All About Me - Suman Shafi
How did you become an author and get published? Share your experience.
I was always into writing since my school days, be it my choice for Commerce subjects or Journalism at my university. My biggest encouragement came from family and a few close friends who always wanted me to do something huge in my writing field. Alongside my dream to have a career in my chosen field, I started writing poetries, more like jotting down my inner thoughts.
But things changed after I got married and those books ended up as well kept collections at one corner of a cupboard. Ten years later, just out of the blue, I finally thought to make something out of it and there I was, hunching for platforms to have my work published.
It almost seemed like, I wanted to be out there, share my work with like-minded audience who express well through any form, and relate myself to those wanting to here me out. Its been a long and difficult journey, but I know, I will be where I wish to be, soon !
When you're working on a book and a new idea pops up, should you pursue it immediately (also known as 'UP syndrome') or finish your current project first? What do you think is the best course of action?
Ideas should always be pursued immediately, but not in the main context.
While working on current ideas, brainstorm other factors and incorporate that through the book
Which character do you enjoy writing the most as a writer and why? If choosing a favorite character is like choosing a favorite child, which character do you find requires the most attention and detail from you as a writer?
The poetry book is all about me and my journey
Can you explain your writing process? Do you prefer to create an outline and plan beforehand, or do you prefer to write more spontaneously and organically?
Always have a plan drafted then incorporated with details
What are some books or authors that you would recommend to our readers?
I have been a mystery/thriller reader all through my life. Right from Nancy Drew to Sidney Sheldon to Coolen Hoover, I have read it all and they are all amazing
Tell us what you enjoy most about writing [genre].
Always the emotional bit. I have run through many ups and downs, like each individual surely does, but at one point, it gets too much to handle. And this is why my poetry book has more weightage on the emotional side. Since I was journaling daily, I would just sit for hours and end up writing pages of my daily doze of emotions, and as I moved to making poetries out of it, I realized how much letting it all out brought me relief.
What have you found to be most challenging about writing in [genre]?
Nothing at all
Have you been able to incorporate your previous experience in [jobs/education] in your writing?
Yes! Definitely
Not with my book, that is another level of experience.
But as I mentioned I always loved writing, I did some freelance feature writings and also worked for a short time at a news publication, my writing built slightly into the professional frame. But as I am on an internship now, my previous skills help a lot, also adding many new layers of experience
Do you identify with your main character or did you create a character that is your opposite?
Yes I do
Describe the [book/series] in 10 words or less for people who are just learning about it.
Poetries that resonate and realization that you are the best version of yourself
Would you like readers to have any specific takeaway from your book?
Resonating with it! My poetries are a reflection of inner thoughts every person faces them at different points of life, whether good or bad. So learn from mistakes, stick to boundaries, dont expect but always hope, trust yourself and your process, and dont let anyone else make decisions for your life. You are the best you have, and be proud of that. We dont need compliments or appreciation to make a name in the world, your work will speak it all!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No. I write what I feel, whether its work, poetry or simply an article filled with my thoughts
As an author, what critique has been the most challenging for you to receive? On the other hand, what compliment has been the most rewarding?
Well I had to edit many of my poetries, but much of it were so good it just gave goosebumps while reading through them
Share some advice for aspiring authors. What advice would you give to your younger self?1. What is your favorite line from your book?
Express! Write! Paint! Draw - whatever it takes, find a way to let out your emotions, no matter how hard things get. We always run out of words, but our thoughts never let us at peace till we let them out. With words, there is always a two way - you will be stopped, questioned, suggested, argued, judged, or criticized. You will never receive complete answers on how to go about your journey, so any form of expressing words can be the best tool any human can adopt to! Keeping it all in and staying silent is worst for one's self, so let it all out and trust me! Your life will get better with time as you move forward
To date, what is your favorite (or most difficult) chapter you have ever written?
The chapter of life has been the most difficult to unfold. I always found solace in scripting my inner thoughts and moods on a piece of paper, which led to a cluster of books. My poetries are a reflection of experiences I came across till date, and I am sure they will resonate with the people who read them too, at many levels
What is your take on book boyfriends? Do they actually exist? Or do they set the bar for “real life men” impossibly high?
This is highly debatable. Will catch up on this next time!
Have you ever experienced writer’s block? How did you deal with it?
No
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Ahh! This leads me to say, there are many things I juggle with, while I am writing this down!
I am a robot, on feet 24/7, tasking through motherhood, work and things that make me content. And this part only comes after my daughter has finally hit bedtime.
I am a very routined, punctual and organized human, but at the same time, I always have a keen eye for 'me time' during the day, even if that means 30 minutes.
Passionate Narrater and Reviewer
Apart from working on my book, I happened to make a Tiktok page dedicated to my love for Bollywood movies, series, and Pakistani dramas! I was always passionate to come on camera and speak, but that dint happen at all. So I ended up making this page where I reviewed what I watched on tv or cinema and shared my experience as a reviewer. I also narrated my poetries on camera as well as voiceover, many of, which are now a part of my current book too.
An Interest I Never Thought of!
I have recently indulged myself in pursuing Digital Marketing, so I am doing online courses and also an internship alongside, that again includes many new experiences and also the writing bit, which is a passion I cant leave for life!
Love for Mandela Coloring
I love coloring Mandela Art. And this only began last year, when my daughter showed interest in coloring and drawing in her books, while I only kept staring at her. Like, what was I supposed to do otherwise right? So then I got myself a book and a set of markers and introduced myself to the world of mandela. I am currently on coloring my fourth book, and with each book, my set of markers get upgraded, I try new colors, work on even detailed designs, and love the process! Initially I started with really dark colors but now it seems my mind is quite calmer and toned with the color patterns I create and coloring gives me sense of peace.
My day goes off in a swish! I start with house chores, move to spending time with my little one when she comes from school, until she hits bed, and then its my work, watching, coloring, just anything of it, till the next 4 to 5 hours, until its my bedtime.
Was there anything you had to research for the book?
Nothing at all. This is self-inspired
Did you have any say in the cover design?
The book highlights my journey, and a few close people have been through my ins and outs on a daily basis. So with them, I came up with the idea of the cover design and the title as well, suggested by a very close friend
What are you reading right now?
Story books with my daughter, as she has just gotten the grasp of sounds and blending words. :D
What can we anticipate from you moving forward?
From a complete negative to a person who has healed through many difficult situations at life, I am finally where I need to be
Do you have any movie or tv adaptations in the works?
lot of movies I have watched count as experience
Did you always want to be an author? If not, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Becoming an author was my dream, which I dint know I will accomplish or not
Otherwise, I wanted to pursue broadcast journalism, deliver news on camera, cover stories and write about them - this is where I wanted to be
How long did it take you to write this book?
My book is a collection from three books that I had handwritten sitting at a corner of my room, all by myself. This compilation is some of the best ones from the books I had, which were run through editing process and final approvals. Roughly six months time for sure
Where do you like to write? In a coffee shop? In your home office? On the beach?
At home, in my space, no sound, bright lights, with my glasses on!
Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
Not at all.
What other hobbies do you have outside of writing?
Spoke on this in a lot detail previously
Are any of the characters in your book based on people in your real life? If so, can you tell us more about that process and how it influenced your writing?
For sure! Everything connects with people who touched my life, from afar or close
No poetry can be written without having experienced a good or bad from a character of your life right?
Do you have any personal connection to the story or characters?
Totally