Artist Spotlight: Sarah Nour

Writer, freelance journalist, and modern storyteller.

My name is Sarah Nour and I’m a writer. I’ve been a freelance journalist for over a decade now, writing articles for local publications. I currently write articles about film history on HubPages. I’ve also written poems and short stories that have gotten published, which you can find on my Amazon page

Check out her website Sarah Nour Writer.

What projects are you currently working on and what would you like people to know about them?

I am working with a professional editor on my novel-in-progress, Little Red Raincoat. It’s a modern retelling of Little Red Riding Hood taking place in South Dakota and Wyoming. I am also working on a HubPages article about the history of the Addams Family and the TV and movie adaptations they’ve seen over the years. 

What brought you to writing?

I’ve been writing since I knew how. It’s storytelling, it’s self-expression, it’s an outlet—all things I have an intense need for. 

What lesson or lessons have you learned on your creative journey?

I’ve learned to celebrate the small victories. I can’t quit my day job yet, but at least I’ve earned some money this week from people viewing my HubPages articles. I may not have gotten on the New York Times bestseller list today, but I edited a few pages of my novel. Small victories matter, and they add up. 

What writers or artists are your biggest influences?

Cassandra Clare is one of my favorite writers in terms of world-building, characterization, and writing style. I also like Juliet Marillier for the way she incorporates mythology and old legends into her work. When I think of writers I want to emulate, those two always come to mind. 

Like so many who work in independent publishing, you wear multiple hats. How do you see your various endeavors coming together as a single, unified life’s work? Or do you?

In my mind, my freelance work is completely separate from my fiction. They require different things of me, and writing articles is a far different experience from writing something creative. 

When you get out of bed on a work day, what drives you to do something creative? What gives you the motivation to contribute in your unique way?

I’m always reassured by the thought that even though I have a day job, I can always write on my phone during my lunch break. I’ve written entire HubPages articles on just my phone. I’m motivated by the fact that I don’t always need to turn on my computer at home to get things done. There are different, convenient ways of being creative no matter where you are. 

What are some of the trends you notice in fiction? How do you feel about those trends?

I’ve noticed that it’s become more common for popular, bestselling novels to have female protagonists, and that’s great. But I want to see more bestselling novels with non-white and disabled protagonists, written by non-white and disabled writers. Representation is very important to me. Fiction is always enriched by diversity. 

When you look at the world around you and the publishing industry in particular, how do you envision the future of creative writing, publishing, and/or fiction?

I don’t really know. Whatever happens, I’m likely going to continue writing what I want to write, regardless of what publishers and audiences want. Ultimately I write for myself first and foremost. 

What would you like to see happen in the world of writing? What’s the change you want to see realized?

I want more visibility for Middle-Eastern writers. As a kid, I never knew of any writers who were Middle Eastern like me. I’m now spending my adulthood trying to remedy that. Doesn’t everyone need someone they can point to and say “If they can do it, so can I”? 

Is there a creative project farther out on your horizon about which you feel most excited?

I have plans and ideas for a young adult fantasy series, but it’s going to take several more years to be fully realized. I need to devote more time to researching and brainstorming.

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