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Complex Issues Of Other Countries
Where Are You This Time? is an amazing account of your experiences traveling far and wide and the positive impact you left behind in each country. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Working in places like Kosovo and Afghanistan was a life-changing experience. It was exciting and eye-opening to find out what life was like there. I felt it was important to share the excitement and the challenges with other people so that they understand some of the complex issues other countries need to deal with.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
I suppose it would be the first time I travelled to a foreign country when I was young. I landed in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and suddenly realised that absolutely everything was different from what I was used to – the weather, the smells, the trees, the food, the people. Photographs don’t really communicate the experience, only writing it down can do that, so I started keeping diaries to try to capture everything I experienced.
What was your writing process to ensure you captured the essence of the characters?
The book is based on the diaries I kept while I was travelling. I often had plenty of spare time after work to write about what had happened during the day and what I thought about it so it stayed fresh in my mind. Later, I used this material to build a story about the most important things that happened.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for you as a writer, and can we expect more books about your experiences?
The first draft of this book was very long, so I had to leave out many stories and even whole countries to get it to a publishable length. So there is a lot more material. But I am not currently planning another book like this. The basic messages about the work of international aid projects and the problems facing people in developing countries that I wanted to communicate are already covered in the book. However, I still write blog posts about things like what has happened in Afghanistan and the problems of international aid on my Where Are You This Time? Facebook page and website.
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Where Are You This Time? Making a Difference in Places from Kabul to Kyiv, Kosovo to Kazakhstan and Kismayo to Qatar
Mary Venner’s memoir, Where Are You This Time?, provides a riveting account of her nomadic life as a financial consultant in far-flung locales such as Kabul and Kyiv, among others. With remarkable precision and lucid prose, Venner’s stories spring to life, captivating readers from the opening lines to the closing punctuation. The narrative unfolds with a mysterious email offering Venner a consultancy role in post-crisis Kosovo, a beginning that quickly gives way to the challenges and triumphs of rebuilding a nation torn by civil unrest, energy deficits, and social constraints.
Venner’s journey as a consultant is not confined to Kosovo. Her zeal to make a difference leads her to traverse a multitude of countries, each facing distinct economic and political challenges. By deftly weaving personal experiences with expert insights into historical contexts, she crafts a literary tapestry that is both rich and engaging.
What sets this memoir apart is its accessibility, particularly concerning the technicalities of consulting and accounting. Rather than overwhelming readers with details, Venner’s explanations are concise and pertinent, allowing for a greater exploration of the cultures and relationships that inform her work. Her introspective reflection on Western-focused ideology initially tinged with a rose-colored optimism, evolves and deepens as she gains experience and understanding.
Where Are You This Time? also excels in character development. Every individual Venner encounters is vividly portrayed, fostering a connection between the reader and the subject. Whether introducing characters that offer comedic relief in a dense narrative or sharing her emotional response to leaving friends behind, Venner’s writing resonates with sincerity.
This memoir stands as a valuable contribution to contemporary nonfiction. It sheds light on a unique career path that might otherwise remain obscured, infusing it with human warmth and intellectual insight. Where Are You This Time? is an exemplary read that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone interested in a combination of personal narrative, global issues, and an insider’s view of a specialized profession. It not only entertains but also educates and inspires.
Pages: 308 | ASIN : B0C3LM4MY2
LITERARY TITAN 