Writing on her own terms

Blogger and best selling author Shelina Zahra Janmohamed talks about the challenges facing the Asian Muslim woman.

Shelina Zahra Janmohamed is a woman who wears many head scarves! Award-winning blogger, widely-read columnist and popular television and radio commentator, this attractive and articulate U.K.-based writer was named as one of the UK's Muslim Women Power 100 list by The Times. Winner of the Muslim Writers' Awards 2008 for Best Published Non-Fiction, the writer is currently riding a wave with her debut novel. In a voice that rises above the cacophony of clichés, the author discusses her plunge into writing her first book (a huge milestone for any writer) and other matters close to the heart....

How easy or difficult is it being a writer in a headscarf?
I find that, in the cold winter air in London, it keeps my head warm while I think! Hmm, perhaps I should give a more serious answer. The challenge for any writer is to have their voice heard on their own terms. For a Muslim woman who wears a headscarf, my greatest challenge in writing Love in a Headscarf was to persuade publishers that a (Muslim Asian) woman who wears a headscarf can in fact have a positive, funny and honest story to tell.

Full report here Hindu