- Sakina on her latest book and her journey as a writer
Sakina Mohammed[/caption]
She recently published a book of poems, titled My Poetic Place: The Journey to Self-Discovery, and had a chat with Brunch to take us through the inspiration and meaning behind the book. Here’s what she shared with us.
What inspired you to become a writer?
Back in school, I started writing stories and poems; then I later studied literature as a subject for my Ordinary Levels (O/Ls). I always loved reading and writing. I’ve had such amazing teachers growing up that it surely is at school that the inspiration and passion for my writing came from. Rudyard Kipling’s If is my all time favourite and I’m a fan of Emily Dickinson’s poetry too!
What is your book about?
As the name suggests, My Poetic Place: The Journey to Self-Discovery, my poetry is my comforting spot and these poems are messages to my soul in good times and bad, dedicated to different walks of life and human emotions and experiences through my journey of discovering myself. There is life, realities, positivity, motivation, love, importance of emotional, and mental wellbeing that I have penned down, finding inspiration in nature, my surroundings, and lessons that life taught me.
What was the inspiration behind it?
As a sensitive person, capturing my emotions into poems has been therapeutic. I began my blog as a means to connect with myself at a point of the many complexities I was facing. After receiving appreciation from family and friends, I moved to social media and it has been so fulfilling. This book is my childhood dream come true, and my writings help me cope, heal, and march ahead with hope.
Was there anything interesting that you had to edit out of your book?
Oh, it has been a never-ending cut and chop process. I initially wrote close to a hundred poems during the pandemic and the lockdowns alone; I was taking part in many prompts and challenges, so I was left with a large collection of poems and other writings I had penned in my idle time. I have left out many, many more poems I wish I could have included.
What is the biggest challenge you face when writing?
My challenge is time! I just cannot focus when I have other things happening, unless it’s a random thought. Then I make sure to jot it down. So I end up writing at night in the dead silence – that is when the writer in me wakes up.
What advice would you give aspiring authors?
Write, no matter what you choose as a profession. Express yourself; words do have a lot of power. Many times it may seem like no one is interested, with the world shifting more to digital entertainment, but if you search enough, there are many platforms where writers share and connect that you can use to further your writing and express yourself, surrounded by like-minded people.
What do you enjoy the most about writing?
It’s definitely that I don’t have to limit myself. I can drain all my excess energy with my ink and calm myself down. Later, when I begin re-reading what I wrote, it really helps, especially since I’m able to look at things in different perspectives as well.
Do you have anything coming up for 2022?
This year is about taking this book as far as I can. Readings, spreading the word, and connecting. I’m hopeful; I occasionally get anxious, but I’m undoubtedly looking forward to the coming year.
‘My Poetic Place: The Journey to Self-Discovery’ by Sakina Mohammed can be purchased via The Jam Fruit Tree publications.