In this episode I had the pleasure to speak to Bareerah Ghani, where explore the layers of a writer's journey. From the intersections of immigration and identity to the nuances of what it takes to have your stories published in magazines. We also talk about our MFA experiences and what got from them.

Bareerah Ghani is a Canadian-Pakistani writer, reviewer, and editor with an MFA from George Mason University. Bareerah's writing has been featured in notable publications such as Scarlet Leaf Review, Kalopsia Literary Journal, and Second Chance Lit, among others.

Enjoy!

Timestamps:
0:00 promo
0:58 The value from talking to writers
2:20 Immigration, POC, and Muslim identity
4:20 How to ask good questions
6:08 Writing as a vehicle of change
10:00 The moment that shaped Bereerah as a writer
14:22 Why get an MFA in creative writing
18:12 What is it like to be in an MFA
22:05 What get's stories rejected from magazines
29:19 How to give others your writing to read
34:24 How do you now you should write longterm
37:24 The hardships of committing to becoming a writer
45:24 Fiction vs. Nonfiction and people's approval
50:50 Advice for aspiring writers

📚 Mentioned Books:
The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss: https://amzn.to/46Tb3kY
Home is a Holiday by Mohamed Morshed: https://phoebejournal.com/home-is-a-holiday/
I Am an Executioner: Love Stories by by Rajesh Parameswaran: https://amzn.to/46UB3we
The Haunting of Hajji Hotak by Jamil Jan Kochai: https://amzn.to/46Vy6vh
Such Big Dreams by Reema Patel: https://amzn.to/3QjP13z
Between Two Moons by by Aisha Abdel Gawad: https://amzn.to/47gWhEa

🔗 CONNECT WITH Bereerah
Website: https://bareerahghani.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bareerah_ghani/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bareera_yg

🔗 CONNECT WITH MOHAMED
Join Our Newsletter: https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/newsletter/
YouTube Channel: @mohamedsmorshed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mohamedsmorshed
Website: https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/tag/podcast

🎙️ABOUT THE PODCAST

Hazawi Podcast demystifies the writing and publishing process. It’s for emerging writers who want to improve their writing, discover the roadmap to publishing their work, and explore diverse writing careers.

🤝LEAVE A REVIEW

If you enjoyed this episode give the podcast a 5-star review on Spotify to be part of its growth

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hazawi-podcast/id1645790556
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LOnODlp3DVg6Fa2Nos5aS?si=348a0222e8f94fb9

🙏Thank you for listening and keep on creating.

Hajera is a writer, a creative writing teacher, and an editor. She makes craft accessible and the writing process seem less daunting. Whenever I feel like my writing is not working, I check out her Instagram page.

In our conversation, we dive into topics ranging from her writing routine, questions she get asked by students, MFA programs, the editing process and more.

Enjoy!

Timestamps:
0:00 promo
0:52 Why do we write stories?
6:20 The not-born writers
10:10 Reading white characters as a child
15:58 Who is a writer
19:35 Is blogging dead and where to write
29:38 How to be vulnerable in your writing
33:40 How to discover your voice
40:24 Is it necessary to get an MFA
49:08 Hajerah’s writing schedule
58:05 The importance of journaling
1:01:20 How well you know your characters
1:09:00 Reach out those you admire
1:10:00 the editing process
1:16:18 Where to submit stories to
1:21:12 How to find motivation to write


🔗 CONNECT WITH HAJERA
Website: https://hajerakhaja.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hajera.khaja/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hajerakhaja


🔗 CONNECT WITH MOHAMED
Join Our Newsletter: https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/newsletter/
YouTube Channel: @mohamedsmorshed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mohamedsmorshed
Website: https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/tag/podcast

🎙️ABOUT THE PODCAST

Hazawi Podcast demystifies the writing and publishing process. It’s for emerging writers who want to improve their writing, discover the roadmap to publishing their work, and explore diverse writing careers.

🤝LEAVE A REVIEW

If you enjoyed this episode give the podcast a 5-star review on Spotify to be part of its growth

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LOnODl...

🙏Thank you for listening and keep writing.

Rakaya is an award-winning poet, facilitator, event producer, and writer who explores themes of faith identity, and culture. She holds a master's degree in creative writing. You can watch her performances on YouTube (linked below). Rakaya has been commissioned by organizations like the BBC, Facebook, and Instagram.

In our conversation, we dive into topics ranging from her experiences as a third-generation immigrant to her poetry, the writing and editing process, and storytelling in both spoken and written form. This episode is filled with valuable insights.

Enjoy!

Timestamps:
0:00 Promo
1:49 Poetry Inspiration
3:19 Arabic Poetry
6:16 Poetry Themes and Audience
10:34 The Arts and Immigration
12:46 Generational Gap
14:10 Positivity in Rakaya's Poems
6:18 How to Find Your Voice
20:31 The Value of Workshops
24:46 The Question of Audience
28:09 The Danger of Writing for Audience Outside Your Culture
44:38 Storytelling in Poetry
46:28 How to Tell a Story
55:11 Advice for All Writers


🔗 CONNECT WITH RAKAYA
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/rakayaesime
Website: https://taplink.cc/rakayaesime
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rakayaesime/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rakaya_esime?lang=en
TikTok:

🔗 CONNECT WITH MOHAMED
Join Our Newsletter: https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/newsletter/
YouTube Channel: @mohamedsmorshed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mohamedsmorshed
Website: https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/tag/podcast

🎙️ABOUT THE PODCAST

Hazawi Podcast demystifies the writing and publishing process. It’s for emerging writers who want to improve their writing, discover the roadmap to publishing their work, and explore diverse writing careers.

🤝LEAVE A REVIEW

If you enjoyed this episode give the podcast a 5-star review on Spotify to be part of its growth

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LOnODl...

🙏Thank you for listening and keep on creating.