ProtoStar: Fariha Narjis

Proto-Star Interview

Fariha Narjis is one of the leading writers of the “The Meraki Magazine”. She is also among one of my favorite writers. There are many people who have these special talents and Fariha is one of those who is destined to be successful. While you have read and heard about millions of people with their success stories, in this interview we will be talking about a success story in the making. Fariha is a brilliant young mind from Karachi. She has done her BS(Hons) in Computer Science but she is known for her writing skills. She has the tendency to touch your heart in a unique way. She is very adaptive and always looking for opportunities to learn. Unlike many writers, she is a great soul who is so down to earth and always grateful. Apart from her amazing creative skills, she is a great person. Here is a preview of the interview.  

1.       How would you define yourself?

It is never easy to do. But let’s answer a few questions and find out.

2.       How proud are you of being yourself as a writer?

I am proud that I am at least trying to write like a “writer”

3.       Do you realize that you belong to an only a very small percentage of people who can have a huge impact on the world?

No, I didn’t. But I wish it is a positive impact.

4.       How proud are you of being an introvert? Does it cause you any problem?

I am, only when I recognize another introvert and we strike a conversation and feel better about ourselves.

5.       Where do you see yourself in the future?

Let’s not talk about it. It gives me anxiety.

6.       What genre you like to write in?

Mysticism, Philosophical, and self-help.

7.       Do you want to focus on one specific genre or be an explorer?

I am an explorer and I believe I can try writing on a different genre.

8.       How are you as a reader?

I read too much. And my concern is to fetch something positive from the story.

9.       Name your favorite Book(s)?

Most of the novels of Paulo Coelho, Saadat Hassan Manto and  Jane Austen, The Kite Runner, The Book Thief, Dozakhnama, Frankenstein, Perks of Being Wall Flower, To Kill a Mocking Bird,  Looking for Alaska, Memories and give me an extra sheet to write down names of many more other books.

10.   How would you want to be remembered as?

Someone who was always there when others were not there to help you.

11.   Tell something funny about yourself?

I don’t think I have a funny side. But I just laugh at non-funny things all the times.

12.   Why do you write?

To be heard without speaking.

13.   When did you start writing and how?

When I realized that people don’t have time for me and I too was not a good speaker.

14.   Have you ever cried while writing?

My next story will disclose this. (If it gets published)

15.   What is your most prized piece of writing?

Lonely woman of God.

16.   Who is your ideal as a writer?

No one. But I am sure, I can write like anyone.

17.   Who is your mentor? If there is one?

Zoya. My tuition teacher but more than a sister and friend.

18.   Do you want to be a full-time writer or think of it as just a hobby?

Right now, It is just a hobby because I don’t believe in cashing pieces of my heart.

19.   Have you ever fall in love with someone, you were writing about?

I don’t know

20.   Have you ever been heartbroken? Explain (5 marks)

Most of the time. And it is fuel to my writings. When your heart is on fire, you produce awesome sentences and stories. Petty things can make me heartbroken.

21.   What is the inspiration that gets you going?

Expectations and hopes of people to carry on.

22.   People usually talk about success stories after being successful, how would you define your success story in making? How hard it is?

My story is not going to be a success story. When I look up to those who had endured a lot of pain and struggles. I find myself in the first step. And hey, I don’t want to be successful, just in peace.

23.   What kind of help you think you can get in this phase?

Motivate me and expect good out of me.

24.   What is your favorite color(s) and why?

I like white color and no reason.

25.   How are you as a person? Talk about your strengths and weaknesses?

I think I am caring. My strength: I ignore negativity. My weakness: I am not on my priority list.

26.   Are you scared of taking risks?

I am only scared of going against God.

27.   What is your phobia?

Lose of my mom. To be trapped. Dying with a loan.

28.   How hard it is for you to answer these interview questions?

Only the first question was hard. I am easy when it comes to being honest.

29.   How do you deal with writer’s block?

Watch, listen and read something profound.

30.   What is your area of the profession and how hard was it for you to challenge the standard being either a doctor or an engineer mindset?

My mom only appreciates doctors but I chose computer science. Challenge was only to be home at earliest so later I decided to work from my home which was the main reason to be a computer science student.

31.   What is one stereotype you want to break?

“Log kiya kahenge?”(what will people say?) Please worry about “Lord! kiya kahenge?” (what will Lord say?)

32.   Do you think gender plays a role in success? If so, How?

It doesn’t.

33.   Literature, History, and linguistics today falls under the umbrella of social sciences department, do you think they are sciences? Does everything has to be science to be cool or Arts is something which is an equally cool department?

Art is not science. Art is not just equally cool but very interesting than any other sciences.

34.   How are you as a friend?

I am a friend when you need me and I don’t complain when you are not there when I need you. 

35.   What are your goals in life?

To never hurt anyone. But sometimes, I am annoying.

36.   How much gratitude helps you in life?

A lot. More than a lot.

37.   What is one book that touches your heart?

I cannot name one. My all books do that and if I name one book, others will get hurt.

38.   What is one book you will recommend to people? One for new readers and one for regular readers?

To kill a mocking bird and Dozakhnama.

39.   What are your aims or goals in your area of the profession?

At least not to waste my knowledge and keep polishing my skills.

40.   What makes you happy and what makes you sad?

I could never comprehend the reasons for my happiness and sadness.  

41.   Do you get emotional easily?

Yes.

42.   How would this interview help you in your writing path?

Maybe It will not help. But I got a chance to ponder.

43.   Share a nice quote?

“He who loves you forbids you from committing sin.” Hazrat Ali (a.s)

"If you ask for guidance, you shall have it and if you pursue something, you shall find it." Imam Mehdi (a.s)

44.   If you have to help a person starting their writing path, what would you tell them?

Write for the peace of your heart and mind. Start writing in the language you can write in. Don’t worry if people don’t like what you write. And never stop reading.  

45.   What would you like to say to your readers?

Do I have?

Hey reader! Thank you for reading this. I appreciate if you read what I write.

46.   Name something you really are proud of?

I am proud of those who are living, even though this was the hardest thing to do. I am proud of the people who live with hope. I am proud of all my fellow writers.

47.   How does the world react to you being this young and a great writer?

I don’t think I am young and a great writer. And the world doesn’t know me yet. I am just trying to make a place in the crowd of writers.

48.   How is your experience as a writer in the general public? Do you also have to write friends’ essays and applications?

I even have to write captions for their 2-year-old relationship anniversary. People demand so much but they don’t know the struggle behind each poem.

49.   How is your parent’s reaction to you being a writer?

My mom doesn’t know what I do but when I write Urdu poetry, she is my only audience.

50.   Share something you are not so proud of in your life?

I give more time to my books than real people around me.

51.   How would you define your creativity? How is it your strength?

I just learned how to speak through my writing and it helps me to be honest and tell the hardest truths very easily.

52.   Does this interview help to get to answer your first question to define yourself? Do you think there is more we need to do to learn about your personality?

Absolutely! It helped a lot.

Thank you for this opportunity and if you want to learn more about me then you can visit my writing account Instagram/notebook live. My captions and poem say so much about me.

You would agree that she is an amazing soul and taking a glimpse at her soul, I wouldn’t be the only one to know she has a great future. Let us all learn from this great lady and help define our path accordingly.
For more follow her on Instagram.
Instagram.com/Notebook_live