'A story about Music, Life and Love' that is the tagline for The Music of Life and all its Other Melodies, Pakistan's first ever youth based e-novelette as can be read from its Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MOLthebook). A story based around the lives of five fictional young Islooites and how their lives change after High school graduation. A literary storm taking over Pakistan, MOL remains one of the best coming-of-age novels to hit Pakistan. Filled with realistic drama, twists and turns of teen life and the challenge of graduating and growing up and leaving your friends after graduation, The Music of Life and all its Other Melodies can be read up online for FREE on http://www.molthebook.com.
We sit down today with the author of this amazing e-novel and ask him some questions relating to the book, writing and his personal life.
Name :
Omer Imran Malik
Nickname:
Many, none of them repeatable in respectable company
DOB :
06/02/93
Favorite dish:
Too many to choose from.
Favorite Song:
Way too many to choose from.
Favorite Writer:
Way way too many to choose from!
Best book you have read till now:
If I had to say...Either the Alchemist or Like The Flowing River by Paulo Coelho
Define Success:
Achieving the impossible.
Define Beauty:
God's way of speaking to us.
Give us a brief introduction about yourself?
Well I currently study law at the Lahore University of Management Sciences and did my schooling from Froebels International School Islamabad. A writer, novelist, photographer and debator by habit, I have currently penned Pakistan's first youth based e-novelette: The Music of Life and all its Other Melodies (available on www.molthebook.com).
Writing! A real life passion or just a hobby?
Definitely a passion!
How did you get into the writing stuff in the first place?
I wrote my first short story in Class 5, a science fiction spectacular which I was inspired to write after reading War of the Worlds by H.G Wells.
Who are your inspirations as a writer?
I have loads of inspirations as writers. A few off the top of my head would be: Paulo Coelho, Dan Brown, John Greene, Karen Armstrong, Stan Lee, Elizabeth Gilbert, Mohsin Hamid, Muhammad Hanif.
What does writing a book mean to you?
Art. Expression. Inspiring lives.
Who is the one person as a result of whom you are a writer today?
Hard to answer! My parents, friends and teachers are all responsible!
How has your schooling @ Froebel’s helped you along with your writings ?
My maiden book, Pakistan's first ever youth based e-novelette: The Music of Life and all its Other Melodies (available on www.molthebook.com) is based on the lives of 5 young Pakistani teens based in Islamabad and narrates the story of the summer after their graduation. A lot of the events in this story and the characters themselves are inspired by my personal life experiences and the people I interacted with in Froebels.
Preference--- Short Stories, Novels, Poems, Biographies, History, Memoirs?
Novels.
Preference--- Love Stories or Tragic Stories?
Aren't they the same?
Preference--- True Life or Fiction?
Fiction based on true life experiences.
Preference--- Male Writers or Female ones?
Haha I'm not a sexist. I'd choose females though (not cause I think gender determines writing aptitude but Pakistan needs more female writers).
Preference--- Harry Potter (Series) or Twilight (series)?
DEFINATELY HARRY POTTER! *Was that even a question?*
Preference--- Fame or Fortune?
Both or none.
What does it take to be Writer? In your words how do you separate a genuine writer from a repulsive fluke?
One word: Originality.
Was creative writing a passion from the beginning or it just came out of the blue one fine morning?
Always a passion. I penned my first sci-fi short story when I was in Class 5.
What is more important?
1. Good Vocabulary
2. Good Storyline/Plot
One needs the other. A story without a good plot is substance-less and vocabulary and grammar are the tools that helps us write the story.
Who has been most supportive while you were becoming a writer?
I have to take this time to give odes to my editor-in-chief Sheherbano Raza! Sherry thank you for being my editor/critique partner/agent and shoulder-to-lean-on!
Oh and Amna Memon my copy editor! Without her the story would be filled with poor grammar and typos!
Which,when,where were the best memories of your life which you want to relive and write about on a piece of paper?
Want to? I already have! Read The Music of Life and all its Other Melodies and you'll know!
What makes you stand apart from the fellow writers?
How do I stand apart from foreign authors? Well it's really all about experiences. Now I can't compete with them due to state of the Pakistani literary and publishing industry BUT they can't write a book like MOL. They will fail in trying to capture the essence of Young Pakistani teenagers. That is something I can write about! That is my niche.
You being in LUMS we must ask you about the following five questions!
Opinion over Girlfriends?
If you love each other then don't break her heart.
Why does LUMS seem so scandalous to the outside world?
I can only say they are jealous. Haha. Ok to be honest, it is because LUMS is very liberal compared to other universities in Pakistan. But to be honest, if we think people studying in NCA or NUST or even in Islamic universities don't date, harbor crushes and act on them then we are being stupid.
Preference--- Friendship or Relationship?Friendship
Do you list yourself as the Girls get along type all the time or not?Haha, I like to list myself as a person who honest and truthful people can get along with any time, regardless of gender.
What special perks does LUMS offer you as a Writer?It provides you a good platform. Opens doors, causes people to respect you. It's a nice feeling!
How many people have you met in your life who share your passion in the field of being a writer? Plenty or just a handful?
You'd be surprised to know how many writers there are out there in Pakistan, just waiting for this industry to pick up and give them a platform to shine from.
How many books have your written/published?
MOL will be my first.
Any message for your fans up there eagerly waiting for more of your stuff coming down the line?
I don't want to ruin the suspense but I just want to say, if the publishing industry does not support me, I guess I'll just become Pakistan's most prolific writer who launches a host of e-novels!
Lastly, Views about “IsloTimes”:
Excellent initiative! I hope it continues going strong and promoting youth work! :)
How did you found the interview? Was it worth your time?
I would have liked for it to focus more on my work rather than me :p but it is still appreciated none the less! :)
