Make Mine A Karma Koffee - Phoenix Karma

Ok, well I suppose I should start off. Here's a little about me:

My name's Sal and I'm 21, though it doesn't feel like I should be. I've been around these forums since the tender age of 16. I'm currently a student, reading Social and Political Sciences at Cambridge uni. I love being a student, I love studying a lot more than working, I love being in Cambridge, it's a brilliant place, and it'll be a shame to leave next year. I'm also a writer, I write a lot of poetry and I'm currently working on a novel. My dream would be to make it as a successful author. That and a TV personality, hehe. Yeah, I'm rather keen on getting famous, not for something cheap, but for something meaningful. I'm not entirely sure why, I've always wanted to be recognised. I think that perhaps most people, at least most people who don't believe in life after death, want to leave this world having left their mark on it, or having left something of themselves behind. Some people have children, some people look to other means. And since I love writing, what better way to try to make my mark.

As my course might suggest, I'm rather passionately political. I'm a socialist, and am very concerned with issues of equality, human rights, peace and the environment. I used to call myself a hippy, and even though my hair's still long, I'm not sure whether I would now. Probably because I no longer consider myself a pacifist. I do recognise certain situations where peace can be reactionary and not progressive. After all, those who have wealth, power and everything they want, are always going to be in favour of peace. That's a good lesson from the history of class struggles. I also don't tend to call myself a hippy because I'm not so comfortable being confined to any label. Being open minded, liberal, multicultural and mixed-race, I see labels and boxes as the antithesis of what I really am. Still, if someone wants to call me a hippy, I'd probably still take it as a compliment.

My music tastes are eclectic, from punk and rock to folk and dance (not Morris dancing!!!) My favourite band, of course, are the Levellers, and can't wait to see them at Beautiful Days this year. I love reading, skiing, horseriding (though I haven't done it in quite a few years) swimming, tennis and badminton, though I'm not really a very sporty person.

I've changed a lot in the last couple of years, I've done quite a bit of growing up, and I think I'm a lot more open minded than I used to be.

Please ask me questions, anything you like, and I'll try to answer them as best I can.

This is an example of how these Karmas might work, have a go at setting your own one up, tell us a bit about yourself, and open yourself up to probing. Ahem....

 

I've seen you around for ages but haven't ever in memory talked to you. I've been on here about a year before the board was shut down and restarted and I remember you from even then. So, finally, hi!

What's your favourite book?
How do you intend to get published (I presume you do?)?
How did you get into Folk music?

Much Love
Sebbi

 

I like so many books, that it'd be hard to pin down a favourite. From childhood it would have to be Lord of the Rings. Since then there have been a few books that have stood out to me as really amazing, such as Orwell's 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' 'Lord of the Flies' by William Golding, and 'Knowledge of Angels' by Jill Paton Walsh. They're all fables/satires to some degree, and I really love that in writing, powerful messages that hit home, sometimes more subtly than you might expect them to. Douglas Adams in a genius to me, whilst recently I've been quite enjoying Zadie Smith. Aside from novels, I love Shakespeare and Blake amongst others.


I'd love to say that I intend to get published, but I think it's a passionate desire/hope/wish/dream to get published. Obviously these things are rather hit and miss. But once I've finished this novel, which is about halfway through, I plan to send it to a number of agents, and if successful there it's a lot easier to get published with an agent backing you. I've had quite a lot published in the way of poems and articles, and have done a few things on TV, so I'm hoping that will all help me get recognised. It's not going to be easy, but it's something I love doing, so none of its been a waste of time anyway.


As for Folk, well I grew up listening to the Levellers and have always been a fan of that folk-punk kind of genre, along with the Pogues, McDermott's, New Model Army, and 3 Daft Monkeys to varying degrees. So I suppose when I say folk, I mean the more punky orientated folk.

 

What does story mean to you? (take that anyway you choose)
Where do you want to live when you're a little bit older?
Is the glass half full or half empty?
What do you look for in books?

 

Story, to me, is journey. It's about change and discovery. Sometimes it's about failure and setbacks. There are subplots, and twists, peaks and troughs. Stories intertwine, they run parallel and sometimes they end before their time. Stories are goal orientated, but the prologue is as important as the epilogue. Stories are acts and dances, filled with truths, half-truths and downright lies (all of which are true) Stories can be all seeing and completely blind at the same time.

My ideal place is the West Country. I love Sommerset, I love the atmosphere and the accents, I love the rolling hills and the festivals and the life. I've lived in Suffolk all my life, which has beautiful countryside, but is completely flat. Hills give a third dimension to beauty. My favourite place to be is Glastonbury festival, and that place always gives Somerset a certain magic to me. Even if I never end up living there, it'll always have a special place in my heart.

I'll probably end up living in London, at least for a time. That seems to be the path if you're at Oxford or Cambridge - get a career in the city and fast track. I'm a bit more laid back than that, though I'd like some sort of career in journalism or the media. Something that can keep my attention, engage me and challenge me, whilst contributing to my long term goal of getting recognised/published. For that, really, all the jobs are in London.

My glass is more than half full, it's pretty much always full. I'm generally a very happy person. I don't get depressed, though I can have my off days every once in a while. But I've been lucky, life's been kind to me and there have been no major upsets to speak of. I try to make the most of every opportunity and situation that comes my way. I don't believe in any after life. You only live once, so might as well make it the best life possible.

As for books - I look primarily for something that I'd enjoy. A well written book that's a good read. And every once in a while I come across a book that really grabs me, makes me sit down and really changes the way I think about things. I look for books that make me think, 'Damn, I wish I'd written that!'

Good questions, thanks.

 

Sal!

I've not spoken to you for so long! Not really since the first few months of you starting uni I think.

How's uni going? Is it everything you thought it would be? Planning on having more formal education at some point or do you think that after you finish at Cambridge you wont go back?

I hope you're well! I'll see you at Beuatiful Days!

 

Hey, wow, it's great to hear from you, and am really glad to see you back on these forums. Hope you'll be sticking around.

Uni's going really well, I've made loads of new friends, and it's changed me as a person. I've grown a lot (up and, unfortunately, probably outwards as well!) It's not what I thought it would be. I had a lot of preconceptions of a load of stuffy stuck up people who would shame me for my ignorance. But thankfully it's been really easy to fit in. Of course there are a few old Tory boys and public school ponces around, but, surprisingly, I've found that they're generally nice people too. I've put aside many of my old prejudices and, even though I'm still a loonie leftie, I don't mind counting those sorts of people as my friends. I've also made quite a few friends outside of the uni, which has given me several different social circles - which I've always preferred over the one.

Work's going well, am still working and playing hard and managed to get a 1st this year, which means I get a scholarship. I don't think I'd want to do a PhD after I leave. Research and dissertation have always been my least favourite aspects of study, and also I can't see myself needing a PhD, I definitely don't want a career in academia. I think I'll probably do a Masters though, in creative writing. That would give me the chance to do what I love best, and be assessed for it.

Will be good to see you at Beautiful Days. Taz, Jonny and I are stewarding, so we'll be there from the Thursday. If you give me a call, I'll come show you to our campsite, though it'll probably be where it's always been.

 

Long term you said you'd like to be a successful author, what's your short term goal? In the next 5 years what would you like to achieve?

 

Five years is long term for me I'd say. Getting published is both a long term and a short term goal though. So I'd hope to get something published within the next five years. I'm working on a novel at the moment, and I want to see where I can take that. Other than that, well, I'll finish at uni next year, probably do an MA the year after, and then after that maybe do a journalist course and look for something in the media - possibly radio, as that seems a good stepping stone, and there are always quite a few jobs going for different local radio stations, and some national ones in London.

 

hey you,

I know you've read Northern Lights, if we were in Lyra's world what animal do you think your deamon would be (the one that most reflects who you are) and what animal would you like it to be (if it's a different one)?

If you could have periods would you use tampons or sanitory towels?

Do you think we're hooked on coco colo?

What's your biggest rational fear (that is, not a phobia)?

Love
Tahmina

 

when you gonna be in london next?

erm rubbish question but am intruiged..am moving in around 3/4 september..

oh i know

how have you changed since you joined the forums so many years ago? I remember coming online when you were 16 and doing your GCSEs..so much has happened...give us an overview...how time flies...

you're getting old...hehe..

 

if you had one wish what would it be?
Do you ever use your dreams as an inspirational tool to help you write?

 

I always used to love snakes, but I don't think a snake best reflects my personality, even though it can take me about half a day of lazing before I get around to moving! I can be subtle and sneaky sometimes, and a bit mischievous, so it could be the monkey like Mrs Coulter, though I hope I'm not as evil or manipulative as her. I'd quite like it to be a lion or a tiger, proud, majestic dominant, a leader never born to follow.

I would go for a Phoenix as the Phoenix imagery has always been important to me. But in terms of real animals, I'm going to settle on the Eagle. I'm a hunter, always going after things, hunting goals and objectives, trying to shape the world around me. Like the Eagle I can be alone. Even though I'm a sociable person, I don't share my deepest thoughts and feelings with many people - I keep a lot close to my chest and that doesn't bother me at all, I like it that way, I'm happy. I like to move around quite a bit. Not too much, I like to have a base, a nest, but if I stay in one place for too long I can get restless. Like the Eagle I can fly high and have high hopes and ambitions but, also like the Eagle, I don't always fly where I want- sometimes I have to rely on currents in the air and chance has played quite a role in my life.

Sanitary towels I think, I'd be too afraid of Toxic Shock Syndrome.

I love Coca Cola. I really should boycott it in solidarity with the Columbian trade unionists, but it's just too damn nice.

I think I'd be afraid of dying. I think it's because, no matter how hard I've tried, I can't convince myself there's an afterlife. And I like life. If I could live forever, I probably would.

As for phobias, eeeek, spiders, bastard spiders....

 

I shall be up in London visiting Taz every few weeks, so I'll do my best to annoy you as much as I can

Well, I say groovy and funky a lot less than when I was 16! I was never big on labels, but I did buy into the idea of hippy culture and fashion quite a bit. It just seemed cool. Now I'm a lot more comfortable just being me, without having to try to live up to preconceived expectations imposed on labelled boxes. I think now that to live outside boxes, like religion, ethnicity, fashion, is a freer life. Thats a topic that comes up in my writing a bit.

When I was 16 I had a lot of dreams, now I'm beginning to realise them. I feel a lot more stable. Not that I was unstable before, but I feel more confident and the future seems less uncertain. Being 16 is a real crossroads age. You don't know how your exams will go, you don't know what subjects to choose, or which unis to aim for, or what career to pursure. A lot of those questions are answering themselves, and I'd hate to go back to the uncertainty of a 16-18 year old.

I remember, I've always had 3 goals for the first part of my life, probably handed down by parental expectation and what I've seen my brother and sister doing.

1) Get 3 A's at A Level.
2) Get into Cambridge.
3) This was the big one and it changed a few times. First it was become a paleontologist. Then it was become an astrophysicist. But for as long as I can remember, it's been to get that first novel published.

So since 16, I can put a tick next to two of those boxes. And if I can do the third, well, that's every dream come true.

Since 16, I've also been in love a few times. And it's a bloody confusing yin yang affair ain't it? Some of the best times and some of the worst times. I've been hurt, and I've hurt people, and neither are pretty. But on balance, love's a beautiful thing, and I've never been happier or felt more complete in love than now.

A few people I've known have died since I was 16. My cousin committed suicide, though I didn't really know him that well. Probably the saddest thing about it is that, because I didn't know him well, it's been hard to feel much. And part of me thinks, it was his choice. The one that does make me sad though, was my teacher dying, the one who led our expedition to Peru. She was young and full of life and adventure and the spirit for travel. She didn't choose to go, and that's what's sad. I remember at the memorial in school (which I came back for after I'd left) they played some of her favourite songs. All really cheesy uplifting ones. So whenever I hear Dancing Queen by ABBA I think of her.

 

To have three more wishes? Haha, no - it'd be the novel. Definitely the novel. It's a life's goal. If I had one wish it would be that in a hundred years, or three hundred years, people are still reading what I've written; to be up there with the yet to be found greats of the 21st century. But at the same time, I'm glad you can't just wish for things like that. I'm glad it takes work, because writing's a love I wouldn't give up. I'd rather enjoy writing and be unknown than hate it and be world famous.

I can't say I've used direct imagery from a dream and put it into writing. But what dreams can do, is give a certain vagueness to images, whilst a lucidity to emotions at the same time. Which is an interesting combination to work with when trying to write about powerful emotions that you might not have felt yourself. Also dreams are honest in a way, and that's important.

 

Hey there - What in your life has made you so politically motivated? For a lot of people I know its tied to memories that happened in early childhood which made them want change, or one certain event that happened (like with me), or a million other things. What in life has kept you this politically active?

Also - What is your first memory?

 

I remember reading in a Paulo Coelho book that the place where most people fail to achieve their dreams is just as they are on the homestraight.

I know what he means; my band have just finished making a mini album and making an album has been a life ambition of mine; now that I've realised that dream, despite being really happy with the album, it sort of feels anti-climatic.

Have you ever wondered where you would go with life once you've finished your first novel?

Much Love
Sebbi

 

Write another one What I'm working on isn't my first novel, it's just the first one I'm going to send to the publishers. I've always written, from the day I could first pick up a pen and scribble barely legible short stories on little scraps of paper. I'd like to travel more too, get more experiences which I can put into writing. I love South America, I'd really like to go back. The next novel I want to write, I'm thinking about setting it around a revolutionary struggle in a fictional Latin American country. Long term goals? Well, there's always that Booker Prize that needs winning

 

Well the news was always on in my house, it still is. I remember it all in the background, Israel/Palestine, Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia, all those conflicts flaring up. I remember my parents being really happy when Thatcher resigned. So it just sunk in from an early age. I was raised to be aware and critical, and think about these wider issues. Later, when I was 12, chance had it that I got an audition to co-host a children's news programme with Jon Snow on Channel 4. So when I went on that show, I'd interview people on topical issues on a number of programmes through the series, and it taught me a lot about looking in depth into issues.

By the time I was 16 I was a budding hippy and self-aware socialist and did some stuff with the Anti Nazi League. Once September 11th happened and the Afghan war kicked off, I got into the big protest movements over here and got involved in the Socialist Workers Party who were running the local peace campaign. I'm not a member of the SWP anymore, but they did teach me a lot about far-left politics, and I'm still a radical socialist and revolutionary. It's strange, you look at these big events and how they can change the world, but they can really change you too. Then of course, you look at big people through history, people whose example shows that one person can make a difference. And that's inspiring. I always try to make a difference, no matter how small.

My first memory that comes to mind is swimming in a rock pool in Spain when I was very young and seeing a cass lorry drive past on the road above. I said "Cass Lorry Gone", which I think must have been one of my first attempts at a sentance, as my parents still talk about it :&

 

Haha - better than my first memory. The first thing I remember is cracking my skull open trying to go down my grandmother's stairs in her house- and falling face first onto her fire place. After a trip tot he hospital and about 10 stitches - it got better from there

If you could hop on a plane right now and travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?