Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
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Exclusive Interview with
Amena Khan
When did you start writing?
The massive writing started from the last year 2020. Also had a habit of writing from a very young age. Used to write a diary, journals, etc. from Now and then. I love to write momentary feelings but no idea what kind of category falls into it. I post it on Facebook but those are not short stories. It is mostly momentary nonfiction feelings. The Pandemic 2020 was the greatest factor to finish at least one of my writings and pushed me to become an author.
What makes writing your passion?
I feel to say my words, my pearls of wisdom, my thoughts, and deliver to people. I believe those feelings are truly genuine and everyday concerns. I also have positive feelings about all moments and I CAN go deep into it and bring something important out of it.
How long have you been writing?
Writing is inside of me but never thought of it like this. I used to write since my childhood but never finished anything. I used to write in my native language too. Now I write on google drive, email to myself, Wordpad, notepad, laptop, on the phone, any and everywhere. I have so many writing pieces but jump from one to another and never finish it up.
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
I felt I'm a creator who can create any character I want bad or good or life or death. I felt an earthy feeling of creating. The book is my creation and characters are like my own that I can bend them anytime. I feel great and achieved. I was goal-oriented this time and I made it finally.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
I have heard some stories. I have some emails to myself that led me to think to create those characters. Also, My characters are made of values and religious beliefs. They are the common characters from the culture I was and still belong to. My characters are not out of the blue or I didn't write any imaginative sci-fi. It's an everyday situation and characters we are dealing with. I wish I could write in my own language so I can have more selling for my book. My cultural people can adhere to my concept and philosophy. But at the same time, I want to bring it out to the broader audience outside my culture.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
Advertising, competition, and editing process. I'm averse to publicity and I know I need that badly as well. Also, I have a job and family that take most of my time. Also, people don't read these days. Tik Tok takes over everything. It's few secondes videos ruling the world. Nobody has time to read a novel or long story.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
It's really tough. I wish I wish I wish all my heart that technology can create a device to read and write a writer's thoughts. If I have that device I could write anytime and anywhere. Sometimes idea struck but no time to put it on the paper. Sometimes I sit and sit and forgot what I am supposed to write.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
It's never easy. Unlike few, I believe it's impossible to live on writing income. I think it's better to leave it as passion and feel no pressure. However, it's easy to comment and analyze other writings but hard to write its own. So just write it as a new author and polishing will come later. Never give up your passion and somehow someone will get the benefit from your writing.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
I should start writing formally and officially. I had no idea I could have that quality inside of me. Something was hidden and sleeping and all of a sudden, it awaken me up.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
So far I got good reviews from my friends who read it. However, I may feel offended if I get bad reviews. That's why I did not advertise myself either. I'm trying to make myself understand that my book is not 'Everbody's a cup of tea.' Waiting for reviews from here book's shelf and Goodreads.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
I feel yes I'm successful to deliver what I tried to say in my book. Some of my female friends said, "Oh, that's my story!" I just felt how come it was possible when I had known nothing about them. I feel I became some of women's spoke person.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Yes, I did. Any personal experience is good for writing that makes writing a real and genuine piece.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
Paula is my ideal character. I wanted to make her strong through my writing. I want to overcome the temptation even I'm living in it. Through Paula, I think I did it and I want to follow Paula.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
It is and did not realize until I tried to become an author. It has to be eye-catching so that people are tempted to buy and read. The book cover has to be hidden meaning for the story and book.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I love to connect with my readers and want to learn from them through any sort of communication. I also prefer expressing myself in writing because I can use it as a tool later on in my writing.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
I feel shy...to be honest. When my friends say in gathering ...here is our writer...I just feel shy....again I'm averse to publicity.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
Herman Hesse's 'Siddhartha'--how come a person can be superhuman in quality.
Stephen King's writing style. He has strong imagination power that a few writers' can have. I like Thomas Moore too. His non-fiction 'soul mate' inspired me as well. I also used to love to read Bengali literature. We have had so many quality writers, novelists, and poets that offer many more in our literature. I love pablo Neruda's poetry, so romantic and real. I love Rupert Brook's poetry also. Romantic yet real.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
My dream is for my novel 'Red Dress' to turn into a Hollywood movie script. Also, I want to write short stories and short flash fiction because this is the trend and demand in today's world.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
Yes, in my book 'Red Dress', I found some editing errors and it bothers me a lot. I feel I could say in different ways too. Also, I want to rewrite my momentarily feelings into flash fiction and short stories. I need to create characters so that they can be readable.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
Indian Bengali writers Shomresh and Sunil. I like their writing style and I was fond of them.
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
I suggest not to troll authors to put them down. Ignore them if it is not likable. It takes years of effort to write anything and publish it. Please don't say bad words about authors. It takes a lot of sacrifice from family, sleeps, and eyesight.
What would you say to your readers?
'Red Dress' is a plain platonic extra-marital love story these days. Sometimes when we see an ultra-modern woman or man, we assume they can do anything they want. But that's their appearance, makeup, or dress codes. They have their own values, carrying it, and for that, they sacrifice even they cry inside. And who said modern people are far off from religion---not everyone--not Paula.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I live in NY, with my husband and two sons.
What is your day job if you have one?
I'm a mortgage banker.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
Taking care of my plants, dining, watching movies, chatting, talking on the phone, reading online, traveling, and lonesome time on my own.
Did you have a happy childhood?
Yes, I had.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
Yes, a video clip on pandemics I saw motivated me to be an author straight.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
I have one short novel and a kid's short story. I also have many non-fiction self-help, self-coaching, and philosophical writings. I need to make them polished to publish.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
Morality, sharing, caring, family values, religious aspects, etc missing in modern education. There are so many multiple questions and answers but life is not only black and white. It has thousands of gray shades.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
1) I wanted to be productive in writing---I wasted my time in many matters.
2) To undone a few mistakes and choices.
3) I wanted to be courageous, straight forward and not a confused person.
What is your favorite music?
Easy listening, jazz, and anything is good rhythm and lyrics. I like also instrumental music like Bethhooven, gazals, and Mexican flutes.
Share a secret with us 🙂
No secret, I'm very transparent. :)