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.”
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?
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?
Sincere thanks,
Much Love MIAN!
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."
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?
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?
"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.
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.
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?
Links
I have read Once and will be reading Victim of Shame soon. I can tell you that I can't wait for Once to become a movie ! Mian has a natural gift for drawing you deep into his characters . I can truly say Mian is one who is on his way to being one of the best authors of our time!
ReplyDeleteDear Joyce,
ReplyDeleteI really loved the interview you did with Mian Mohsin Zia and learning about his writing and what inspired him. I really liked what he stated on Feeling your characters when you write. He is an inspiration and his books sound amazing, thanks for sharing! Kudos to the both of you! Mian Mohsin Zia, it was great learning about you!
Syl Stein
Fab interview it has been lovely getting to know Mian Mohsin Zia and it's refreshing how he writes for every genre. It's been advice I will definately take on board as I have a few ideas for novel that are all completely different genres.
ReplyDelete