Today we talk about A Medium Rare Heart, a book by Aminath Shirneem published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books interviewed the author Aminath Shirneem to draw even more from her experience, beyond what is narrated in her book A Medium Rare Heart. It is of interest for us and for the readers, in fact, to find out what led her to approach writing and to make the decision to start writing about herself and one phase of her life. To share her experience with the public and to undertake the path of publication.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- When did you decide to write your personal story?
I first started writing while we had the first lockdown due to Covid in 2020. I was in a very bad place mentally and was searching for a release. I have issues with expressing myself and poetry has always been a medium to do just that. Some of my poems were published in a local newspaper ages ago. Though afterwards I didn’t really continue writing. During the lockdown I started writing and shared some of my work with 02 of my friends. Turned out to be my editor later. They convinced me to write about the breakup and publish it. Till the final step, they supported me throughout. I shared my work with my therapist and her reaction was one of the main reasons I decided to go through with it. I know that my friends will always encourage me to do anything, but to hear that your work is worth sharing from a stranger or person who doesn’t really have to say it, it made all the difference.
- What sensations did you feel by ‘reading’ your life on the pages of your book?
It’s very weird to see your life or incidents in a book, which you have written and shared with the world. Every time I read one I remember the day or time I had written it. The emotions I was going through at the time. Sometimes I wept while I was typing it. It was so raw and overwhelming. I felt like I was going through the breakup all over again. The feeling of happiness and excitement of a new relationship, the love and sunshiny thoughts. At the same time you knew how it ended. The pain of the breakup and feelings of being lost. Every little detail was relived. The cocoon of comfort in the arms of a person you love and at the end, the ride to the therapist’s office, how i was there and the ride home in tears. The strength you had to gain from within you to live another day.
- What would you like to hear from your readers?
I want to hear how anyone can relate to this. An honest feedback will be very much appreciated. The good and the bad. If they had gone through it, how they had pulled through. What they really thought about the poems and illustrations. What their favourite poems or illustrations are. How I can improve my writing. Would they like to see more of my work or artwork of my illustrator. I would like to see more reviews of my work. If they have any questions regarding the poems. I would like to hear their thoughts on the story itself. I guess I would like to hear how they judged my work and my illustrators hard work too. This is our first publication so any review or feedback will mean the world to us. Do take a minute or two to let us know. We will always be grateful to the readers.
- What was the first book you read and what did it teach you?
I don’t really remember the first book I read. I have always been a bookworm and still am. It has been my way to deal with life. To escape into a surreal world of fictional characters. Fiction or fairy tales. I didn’t like reading about tragedies or nonfiction much. For me, it should always have a happy ending. Or something that won’t make me think. Books taught me about the different relationships one can have. That the world can be a good place to live in. A hopeful one. When life got tough, at times of sickness and boredom, books were there for me. I had a special place in my heart for the people who gifted me books. When you have mutual feelings toward a book and can talk about it for hours, it felt like the best. I read books in English and books in our local language, all it mattered was the content and how i’ll feel about it.
- Are you already working on a new project?
After my first book was published, I started working on my second book. It’s already finished and set for print. Though this time it will be published by a local publisher. The second book is based on how I deal with my anxiety and depression on a daily basis. I want people to read and understand how each and every day is like for people like me. The fight against depression and how you can get help for yourself. For this one I have included my own photographs. It contains themes of love, sadness and getting help. I hope that people can really relate to it. Or get help when it’s required. Therapy is not for certain types of people or cases, anyone can go to therapy. You just need a good therapist, like mine. I do have a support system that consists of my family and friends. To which this book is dedicated to. I am hoping that whoever reads it, will be able to relate to it on some level.
Europe Books thanks the author Aminath Shirneem once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We really wish her the best of luck with her book A Medium Rare Heart and for the future.
To you, my dear reader, I wish you to enjoy your reading and reflect on yourself and your life, on a useful and pleasant introspective journey.
Your Editor!