large egg, at room temperature

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 225g Nutella

• 130g chopped hazelnuts

• 28 soft caramel candies

• optional: coarse salt or sea salt for topping

Instructions

• Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.

• Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream the softened butter and both sugars together on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and mix on high until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add the vanilla and Nutella and beat on high until completely combined.

• Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and beat on low speed until combined. Beat in the hazelnuts. Dough will be thick, yet airy and sticky. Cover and chill the dough for at least 3 hours in the refrigerator. If chilling for longer (up to 3 days), allow dough to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before scooping and baking.

RECIPE COURTESY OF RACHAEL RAY

• Preheat oven to 175°C. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.

• Cookie dough will be firm after chilling, but will come together with the warmth of your hands. Measure 1 scant Tablespoon of cookie dough and roll into a ball. Indent your thumb into it. Place caramel candy inside. Take another 1 scant Tablespoon of cookie dough and use it to completely cover the caramel candy on top. Roll the caramel-stuffed dough into an even ball. Make sure the caramel is completely wrapped inside. Sprinkle with coarse salt. Repeat with remaining cookie dough and caramels. Arrange cookie dough balls 7cm apart on baking sheets. Place any remaining cookie dough balls in the refrigerator as you bake the other batches.

• Bake the cookies for 13-14 minutes until the edges appear set. Caramel may have oozed out a little. (That’s ok!) The centers will look very soft and underbaked. Remove from the oven and let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes. The cookies will continue to “set” on the baking sheet during this time. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Use a thin spatula to help transfer the cookies to the cooling rack, especially if some caramel oozed out.

• Cover and store leftover cookies at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Notes

• Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions: Baked cookies freeze well up to three months. Unbaked cookie dough balls (with caramel inside) freeze well up to three months. Bake frozen cookie dough balls for an extra minute, no need to thaw.

• Caramel Candies: The BEST caramel candies to use are either (1) Rolo candies (the little chocolate covered caramels) or (2) Werther’s brand soft caramels. If using Werther’s brand, fold them in half because they are pretty long and won’t fit inside the cookie dough ball otherwise.

RECIPE COURTESY OF RACHAEL RAY

Source: sallysbakingaddiction.com

Puzzles

Puzzles

Palindromes Are Cool!

A palindrome is a word, number, phrase, or other sequence of symbols that reads the same backwards as forwards

• Bird Rib

• Kayak

• Mirror Rim

• Nurses Run

• Pot Top

• Race Car

• Repaper

• Rotator

• Seven Eves

• Smart Rams

• Spacecaps

• Stack Cats

• Step On No Pets

• Stop Pots

• Tahiti Hat

• Tangy Gnat

• Tell A Ballet

• Test Set

• Top Spot

• Tuna Nut

• We Few

• We Sew

• Wet Stew

• Won't It Now

Source: www.puzzles.ca

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