SOPHIE LI

Hi everyone,

I’m excited to share an author interview with Isa Muh’d. Isa is a writer-blogger who is the author of Become better: A counterbalance approach to self-development. You can find his blog at Self Help Geek.

In addition to being an author, you’re also a blogger at Self Help Geek. Where do you get your ideas for blog posts?

I get my ideas from events that have occurred in my personal life and stories that others have shared with me. If it’s something I’ve been through myself, I look at how relatable they are for others, and then I write a post describing to my readers how I overcame these challenges and how they can too.

Recently though I began a new initiative on Self Help Geek, where I publish articles on stoicism. I’ve always been a fan of the stoics. And to be honest, what is self help without a bit of stoic philosophy? So I read the stoics a lot, and from there, I come up with ideas and craft an article on that idea and publish it. My stoicism articles are published every week.

Can you give us a sneak peek of some of the topics you discuss in your book, Become better: A counterbalance approach to self development.

We go through life fantasizing about amazing stuff that might happen to us, and we’re taught to chase those dreams. However, success comes from hard work, it comes from dealing with pain and struggle. The counterbalance approach involves merging positive self help and negative self help to balance both terms. I used the approach as a gentle reminder for readers that life is full of ups and downs.

It’s okay for things to not always work out the way we want them to. My counterbalance approach also reminds readers that life isn’t always cupcakes and rainbows. I wrote in-depth about death, pain, and human emotions.

What did you find most challenging about writing your book?

I always tell aspiring authors and my students that writing is hard work. It took me 7-8 months to write my book. The biggest challenge was balancing writing with school and personal and health circumstances.

Another challenge was conducting research, which included contacting published authors to seek copyright permission.

Do you have any tips for writing non-fiction?

One tip is honesty. To aspiring authors out there who are writing non-fiction, be as honest as you can possibly be. Let all out and structure your words beautifully to connect with readers.

The second tip is research. Indeed you may be writing a memoir or an autobiographical piece, but research is generally needed. You need facts from reliable and credible sources. So take your time, probably before you even start writing, do your research and then pick up your pen.

What inspired you to write a self-help book compared to a different non-fiction genre? Do you see yourself writing a different genre in the future?

My inspiration came from books, real life stories, and my own personal story. But most importantly, I wanted to help people. The only way you can truly become gratified is to stop trying to change yourself. I want remind you that the pain in our lives may be inevitable, but suffering is optional.

And as for writing a difference genre in the future, well, anything can happen. I have some ideas for a novel, but that is kept aside at the moment. But I will love to write a different genre some day. But for now, all the focus is set on my upcoming book: “Become better: A counterbalance approach to self development.”

About the Author

I’m a Blogger, Writer, Author of “Become better: A counterbalance approach to self development.” The counterbalance approach in my book is where I wrote in-depth on self development for the many who go about it wrongly. I reinstated that life isn’t always rainbows and cupcakes, and pain demands to be felt most of the time.

My book will be available online as an ebook later this year. You can follow me to stay updated and be informed when it becomes available.

I enjoy being in solitude, I love reading, learning, and of course, eating.

My Links: Blog | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Are you a writer? Whether you are a published author or an aspiring writer, you are welcome to contribute to a feature on Writers’ Corner, whether it is an author interview or a guest post. Check out the details here!

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