What the Experts Say: Pakistani Author Mian Mohsin Zia

Mian Mohsin Zia, Author
THE STRANGE LOYALIST, VICTIM OF SHAME, and ONCE

Pakistani author Mian Mohsin Zia joins us to discuss writing for an international audience across several genres -- romance, thriller and suspense.  He has published three novels, and endeavors to write “meaningful fiction.”

 Q:  When you’re not writing or teaching, what do you do? Hobbies? Sailing? Knitting? Standup comedy? Favorite music?  Favorite authors? Do you have a muse?

Mian Mohsin Zia: I am a Marketing specialist, therefore I am either busy with work or writing or focusing on my exercise in the gym.

I love exercise, it’s my favorite hobby, along with listening to good music and watching movies.

I like Burl Barer. He is an Edgar award winner and New York Times best-selling author. He has written several books and articles. My favorite article by Burl Barer is “The Day My Father Apologized”.

Q: What inspired you to write? And what inspired you to write your genre?

Mian Mohsin Zia: My first book, THE STRANGE LOYALIST was inspired by true events and that got me into writing. Above all, I believe that “when you are destined to achieve something you do achieve it”.

I don’t think that I should be associated or tagged to a particular genre, because so far I’ve written romance, thriller and suspense novels. I want to be an author who writes in multiple genres. Like an actor tries romance, suspense, or comedy, similarly I want to experiment and come up with something new and different for my readers. I endeavor to touch the hearts of the readers so that they can cherish the story and message long after they are done reading.

Q: You write for an international audience. Do you do anything special to assure your stories are universal?

Mian Mohsin Zia: Yes, I do write for an international audience, and the rule of thumb is to write from your heart. There are always a few niggles here and there. All you need to do is to try to be creative and realistic. People have the same emotions and feelings worldwide. All you need to do is to present them in an international way keeping in mind the diverse cultures and their values.

Q: You write your books to be exciting AND to deliver a message. How do you manage to do both?  Back story? Through your characters?

Mian Mohsin Zia: I endeavor to write meaningful fiction; a book that leaves you thinking once you are done reading. I want readers to get something from my books. If they pay to buy it then it’s my prime responsibility to deliver them entertainment that is worth their money.

That’s the reason why I offer not just the words themselves, but custom poems, a unique story, a custom picture gallery, an international product and above all a meaningful book. So everyone should get something from the book. I try to do it through my plot and characters.

Q: How do you make your characters compelling? What makes us care about them? Are they based on real people?

Mian Mohsin Zia: When you write from your heart then the story and characters do become compelling and readers do get involved in the story. Feel your characters, visualize the scenes in your mind before you write them and you would be able to make them realistic.

Q: Why do you illustrate your protagonist? I tend to favor allowing the reader to envision my characters based on their own imaginations.  You specifically illustrate your protagonist. Why?

Mian Mohsin Zia: To stand out from the crowd, to give readers something unique and different, one needs to come up with unique marketing strategies. One needs to present his work in a way that grabs the attention of the readers. That is why my books have been great entertainers and have given readers a movie experience while they are reading my book.

That is why, my book ONCE is being considered to be made into a movie by Mr. Burl Barer (Edgar award winner and New York times best-selling author, USA), J.S. Chancellor aka Breanne Braddy (Author, USA) and other professionals and readers worldwide.

Like in a movie, you get a custom background score, or custom song, according to the situation. In my book, you’ll get a custom poem. You will get the pictures of important scenes from the book. You will get an international product, which people from all parts of the world can relate to. You will get entertainment and a message that is not preachy but worth pondering.

You need not to offer just a book but to offer a package. People are more inclined to buy packages.

The competition is stiff and if one can’t give something unique every now and then you don’t deserve to be in this field. I believe that “Life is a circus and MIAN likes to perform when it’s a full house.”

Q: Who are your targeted readers and what are they looking for?

Mian Mohsin Zia: Every person, no matter whether they are young or old, is a part of my targeted readers. I write books for people of all age groups. Every reader who looks for entertainment and a solid book is my targeted reader. That is why I have received great reviews from readers from different parts of the world and from all different walks of life.

Even a high school student or a University graduate, a girl next door or a granny in the apartment above yours, all can enjoy and read my books. I think that is the class of an author that he can entertain and keep his readers engaged through his powerful story, characters and plot.

We all live in a real world and people like real and solid books.

Q: In your opinion, what are the most important elements of a good story?

Mian Mohsin Zia: Everything depends upon the story. Even in a movie, everything is dependent upon the story. When people watch a movie, no matter who the actor is or how the songs and scenes are depicted, unless the story is powerful and compelling it won’t work.

At the end of the day it is a story that is shared in the movie that needs to work with the audience.

For a good story one needs to focus on the uniqueness of the plot, thorough research, creativity and how well you depict the scenes.

Q: What tips would you give to others considering a career in writing?

Mian Mohsin Zia: I believe that no matter whatever level you reach in life getting better never stops. I myself am in the phase of learning to get better day by day. Therefore, all I can say is to write from your heart. Do something today for which you are thankful tomorrow. Maybe the book you write today makes you famous. Therefore when you are writing, write from inside.

Q: What’s next?

Mian Mohsin Zia: I have a few projects in the pipeline but don’t know which one will come first.

·      Autobiography of My Evil Deeds

·      One Woman Man

·      Missing

Q: Do you have anything else to add?

Mian Mohsin Zia: I thank everyone who read my books and shared their feedback on them. I kindly request that you share your reviews and star ratings about my books. Your reviews and ratings are very important to me.

Sincere thanks,
Much Love MIAN!

I love you all.

About Mian Mohsin Zia

Mian Mohsin Zia aka "M I A N---No Time for Love" is a brilliant, humble and dedicated author obsessed with writing great books.

He is an Internationally acclaimed Pakistani author and his books have been rated 4 and 5 stars on Amazon and other sales channels. He has set new trends worldwide in novel writing with his books.

New York Times bestseller & Edgar Award winner author Mr. Burl Barer refers to Mian Mohsin Zia as "the brightest light on Pakistan's new literary horizon."

ONCE

What would you do if you hurt the woman you loved beyond what is in human nature to forgive? That is the problem that Morkel has to overcome. As the celebrated author, 'M---, No Time for Love', Morkel has vowed to never write a love story, or a story with a female protagonist. A staunch bachelor, Morkel is set in his ways; he has vowed to never fall in love. However, during a holiday in Kiev Morkel meets a 'person of interest'; someone who will change his life forever. Though, as his name suggests, he still has 'no time for love'.

Unfortunately, as he is about to learn, love has time for him and it has come knocking at the door of his heart. Will he open the door or ignore the knocking? Will he abandon the title he has worked so hard to create, and, by so doing, forge for himself a new title and destiny?

How long can love wait for Morkel?

How long will Morkel wait for love?

VICTIM OF SHAME

"Mian is the brightest light on Pakistan's new literary horizon." -- Burl Barer, Edgar Award winner and New York Times best-selling author.

In a world of lightning fast communication, one mistake can transcend time; destroy lives....or save your soul.

Deception, resentment, madness, and vengeance -- Ryan Campbell may be famous, but his life is a living hell.

Ryan Campbell is a tireless champion of women's rights. His dedication unquestioned; his deeds exemplary. There is only one problem. In his inmost heart of hearts, Ryan Campbell hates women. Every battle for gender equality is a battle against his own resentments and ingrained prejudices. The greater his deeds, the deeper his shame. Confused and full of unrest, Ryan has only one question he can ask: "Why me, God?"

Sarah was a normal young woman. She was almost through with her degree and was engaged to be married. With the simple click of a button, her life changed forever. Now, abandoned by those whom she once called friends, she can only ask the question: "Why me, God?"

With insight, compassion and an acute sense of human drama, Mian explores the delicate balance between hypocrisy and redemption. Compelling, gripping, and filled with mystery, 'Victim of Shame' will spark endless conversations, arguments, and discussions.

"'Victim of Shame' gives hope where there is none. Mian creates characters you can really feel for." -- Julie Achterhoff, Author-USA.

"'Victim of Shame' weaves a tale of faith, adversity and strength, landing individuals on paths they never thought possible." -- Ellen M. DuBois, Author-USA.

THE STRANGE LOYALIST

This book is inspired by true events and based upon real people, places and events.

Out of many, Mike Zander is the one: the only one. He had fame, love, success and admiration; he hated them all. He lost everything he ever had for a sister that was never his; one that slipped through his fingers like one slipped on bloody tiles. Scars of loyalty seared themselves into his soul; scars that force him to remember them when he only wishes to forget; he left them many years ago, but still, they follow him. How long will they continue to pester the present and fiddle with his future?

Mike Zander is a loyalist; caring about others more than he does about himself. Having applied and been accepted into the most prestigious educational institute the country has to offer, Mike enters the quixotic world of SOS. SOS - the prestigious School of Scholars or, as Mike quickly learns to rename it, the School of Scoundrels. It is here he learns how easily the outside beauty of people can mask their inner ugliness and infestations, and how the exact opposite can apply. It is here, at SOS, that he learns to determine in whom to put his trust and whom to avoid.

It is at SOS that he observes the death of his sister and is arrested as her murderer.

Upon his exit from jail, Mike vows to find her murderer, yet who is the woman who bears his sister's exact name? Mike has to find the answer to this question and many more before his revenge is complete. Mike, as said, is a loyalist. What are you? Will you journey with Mike and find out whether you are a loyalist like him or a quixotic like the rest of the campus population?

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