Writers on Writers- Noha Beshir
Hey all, it is the beginning of the year and I am still interested in the work of creatives. Last year, I started a series called Writers on Writers that I am still challenged and fortified by. Nervously, I contacted some of the people that inspire me and asked them to answer a few questions related to how they think and create. I wish that I could’ve contacted sooooo many (but i’m shy so….). Every single day I get on here I am inspired by people like
or or ….anyway let me stop because I will list one hundred folks. In coming up with this series, I found inspiration in the popular YouTube series “actors on actors.” All in all, I have endeavored to explore how people create whole worlds with their writing. It’s important to say that I’m a reader just as much as I am a writer. Please check out the whole series under the tag “Writers on Writers."With all of that said, I’m so excited for you all to read the words of
Her writing has been so beautiful from the day that I saw it pop up in my feed. Furthermore, she is a dope person! Props to for putting me on!
What made you first take up the pen? Is there a certain memory you can go back to?
I was always very studious and loved to read as far back as I can remember. My earliest memory of writing is a poem I wrote in third grade, called Smartie on the Sunny Beach. A Smartie is a Canadian candy, basically a poor man’s version of the M&M.
The poem went like this:
Hot, hot, I’m turning red
If I don’t go I’ll soon be dead
My body’s hot and so’s my head
Help! Help! Dying… dead.
The thing I remember is realizing I could be clever and feeling a real thrill about that. Until that point, writing was something I did to answer questions at school. Fill in the blanks, grammar, etc. But this was my first exposure to the creativity involved. And I loved it. It gave me freedom I didn’t even know I was craving.
What is different about writing now, today, in these years?
Today, I’m writing for myself and for other people like me, other children of immigrants and people of colour, and I’m happy to have anyone else along for the ride. When I was younger, most of what I read was written by white folks and the writing itself told very white stories. Stories like British or Scottish families immigrating to Canada in the 1800s and settling in the Maritimes. Small town Canadiana. Even the tone was quiet, while my life was boisterous. My family is from Egypt and we’re loud and in each other’s faces in the most loving way. I never found books that told stories like that growing up. Subconsciously, I tried to write white stories too, to morph my words into white words. That might be why the first 4 books I attempted to write never worked. I’m 42 now and I’ve grown much more comfortable in my own skin. Raising two beautiful brown boys has raised me. They’ve asked me the same questions I used to ask, and now I feel like I have more answers, not just for them but for me. I’m writing for myself because I’m happy to be myself for possibly the first time in my life. The internalized anti-Arab, anti-Muslim sentiment was real. It’s taken years to undo but I’m finally there and now I’m writing myself and my families and all the other third-culture kids and friends a love letter. That’s how I see my words today.
Who inspires you? Could be writing wise or in general?
The two things that inspire me most in writing are beauty and honesty. I don’t need it to be shiny. In fact I prefer it if it's not. I love that Leonard Cohen quote “There’s a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” So in that vein, I’m inspired by the writing of Maggie Smith (author of You Could Make This Place Beautiful) and Hanif Abdurraqib (author of There’s Always This Year). And for years now, I’ve been inspired by Elamin Abdelmahmoud, whose writing first helped me realize that my experiences are worth sharing. Elamin’s work is much more polished than mine, but our life stories are similar enough (children of immigrants to Canada, Arabic speaking Muslims) that when I read his work not only did I find it beautiful, I found recognition. And that was enormous.
What is one image that sums up your writing?
I’m not visual at all and I can’t think in images. What I dream about is a desk by a window that looks out on a forest. I’d love to be away from work and life for a week or two at a writing retreat with a view like that. So that’s the image I’m carrying lately. Take us into a bit of your writing process? It’s ok if its scattered…how do you begin? It’s very scattered! I have a few places on my phone where I jot down ideas, phrases, questions, the beginning of a poem, etc. These are usually triggered by conversations I’m having or something I’ve read. When I have time, I sit down and look over these “prompts” and write based on whichever one speaks to me. Sometimes, I need to write in the moment. The prompt refuses to stay in prompt mode and I have to drop everything and write a first draft right away or I’ll lose it. The amount of editing I do depends where the piece is going. Posts on Letters from a Muslim Woman get a few editing rounds, depending on how “finished” they were when I first wrote them. Pieces for other publications get edited again and again and again. I also like to read the pieces out loud in editing mode. It helps me hear the words and catch lines that are snagging or breaking the flow. If something feels stuck, I share my drafts with friends like Marcy Typo and Isabel Cowles Murphy and get feedback. Marc has helped me reframe some of the pieces that turned into my favourites.
What keeps you writing?
I honestly can’t help it. There were years when of burnout when I had total writers’ block in terms of actually producing written words, and even then, I thought of myself as a writer, albeit one who didn’t write. If I’m trying to find a reason I can articulate, I would say that writing helps me work through my thoughts and solidify my ideas. I also write for the child I was, who would have loved to have a Muslim woman’s words in her creative space, to feel less alone there.
Give us a piece that you wrote that you are proud of.
One of my favourite pieces from this past year is called The Muslim Men I Know. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by a loving family and wonderful friends. I also have two sons who are growing up, and I worry about the way the world sees Muslim men. I wanted to share my reality, to point out that the way they’re presented is so far from the truth as to be a caricature.
*Thank you all for reading.*
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This is beautiful, Noha is good people. Just a wonderful writer and lovely human being. I’m glad this exists.
“I’ve grown much more comfortable in my own skin. Raising two beautiful brown boys has raised me. They’ve asked me the same questions I used to ask, and now I feel like I have more answers, not just for them but for me.”
Loved reading this. I feel similar to you Noha in that regard. Feeling comfortable in your own skin is huge, and when that happens I think your personal writing can really pop!
Thank you Robert and Noha.