Ever wondered what is it like to be someone else?
“Being me” is a new monthly blog series where I will be introducing you to one amazing human being at a time. They will be sharing their journey of becoming who they are today. I believe we can experience a new perspective and a whole new world just by trying to get to know someone, to hear them out and hopefully learn something new. Let’s experience it together.If you would like to be a part of this series, read more about it here.
Mahnoor is a published author from Lahore and an amazing human being. I am excited to introduce her to you as the first of this series.
Hi Mahnoor, tell us about yourself.
I am Mahnoor Ali, author of “Turning towards YOU”. I graduated a few months back from Punjab University and attained a degree in the subject of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and now I am continuing my education in the field of Molecular Biology.
I like reading and I love writing. I usually spend my free time reading a book or adding few lines to my manuscript. In my free time, I usually watch a drama or sometimes a movie (when I have nothing to do at all) but I usually do that once every two months. Apart from this, I love to go shopping and hanging out with family and friends. Talking about my dislikes, I dislike quite a few things like mathematics as a subject or Karela as a food item, arrogant people if I talk about it this way and too much rain, especially when I have to go out.
Name a few of your most favorite reads.
Mentioning a few is very tough but a few novels that I have read and loved, they are the ones to inspire me in many aspects:
- The Kite Runner-Novel by Khaled Hosseini.
- The Alchemist-Novel by Paulo Coelho.
- The Hunger Games- Novel by Suzanne Collins.
- The Forty Rules of Love-Book by Elif Shafak.
How did you realize your passion for writing?
I had it in me even when I was in grade six. I still remember that I wrote a poem that was much loved by my teachers and it was framed in the principal’s office as well. But as my studies got tough with time I didn’t get time for writing but I had it in me, always. And then, in university, I finally decided to write again… maybe those writing genes were expressed again. Ha-ha!
When did you first started writing?
I started writing almost two years back when I was in University. It was mid-2015 when I wrote a short story about life a girl who was very distressed and alone. She was a deep thinker, she belonged to a disputed family and she lost that sweet-16 charisma in her. The story was about how she changed herself and how true-love helped her doing so. I gave it to my friends saying that another friend of mine has written this (as I wasn’t confident about myself) and then many of my friends took that. They read it and they loved it. It was then my confidence was boosted and I was much sure about myself and my writing, I learned to explain things in a better way and I learned that I must be sure and confident about myself.
What were the hurdles that you had to face?
I had no courage to tell others about it maybe because my field was totally different, and I didn’t trust myself, I thought I might not be a perfect writer. But later, I realized that I should trust myself, I should face the world as a writer, and there was nothing wrong with that, there was nothing bad in being a writer as a science student as nothing was perfect. It was ok to be a writer even if you didn’t belong to that field. It was ok to be the person of your dreams even if the circumstances were not much favorable.
How did you manage to make it?
I believed wholeheartedly that nothing and no one was perfect, we all are learners and learning one thing or the other at each phase of our life and I gave myself chance to learn and accept it fully. That was when it was then my dream came true and I was added to the list of Published Authors. This journey wasn’t easy, it had numerous ups-and-downs, and there were many slipups and hurdles. People appreciated me, but some depreciated me too, I took each as a lesson and learned from it. I always try to be a positive person though it isn’t, at all, easy I try and then I try more.
What lessons have you learned so far from life?
The lesson I have learned from life is to never stop dreaming. No matter how hard it is, no matter how tough it gets just don’t stop.
What do you love the most about yourself?
I love the way I deal with difficulties. I love the way I love and trust my Allah and I love everything about myself that God has blessed me with. Allhamdulliah!
This one is my favorite question, would you say that you love yourself, completely?
No! Not completely, because I have many flaws, as I mentioned earlier that no one is perfect and even I am not perfect so I don’t love myself completely but I don’t hate myself too. There are few things that I want to change about myself for my benefit, rest is acceptable.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
To be patient and calm. To have faith in God and leave everything in God’s hands because he is the best planner.
If you would be naming your own story, what the title would be like?
“From Microbiologist to Novelist.”
Who inspires you the most and why?
Strong people inspire me the most. The ones who have fought for their dreams, for their betterment and for what they deserved. I am inspired by many people in many aspects and I have learned a lot from them.
At the end of your life, what do you want your legacy to be?
A book, having a beautiful lesson for those who are dejected and about to quit. A lesson of hope and a lesson of determination for all the dreamers. I would love to see my writing inspiring people and serving them in a positive way.
What is it that you would like to work on more in terms of improving?
As far as my writing is concerned I would love to improve myself in many aspects, as I am a young writer so it will take time and a lot of learning to be an inspiring writer.
What would you like to say to passionate readers and aspiring writers out there?
There’s a bunch of students (not belonging to the field of literature) who are ardent readers and aspiring writers but are never appreciated for that, this one is for you guys. Don’t stop dreaming, set yourself free enough to dream and remember it was ok to fall, for every fall gives you a new rise. I would love to encourage all the budding writers from Pakistan to believe themselves and come forward. We need more writers and positive thinkers here to connect us to our culture as well as other cultures. Don’t fear failures, don’t fear what others might think as no one’s perfect.
So excited to learn about your journey, when is your book coming out?
My book is coming within few weeks Insha-ALLAH and I am glad to announce that people are quite appreciative and supportive towards it. I never thought of this, I never thought of becoming an Author, but I loved writing and I loved speaking through words. The writing wasn’t my profession, but passion and this passion has led me to this stage where I am much confident about myself. My book Turning Towards YOU, is coming to the end of this month. I would be arranging few book launch events in Lahore soon.
What is your book about and how we can get our hands on it?
My book is about the journey of an American girl within herself. She is finding the purpose of her existence and God. The story revolves around her journey and why she is finding Him. The story enlightens the significance of divine love, the meaning of God in one’s life and it tells that how strong the bond of love between the creator and his creation could be. The book would be available online and in stores soon but before that, I would be arranging some book launch events in Lahore for my readers.
Being a published author, how does that make you feel about yourself? It must be such a self-esteem boost.
Yes, of course, I feel proud of myself and blessed. I feel that Allah has blessed me with such an amazing talent and that I must use it in a better way and spread the message of love, gratitude, and modesty.
Lastly, any message for your readers?
I would love to say all my readers that you must believe yourself, believe that you can and have faith in yourself and God. Don’t let difficulties overburden you, relax and find another way out and believe that there will be another way out, for sure. <3
It was so nice to get to know you Mahnoor and we wish you all the best for your journey and upcoming book.
