Her debut was released in October 2018. This is what Kulsoom told us when we asked:

This is your debut book. How does it feel? 

I feel super excited and blessed to I have this opportunity where I can share my thoughts with the world. I’ have to say, I'm nervous and excitedly looking forward to seeing how people will respond. I am also hopeful that it will touch my readers and be used as a tool for self-transformation.

 

 

Have you always wanted to be a writer? (And was there a particular moment you thought, ‘I can do this!’?) 

Yes, I think somewhere deep down I always wanted to be a writer. I loved writing since I was young. I have always carried a diary and more recently I began publishing quotes and small insights on my social media platforms. I started working on my book earlier this year and I think the moment I felt “I can do this!” was when I met with my publisher, Abu Bilaal Yakub. The spark in our conversation and the enthusiasm in that room motivated me to get this done and out to the world.

 

 

Some of our readers might not know much about your book. Are you able to tell us a bit about it?

This book is a guiding tool for others, just as it was for me. I have realized as I have gone through life, that Vision, Relationships, Self-care, and Confidence really make a difference in what we bring out to the world. I have had my own share of struggles and have stumbled upon inspirational people who have shaped my thoughts and experiences. The message I share this in the book is that ‘you do not walk alone’. It will walk beside you and really help you work towards your goals through guided exercises, reflective thoughts and personal insights. I can confidently say this book is a work done in a few months but the experiences have taken me all my years in this world to compile.

 

 

What inspires you to write?

I am a huge advocate of self-expression. I believe that expression is important to lead a healthy life, grow positively and overall have positive experiences with ALLAH (سبحانه و تعالى), yourself and others. Hence, writing for me is a form of self-expression. It’s a way for me to put my thoughts on to paper and then out to the world to benefit others. The trials of others, the agony of the world, and my own personal experiences, all contribute to my writing. I believe I will continue to write for as long as I live.

Also, my grandpa was a writer/author, so a lot of my inspiration comes from him ( May Allah have mercy on him).

 

 

 

Talk to us about your writing routine; what’s a typical writing day for you?

A typical day is when I wake up excited to work towards my goals and passionate towards making a difference in this world. This inspires me to sit down in my newly renovated balcony where I can breathe fresh air, look at nature and write my heart away. Once I get started I typically go on writing for a few hours. My husband is super supportive, and I never feel like writing is taking away from my family life.

 

 

Were there any particularly frustrating moments that came as part of that process?

Yes, I learned there was a difference between putting your thoughts and feelings on paper, as compared to merely speaking out aloud. After learning this I had to consistently practice so that every page came to life. This was really frustrating in the beginning because I kept getting stuck and felt I was incapable of ever becoming a writer. However, some motivation from my publisher and my husband got me back on track. I can sometimes be very hasty and I learned that writing is a craft and to master any craft requires a lot of patience and effort.

 

 

Final question (promise!): do you have any advice for any yet-to-be-published writers reading this?

Don’t be nervous about putting your thoughts into writing and your writing to the world. The world needs to hear a different perspective and now is the time to make a difference through your words. My advice is that you start writing, stay connected with other authors, find a good publisher and publish away! Make lots of dua because nothing is possible without the assistance of ALLAH (سبحانه و تعالى).