Arsalan Khan
Author Arsalan Khan has been described as "writing bravely about everyday struggles." His latest release, A Kiss on the Forehead, is currently rated 5 stars in both Barnes & Noble and Amazon customer reviews.
I wasn’t supposed to be a writer.
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I grew up in a pretty strict household to Pakistani immigrant parents. Education was more important than friendships. My career choices were limited to something technical and science or math related with the word “engineer” at the end so it would sound impressive when my parents finished the sentence “my son is a…” I went to school for engineering and later did an MBA when I realized that working in a lab, while rewarding, just wasn’t my cup of tea. I progressed my career into technical marketing and worked, and continue to work, for a number of different companies in different roles, which I found out I’m pretty good at. I hated writing while in school, having to come up with some “engaging” nonsense to satisfy writing prompts for various classes. I was told to write as a kid but never anything past that. Chemistry and science was my jam as a kid and I still get butterflies sometimes thinking about organic chemistry (as weird as it sounds…)
So how did I get here?
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Everyone has a story to tell that shapes who they are. It defines them, their outlook on people and life and the things around them. Some have a few stories; some have so many that they can’t keep track of them. These stories are more complex than any movie plot or TV show season, mainly because they have one key element that those other stories on TV or the silver screen don’t have: realism. What’s worse - most people don’t feel that their story is worth sharing because it’s not “special” enough or that people won’t care. I’m here to tell you: that’s not the case.
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I got into writing because I took a chance on sharing my stories in hopes that someone would listen. I wrote about things that shaped who I was and who I’ve become, and it turned out to be one of the most therapeutic and motivating things I’ve ever done. I’ve been fortunate enough to talk to people who’ve read what I’ve written, and the greatest compliment I’ve ever received isn’t “wow, this is absolutely spectacular” or “this should be created into something bigger!” It’s “thank you for sharing something that I was too scared to share myself.” This journey into writing has blessed me with opportunities I didn’t think a nerd in grade school would get, like being showcased on and being interviewed on the radio as a “Young Author to Look Out For,” hosting writing workshops to speak to and motivate other prospective writers, be featured in videos and articles available in mainstream media, and so much more. I’m continually and forever grateful.
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Don’t take this as me telling you how great of an author I am, because I’m still continually learning and improving as my work does. Take it as a call to action: share your story, write a book, create a screenplay, publish your poetry. If a bookish, self-doubting kid growing up in New Jersey can do it and find value in it, you can too.
