Transcendent Words and Rainbow Cakes with Author Marzieh Abbas

Please welcome the prolific, award-winning, 12×12 webinar presenting author Marzieh Abbas! I met Marzieh through 12×12 and had so much fun talking with her about the transcendence of words and writing across genres. 🖋️

This episode was so much fun to record and I really enjoyed talking about the process of writing across different genres. Marzieh is also one of the guest webinar presenters for 12×12 this year in October.

So, settle in, grab some headphones and a cup of tea and enjoy this episode!☕🎧

Here are some highlights🌟:

Her writing started as journaling and writing letters to her children in 2019. Her friend told her about how she kept a journal of letters written to her children about all the things she wanted to tell them. So, Marzieh started doing just that!

Marzieh had a professional bakery business before becoming an author.🎂

After winning a scholarship to Children’s Book Academy, she never looked back and fell into the world of writing for children. 

Brainstorming happens in pencil on paper for her while everything beyond the outlined plot is done on the computer.📝

We talked about how inviting the kidlit community is and important for getting through obstacles to have that support.

The importance of taking a break from words and using her hands.

Writing because maybe it’ll make a difference in one person’s life. These stories need to be out there, children need to see themselves in these stories.

Why: Your words reach where you can’t. That’s so magical. It’s transcendent.

“The only ones who succeed are the ones who persevere.”

Staying in touch with the opposite of perseverance and making sure what you are doing still brings you joy.

“Write when you want. If something is marinating at the back of your mind–I think the real ideas, the real plot points come when you’re doing stuff and you’re not at your desk. They come when you’re moving around, at practice, waiting in the car.”

Links Mentioned🔗:

A Dupatta Is… illustrated by Anu Chouhan on Macmillan, Goodreads, Bookshop, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble

Awe-Samosas! illustrated by Bhagya Madanasignhe on Amazon, Goodreads, Bookshop, and Barnes and Noble

Henna Is… illustrated by Anu Chouhan on Macmillan, Goodreads, Bookshop, and Barnes and Noble

Chapter book series Nadia and Nadir Visit Pakistan illustrated by Lala Stellune on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop

A list of all Marzieh’s books

Marzieh’s website and Instagram (get in touch here)

Marzieh’s link.tree

Children’s Book Academy

The 12×12 Picture Book Challenge

Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)

Thank you, Marzieh, for sharing your time with us and telling us all about your journey and your stories! Stay tuned for next week’s interview with Leah Moser.📆🎧

Make sure you’re all caught up on past interviews like last week’s talk with Lauren Ranalli.