Fourteen-year-old Australian expat Maddison J ten Bohmer launches her debut fantasy novel in Dubai. She is one of the youngest published authors of the country and hers is said to be the first ever-published book in the Dubai Font.
The book, Maddi (as she’s lovingly called) says, is a fast-paced fantasy novel for youngsters and is a depiction of her own tenacity, resilience and passion for life.
Talking about how it all started, Maddi said : “Ever since I could read, I started writing small stories. So when a writing course popped around, I signed up immediately. Reading and writing have always been two passions in my life.”
Maddi’s book titled Elements of Straefor is based in a fantasy world called Straefor, where nearly every person has an elemental power (Fire, Earth, Water or Air) – all different strengths. “The main characters are elemental users so the book is technically about the Elements of Straefor. I don’t want to give too much away but there is a story of teenage survival,” she says. “I’m not sure if I’m the youngest published author in the UAE, but I think I might be the youngest Australian expat author in the UAE! It really is an amazing achievement that I am very proud of, even if I am not the youngest,” she adds.
The book said to be the first-ever to be published in the new Dubai font.
Asked why she picked the newly introduced font, Maddi says: “I first saw the 3D signage promoting the Dubai Font on Kite Beach (I think it’s still there). I picked this font because I love how all the words look in their new shape, it’s an easy to read font. It is also something I can take with me when the time comes to leave the UAE… It will always be with me.”
It takes a lot of perseverance and determination to be an author. The main tool Maddi feels one needs to become an author is a “wide imagination”.
“I have a very active imagination and I often daydream while listening to music – imagining different characters singing the songs and acting out a story or their life; that’s where I get most of my ideas. It’s just that this time I decided to challenge it by moulding all my daydreams into stories.”
Maddi’s book launch today, has been planned by her mother Jill and her publisher Kira at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City.
“I have been to so many book launches, never did I dream I would be having my own book launched.”
She will also be launching her website www.novelgurl.com (which is Live) that talks about her book and her life.
Little author’s message
“I want to encourage everyone (young and old included) to put the device down for a little while. Pick up a book and you will soon get lost in it just as easily as you would in the world of social media. And writing is an amazing way for people to put down all of their great ideas and to use your time. I have printed my own notebook titled ‘8 steps to start writing’ and I will promote this at the launch.”
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