Author: Brigitte Foulke

ISBN: 1413786375

Today, Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, Brigitte Foulke, author of  Nile Cruise and Beyond.

Good day Brigitte and thanks for participating in our interview.

Norm:

Brigitte, why did you feel compelled to write this book? What was your main reason for writing your book? What are your hopes for this book?
 

Brigitte:

My friends who knew the story and / or had been involved in it had repeatedly urged me to write a book about it, but I did not have the time. Then I had a foot operation in early 2005 and was housebound for several weeks. I decided it was a good time to attempt the project of writing down the story that had occupied my life for so long and was still always on my mind. I thought once I had put everything together I might be able to decipher what could be behind it all and maybe it would make me feel better and I would find closure. Unfortunately that did not happen. On the contrary, once I had put all the details together, I was probably more bewildered than ever before and I was hoping fervently that once the book was out somebody might help me find the answers. As one of my best friends had put it, maybe a kindly FBI-Agent will pick up the book and be intrigued enough to investigate.  That is my big hope that the book will eventually bring out the truth and possibly a personal meeting again with some of the characters in the story who appear to have been threatened because of me. Some monetary compensation for the fears and anxieties I was subjected to would not be bad either, but that is of course only wishful thinking.

Norm:

I am sure that some of your readers will shake their heads wondering why after being raped by Abdul you continued to pursue a relationship with him.

Would you care to comment?

Brigitte:

I have got some comments from male readers who apparently do not see what happened as rape, as Abdul obviously did not at times, though other times he was apparently well aware he had done something terrible. I have been told that if you go with a man to his apartment in Egypt it is automatically considered to be a license to force sex on the woman. As I say in the book, I also think Abdul was not in his right mind when he did this, but had really wanted to talk to me. He was not a stable person then and I think he may have been tortured. Some of the injuries he showed me and later Hans and me seem to point to that. I wished I could have run away but I was in a state of shock at first and then it was too late. Also where could I have run to? I did not even know where I was and who I could have complained to. The fact that Abdul clung to me after this incident and begged for support also shows that rape was not his intent though it turned out that way. For reasons I myself cannot explain he came into my heart and has remained there in spite of everything. Maybe if I knew the truth I could finally put all this behind me but right now I am still forever asking myself “why?”  

Norm:

How would you respond to potential readers who might be skeptical about your narrative?

Brigitte:

The story is entirely true. I can back it up with documentation. There are also many witnesses, though unfortunately my main witness is now dead, but I still have the letters and faxes he wrote me in connection with our common experiences and attempts to solve the riddles. Last summer I was received by the Egyptian ambassador in Germany who had read my book and never once raised any doubts about the veracity of my story during our meeting. On the contrary his aide had complimented me on my courage for writing it and the ambassador himself called me a “very fair person “and promised to get me answers. Unfortunately he later claimed not to be able to find out anything but I am certain he was told by somebody he better drop the matter.

Norm:

Will there be any unique ways you'll be marketing your book that is different from how others authors market their books? Do you intend to use the Internet in marketing your book and if so how?

Brigitte:

I wished I knew of any unique ways of marketing this book. I hired a publicist to get the word out, which is not unique, and I am thinking of establishing a blog as a reviewer that read my book had advised me, but I do not know how to do this. Unfortunately I am not a computer expert, though I think maybe the internet is the answer for me. Any advice my readers can give me is welcome.

Norm:

What obstacles did you have in trying to tell your story?

Brigitte:

First I had to decide whether I wanted to tell it as the true story that it is or fashion it into a novel. I felt as a first time writer it would be easier for me to write about my actual experiences where my heart was truly involved. I also thought that it might be more interesting for potential readers to read an unusual true story involving a part of the world that is of the greatest interest now. My biggest problem was the ending, because there is really no solution, which may be very unsatisfactory to some readers. Some of the advice I got was to simply make up an ending. I thought about it long and hard and decided I could not really write a true story and then put a phony ending to it. So I came up with the epilogue that left things open and yet gave some conclusion. My proof reader commented that I left myself open to a sequel but that she was satisfied with the ending. Others that read my manuscript said the same pointing out that some mysteries of life never get solved. Once I had made these decisions the rest was easy.

After I had established the outline it was easy to fill in the text.  I went through my box of papers and was able to determine the exact chronological order of events... Then I went through my photos, which also triggered my memory for many details. Any gaps I had I was able to fill in by talking to Hans and Juan and others involved in the story.  I have a phenomenal memory and always had the ability to recall whole conversations almost verbatim, which used to greatly upset my ex-husband who more than once found himself caught in omissions or lies. I think this must be due to the systematic memory training I underwent in the German schools I grew up with.

Norm:

What has been your overall experience as a self- published author?

Brigitte:

PublishAmerica is not really a vehicle for self-publishing. I never had to pay for the publishing of my book and in retrospect it might have been better to do true self publishing, where I would have had to pay but also have retained control. I would have much preferred to go the traditional route, find an agent etc. I tried it for several months but then realized it could take years if ever to bring the story to market that way. And I wanted it out quickly as long as it was still relevant. My ex-boss Dave, who figures in the book steered me to PublishAmerica and it was disappointing to work with them. There was never anybody I could talk to personally. Everything was done by e-mail. The “editor” I was assigned to, was responsive and prompt, though I realized beyond punctuation there was really no editing and even that I had to correct myself once the manuscript was rejected for that reason. Since I am a little bit at war with English punctuation I had to hire a college professor to do this for me. Then I found out that I had no control over pricing and from what I knew the book is overpriced. My protestations were answered that they knew better. There was no help with marketing or advertising. Then there was the prejudice I encountered with bookstores and newspapers who told me they would not consider books from this publisher. Would I go this route again? No, I would go to true self-publishing, if I absolutely had to in order to get a finished product. It was this “product” that got me the reception with the ambassador and many positive responses from those people that have read the book, giving me hope that it might yet catch on with a larger audience.

Norm

What is next for Brigitte Foulke?

Brigitte:

If I had financial freedom I would turn to writing and speaking and, of course travel. I have had a very difficult but also interesting life and there are many issues that are very much topics today I could comment on. But since I have limited means I will have to try to do these things on a small scale. I just joined Toastmasters International to become more adept at public speaking. And once I can bring this book as far as I can I will attempt a novel based on my experiences in the corporate world here and in Germany. However, should I ever get a solution to the mysteries of “Nile Cruise and Beyond” I would write a sequel. I actually have enough material already to fill another volume but without a solution it would be pointless.

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.

The above interview was contributed by:  NORM GOLDMAN:  Retired Title Attorney: Editor & Publisher of Bookpleasures. Here are  Norm Goldman's Reviews       

 To read Norm's Review of Nile Cruise and Beyond CLICK HERE