Interview: Sheikha Salama Bint Hazza Al Nahyan on being an author

We love a good read at the weekend and that’s got us thinking what it takes to write a good book. To find out, we put questions to author Sheikha Salama Bint Hazza Al Nahyan who has just released her fifth book The Horse, The Saluki & The Falcon.

words Derek Issacs

COVID-19 has changed many of our plans for 2020. Perhaps you’ve had to cancel your holidays abroad and other activties.  Luckily, we live in a great city that has lots to see and do. You could, of course, turn the pages of a great book.

These change of plans are affecting everybody, not least Emirati author Sheikha Salama Bint Hazza Al Nayhan, whose latest release of’ The Horse, The Saluki & The Falcon was to be launched at the Paris Book Fair.

Paying homage to her homeland The Horse, The Saluki & The Falcon, a collection of quotes that aim to shed light on the positivity of the universe and on the silver linings of the life we lead, during a period of growing uncertainty globally, is the author’s fifth book for children.

One such positive quote is by the Saluki, who says: “Remember to show love to those who don’t show love. They are the way they are because love wasn’t given to them when they needed it the most.”

The latest book takes stylistic inspiration from Charlie Mackesy’s critically acclaimed book: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse

With a series of children’s titles, including Invisible Orphans, The Well of Mysteries, A Play on Children’s Rights, and Umm Al Nar, we wondered what makes Sheikha Salama Bint Hazza Al Nayhan tick as a writer.

What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?

Due to Covid-19, I’ve learnt to go on a more mental literary pilgrimage, which is amazing because I was never aware that it was something I could do. It’s like a muscle that requires training, you can go anywhere and everywhere if you just let your mind wander.
Before the pandemic, I was used to going on road trips to historical places such as museums, art exhibitions and historical sites. Growing up I was alway a fan of the Bronte sisters, even though I have never visited their house in England. They are an inspiration to me because they’ve written stories in a time where women had to use male pen names to get their work published.

Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym? 

Yes I’ve thought about it years ago. Some writers change their actual names to pen names depending on the genres they publish.  However for me personally, I think at this point in time I’d rather stick to one name regardless of the different genres I might publish in the future, whether it’s fiction, nonfiction or for young adults or children.

What is the first book that ever made you cry? 

The Last Girl by Nadia Murad is a very downhearted yet inspiring story. She survived so much as a Yazidi in Northern Iraq and today she speaks on behalf of her people and the millions who died from genocide. Her strength and perseverance inspires me everyday.

What are common traps for aspiring writers?

It differs from one person to another but something I think every aspiring writer would agree on is whether they’re writing fiction or nonfiction, the process of fleshing out characters, bringing out the environment to life and trying to connect the book setting with the characters is quite tough.
After years of writing I’ve come to notice that there are no white or black characteristics in characters. Meaning that no one is perfect and grey characters are what makes a story more believable and resonates more with readers.
That’s the biggest trap, finding the good in bad and the bad in good and telling a story out of it.

What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

In 2015 after a year or so working on my novel, I had the pleasure of meeting Deepak Unnikrishnan, a teacher at NYUAD. He’s also a published author who worked with me for years and helped me improve my writing skills and really question my work and my progress.

Your new book is about animals associated with the UAE. Therefore, as a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?

I’d definitely be a horse. Giving up is never an option for me and in writing my strength is endurance. I aspire to always keep going even when I question my work or have doubts. Writers in general, especially the ones who never plan out what’s next, always tend to venture into the unknown and just when you doubt yourself something comes your way.

How would you describe your writing process?

George R.R. Martin once said, “I think there are two types of writers, the architects and the gardeners. The architects plan everything ahead of time, like building a house. While the gardeners digs a hole, drops in a seed and waters it. They kind of know what seed it is, they know if planted a fantasy seed or mystery seed or whatever. But as the plant comes up and they water it, they don’t know how many branches it’s going to have, they find out as it grows.”
I would categorise myself as a gardener. I know the genre but, I don’t know what will come next as I am writing the story. The more the story unveils itself to me, the more I work with it and build a strong base, while editing, fleshing out characters and scenes etc.

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

I have six unfinished stories and one short story I’m working on right now.

What does literary success look like to you?

To me, literary success is a very personal form of success. Getting the book done as it should be is a form of success, as well as taking your time in allowing the story to unfold as it should be.
The second type of success is evolving as a writer and to get out of your comfort zone and explore and express openly.

 

The Horse, The Saluki & The Falcon is now available for purchase and download in electronic format on Sheikha Salama Bint Hazza

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