Interview

What book(s) have you written?

• My Sweet Precious Child

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

When I was a young child, I was an avid reader and as soon as I learned to write, I started writing stories.

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

It took a year to edit and reedit my book to get it exactly how I wanted it.  

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

Every other day I try to put pen to paper, I try to intake information every day.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I have to have background noise all day no matter what I'm doing, except for writing. I do not like instrumental music or any type of background noise when I'm letting the words flow out.
 

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

Some thing that I like about myself is that I am inspired easily, as an artist and as an author. I am inspired most of all by my children, but kids shows, products I see around my house or stores, and especially nature also inspire me.

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

I love spending time with family, cooking and baking, and using my other creative outlets, such as painting and doing henna/mehndi designs.

What does your family think of your writing?

My husband is my number one supporter and my children, Marwa and Musa, are my number one fans. I hope to make them proud and leave my legacy for them.

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

One of the most surprising things that I learned in creating my books is how long it takes to edit a child's book. Because the book is not too long, each word has to be useful and add value. My published book is a fourth the size of the book I originally wrote!  

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

My only suggestion is-- to just do it. Whatever it is-- just do it. I am a perfectionist by nature, and so this is very difficult, but sage advice, to myself as well. The perfect timing and the perfect opportunity will never come, you just have to do what you want when you can. 

What do you think makes a good story?

If someone wants to listen or read your story that's what makes it a good story. Whatever entices a reader to keep reading, and gets an interest from someone-- I consider that a good story.

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

I wanted to be an author when I grew up, but I also wanted to become a teacher. I had also wanted to become an interior designer, because of how much HGTV I used to watch as a child. I am happy to say I am have been all of these.

What is your favorite book?

In childrens book category- "Little Owls Night", in adult books- "The Counte of Monte Cristo"  

Where do you live?

Houston, Texas, USA

Fun Facts

Please share 10 Random facts about yourself for your readers!

1. My desserts are world famous. My apple dumplings have been requested many times over.
2. I had a food critic column in my college newspaper.
3. I was quite a dare devil before having children, but I've mellowed out since becoming a mother. I still have do things like dog sledding and horseback riding.
4. I do not like working at all in the evenings, so much so that I quit being a bridal mehndi artist since all of the jobs were in the evening.
5. Because I do not like working in the evenings, I did not pursue my love of comedy-- stand up comedians usually work at night.
6. I randomly break out in song throughout the day.
7. I am very sentimental and I cry easily- which is why I only watch comedy movies.
8. I am very much an empath, and I think its my greatest strength and weakness.
9. I am a Renaissance woman- I have many interests and know something about almost everything.
10. Its rare for me to not get along with someone so much so that my daughter says I make friends with everyone. It doesn't matter if someone is the complete opposite of me- I can really match their energy.
11. BONUS! For someone who shares a lot on social media- I am actually quite a private person.

Interview

What book(s) have you written?

• Eid Breakfast at Abuela’s
• A Ramadan Fiesta

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

When my first child turned 1, and I began to write as a means of therapy.

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

1 to 2 months  

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

I do not currently work; I’m a homemaker. I hope that when my kids are in school I would set a time to work on my writings so I could accomplish more.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I like to give my characters symbolic names.
 

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

The ideas for my writings come to me while daydreaming. I research the information through credible Internet resources, reading books on the topic, and learning about people by asking questions.

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

I like to read.

What does your family think of your writing?

My family admires the initiative that I’ve taken in bringing my dreams to life and sharing my thoughts with others.

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

I learned that writing has helped me improve my oral articulation skills.  

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

Learn about people. Ask people questions, and read biographies and novels.  

What do you think makes a good story?

I like to read stories about an idea I hadn’t encountered before.

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

I wanted to be a mother of 6. After having my first child, I realized that I’m not talented with being able to care for so many people.

What is your favorite book?

My favorite book is “To Kill a Mockingbird”. I enjoyed the class discussions in 10th grade.  

Where do you live?

USA

Fun Facts

Please share 10 Random facts about yourself for your readers!

1. My favorite thing to eat is chocolate chip cookies.
2. I had always thought that my favorite color was green, but I’m coming to realize that it’s actually blue.
3. I have a knack for psychology, and I would love to learn more about it as life goes on.
4. I love learning about Ancient Egypt.
5. Reading Quran regularly brings me peace.
6. I have learned that unnecessary chatter can be damaging.
7. My current goal is to become a faster cook.
8. While in college I watched cartoons in bed every night.
9. If I could go back in time and pursue a different degree it would be Math.
10. The idea of time travel confuses me.

Interview

What book(s) have you written?

• Fatima Al-Fihri, The founder of the worlds first university
• Huda's Hijab
• Remarkable Muslim Women Throughout the Ages, 20 Stories of Faith, Courage & Resilience
• Mr Blue in Rainbow Planet, A story of staying true to who you are
• The Rebirth of Love: The Journey to Self-Love
• The Forbidden Relationship: A Handbook on Love, Lust & Heartbreaks
• Words of Wisdom: A collection of words of wisdom by renowned Muslim Speakers from around the world.
• The Ocean of Inspiration

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

My passion for dawah ignited the writer within me. It was more about the message than being an author. I began writing in 2013 after I had my 4th child.

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

It varies from book to book. I completed some of the stories from my new book 'Remarkable Muslim Women' in 2017. 

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

I don't follow a set schedule. However, I let all my ideas pour out and let my writing naturally flow.

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

I'm inspired by Islam and my children. I want to inspire Muslims to be proud of their faith and to stay true to their Muslim identity, to inspire self-love and a deeper connection to God. To break down misconceptions about Muslims and combat bigotry and hate. To portray a true representation of Muslims and the richness and diversity of the Muslim faith. To give our youth remarkable role models. I get my ideas for my books from my values and faith, and ultimately all goodness is from Allah.

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

Spending time with my family and serving my community. I run a book club and a mobile library service.

What does your family think of your writing?

Alhamdulillah my kids are my biggest cheerleaders.

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

Subhanallah, how words can have such a powerful impact on a person's life and bring more good than you could've possibly imagined. 

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

Write from your heart. Renew your intentions. Remember why you started and keep going.  

What do you think makes a good story?

Authenticity.

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

Be a good Muslim and a Mum.

What is your favorite book?

Apart from the Qur'an, I don't have one. 

Where do you live?

Scotland, UK

10 things about me:

I’m a big kid at heart, I love being silly around my kids, nephews and nieces.

I’m that parent you’ll see sliding down the zip-line and swinging high from the swings.

I used to have clothes bursting out of my wardrobes but now I'm a proud minimalist.

I conquered my fear of spiders after I had my first baby.

I’m an outgoing introvert - also known as an ambivert.

I was a big Roald Dahl fan as a kid.

I have a Ragdoll cat called Snow.

I love pink tea (Kashmiri chai) with a lot of pistachios.

My family and faith mean the world to me.

I have written 8 books.

Interview

What book(s) have you written?

• Hamza and Aliya share the Ramadan Cheer (for Muslim kids)
• Hamza's Pyjama Promise (for Muslim kids)
• ABCs of Pakistan Nadia and Nadir (chapter book series)
• A Dupatta is...
• Henna is... Awe-samosas!

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

In 2019. When I was taking a break from my baking business.

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

Hmmm... months. Writing a picture book may seem like a small task, but if youre hoping for it to get published by the tradional route, the revisions take a really long time. I have critique partners and critique groups and we swap work and help each other polish it. If youre self-publishing things may look dofferent, but in the traditional publishing world theres a lot of competition.  

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

I dont make a schedule to write. I do try and wake up early and get some words down, but i write in bits and pieces. Sometimes scribbling words on scraps of paper, sometimes on napkins and sometimes on an app in my phone.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I love adding alliteration to lift my language during revisions.
 

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

Everywhere. This world is full of inspirations. SubhanAllah. Nature, kids around me, my own childhood, and amazing personalities. Sometimes research for one project may send me down a rabbit hole and sometimes that information sparks an idea for another book.

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

Bake. Read. Pray. Play. Eat. Not always in that order!

What does your family think of your writing?

My kids think every book I write is about them 🤣 which isnt entirely untrue. My parents and husband are very proud of my books. Alhamdolillah

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

So much goes into creating a book- it literally takes a village to bring a book to life! 

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

Read. Read. Read.  

What do you think makes a good story?

Theres no formula- but the best ones are books that make the reader feel something on a very personal level and usually that makes them want to re-read the book!

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

I wanted to fly and I wanted to dive. I think writing helps me achieve bit of both- my deep dive into language helps my words soar.

What is your favorite book?

The Quran. As i learn more about language i learn about the beauty of the words of the Quran, the parables help me understand the power of metaphorical language and creating imagery and connecting thought with a tangible, relatable object or event helps to deepen the understanding of the reader.  

Where do you live?

Pakistan

Fun Facts

Please share 10 Random facts about yourself for your readers!

1. I have names for my leg! (No I cannot tell you what they are!)
2. I ran a baking business for 9 years before i began writing
3. I love chai
4. I'm a morning person
5. I love samosas
6. I enjoy my own company
7. I was always the nerdy type and I dont mind that at all
8. I was born in Abu Dhabi
9. I am a business graduate and think my education helped me in a lot of non-obvious ways
10. I love people who stick to deadlines and promises!

Interview

What book(s) have you written?

• Ayesha Dean Mysteries: The Istanbul Intrigue
• The Seville Secret
• The Lisbon Lawbreaker
• The High School Heist

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

Since childhood, although I never imagined I would actually become one.

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

They all took different lengths of time, the first draft can take me a year (in between work and life) and then editing takes place on top of that. 

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

It was juggling between work as a lawyer, life commitments, and writing when I get the chance (for me that was usually once a week).

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Eeek I don't have one! Does staring into space a lot count?
 

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

For the Ayesha Dean books, a lot of ideas came from travelling to the places she travels to. Then for different parts of the story, I do research into the parts of Islamic history, or other facts I'd like to write about.

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

Reading, learning languages, spending time with family and friends, and playing with my cats! I'd also put travel on this list but we've had to stay put since Covid.

What does your family think of your writing?

They're in support of it, alhamdulillah.

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

How sneaky those spelling errors can be, even when you've read a manuscript dozens of times and multiple others have proofread it too, those little errors can still manage to evade detection. 

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

I think the most important one is don't give up. Remember that the first draft is always going to be cringey so when you come back to it and feel discouraged, keep going, keep working at it, and get other people to provide feedback. 

What do you think makes a good story?

An intriguing plot, characters you can route for or love to hate, and a satisfying ending.

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

I wanted to be a lollie (candy) shop owner

What is your favorite book?

I can't pick just one! But one of my favourites in fiction is North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell 

Where do you live?

Australia

Fun Facts

Please share 10 Random facts about yourself for your readers!

1. I love sweet potato fries
2. I've travelled to around 24 countries around the world
3. I've spent most of my life in South Australia
4. I've lived in 24 different houses
5. I've spent most of my career practicing criminal law as a prosecutor
6. I have a bunch of food allergies
7. I love period dramas/movies
8. I am allergic to cats
9. I have a hypo-allergenic cat named Jaidah
10. I have another hypo-allergenic cat named Sunny

Biography

Biography is currently not available.

Biography

Biography is currently not available.

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