2025

Its nearly the end of 2025 and as is tradition, I wanted to reflect back on the year. Internationally, lets face it, its been awful. The Genocide in Palestine continues. The Ukraine War continues. The world is waking up to the genocide that is taking place in Sudan. We have had a number of natural […]

How Not to Write Muslim Characters Part 3

Muslims, like Christians, have formed various denominations and splits. This post will give you a lightspeed understanding of what they mean and how that may relate to your character. One Ummah Muslims have a lot of similarities to each other, and there is this over-riding concept of One Ummah (roughly translates to nation). The Ummah […]

Why Am I On A Spiritual retreat?

Last year it was FOMO, this year it’s something else If you are a regular reader, you’ll know that I am currently sitting in itikaf. The word itikaf comes from the root of akafa, which means to stick, cling to or devote oneself to something. It is a religious practice that the Prophet Muhammad (peace […]

Ramadan 2025

Wow. It feels like its only been a short while since I wrote my last Ramadan post. So many people who were with us last year at this time have passed from the world. As a Muslim, I am grateful for every Ramadan that I am alive to experience. Each one is another month to […]

Ramadan 2024 WK 2.5

Last week I posted a blog about my daily routine during Ramadan. This week, I’d like to take a closer look at what is happening inside the body whilst I’m fasting. Physical Effects of Fasting Fasting during Ramadan is known as dry fasting by the health gurus online. It involves not eating, drinking or engaging […]

What’s Important?

I read today’s Daily Kick by David Farland and felt something shift minutely in me. No, its got nothing to do with the functions of my intestines. The post was about protecting your writing time, but he also touched on priorities; family being number one. I realise that I spend what little free time I […]