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Writing

Musings Along the Way: 2nd Collection Update
7 Sep 2024

Musings Along the Way: 2nd Collection Update

by Zakia R. Khwaja | posted in: Poetry, Poetry Collection, Writing | 0

I have been absent from the blog for quite some blinks so thought it was time to update as to what has been happening in my writing world. The poetry hasn’t stopped – no, really, I am wholly incapable of … Continued

The Cover Story
18 Aug 2022

The Cover Story

by Zakia R. Khwaja | posted in: Book, Culture, Poetry, Poetry Collection, Publishing, Writing | 2

For starters, that’s me on the cover. Not metaphorically or photoshopped in, but me in actual corporeal and metaphysical glory, half-immersed in a lake, in the time between darkness and full-blown sunrise. I’m glad I was given the opportunity by … Continued

Claiming Identity: Not A Non-Native English Writer
29 Oct 2021

Claiming Identity: Not A Non-Native English Writer

by Zakia R. Khwaja | posted in: Culture, Poetry, Writer's Identity, Writer's Mind, Writing | 0

I am not a “non-native English writer.” Neither am I a “native English writer.” I’m a multi-language author. Recently on The Clarity Editor I came across a post that gave voice to an issue I have been pondering. The article … Continued

Three Errors and an Epiphany: Post Acceptance Realizations
22 Oct 2021

Three Errors and an Epiphany: Post Acceptance Realizations

by Zakia R. Khwaja | posted in: Inhibitions, Poetry, Publishing, Writer's Mind, Writing | 0

Past two months I was in a weird limbo, hunkered down in the transitional space between the poetry collection that has found a home and the new collection percolating in my head. This space was not comfortable and felt like … Continued

Creating Cover Art for My Book (5 Steps)
3 Sep 2021

Creating Cover Art for My Book (5 Steps)

by Zakia R. Khwaja | posted in: Inspiration, Poetry, Publishing, Tips, Writing | 0

The cover is the first thing people see about your book. You want it to grab attention and set up an expectation of what the book is about. I am so glad the Press gave me the opportunity to contribute … Continued

“What Will People Say?” (Writer’s Edition)
17 Jul 2021

“What Will People Say?” (Writer’s Edition)

by Zakia R. Khwaja | posted in: Inhibitions, Tips, Writer's Mind, Writing, Writing Process | 0

No phrase has killed more dreams than “what will people say?” Any person who has ever put themselves or their work in the public sphere has been concerned with how it will be received. It can be paralyzing for any … Continued

Creative Maturity and Writing
4 Jul 2021

Creative Maturity and Writing

by Zakia R. Khwaja | posted in: Poetry, Prose, Time, Writer's Mind, Writing, Writing Process | 2

A serious practitioner of any discipline, creative or otherwise, works towards maturing their craft to a level of excellence. For writers, maturity of craft means having the instinct and judgment to consistently make the right conceptual and technical choices in … Continued

Why I Wanted My First Book to be Traditionally Published
27 Jun 2021

Why I Wanted My First Book to be Traditionally Published

by Zakia R. Khwaja | posted in: Poetry, Prose, Publishing, Writing, Writing Strategy | 0

I opted for traditional publishing but let’s be clear: there is nothing wrong with self-publishing. Writers choose traditional publishing or self-publishing based on decisions about what is best for their book and their trajectory as a writer. With so many … Continued

Writing and the Investment of Time
17 Jun 2021

Writing and the Investment of Time

by Zakia R. Khwaja | posted in: Inspiration, Poetry, Publishing, Time, Writing, Writing Process | 2

“You’ve been working on your book forever!” “How long has it been? 3 years? 5 years?” “At this rate you’ll never finish.” If you’re a writer, you’ve probably heard the above or some version of it at least once. Worse, … Continued

Imposter Syndrome, The Insidious Saboteur
10 Jun 2021

Imposter Syndrome, The Insidious Saboteur

by Zakia R. Khwaja | posted in: Poetry, Prose, Tips, Writer's Mind, Writing, Writing Obstacles | 2

We writers are an anxious, self-doubting lot. We tie ourselves up in knots, expecting Pulitzer-worthy flow from our pens, have whip-cracking inner editors, self-flagellating internal monologues… It’s very common then, for us to second guess ourselves and our accomplishments. Even … Continued

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Zakia R. Khwaja

5776 Grape Road, P.O. Box 258 Mishawaka IN 46530

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