In this episode I had the pleasure to speak to Bareerah Ghani, where explore the layers of a writer's journey. From the intersections of immigration and identity to the nuances of what it takes to have your stories published in magazines. We also talk about our MFA experiences and what got from them.
Bareerah Ghani is a Canadian-Pakistani writer, reviewer, and editor with an MFA from George Mason University. Bareerah's writing has been featured in notable publications such as Scarlet Leaf Review, Kalopsia Literary Journal, and Second Chance Lit, among others.
Enjoy!
Timestamps:
0:00 promo
0:58 The value from talking to writers
2:20 Immigration, POC, and Muslim identity
4:20 How to ask good questions
6:08 Writing as a vehicle of change
10:00 The moment that shaped Bereerah as a writer
14:22 Why get an MFA in creative writing
18:12 What is it like to be in an MFA
22:05 What get's stories rejected from magazines
29:19 How to give others your writing to read
34:24 How do you now you should write longterm
37:24 The hardships of committing to becoming a writer
45:24 Fiction vs. Nonfiction and people's approval
50:50 Advice for aspiring writers
📚 Mentioned Books:
The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss: https://amzn.to/46Tb3kY
Home is a Holiday by Mohamed Morshed: https://phoebejournal.com/home-is-a-holiday/
I Am an Executioner: Love Stories by by Rajesh Parameswaran: https://amzn.to/46UB3we
The Haunting of Hajji Hotak by Jamil Jan Kochai: https://amzn.to/46Vy6vh
Such Big Dreams by Reema Patel: https://amzn.to/3QjP13z
Between Two Moons by by Aisha Abdel Gawad: https://amzn.to/47gWhEa
🔗 CONNECT WITH Bereerah
Website: https://bareerahghani.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bareerah_ghani/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bareera_yg
🔗 CONNECT WITH MOHAMED
Join Our Newsletter: https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/newsletter/
YouTube Channel: @mohamedsmorshed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mohamedsmorshed
Website: https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/tag/podcast
🎙️ABOUT THE PODCAST
Hazawi Podcast demystifies the writing and publishing process. It’s for emerging writers who want to improve their writing, discover the roadmap to publishing their work, and explore diverse writing careers.
🤝LEAVE A REVIEW

If you enjoyed this episode give the podcast a 5-star review on Spotify to be part of its growth
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hazawi-podcast/id1645790556
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LOnODlp3DVg6Fa2Nos5aS?si=348a0222e8f94fb9
🙏Thank you for listening and keep on creating.