DNZ with author, Fawzia-Gilani Williams

Fawzia-Gilani Williams is the author of the Ramadan and Eid Stories series. DNZ Bookworld was fortunate to have the opportunity to interview her recently (April 2006). Read what she has to say on why and how she started writing, her soon-to-be released books and her advice to those who aspire to be writers through this e-mail interview with Haniza of DNZ Bookworld.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I was born and raised in Walsall, England. My ethic background is Indian. However, I identify with the culture of Pakistan, since both my parents migrated to Pakistan from India during the Partition.

After completing my Bachelors degree in education, I was married to a  teacher from Ohio. We traveled between England and the USA and over the course of 12 years taught in many schools. In all, I taught at nine schools which were mostly Islamic schools. I took new teaching positions almost every year. I believe this allowed me to gain a very rich experience in Islamic schooling.

I have a ten year old daughter, one sister and three brothers.

When and how did you start writing?

I became a published author in 2002. My writing didn’t really become significant until I became sick  with cancer. The cancer was caused by a onslaught of stress on an already deficient immune system. (I had suffered a chemical exposure from wallpaper paste which contained a nasty biocide in 1997). I did not think that my treatment would be successful and so I wanted to leave my child something of a gift and a memory. Moreover it was important to make a sadaqa jaariyah for the Pleasure of God.

There are many writing genres, what made you choose children’s as yours? And why the Islamic theme?

I didn’t intend to write for children. My father had wanted me to write a translation of one of Abul Ala Mawdudi’s books. I initially wrote about schooling. I had also hoped that I might be able to publish my thesis on American Islamic schooling. But that hasn’t happened yet.

When I actually began the Islamic stories, there wasn’t a choice it became a matter of urgency. There was little time. I was so sick after chemo that I only had a window of three days every two weeks. My stories only took a couple of hours to write. I was not able to spend more time than that. The published works are mostly about Eid.

The Islamic theme stems from my experience growing up in British schools and seeing how invisible I was as a Muslim. Even though I became a teacher, and even though for years I taught in Islamic schools and despaired at the sparse resources our children had, it didn’t occur to me that we as teachers could fill that gap.

I also feel that as a community we should be incorporating Islamic values within fictional tales so that our children see them as familiar and applicable to their daily lives.

Besides the books sold at www.dnzbookworld.com , what are the other books that you’ve written? Any books coming out in the near future?

The following are a list of my stories. Nine are published and available, the others, Inshallah will be available later this year. I have written other stories and am waiting to hear from publishers.

2002 Book:  "The Adventures of Musab.” London, England: TaHa Publishers.

2003 Book: “The Emir and The Verse of the Throne.” New Delhi, India: Goodword Publishers.

2003 Book: “Eid Kareem Ameer Saab!” New Delhi, India: Goodword Publishers.

2004 Book: “Aminah and Aisha’s Gifts.” New Delhi, India: Goodword Publishers.

2004 Book: “Eid Songs.” New Delhi, India: Goodword Publishers.

2004 Book:  "A Khimar for Nadia.” London, England: TaHa Publishers.

2004 Book:  "The Troublesome Eid Jinn.” London, England: TaHa Publishers.

2004 Book:  “Celebrating Eid with Ama Fatima.” New Delhi, India: Goodword Publishers.

2004 Book:  “Eid and Ramadan Songs.” New Delhi, India: Goodword Publishers.

Soon to be available:

2006 Book:  “The Lost Ring.” Markfield, England: Markfield Foundation

2006 Book:  “Husna and the Eid Party.” Markfield, England: Markfield Foundation

2006 Book:  “Salaam Li and the Eid Thieves” New Delhi, India: IBS

2006 Book:  “Ihtisham and the Eid Shoes” New Delhi, India: IBS

2006 Book:  “The Poor Widow’s Eid” New Delhi, India: IBS

2006 Book:  “The Beggar Boy ” New Delhi, India: IBS

2006 Book:  “Zalim Kaam and the Samosah Maker ” New Delhi, India: IBS

2006 Book:  “Abu Saeed’s Eid Goat” New Delhi, India: Islamic Book Service IBS

2006 Book:  “The Jilbab Maker’s Eid Gift” Malaysia: Noordeen

2006 Book:  “Haleem and Kareem’s Eid Gifts” Malaysia: Noordeen

How and when do you find time to pen down your writings?

I now work as a reference librarian at Oberlin Public Library and am surrounded by books and ideas. Compared to teaching I have lots of time to scribble down my thoughts.

How have your family, friends, and local community reacted to your status as a published author?

My family live in England and they’re amused with my stories. I haven’t been back home to England to know what the community thinks. But I think the community were more concerned with my health than my work.

Here in Ohio, I live in the country just outside of the town. The community around me have publicized my work in a local paper. They were empathetic and many were able to identify with cancer and my struggle. I have been asked by Oberlin College to do some workshops on literacy and talk about my books. Sometimes I will get requests to read from my stories at Islamic schools.

In your opinion, what is the hardest part of writing your books? Why?

I think finding time. I like to sit and write when I have all my house chores done and house chores just seem like they never end. (NB: I do agree with you on that, sis!)

Your parting advice to those aspire to be  writers.

Write for the Pleasure of God and ask for His help and guidance.

Avoid asking published authors whether they think your work is worthy – let the publisher decide.

Be persistent with sending your manuscripts to different publishers – (all my stories have been rejected by one publisher but then accepted by another).

Thank you for taking time to answer the questions, sis Fawzia. May success be yours always and God bless.

 Jazakallahu Khairan!

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