Interviews Preparing to Write

I have interviewed three of my friends in my pursuit to understand their own journeys in writing:

Daria Saiid (Major: English literature major/Minor: Sociology) What are your earliest recollections of writing? I was in grade 10, and there was this yearly award for the best essay. It was a competition among different schools where you are given a topic, and have to write about it on the spot in two hours. The prize was $1500. I wrote about child labor in French language, and I won. It was one of my best writing experiences. Also, if you want to date back to when I really started writing, it was in grade 2. I usually wrote, and gave it to my French language teacher to read. Have any members of your family or teachers encouraged you to write? And how? My family (parents and brother) encouraged me to write. My dad used to type down the thing I wrote by hand, and he used to print them out of me so I would be able to show them to my teachers and friends. Thats when I was young. Later on, they encouraged m e to orally read to them whatever I wrote. They used to read anything I wrote, and would appreciate it. Now, my dad says that hell pay for the publishing fees for my first book if I manage to write an entire book. What drives you to writing what you do? I dont write abundantly or frequently, but when I do, it usually happens when Im really convinced that I have put my ideas and emotions on paper. I write what I feel, and come back to it, reread it to recall what I felt and thought on that day. What do you like to write? Any specific orientation in writing? I tend to write down observation, but also ideas that developed based on stimulated emotional feelings. What do you find easy, frustrating, difficult, and/or challenging about writing? Finding ideas for writing is easy, but putting them effectively into words and translating them is somehow difficult. I tend to underestimate my writings sometimes. What special habits do you have as you write? Constantly rereading what I wrote two seconds ago. Where do you usually write? What about your atmosphere? In my room, alone, where there is no one around. How do your reading and writing experiences relate to others? Does it? It doesnt relate to others. They are always personal. Actually its not, I write stuff about others. Where do you see yourself, as a writer 5 years from now, if you actually do? Writing sociological essays; academic sociology research papers.

Stacey Baaklini (Major: Sociology-Anthropology/ Minor: Human Rights and Transitional Justice) What are your earliest recollections of writing? Basic elementary school writing. I have been writing for as long as I can remember.

Have any members of your family or teachers encouraged you to write? And how? My grand-father is a poet. My mom is a journalist. Writing is in my blood. They used to buy me lots of books to get me into writing and whenever I used to write, they used to share it with all the family giving me advice on how to better myself in writing. Are there particular experiences that shaped who you are as a writer today? I had an English teacher back in high school who was extremely tough especially when it comes to my writing. He used to give me lower grades than what I deserved even though he knew I deserved higher just so he can push me to my maximum potential. I thank him because I'm a better writer today because of him. What drives you to writing what you do? It helps me blow off steam that I can't really blow off in real life. It's like my refuge in my way. My pen is my sword it helps me fight everything corrupted I see in this world. What do you like to write? Any specific orientation in writing? Mostly poetry and social criticism. Main orientation is satirical or serious articles that aim to critique society. What do you find easy, frustrating, difficult, and/or challenging about writing? I sometimes have the urge to write, but I just get writer's block... like I can't find the words to express what I feel. What special habits do you have as you write? I tend to snack a lot, and definitely music. Music tends to inspire me. The type of music depends on the mood of what I'm writing. Where do you usually write? What about your atmosphere? It has to be my room Somewhere home-y. How do your reading and writing experiences relate to others? Does it? As I've said before, I write social critique articles. I tend to write about common social problems that no one actually likes to talk about. I like to address my writing to everyone facing these problems. Where do you see yourself, as a writer 5 years from now, if you actually do? Hopefully, making an impact on people with my writing. I also want to create social change. Loulwa Souweid (Major: Psychology; Also a journalist in AUB Outlook)

What are your earliest recollections of writing? My earliest recollection was in third grade. Actually, I wrote a story about a baby dinosaur that fell out of a castle, complete with illustrations. Have any members of your family or teachers encouraged you to write? And how? Well, no one discouraged me away from writing. Actually, I remember that all my teachers, including English teacher, would encourage me to write because I was quite bad at everything else up until secondary school so they tried to make me feel better by saying, "it's okay, you're good at English. Keep practicing! My grandfather, also encouraged me. He was an amazing poet, so he always loved that I wrote.

Are there particular experiences that shaped who you are as a writer today? I guess by the time I was in senior year, I realized the world wasnt such an awesome, happy golucky place. I remember I read a terrible story about a mother who had psychologically abused her child, and for some reason, it shocked me to a point of no comprehension. I wrote a poem about it, and ever since then, my poems have been a lot darker, and sadder, but also so satisfying to write. What drives you to writing what you do? When theres a feeling, to be honest. Some particular emotion makes me feel really overwhelmed, and Im terrible at handling emotions. I find a phrase that describes how I feel perfectly, but that would sound too dramatic to say out loud. Instead, I write it down and I structure the whole poem around it. What do you like to write? Any specific orientation in writing? It evolved when I was little. I kept writing long stories thinking they would eventually be novels. However, I realized later on how I didnt have the patience for a novel, so I started writing short stories. I wrote stories only a paragraph long that were more like thoughts or single instances in a characters life. Now, I write poetry, and Im trying to start writing plays. What do you find easy, frustrating, difficult, and/or challenging about writing? Easy is that the words just flow out of you, and that you can literally make a story, a character, a theme out of ANYTHING. Whats frustrating, on the other hand, is the fact that you need to be in the mood for developing an idea. If I have a great idea of a story, a play, or a poem, I write it down, but unless I really put in time and effort, all it will be is an idea. What special habits do you have as you write? I show all my friends what Ive written so far. To be honest, it is for words of encouragement more than constructive criticism. It pumps me up and keeps me going. I also reread some favorite parts in books or poems, and that almost always gives me the style I want to write in. Where do you usually write? What about your atmosphere? I can write anywhere. How do your reading and writing experiences relate to others? Does it? If I really like the book Im reading, it eally reflects in the style of my writing. For example, after I read Perks of Being a Wallflower, I started writing just like Charlie, and after that I read Catcher of the Rye, and started writing just like Holden. Where do you see yourself, as a writer 5 years from now, if you actually do? Well, I definitely always want to keep writing, and I know I always will. However, I dont think Ill ever publish a book or anything. I know that I cant pursue writing as a job because its impractical in terms of the lifestyle I want and the money being a writer makes. However, I will always find amazing satisfaction in it, and its the one thing that Im very proud of. Dr. Lisa Rebekah Arnold

What are your earliest recollections of writing? As a kid, I used to write journals. I was about seven or eight years old. My dad was a Christian minister, so journals were mostly inspired by the religion. I was a religious person, and usually wrote in relation to the Bible.

Have any members of your family or teachers encouraged you to write? Everyone around me supported me. My whole environment was a supportive one. What do you find easy, frustrating, difficult, and/or challenging about writing? Procrastination in writing is something I face. Sometimes, there are things that are less fun, or that you wouldnt really prefer to write, such as student reports. What do you usually write? Well, I have an MFA in creative writing, and so I usually/used to write memoirs, personal essays. I tried writing poetry, but I didnt really like it that much. What special habits do you have as you write? I type the first document that I wrote. I read it and retype what I wrote, and usually the content starts changing. Modification is usually made. How do your reading and writing experiences relate to each other? Literature is wonderful because it makes you think of it through other persons perspective. I always try to think of the others point of view, whether it is my own writing or someone elses. Even when I am reading what my students are saying, I ask them questions to make them see in anothers perspective as well.