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Read our interview with Noor Abdulmajeed about her life as a writer and having her books being turned into a TV series
7 March 2018
| Last updated on 7 March 2018
Image Credit: @noorabdelmajeed
The Annual Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is back again with some of our favourite authors. This year we got the opportunity to catch up with author, Noor Abdulmajeed and ask her about her life as a writer and having her books turned into films.
Noor Abdulmajeed has published 10 novels, including Taboo Memories, La Skala, I’m Shahira, Solo, Despite Separation, among others, and one collection of short poems. Two of her novels. Despite Separation and I Need a Man has also been adapted for television while two of her other novels, I am Shahira and I am a Traitor will be adapted as a two-part series.
Noor Abdulmajeed was also editor in chief of Mada magazine and assistant to the Rotana magazine founder.
What inspired you to become an author?
You’re born to be a writer. You never choose to be, yet let’s say being a woman did, looking at how and what women face in our world did.
Having this weird volcano inside for years ended with a great explosion called ”writing”!
What is the life of an author like?
A normal one, but an author has this continuous dialogues inside their head, always watching more than acting, thinking more than speaking and always longing for peace and justice.
Do you have a pre-writing routine? If yes, what is it?
Nothing in particular, but an idea will follow me around like a shadow! Character ideas will build all day long until I have no other choice but to draw their tale on paper using words and lines.
Maybe a cup of Turkish coffee with chocolate to help!
How long does it take you to write a book?
It’s different from one book to another but usually, it takes from nine to ten months to finish a novel.
Image Credit: @noorabdelmajeed
Where do you find your inspiration and creativity?
The mixture of love and pain is the real recipe for writing and creativity.
Who are your favourite authors?
Anyone who reaches my heart, feeds my soul and convinces my head is my favourite author no matter the gender or name.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Love what you do and don’t do anything you don’t believe in.
Be what you really are and everything will be just as you want.
Do you Google yourself?
Never! Why should I?
I read each letter sent to me by anyone who read a book or a letter I wrote.
I do learn from them.
I do respect their opinions no matter what.
But I don’t Google myself…
How did it come about that your books were being made into films and TV series?
Maybe to reach more people or maybe to feel the responsibility I should take toward them. I don’t know but by all means it was something I didn’t go for, yet I am enjoying its presence.
Noor will be in conversation with Hani Yakan on Friday, March 9th from 4 pm – 5 pm at Al Baraha 1, InterContinental. Tickets are still available if you would like to attend the event.
