Saira Anwar’s poetry is a testament to the transformative power of words. Born out of personal pain and healing, her work takes readers on a profound journey from the depths of despair to the heights of hope. In this interview, Saira shares the inspiration behind her poignant debut collection, The Death of a Beautiful Dream, and its empowering sequel, Rising From Despair: A Journey To Hope. With candor and courage, she opens up about her writing process, the challenges she’s overcome, and the wisdom she’s gained along the way. Her story is one of resilience, creativity, and the enduring belief that even in our darkest moments, there is light to be found.
1. Can you share the inspiration behind your poetry collection, The Death of a Beautiful Dream?
Before I began writing, I made a life-changing mistake. In July 2011, I got married and I left my family behind in Manchester to move to Australia. Little did I know, I was about to experience emotional, and mental abuse at the hands of my new husband. When I returned to the UK, I was stripped of my confidence and light, I wasn’t the same woman. I was suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. I found myself waking up in the middle of the night, crying and screaming. I didn’t want to leave the house or speak to anybody. Then one day, my brother suggested that I go to ccounselling
After my first session, I started writing. I wrote down all my feelings and everything that happened during therapy. It then turned into poetry. From that moment, I knew what I was meant to do. So this led me to write my debut book The Death of a Beautiful Dream. The book covers a variety of themes, most predominantly those of love, marriage, betrayal, friendship, and family ties. Focusing on the cruel realities of relationships, the poems express the hardships associated with my life experiences.
2. What was the turning point that led you from writing down your feelings to publishing them as poetry?
The turning point for me came when I returned to the UK and I turned to seek help through counselling and the support of those close to me. After my first counselling session, I decided to start writing. What began as a therapeutic outlet —writing down all my feelings and everything that happened—soon transformed into poetry. It was at that moment I realised that this was what I was meant to do. As I shared my work on social media with followers, they encouraged me to turn my pieces into a book. Their support and belief in my work gave me the confidence to take the next step. From there, the decision to publish my work became clear,and decided to publish a book, this led me to write The Death of a Beautiful Dream- A Poetry Collection.
3. Can you describe the journey from writing The Death of a Beautiful Dream to creating its sequel, Rising From Despair: A Journey To Hope?
My writing has evolved significantly since the release of my debut book, *The Death of a Beautiful Dream – A Poetry Collection*. Initially, my poetry served as a therapeutic outlet for processing a particularly painful chapter of my life. However, over time, my writing has transformed into a powerful tool for healing and empowerment. Through the act of writing, I’ve found a way to rebuild myself. This process has instilled in me a sense of resilience and has built up my confidence, especially when performing live. My writing has evolved as a consequence and I have grown stronger in it. Readers say that my writing now is filled with dazzle and light, it’s more introspective and inspiring.
Rising From Despair: A Journey To Hope is a continuation of the prequel; in this book, I am taking you through the darkness and how I gained my light. You can witness my healing journey and transformation.
4. What are some key themes in your sequel, and how do they build on the lessons from your first book?
Specifically, I write about key themes like marriage, divorce, healing, self-love, and love. The poems build on the lessons I learned and wrote about in the previous book. In this book, I am taking you through the darkness and how I gained my light. You can witness my healing journey.
Overall, these themes not only continue the narrative from the first book but also offer comfort. They show the progression from suffering to strength, from pain to peace, and from brokenness to wholeness. *Rising From Despair: A Journey To Hope* is an invitation for readers to join me on my journey towards healing and to find hope in their own lives.
5. How do you handle negative reviews or criticism, and what advice would you give to others facing similar challenges?
I handle negative reviews and criticism by viewing them as learning opportunities. In life, we can’t please everyone, and that’s okay. We win some and lose some, but it’s important to maintain a positive attitude towards feedback, even when it’s hard to hear. I see criticism as a chance to grow and improve my craft. My advice to others facing similar challenges is to take criticism with a pinch of salt and not let it discourage you. Instead, use it as motivation to refine your work and continue striving towards your goals. Remember, it’s all part of the journey.
6. What advice would you give to someone starting their own journey of writing and healing through creative expression?
I would offer the following advice to someone starting their own journey of writing and healing through creative expression:
1. When you begin your writing journey, be clear about what you want to achieve. Understand the intent behind your writing. This purpose will guide you, helping you stay focused and motivated through the ups and downs of the creative process.
2. Write for yourself: Don’t worry about anyone else seeing your work initially. The very act of writing down your feelings can be incredibly cathartic. Getting your pain down on paper enables you to look at it more objectively, allowing you to process it in a deeper, more meaningful way.
3. Embrace your Vulnerability: The most impactful writing often stems from our deepest vulnerabilities. Embrace that vulnerability- it’s where your true voice lies. This authenticity is what will resonate most deeply with your readers, setting your work apart and allowing you to connect with readers on a profound level.
4. Read the work of others who have been in similar situations. Their words can provide comfort, perspective, and even the inspiration you need to start writing. Over time, you may feel safe enough to share your work with a trusted friend, which can encourage conversations that further your healing process.
5. Use writing as a therapeutic outlet to process, explore, journal, and make sense of your experiences. Don’t be afraid to let the words flow freely, unfiltered, and unedited, as you delve deeper into your feelings.
6. Believe and trust in the ability of your writing to not only heal yourself but also to uplift, empower,and provide solace to others.
7. By writing for yourself first, embracing vulnerability, and drawing inspiration from others, you can begin a healing journey that may eventually encourage deeper conversations and connections. When you’re ready, sharing your work can not only help you heal but also touch the lives of others who need to hear your story.
IG, X, TikTok, Threads: @sairathepoet
