Author Interview with Sheima Salam Sumer: 5 Questions to ask an author about Book Writing Process & Mindset
I see writing and sharing wisdom as an act of worship, says Sheima
In this author interview series, “5 questions to ask an aligned author“, we probed author Sheima Sumer to unearth her book writing process and mindset with tips on work-life balance, our connection with words, importance of words—why and how words are the core power of our life, therapeutic writing and investment in the writing practice for aspiring and emerging authors.
In her latest book How to be a Happy Muslim Insha’Allah: Rise Above your Problems and Choose Inner Peace and Joy with Ideas from the Quran, Sunnah, Counseling and Health Fields, non-fiction author and counselor Sheima Sumer continues to guide believers whether Muslims, non-Muslims or new Muslims on how to easily and effectively implement a simple, practical and healthy life-style to encourage mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health. Aided with personal stories and resources from psychology, health and nutrition in the light of Islamic perspective, the author—very aesthetically—addresses vital mental issues for life improvement and debunks the myths of happiness.
Sheima Salam Sumer, Ed.S., earned her Master’s degree in Counselor Education from the University of South Carolina in 2007. She has worked as a professional counselor in a variety of settings. She published her first book in 2012 titled, “The Basic Values of Islam: Alphabetically Listed with Islamic References”. Her second book, “How to be a Happy Muslim Insha’Allah,” reflects her journey on how to feel good/happy within while being true to Islam, her faith. She hopes that this book will show others how to reconcile Islamic teachings with the goal of feeling positive feelings, for the sake of being a more productive Muslim, insha’Allah
How to be a Happy Muslim Insha’Allah: Rise above Your Problems and Choose Inner Peace and Joy with Ideas from the Quran, Sunnah, Counseling and Health Fields
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How to be a Happy Muslim Insha’Allah: Rise Above your Problems and Choose Inner Peace and Joy with Ideas from the Quran, Sunnah, Counseling and Health Fields is a book by trained counselor Sheima Salam Sumer, which intends to guide you in achieving inner peace and joy by combining Islamic teachings with mental and physical health concepts.
Insha’Allah this book will empower you to feel content and in control of your emotions no matter what is happening in your life, and be able to cope with and solve any problems that you face. How to Be a Happy Muslim seeks to help you to think and feel positive across situations, be in a constant state of gratitude to Allah (SWT), and ultimately become your own best friend.
5 Author Interview Questions about Book Writing Process Answered
#1 Do you have another career besides being a writer? If so, can you tell us how it contributes to your writing?
I am a counselor as well as a writer. It contributes to my writing because I always learn something new from counseling different types of people and I want to share this new knowledge with others.
#2 What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
It was the money that I spent on my website. My website helped people to learn about me as a writer and about my works.
#3 Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice?
I definitely view writing as a spiritual practice since I write about Islamic topics and how they relate to psychology. I see writing and sharing wisdom as an act of worship. I also feel that Allah s helping me and guiding me in my writing.
#4 What book has most influenced your writing?
The book that has been most influential to me is The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. It taught me that I can achieve a lot by simply focusing on my energetic vibration and on feeling positive within. Her book is also very simple and easy to understand, which I emulate in my writing.
#5 What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
My mother invested a lot of money in buying us books about Islam as we were growing up. I remember reading the Yusuf Ali translation of the Quran and Hadith books (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him). Reading these books strengthened my connection with God. I learned that books/the written word can change your entire life direction.
Answer #4 is my personal favorite. Comment below to tell me yours.
Follow Sheima
Website/Blog http://howtobeahappymuslim.com/
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Sheima-Salam-Sumer/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/32944875-sheima-sumer
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/howtobeahappymuslim/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheima-sumer
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/sheima-sumer