Interview

What book(s) have you written?

• Douha and the Mystery of the Oak Tree

When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?

I found the passion for writing in my early 20s but I got the urge to be an actaukly author after I had my 3rd daughter.

How long did it take you to write your book(s)?

Over a year, not including the editing. 

What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

I love to write most during the day especially after asr time for some reason. But it can be all over the place at times. I got an idea one time and I was folding the laundry, I quickly dropped my washing at hand to jot it down before I forget.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Hmmm, thats a tricky one. I havent paid much attention to my quirks. But I would say I need to have the first copy of my book opened in front of me, a pen and book to write down what each chapter is about of the new book i'm writing and everything around me needs to be clean and sorted.
 

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

From my girls, life, sometimes old memories I had when I was younger.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I love to draw and paint, if not that then reading a good book.

What does your family think of your writing?

Not sure if they are being bias, but they love it. My number one supporters.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

There is so much to learn. The more courses I did the better my writing became. I'm still learning.  

Do you have any suggestions to help people become a better writer? If so, what are they?

Surround yourself with people who will support and encourage you, maybe join an author group. Be consistent and take on some writing courses.  

What do you think makes a good story?

Something funny or a book you can relate to.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I wanted to be a teacher.

What is your favorite book?

My genre is forever changing, I will say I enjoyed reading Pearl S Buck, The good earth. Currently reading This woven kingdom by Tahereh Mafi and im enjoying that also. Two completely different book styles.  

Where do you live?

Australia

Fun Facts

Please share 10 Random facts about yourself for your readers!

1. I'm the eldest and only girl in my family
2. So Allah blessed me with four girls
3. I used to do alot of work on my mother in laws sewing machine and designed a few skirts for my girls and nieces
4. I love indoor plants
5. My favourite vegetable is the potato. IYKYK
6. I love my coffee super hot
7. I love pretty and quirky coffee cups
8. Would love a country life over a city life
9. I love to use watercolour paint
10. Obsessed with doors, photos of them, drawing them etc.

Interview

What book(s) have you written?

• The Moon of Masarrah
• The Sign of the Scorpion
• The Hour of the Oryx
• Beneath the Crimson Circle

When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?

When my kids were in their early teens and I couldn't find books with characters they could identify with.

How long did it take you to write your book(s)?

The first one took over two years and the path to publication took several years. By then, I had finished the second book. The third and fourth books took about a year each.  

What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

I work full-time, so I've pretty much had to squeeze in time to write. Sometimes I write late at night or early in the morning. And definitely on weekends and holidays.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

The house has to be clean and the dishes washed before I can write with peace of mind. Also, when writing, I sometimes talk aloud and act out scenes.
 

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

For reference and world building, I use the internet as well as texts that would help me. My ideas come from an overactive imagination as well as reading a wide genre of fiction.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I like traveling, gardening and going anywhere where there is water, whether it's a lake, a river or the ocean.

What does your family think of your writing?

They have always been proud and supportive, especially my husband.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

I never thought I'd finish one book, much less four! Truly, I've surprised myself with each book I've written because I've been able to dig deep within a hidden spring of creativity that keeps the ideas flowing, Alhamdulilah. 

Do you have any suggestions to help people become a better writer? If so, what are they?

Read, read, read. Study the craft without stopping, and write a little every day or as often as you can. 

What do you think makes a good story?

Suspense, mystery, and caring about what happens to the characters.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I never really gave it much thought. When I was older, I thought about computer science or nursing but then my children came along and I just settled for an administrative job that had good benefits and helped to pay the bills.

What is your favorite book?

I really can't narrow it down to one. I've read many books that I've loved equally. Some that stood out for me at a young age were Enid Blyton's Wishing Chair and Magic Faraway Tree series. As a teenager, I loved Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark and Sherlock Holmes. Nowadays, I also have many favorites. 

Where do you live?

New York/USA

Fun Facts

Please share 10 Random facts about yourself for your readers!

1. I love vanilla ice cream
2. I'm not much of a chocolate person
3. My favorite fruit is mango
4. My favorite veggie is okra
5. I don't watch TV but do choose to look at a good movie now and again
6. Sometimes I can finish reading a book in one night if it is gripping enough
7. I love reciting Qur'an every morning after Fajr
8. I try to memorize a verse of Qur'an daily and listen to a good lecture or tafseer while I'm cooking or folding laundry
9. I do a lot of deep breathing to combat stress and anxiety
10. I've made Hajj once and Umrah twice

Interview

What book(s) have you written?

• Bilal and the Big Bully
• Wali's World Tour
• A Tale of Two Cookies
• Cars Go Vroom!

When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?

I've always liked writing as a form of communication, as it allows me to think through what I want to say. In 2016 I realized that I really wanted to write a book, so I did.

How long did it take you to write your book(s)?

It depends on the type of book I'm writing, but it typically takes me about 3 months to complete a book. 

What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

I work a full-time corporate job, so I write in the evening and/or on the weekend.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I might sneak a corny joke into my writing here or there, but I can neither confirm nor deny.
 

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

I don't like to force an idea, so I write based on things I'm really interested in or passionate about, or when the proverbial light bulb goes off (or is it on?) and I feel inspired.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Work out, practice Tae Kwon Do, spend time with my wife & son, eat desserts.

What does your family think of your writing?

My son enjoys the rhyming books I wrote for toddlers. Once he's a little older I can read him the books I wrote for older children.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

It takes a lot of work. After getting your ideas out onto paper, there's a lot of revising, rearranging, proofreading, etc. And if the book contains illustrations, even more work. But the print formatting is probably the hardest because everything has to be exact so the final product looks good. 

Do you have any suggestions to help people become a better writer? If so, what are they?

Just keep writing. Let your ideas flow. Don't limit yourself because you think you're not good at this or that. If you have a weak point, such as grammar, then outsource the proofreading. Do your best to put out a quality product. 

What do you think makes a good story?

I don't worry too much about things like plot and character development. For me, reading (fiction) is about pleasure and entertainment. So first and foremost the story should be fun and entertaining.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I wanted to be an architect.

What is your favorite book?

For fiction, I enjoyed The Great Gatsby. For non-fiction, I really liked The Virgin Way by Richard Branson. 

Where do you live?

Chicago, United States

Fun Facts

Please share 10 Random facts about yourself for your readers!

1. I like sushi
2. I like pizza
3. I like burgers
4. I like donuts
5. I like cupcakes
6. I like cream-filled pastries
7. I like bubble tea
8. I like cappuccino
9. I like nature and wildlife
10. I like cars

Interview

What book(s) have you written?

• Ibrahim Khan and the Mystery of the Roaring Lion
• Ibrahim Khan and the Mystery of the Haunted Lake
• Ali and the Gladiators
• Ali and the Eid Goat
• Ali and the Zoo Escape
• Ali and the Alps
• Ali and the Invention Convention
  
  

When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?

When I couldn't find fun, clean books for my own kids.

How long did it take you to write your book(s)?

About six months. 

What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

I start before fajr and stop when my kids wake up.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Many parts of my stories come to me in my dreams.
 

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

From the world around me, from my kids and my own childhood.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Having fun with my kids!

What does your family think of your writing?

They are sometimes more excited than me!

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

That people like to read something I've written. Still blows me away.  

Do you have any suggestions to help people become a better writer? If so, what are they?

Read well written books and write everyday.  

What do you think makes a good story?

A story that makes the reader care what happens to the main characters.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I wanted to build an orphanage in Pakistan and make sure all the children in it felt safe and loved.

What is your favorite book?

When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson

Where do you live?

Toronto, Canada

Fun Facts

Please share 10 Random facts about yourself for your readers!

1. My kids are the most important people in my life.
2. I like feeding people I care about.
3. Family is very important to me.
4. I like talking to kids.
5. I enjoy drawing and doing crafts.
6. I mentally walk through house blueprints for fun.
7. I quietly redecorate people's homes in my head.
8. Spring is my favourite season.
9. Between the Ibrahim Khan series and The Ali series i ran a creative business called The Craft Souk.
10. I prefer tea with a couple of friends over large gatherings any day.

Interview

What book(s) have you written?

• Teta’s Thoub

When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?

During Covid, I felt I wanted to accomplish something for my daughter and the Palestinian people. That’s how the book came about.

How long did it take you to write your book(s)?

6 months  

What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

Very flexible, but a lot of time went into coming up with the drawing concept.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

From my family and heritage.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Being outdoors, spending time with my family.

What does your family think of your writing?

They couldn’t be more proud.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

How proud I’d be of myself seeing it complete.  

Do you have any suggestions to help people become a better writer? If so, what are they?

Just keep at it. Don’t give up.  

What do you think makes a good story?

I think a good story can be one that you can see yourself in.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I wanted to be a nurse! And I am a nurse anesthetist.

What is your favorite book?

The Giver  

Where do you live?

Orange County, CA

Fun Facts

Please share 10 Random facts about yourself for your readers!

1. I provide anesthesia.
2. I might write another book.
3. I have two children.
4. My dream is to take my children to Al-Aqsa Mosque to pray.
5. I lived in Jordan for 5 years.
6. I’ve moved 5 times in the past 5 years.
7. I love volunteering.
8. I have a mom blog @momology___ on Instagram.
9. I love baking and cooking.
10. I’m the eldest in my family.