Welcome to my journey

Posted on July 6, 2009
Filed Under Daily, Journey | 37 Comments

The decision to start this Web site, eight tiny months ago, came about because I was unhappy with my job. I desperately needed a creative outlet, and I found a little space on the Web for me. It was a place where I could talk about my childhood, my family, and life as a newlywed. It was a place where I could pen the utterly hysterical, and sometimes more somber moments of life, and it gave the people I love a place to keep up with my thoughts and activities.

I also wanted to write and film about style and fashion — particularly Muslim women’s because it was something that had become so near and dear to my heart over the past six years.

My family and friends started following this blog, but then something interesting happened. I started getting comments from people I didn’t know, and that’s when The Boss said something I will never forget. We were sitting on the couch, and he was on his laptop reading my post for the day when he turned to me and said, “Sabrina, you’re back. This is who you are, and look, people are reading you.”

I felt victorious — like no big name company, no supervisor, no red tape could ever stop me from doing what I loved — ever again.

In April, I got an e-mail from a woman working at a literary agency in New York City. She stumbled across my blog, and contacted me to see if I’d be interested in writing a book.

Part of her e-mail said:

“You tell a story of growing up as an Islamic girl in America with great humor and in a voice that people really get, and I thought you might be open to the idea of working together on a book project about your childhood and your eventual decision in college to wear the Hijab (with flair)…I noticed you describe Slice of Lemon as a novel you’ll never get around to writing, but perhaps with the right person helping you organize your story, establishing deadlines, and assisting with structuring your novel, you will write that book after all?”

After talking to my family, and The Boss (who was already in L.A.) and doing my go-to prayer, “Salah-tul-Istikhara,” I decided to move forward with the book.

I had seven weeks to come up with three chapters (approximately 20,000 words) which the agent would look over and edit. If she thought I had what it took to go from Blog Author to Memoir Writer, then she’d start pitching my work to publishing companies. But if she didn’t think that I could produce something that would sell, we’d part ways and there could never be any regrets for not having tried.

I hurriedly threw together the best chapters I could while packing for my coast-to-coast move, taking short trips to visit my grandmother (who was, and still is, under hospice care) and trying not to think too deeply about all the things I was leaving behind. I felt pretty good about the chapters I submitted, but I assume the agent flipped through only a few pages before she realized it was not what she had hoped for. She gave me some very valuable, and constructive criticisms about my writing, and the way in which I was telling my story. We agreed that I would resubmit in two weeks, and we’d go from there.

But sometime during those two weeks, my heart fell out of the project — I also think the agent and I had a different idea as to how my story should be told.
So then I did what anyone would do — I went to my mom for advice.
“You prayed Istikhara,” she said. “So you have to believe that these feelings in your heart are from God. Sometimes the right things happen at the wrong time. Maybe this whole thing will be really good for you a few years down the road.”

But before I could e-mail the agent to tell her that I had decided not to continue with this venture, I received an e-mail from her saying she was leaving the agency.
A word of praise for my Creator rolled off my tongue, and I felt overwhelmingly relieved.

The agent and I parted on amicable terms, with mutual thanks for each other’s time. We still keep in touch through e-mail, and she has even been so kind as to offer me help with my resume and cover-letter writing now that I’m back in the job hunt.
And I assure you, I will take her up on her offer.

Starting tomorrow, and continuing monthly after that, I’ll post parts of what will eventually become a complete chapter-by-chapter narrative of my struggles and triumphs on a journey to re-embrace the most talked about faith on the planet.

Even though this might not be the right time for me to author 250 pages dressed in a glossy hard back, and perched on a shelf at Barnes and Noble, I hope you will join me as I share with you a side of me never blogged about, and rarely ever talked about.

Grab some tea, take your lunch break, close the door, and put your babies down for a nap.
Things are about to get really personal.

Comments

37 Responses to “Welcome to my journey”

Farah on July 6th, 2009 7:17 pm

Wow mashaallah that’s great! I hope it works out OK and you get it published (you are gonna do that right?). I’m hopefully gonna get off my butt and write a book this summer, except I’m 16 so it’s kinda different. It’s great to see more Muslimahs writing books.
sara on July 6th, 2009 7:30 pm

I’m looking forward to reading the next instalment! I discovered your blog a few weeks ago and have been reading through all of the posts, its been really enjoyable to read. p.s You’re a really cool person
zeina on July 6th, 2009 7:58 pm

MashaAllah, this sounds very exciting!
I also wanted to ask you which Camera do you use? ur pictures are fantastic mashallah
Jen on July 6th, 2009 8:16 pm

Good things come to those who wait. It WILL happen for you and it WILL be so amazing! Besides, this will give you time to have your talk show, make-up line and fashion magazine…right?

(I’ve said it before but) all I know is if I was in Oprah’s shoes, I’d be nervous.
sara on July 6th, 2009 8:36 pm

oh my goood this is great mashallah, i’m looking forward to read more about it! I too, like zeina, wonder which camera you use?
Humaira on July 6th, 2009 8:39 pm

I was hoping you’d give me info on where i could buy your book, but I’m even more excited for what’s coming next!

Inshallah, you’ll get your book deal. And when you do, I’ll be the first to buy it.
Slice of Lemon on July 6th, 2009 8:55 pm

Hi Zeina, hi Sara.

I use a point-and-shoot, which I actually bought for The Boss, but have since confiscated because I can’t find the battery charger to the digital camera he bought me;) Funny how the world works.

Here’s the link to the camera I use:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665339394
Ayan on July 6th, 2009 11:08 pm

inshAllah everything will work out for you. God knows best

I’m actually looking forward to these posts. I myself went through the “re-embracing” process. I think most born Muslim go through this stage during their late teenage years to early 20s.
Sabah on July 6th, 2009 11:17 pm

It’s always wonderful to see how things always come back to the heart of the matter when all is said and done. Inshallah I’ll be looking forward to hearing more of your passions and what inspires you to be all that you can be.
Ruby on July 7th, 2009 12:04 am

Your blog posts are always interesting and humorous. I can’t wait to read your upcoming posts!!
Camillia on July 7th, 2009 12:57 am

Yaaaaaay! I’m excited to see whats yet to come from your creative mind, You go girl!
Farhanah on July 7th, 2009 1:02 am

oh, this is great! you blog entries are always entertaining and inspiring since im planning to wear hijab.
keep up the good work and don’t stop entertaining and inspiring people like me, thanks
husna on July 7th, 2009 1:50 am

Salam. looking forward to read ur coming posts. been a reader for quite sum time. luv ur style of writing, very relaxed yet truthful in such a funny way.

i luvvvvv ur bridal sari. would luv to have one, but i dun hv the look that wld blend with the sari, im malay thus would look super hilarious in that sucha beautiful sari.

all the best in ur job-hunting activities! xoxo
Mariam on July 7th, 2009 3:05 am

Sabrina you are such an inspiration with your decision making process. Inshallah even bigger and better things await you.
Nazih on July 7th, 2009 3:08 am

You’re an inspiration. Can’t wait to read your upcoming posts!
Azizah on July 7th, 2009 3:13 am

Praises to Allah,

I stumbled upon your blog while surfing about Hijabs, and am very glad to say i followed on and update myself of the styles featured in “The Closet”. I am very entertained by your writing too, very bold and funny at times- and also reflect you as a strong inner self, and very pretty, like a Hindi movie star, hahaha.

Sabrina all the best to your future undertakings, may Allah shower upon all Blessings to you and your family. Amin
rehana on July 7th, 2009 5:15 am

Awesome!

I can’t wait to read it…and although I am a Muslim girl, I like that this blog (and potentially) any book you write will cater to everyone. Youre so carefree, yet structured, in your writing and I love reading it.

I find myself checking your blog everyday hoping that you updated something. Its very interesting because it seems as if you and i are running in opposite directions, switching places…cuz im moving to where you left behind in a few weeks, iA!

Good luck and I can’t wait to read this more personal side…but keep your “flair”
Shahirah on July 7th, 2009 5:24 am

Cant Wait!!!!!
Anab on July 7th, 2009 5:33 am

I’ VE ALWAYS LOVED READING THIS BLOG DUE TO IT BEING SO INTERESTING AND YOU SHOULD WRITE A BOOK AND GET IT PUBLISHED. I HAVE A FEELING I’D BE THE FIRST PERSON IN LINE TO BUY SUCH BOOK. KEEP BEING THE WRITER U ARE B/C I LOVE IT AND I CAN SEE DOES EVERYONE ELSE.
Janine Adams on July 7th, 2009 6:54 am

Enjoy the process Sabrina, as we enjoy the product…

We patiently wait for the empty pages to be filled…

If writers stopped writing about what happened to them, then there would be a lot of empty pages. ~ Elaine Liner

And rememeber to do it your way – thanks Frank Sinatra

Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer. ~ Barbara Kingsolver
Sunrise Waaberi on July 7th, 2009 8:38 am

Salaam sis,

I can’t wait for what you have coming. Your blog is amazing. I round up my family members and read your posts to them. You have an amazing talent sis, never stop.
zak on July 7th, 2009 1:26 pm

your husband’s right. people read you!

all the way from singapore

looking forward to more of your writings, insyallah!
zarine mohideen on July 7th, 2009 2:03 pm

As salam alaikum!

We are all right behind you sister! All the way from India! Waiting to read more!
Sana on July 7th, 2009 2:32 pm

Salam,

Me and my friend Sara LOVE LOVE LOVE this blog and we are appalled that the U.K is no. 3 on the viewing poll, as Londoners we hope to change that! Anywhoo cant wait for the upcoming posts. Keep up the good work!
XXX

P.s you inspire ppl like me who aim to wear the hijab properly.
nashe on July 7th, 2009 3:28 pm

Whatever it is, you got one supporter in Singapore. (That’s saying a lot! Haha)
Arielle on July 7th, 2009 8:24 pm

Thanks for sharing your stories. It seems like a very brave thing to do to bare your story in print.

Who knows, maybe you’ll end up with that book after all. Especially if you start with a less stressful “environment”
Als Simmons on July 19th, 2009 12:06 am

Greater things awaiting you!!
shaz on August 3rd, 2009 12:41 pm

salaam, just ventured to ur blog via organica. very cute blog. best wishes, and i hope that book becomes a reality one day inshaAllah.
juveria alam on August 9th, 2009 4:15 pm

assalamualaikum sabrina aapi….its me ur fan………frm india…..i juss wanna say ths is the only blog i read…luv ur style…n m sometyms copying that….just started reading the book….thnx 4 sharing…luv u!may allah bless you!
Organica on August 29th, 2009 1:33 am

I stumbled upon your blog via Shawna a while back when you had your giveaway post. I didn’t have time to sit down and properly read through your blog until today. And wow. I am seriously impressed. You are up there with the original and awesome bloggers that deserve a book deal, no kidding. You present your readers with a wholesome blog which is original in every sense of the word, mashAllah!

It’s hard to find a unique voice within the realm of the Muslim women bloggers. Very few are interesting enough to go back for a second read. I know I’ll be back. Welcome to my blogroll .
mummyjaan on February 2nd, 2010 3:48 pm

I know I’ll be back to read the rest of your blog posts .

[Bookmarked and blogrolled you.]
Nurjahn Abrahams on February 22nd, 2010 3:06 am

Salaam ,

All of the best with your new book inshallah, you’re doing amn amazing and inspiring job…Keep it up !
Sakina Al-Amin on March 24th, 2010 10:33 am

That is a lovely story.

Best wishes to you, Sis. I look forward to reading more of your work here and on Examiner.com. I am the Islamic Issues Examiner for Ann Arbor (Since April 2009). It’s fun there, right? Not without it’s problems of course.

Take Care.
farah on April 14th, 2010 7:47 pm

i didnt know your little story behind writing the journey within…interesting to know. InshAllah everything will work out for ya!
Noorshin Ng Abdullah on May 18th, 2010 8:01 pm

Assalamu alaikum dear sister Sabrina

Just stumbled upon your very well written and interesting blog this morning. Would be great if you can just compile and organise some of your articles into a book with a title like ‘Slice of Lemon – Sabrina’s world’ etc.

Why rewrite to suit the mindset of publishers when readers want to read the spontaneous real Sabrina?

I find your writing witty and sincere, with good Islamic values, young and vibrant.

Find a publisher who values your insight and help Muslims learn how to adapt themselves to the changing landscape. Ideal if the co. is Muslim to support our own community to reach out to others.

Its good daawah material, to share this with everyone and not just Muslims. Muslims should always share good things with everyone.

All the very best to your future undertakings. Insha Allah I shall be following with interest.

Love and Salams from Malaysia
Selena on July 18th, 2010 2:15 pm

I just found you from the video with PW for Macy’s. I can’t wait to read more.
Yasmeen on January 20th, 2011 8:41 pm

You are awesome!

Hilariously funny, and absolutely inspiring!