~Taintlessness.. a unique nick name, what does it mean and what made you choose it?

There was a period of almost two years which I didn't enter the internet at all, so when I came back and decided to venture into it again, I wanted to have a new nickname, where no one really knows me. It means pure, clean and perfect. I didn't choose it because I think of myself as perfect, I chose it because I think on some level, it represents my writings, not perfect in the sense that it is flawless, but of how beautiful language can be, if put to use. It's not a description of my work at the moment, but more of the level I aspire to be in the future.

~You are a great poet.. how did it all start?

Well, first of all, I don't think of myself as a great poet, yet. I started to write Arabic poems when I was 12 years old, in classical Arabic. I didn't think of them as 'real poems' because I didn't believe I could write them, I was just doing it for fun. But even then I had a knack for romantic topics. I only wrote a few and then I moved on to doing something else. When I was little I've almost tried every activity. Gymnastics, Karate, playing Piano and Xylophone, and Drawing and Painting. So Poetry kind of intrigued me, watching Khalid Al Faisal and Abdulrahman Rafee'e, so being inspired I wrote those few Arabic poems. Then I stopped.

In 1996, I wrote my first English poem. I've fallen in love and in the most-typical-tragic sense, my heart got broken. I began writing my feelings down, not knowing what I was writing. I've written a poem, which I didn't think was any good at all. I didn't even know if you could call such verse a poem. But it was, and I showed it to people and they liked it. Since then, it is one of the ways I tend to feel very freely expressive.

~What type of poems do you write and why?

Anyone who reads a couple of my poems, would know that I mostly write poems that revolves around the issue of love, whether in love, out of love, heartbreaking, lonely nights feelings. As to why; I think that it happens because I am a sensitive person, who is driven by emotions and feelings, and I write what I feel, without any cloaks.

I am not ashamed of my feelings, nor am I willing to disguise them from others. I write because I take the burden off myself, not to entertain or impress others and that's why, I think.

~Like the wood needed to light fire, a poet needs inspiration to express poems, what inspires you?

The subject of inspiration is a tricky one. People often think if they know what inspires an artist, they could be one, too. Well, everyone's pot of inspiration is different, I can be inspired by a single word that I could hear, and that's it for me. I would write a poem, because of that single word. I could be inspired by something I've seen, a feeling that overcomes me, or a mere thought. Sometimes its actual things that happen to me in my daily life, other times I shape my poem depending on a mood I'm having, so imagination could be a key element in a poem.

~You write both Arabic and English poems, is there a difference in writing both? If yes, please explain more.

Yes, I do think there is a difference. Arabic language is truly richer in vocabulary and descriptive words, that English can not compete with it. But I always find expressing myself much easier in English.

~When did you first start using the internet?
 

I started in 1996.

~Later you started your own website/online journal, what inspired you to go virtual and how did that all start?

Well, it might sound silly, but I started because everyone else had one, so why not me. I started my first homepage, before I started writing poetry, so it really had nothing significant in it, besides my personal information. I started using HTML code right away, teaching myself by the process of trial and error. I used to go to people's
personal homepages and I would open the source and look at the way they've coded it, then I'd try some of it on my own until I knew the HTML code.

~I have my own website and still cannot figure the HTML.. hehe.. so tell us, what programs do you use in your website? How did you learn how to use these programs?

Nowadays I use FrontPage, and Adobe Photoshop 7. Well FrontPage is really easy to use, and I tend to play with Adobe, but nothing fancy ever comes out. So it's basically primitive stuff that I do. In my new homepage, the great Wizard of Animation, Lammtara is helping me out with the design, and in the journal, some great talented people would provide me with great photos or graphic designs. Those people are Pixelz and Majed.

~Now that you set up your virtual villa.. :P tell us what is the best thing about being a web master? What things did you benefit from having your own website?

The great thing for me is that my writings are out there for people to read whenever they want. I also get a lot of feedback from the browsers.

~You have been involved in several projects online and worked with many people in creating beautiful pieces of work. Can you tell us more about it?

True, I was fortunate to have worked with great talents on projects that turned out pretty well. I think the key element in making a successful team is if the parties involved concentrate on the work rather than selfishly trying to get credit or anything else. If the parties care about the outcome, then they would surely accept the comments of their partners and try to work it out.

~I also know you are working on publishing a book, can you tell us more about it and when it will be out?

Well, I had to postpone the book for a little while, because of my course in Paris at the moment. But, hopefully, as soon as I get back, I will try to concentrate on getting the book published. So I don't know exactly when the book will be done. I can however tell you that a great local designer is helping me out with the book design.

~Hmm, I can pretty well guess who that local designer is.. ;)

You have been mentioned in several articles and other people had the honor to interview you, how were you 'discovered'?

I have called some of the newspapers and magazines myself, but a friend of mine told Kul Al Ousra about my writings and they just called me. I have faced a lot of rejection, simply because my writings are in English, and the most of the organizations here do not know what to do with it. I think some of them think it's a useless talent, or something.

~Who do you look up to in your life? and what thing motivated you to get to where you are today?

I don't know if I will call them role models but I have been inspired by many characters, William Shakespeare the magnificent writer, Jerry Seinfeld, for his jokes that are filled with truth about life, and Jeffery Deaver for his amazing style in captivating his readers.

~InshAllah there is a bright future ahead of you.. what are your plans for it? Any upcoming projects?

Well, besides trying to publishing my poetry book, which will be called 'Surreal Passion', I am writing two novels and a third book about my observations in life, all which I will try to publish when I am done with them. I am hoping that one day my work will be well-known.

~Hopefully you will be well known and I will get your autograph for that.. ;) Any advice you would like to give for those who want to follow the same path that you followed..?

I think everyone should follow his or her own path, because if they continue it, I am sure they won't be disappointed with the adventure.

~It was great knowing you closely Taintlessness.. Any last thing you would like to add at the end of our interview?

Thank you so much for this interview, I had so much fun opening up, which is something I hardly ever do, even in my journal. One last thing I would like to mention is that I am more than willing to work with any artist in an interesting group project, just contact me. Thank you. :)

Taintlessness in the News

Wallpapers made by Majed

"Working with Taintlessness, not only did I discover a great talent, but also a supportive friend.."

                              -Lammtara

"Taintlessness is a born-poet, he doesn't write.. he jots down his feelings and emotions. I've never seen someone as unique as he is. Special people are always rare."

                            -Shmily