The Writers of Today and Tomorrow

There are many things that Sudan is far behind on including science, technology, healthcare systems, education, and the list goes on. However, Sudanese literature is rich with successful Sudanese writers such as Al Tayeb Salih and Leila Aboulela. Salih’s book Season of Migration to the North (1966) has been named one of the best novels in Arabic of the 20th century by the Arab Literary Academy. Today, we are witnessing younger generations making strides to further enrich Sudan’s prosperous literature. 

500 Words Magazines speaks to two young Sudanese writers, Husam Al Qurashi and Abdullah Kamal, who have successfully added their names as published Sudanese authors without even reaching the age of 25. Al Qurashi is a 24-year-old doctor and Kamal is a 21-year-old engineering student – both at the beginning of their writing careers. Although they have already published books, they are working on publishing even more.

Both Al Qurashi and Kamal knew that they wanted to become writers from a young age. Kamal knew he had a passion for writing since he was eight years old. That passion stayed until it was put on paper in 2011 when he first started writing. 

People write for many reasons. Some like Al Qurashi write to keep their mind off of everyday life. It’s an escape. Finding inspiration is the key to any creativity, feeling like it can be an escape it’s a great reason to keep going. 

Kamal writes for a different reason. He writes because he feels like he has something that he wants to share with the world. He has several messages he wants to deliver. 

To start writing a book is hard; however, finishing it is another story. There are many distractions and priorities that have an impact on the process. Al Qurashi struggled as a medical student and always works diligently to find time for his writings. It took him time, fixed routines and consistency to finally be able to finish his first book, Karma is Legit, an autobiography, which he wrote in 2014. However, he did not publish the book for personal reasons.

According to Al Quraishi, self-discipline is not the only challenge. Self-doubt is also a challenge. It’s not knowing, after you put so much work and effort into a book, that people will like it or not. That’s why he says, ‘You have to be surrounded by positive people that inspire you again and put you back on a track’.

Kamal’s writing process is different. He doesn’t mind skipping sleep or anything else just to be able to write. He makes time in his day for writing and prioritises it on top of many things. To him, writing is his friend, the most important friend, and  the only thing that can be there for him when people are not. 

Since he began his writing journey, Kamal has completed one book and four novels. One of which is Haneen Al Ruh (loosely translating to The Yearning of the Soul). Published in 2018, the Arabic book is inspired by Sudanese life and environment. He is currently working on a book called Nazwat Ishq (Love’s Fantasy), which is expected to be published later this year. 

Al Qurashi published A Little of Everything in the beginning of 2020, which is about a little of each topic – science, astronomy and history – topics he thinks the youth should know about. He then started writing another called Midnight Khartoum, based on a true story where four characters from privileged families are lost in their youth. However, Al Qurashi stopped writing the story to finish another book called I Wonder, which has 30 ‘what if’ questions, each with an answer. I Wonder is expected to be published by the end of the year. 

Writing a book is one thing; publishing it, however, is another process. Like many other countries in the world, writers in Sudan approach known publishing houses and libraries for publishing. According to Kamal, mostly 90% of the cost is paid by the writer himself as it’s very rare to find a publishing house looking to invest in books. 

According to Al Quraishi, before approaching a publishing house with your book, you have to print a hardcopy of your book, have the book in PDF format, write a letter with the synopsis, and of course, pay the fees. 

Our young authors look up to other authors and enjoy reading as well as write. Al Qurashi’s favourite author is American author Dan Brown, specifically his novel Inferno and Origin. His all-time favourite book is What Einstein Told his Barber by American chemist, professor and writer Robert Wolke. The books helped him gain knowledge and expand his horizons, and that is what he hopes to accomplish with his writings. 

Kamal’s favourite book is an Arabic book called Leanak Allah (Because You Are The God) by Ali Bin Jaber Al Fifi, which taught him about writing that brings tranquility and inner peace. That’s what he admires the most about this book. His favourite writer is Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky.

When it comes to Sudanese literature, Al Qurashi thinks it’s great but believes it’s time for younger generations to be given a chance to revive it. He feels he added to the field by actually publishing a book and inspiring others just like him to do so. He connects with younger writers and helps them pursue writing. 

According to Kamal, old Sudanese literature is what’s known in history with writers such as Al Tayeb Salih, an icon in Arabic history with his writings, as well as Abdullah al Tayeb. However, he believes that nowadays, writers are measured by their “followers” rather than the quality of their content. 

To aspiring writers, Al Qurashi talked about affirmations and believing in yourself. ‘Affirm your vision every day. And don’t affirm it as I am trying, affirm it as I am,’ he said. 

Kamal’s advice is not to wait for others to come and help you. ‘You are the only person you need to succeed. Don’t wait for others to motivate you. You motivate you,’ he said. ‘Writing isn’t just a hobby. It’s practice, research, and a lot of reading. Publishing a book isn’t impossible but it’s not in everybody’s reach. Have faith in yourself and you will make it’, he concluded.

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Rawan Abazer is an architect-to-be based in Sudan, trying to put her fingerprints on the world by writing. ‘We put our passion towards traveling and exploring the world into writing,’ she says.