Shereen started studying English Literature & Creative Writing with the OU<\/a> in 2013, juggling her course while raising her young children.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the hardest part was motivating myself to start my degree. It seemed like it would take a long time but once I had started, I remembered how much I enjoyed studying. The courses were varied and interesting and it felt good to be part of a community without the pressure of having to attend a campus.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Over her six years of study, Shereen continued to work on her first novel, Jasmine Falling,<\/em> a story set in modern-day Palestine which was inspired by tales from Shereen\u2019s family. After being published, the debut was quickly named as one of the top 20 Best Books by Muslim Women by Goodreads.com<\/a> readers.<\/p>\n Shereen describes how the OU creative writing modules helped to boost her confidence and enhance her storytelling skills:<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I had finished my\u00a0first novel, it felt like such a struggle and there were times when I wasn\u2019t sure how to complete it or edit it. By the\u00a0time I returned to my OU degree, I felt that I had nothing left to give my writing. I felt I\u00a0had exhausted all my creative and technical abilities. Then I began the creative writing modules and that all changed.<\/p>\n \u201cThe qualification reinvigorated both my technical ability and also my creativeness. The modules had practical advice that helped you nurture what it meant to become a writer. It had exercises to help when your creativity was low and dispelled common myths that writing was all about waiting for the muse or even perfection. It helped create a routine. It also meant valuable, objective\u00a0feedback on the assignments was given which is something a lot of writers never receive.\u201d<\/p>\n The road to publication <\/strong><\/p>\n As part of the OU\u2019s final creative writing modules, Shereen had to create and work on a sustained piece of writing. The idea she chose would eventually turn into her second novel, The Tower<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt started as something quite different, and the process and feedback allowed it to evolve into a solid proposition. By the time by module had finished, I had an idea of characters, plot and more importantly why it was important for me to work on this piece as opposed to any others that we had done throughout the course.\u00a0I worked with my tutor, Jo to refine and expand my idea until I submitted the novel\u2019s opening chapters for my EMA.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018Begin your story and dedicate time to it\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n By the time Shereen had handed in her last assignment and completed her degree, she had not only published one novel, but used the chapters she developed for her course to land a publishing contract for a second.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the end, I was exhausted but also happy that I had achieved both milestones: being an English Literature graduate and a published author of two novels. I received my contract for my first children\u2019s book, and I am also working on a third novel, which is still in its early days.\u00a0A key moment happened last year when I hosted an event for new writers at the Leicester Crossroads Festival. I felt as if I came full circle, from dreaming of writing to being in a position to help others start their writing journey. I\u2019m very grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n For anyone else who dreams of becoming an author, Shereen has the following words of wisdom:<\/p>\n \u201cThe best advice I have is as Wordsworth says, \u2018To begin, begin\u2019. Try not to let the end goal of publishing or what readers may want cloud your view. If you have something unique to say, then begin your story and dedicate time to it.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cThere is no easy route. It can be lonely and full of heartbreak along the way, but the only way to succeed is to continue. I thought a publishing contract would be the ultimate reward, but in fact for me, it was seeing how my work resonated with readers. That for me, is what keeps me going; knowing that what I read may in a very small way impact the lives of others.\u201d<\/p>\n You can learn more about Shereen and her writing at https:\/\/shereenmalherbe.com<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_20200311_202136_621.jpg\")
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Carly<\/span>