Asma Jamali

Interview

What book(s) have you written?

I have written simple, low content and informative books for kids that includes:

SURAH TARIQ
Zara and Zain Go to Hajj
Ramadan Activity Book for Kids
Eid Activity Book for Kids
The Arafat Day

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

When I had a chance to draw some Islamic elements for someone.

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

Duration ranges from few weeks to few months.

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

I’m teaching in the afternoon, studying on and off in between and writing and illustrating after evening and mostly after midnight.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I don’t know if it is interesting but my writing quirk is that I work on it continuously forgetting everything else, unless my family has to remind me that it’s been too much and now I have to take a break. So once I’m in I want it to be done.

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

Internet, books and fellows.

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

Exploring new art styles and thinking about new things to illustrate and write.

What does your family think of your writing?

They think that I’m doing just fine.

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

That it requires a lot of hard work than I expected especially when you have to illustrate them as well that too for a single page. It just amplified my respect for other artists and authors.

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

I think I’m not an expert in this field to say anything about it but if you feel like your words would make a difference then you should write,blurring out every doubt that might creep in while you question your writing. With the right intentions just take the first step, learn and improvise.