Sometimes, life feels like a roller coaster — full of highs and sudden drops. In moments when we feel overwhelmed and struggle to put our emotions into words, encountering voices like Najwa Zebian can make all the difference.
I still remember the first time I read one of her quotes. Something about her words felt deeply familiar, as if she had captured emotions I could not explain myself. At that time, I was going through a painful heartbreak when I came across this quote:
They do everything to
Najwa Zebian, The Nectar of Pain
dim
your light,
and then they ask you why
you’re not shining.
The more I researched Ms. Zebian’s work, the more I realized that she is far from an ordinary author. I became deeply interested in learning more about her, so I took a chance and sent her an interview request.
To be honest, I didn’t expect her to reply. I assumed she probably receives countless requests from different people, and @abylovesblogging was (and still is) just a hobby of mine.
But sometimes, life surprises us. Najwa actually replied and agreed to be interviewed by me. I could not believe it — I was so happy! Here is the updated version of our interview from 2017.
1. @abylovesblogging: You wrote two beautiful books – tell us more about the topic of your books ..
Najwa Zebian: My first book, Mind Platter, gives a voice to those who need one, offers a crying shoulder for those who need someone to listen, and inspires those who need a reminder of the power that they have over their lives. Published in the same year, mysecond book, The Nectar of Pain, is a collection of poetry and prose that the pain of love and loss gave birth to.
2. @abylovesblogging: What was the reason you wanted to write a book? And what or who inspired you to do so?
Najwa Zebian: I never intended to write a book before I published Mind Platter. Those were my daily reflections that I shared with a few people who told me that I needed to compile my work and publish it. I am glad I did. As to my inspiration, it was daily life and reflection.
3. @abylovesblogging: What exactly do you want to achieve with writing?
Najwa Zebian: What is your favoured topic writing about? And why ? I write quite a bit about silence, but I do not have one specific topic that I favor. I write about silence because it is a universal language that holds so much power.
4. @abylovesblogging: What or who is the main inspiration for you personally ? And why ?
Najwa Zebian: I have many people and things that inspire me. It is hard to pinpoint. I just am a very reflective person. Anything that catches my attention and gets me thinking could be inspirational to me.
5. @abylovesblogging: When did you decide to become an author or to start writing ?
Najwa Zebian: Writing was a part of my life since I was thirteen. I stopped from the age of 16, when I arrived to Canada, till the age of 23. At 23, I started teaching, and that is when I started writing again as I was inspired by the similarities between my experience coming here and that of my students at the time.
6. @abylovesblogging: What would you like to change in this world if?
Najwa Zebian: Of the many things I aspire to change, I would like to empower others to speak up about what they are going through and to feel that their voices matter. I would like the world to have more empathy and more understanding of vulnerability, belonging and connection.
7. @abylovesblogging: Could you imagine, waking up some day and doing something different than being an author? If yes you what would like to do?
Najwa Zebian: I will always be an author as I have published two books already, but to wake up without writing? No.
8. @abylovesblogging: What exactly do you want to achieve with writing?
Najwa Zebian: I want to give a voice to the silenced souls out there.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Name: Najwa Zebian
Born: 1990, Lebanon
Profession: Author, Speaker, Educator, Poet
Known for: Emotional healing, empowerment, poetry
Notable Books: Mind Platter, Welcome Home
Focus Topics: Identity, belonging, boundaries, self-love, silence
ALSO WORTH READING:
If you are drawn to stories of healing and resilience, you might also find inspiration in my interview with Kathy Parker, who shares her own journey from pain to healing. Voices matter — whether they speak about healing, the self or challenging society. If you’re interested in another powerful voice, I also interviewed Funmilola Fagbamila, a scholar and activist who plays a leading role in the Black Lives Matter movement. Beyond authors and poets, I also love speaking to people like Holger Birnbräuer, who has successfully climed the Mount Everest. And let me know who is your favourite author and why in the comments!
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