Can a pencil and a blank sheet of paper really be enough to build a world? For me, they were. Hello, I’m Ayleen Shariq, and I want to share how a pile of messy notes turned into my very own book.
Where It All Began
When you read, you step into a world someone else built. When you write, you get to build it yourself, with your own characters, strange places and wild ideas. Writing makes me feel like my imagination has finally been let out to play.
My biggest inspiration is R. L. Stine. His spooky stories had me turning pages even when my heart was racing. I dreamed of writing tales that could give readers that same thrill and make them desperate to find out what happens next.
Notes, Doodles and Rough Drafts
I started out jotting ideas on loose sheets of paper: a creaky house, a mysterious sound in the dark, a secret hiding in a corner. At the time, they seemed like tiny sparks. I never guessed they would grow into something bigger.
The Hard Parts
Writing a book was not all fun and excitement. In the beginning, I often sat staring at an empty page with no idea what to write. Other times I got halfway through a story and hit a wall. There were moments I wanted to quit.
What helped was changing how I worked. I wrote down every thought that crossed my mind, even the silly ones, because a strange idea can turn into a brilliant one later. I also read more, studying how my favourite authors create suspense and surprises. Little by little, the blank page felt friendlier.
Once my story was finished, a new puzzle appeared: how does a book actually get published? I had no clue where to begin or whom to ask. It felt like a giant maze, and I was just a student with a notebook.
My family came to the rescue. They read my story, explained each step, and walked with me through the whole process. When nerves crept in, they reminded me that every writer has to start somewhere. My friends, relatives and teachers cheered me on too, and their encouragement kept my confidence strong. I learned that asking for help is not a weakness. It is a smart move for any writer.
My Dream Comes True
Today, my first book, The Living House, is finished and will soon be available on Amazon! The thought of readers opening my story fills me with pride and gratitude. Every scribble, every struggle and every helping hand made it worthwhile.
Your Story Is Waiting
You don’t have to be a famous author to begin. All you need is an idea and the bravery to write it down. If you get stuck, keep going, and turn to someone you trust, because support is often closer than you think.
Your first draft may be only a few words, but nobody knows where those words might take you. After all, why only read great stories when you can write your own?
Written By: Ayleen Shariq of VI-H