Hazawi Podcast

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 [https://amzn.to/46Tb3kY] Home is a Holiday by Mohamed Morshed: https://phoebejournal.com/home-is-a-holiday/ [https://phoebejournal.com/home-is-a-holiday/] I Am an Executioner: Love Stories by by Rajesh Parameswaran: https://amzn.to/46UB3we [https://amzn.to/46UB3we] The Haunting of Hajji Hotak by Jamil Jan Kochai: https://amzn.to/46Vy6vh [https://amzn.to/46Vy6vh] Such Big Dreams by Reema Patel: https://amzn.to/3QjP13z [https://amzn.to/3QjP13z] Between Two Moons by by Aisha Abdel Gawad: https://amzn.to/47gWhEa [https://amzn.to/47gWhEa ] 🔗 CONNECT WITH Bereerah Website: https://bareerahghani.com/ [//bareerahghani.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bareerah_ghani/ [//bareerahghani.com/] Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bareera_yg [//bareerahghani.com/] 🔗 CONNECT WITH MOHAMED Join Our Newsletter: https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/newsletter/ [https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/newsletter/] YouTube Channel: @mohamedsmorshed Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mohamedsmorshed [https://www.instagram.com/mohamedsmorshed?ref=mohamedsmorshed.com] Website: https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/tag/podcast [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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hazawi-podcast/id1645790556?ref=mohamedsmorshed.com] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LOnODlp3DVg6Fa2Nos5aS?si=348a0222e8f94fb9 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4LOnODlp3DVg6Fa2Nos5aS?si=348a0222e8f94fb9&ref=mohamedsmorshed.com] 🙏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.

Every aspiring writer will question whether they should self-publish their book or go through the traditional publishing route. In this episode, I speak to the poet F.S. Yousaf, who has experienced both self-publishing and traditional publishing, as he shares the advantages and disadvantages of both worlds. We also delve into the world of poetry, discussing his writing process, routine, photography, social media and much more. F.S. Yousaf is the author of four poetry books and has a background in teaching. Currently, he dedicates his time to writing full-time. Enjoy! Timestamps: 0:00 Promo 1:07 Yousaf background 3:50 When poetry were born 14:40 Immigrant parents and children’s dreams 26:50 Art, making money, and social media 44:52 Self publishing 49:39 Self vs Traditional Publishing 1:00:50 Audience after publishing 1:02:20 Writing full time, process 1:14:04 Film cameras and photography 🔗 CONNECT WITH YOUSAF Linktree: https://linktr.ee/fs.yousaf [https://linktr.ee/fs.yousaf] Website: https://www.fsyousaf.com/ [https://www.fsyousaf.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fs.yousaf/ [https://www.instagram.com/fs.yousaf/] Twitter: https://twitter.com/fsyousaf_ [https://twitter.com/fsyousaf_] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fs.yousaf [https://www.tiktok.com/@fs.yousaf] 🔗 CONNECT WITH HAZAWI Join our newsletter: https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/newsletter [https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/newsletter/] YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HazawiStories [https://www.youtube.com/@HazawiStories?ref=mohamedsmorshed.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/HazawiStories [https://www.instagram.com/HazawiStories?ref=mohamedsmorshed.com] Website: https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/tag/podcast/ [https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/tag/podcast/] 📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED Serenity: Poems: https://amzn.to/3OwL5Nb [https://amzn.to/3OwL5Nb] Euphoria: https://amzn.to/3YcNsrR [https://amzn.to/3YcNsrR] Sincerely: https://amzn.to/43Mlg0a [https://amzn.to/43Mlg0a] Prayers of My Youth: https://amzn.to/3YdPUyr [https://amzn.to/3YdPUyr] 🎙️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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hazawi-podcast/id1645790556?ref=mohamedsmorshed.com] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LOnODlp3DVg6Fa2Nos5aS?si=348a0222e8f94fb9 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4LOnODlp3DVg6Fa2Nos5aS?si=348a0222e8f94fb9&ref=mohamedsmorshed.com] 🙏Thank you for listening and keep on creating.

The stories we read during our childhood, the places we visit, and the challenges we overcome are all the bedrock of our upbringing; they shape our adulthood. In this episode, I speak to Jasmine Bager about her experience as a Saudi journalist, her upbringing, education, and writing on arts and culture. During our conversation, we uncover the inspirational stories that have shaped Jasmine's journey. Jasmine Bager is a journalist from Saudi Arabia. She has an art degree, and she writes about women and the arts with a focus on the Middle East. She was one of the first Saudis to earn a degree from Columbia Journalism School. Her work has appeared in TIME, BBC, Refinery29, and Architectural Record. Enjoy! Timestamps: 0:00 Promo 1:04 What is Hazawi? 2:09 Jasmine's Upbringing 12:33 Imitating Other Writers 15:00 How to Find Your Writing Style 16:08 Who Does Jasmine Write for (Audience) 17:23 How to Make Your Writing Fit the Magazine You Submit to 25:34 How Much You Should Put Online About Yourself 29:04 What Makes A Journalism Piece Successful 33:10 Structuring Stories 36:27 Where to Find Stories 42:38 Finding a Writing Community 47:53 What Does Jasmine Hopes Readers Feel 50:56 Advice for Young Writers 🔗 CONNECT WITH JASMINE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasminebager/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/jasminebager/?hl=en] Twitter: https://twitter.com/JasmineBager?s=20 [https://twitter.com/JasmineBager?s=20] 🔗 CONNECT WITH HAZAWI Join our newsletter: https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/newsletter [https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/newsletter/] YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HazawiStories [https://www.youtube.com/@HazawiStories?ref=mohamedsmorshed.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/HazawiStories [https://www.instagram.com/HazawiStories?ref=mohamedsmorshed.com] Website: https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/tag/podcast/ [https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/tag/podcast/] 🎙️ABOUT THE PODCAST Hazawi Podcast demystifies the writing and publishing process. It’s for emerging Muslim 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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hazawi-podcast/id1645790556?ref=mohamedsmorshed.com] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LOnODlp3DVg6Fa2Nos5aS?si=348a0222e8f94fb9 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4LOnODlp3DVg6Fa2Nos5aS?si=348a0222e8f94fb9&ref=mohamedsmorshed.com] 🙏Thank you for listening and keep on creating.