As Salaamu Alaikum Sara Allen
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy life to interview with Mommy Muslim.
Q. I understand you are a writer. What type of books do you write?
A. (I write) contemporary romance and literature.
Q. That’s very interesting. Why did you decide to become an author?
A. My love of writing, reading and wanting to be my own boss. The need to build my dream no matter how long it took.
Q. What makes your books unique or special?
A. That the stories I write are different, thoughtful, and well represented. I never wanted to write a story that didn’t have a moral compass, or didn’t represent my beliefs. I also wanted to introduce readers to characters that could be someone they know, so there would be a connection, and a feeling that there was something in the story for them.
Q. What advice would you give to anyone going into this business?
A. Be yourself. Live with your truths. Accept that the road is long and difficult, but that the rewards are worthwhile. Learn everything you can to make yourself and your business better, more accepting and an asset; not only to you, but to your family. Never go down a road that you will be ashamed to be associated with in the future.
Q. This blog is about parenting. If you are a mom – describe how you balance work and family?
A. My family is everything to me; which is why I decided to be my own boss. Writing has given me the time to be a full time parent, while chasing my own goals. Now that my children are older, I’m stealing back a little more of my time each day. By being available for them, they haven’t resented my efforts. And I think that’s important. If you’re always unavailable for your children, they’ll grow up believing that you’re always unavailable. They’ll find avenues to release their grievances in ways that you never saw approaching. But, when you give them their time, and are there for them, willing to put your work aside, even if you’re in the middle of something crucial, they’ll grow to understand that they come first, as they should. I’m a single parent, and have been the main parent for a long time, so the onus is on me 24/7. It means that I don’t get the chance to put that aside, and now that they’re older, I hope they forgive me for the mistakes I made along the way.
Q. What role does your Islam play (if any) in your business?
A. Everything. I’m very conscious of what I write, and some situations that I put my characters into, I wouldn’t if they were Muslim. I don’t think that you can be Muslim and throw your Islamic beliefs over your shoulder because “its just a story”!!! Those things don’t make sense to me. I have to live with my truths, question my actions at the end of the day, and hopefully, wake up and live another day. I don’t do that without the understanding that my deeds are being recorded.
Q. Where can we purchase your books?
Q. Is their any other information or advice you would like to share with our readers?
A. I’d say, if you have a viable business idea, that you keep returning to year after year, go with it. Be like Khadijah (R.A.) and conduct your business because you have the heart and the means. It won’t always be easy, but the rewards are huge.
Be Sure to Check out Sara’s new “Man in Chains” Series selling on Amazon
mommymuslim.wordpress.com 