16 Comments
User's avatar
Saima Durrani's avatar

Amal, you are such a humble person, and that’s a beautiful quality. But the truth is, you have a voice that matters. I truly believe that when our voice is honest and real, it always finds its way to the right people. And you’re already doing that so beautifully.

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Labisi's avatar

I enjoyed reading this piece and I'm so glad I found your page. I studied Journalism too, but I'm not practicing now. Thank God I found a path to follow and I can I am enjoying it now, much better than when I was seeking for a job that was not lost.

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Amal Shakeb's avatar

Thank you Labisi. I am happy to hear it resonated. Great to connect with you here. 🩷

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Labisi's avatar

Glad to connect with you too.

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Misty S. Bledsoe's avatar

The basement shops filled with books upon books sometimes contained the best treasures. Good memories.

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Aya's avatar
Apr 21Edited

I really resonated with this.

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Deborah Thompson's avatar

Well said, Amal. So similar to my path!

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Amal Shakeb's avatar

Our stories are more common than we think.

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Rameen's avatar

I love reading about how you became the person that you are 💕 Keep writing!

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Amal Shakeb's avatar

Thank you my dear friend 🧡

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Jun's avatar

To write is to think.

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Amal Shakeb's avatar

True - writing is about sitting with your thoughts.

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A Functional Writer's avatar

You inspired me Amal and I am touched by your writing. But I always wonder and may be you can help me with this. Why is creative writing often seen as the only “real” writing?

I don’t write stories or poetry, I write projects, grants, theses, and research papers. Isn’t that writing too?

What do you think, should functional writing be valued just as much?

Also please check my very first substack post related to this question/reflection. 🤗

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Amal Shakeb's avatar

I have never thought about this.

And I don't see creative writing as 'real' writing or greater than other forms of writing that you have mentioned.

Writing is a means of communication, and if you are able to put across the message to your audience then your writing has succeeded.

Congratulations for your first post on Substack!

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Rameen's avatar

We used to frequent a particular well-loved bookstore as well. It was called Galaxy Books in Liberty. It doesn’t exist anymore 😭 Which one was yours?

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Amal Shakeb's avatar

No idea what the name was, but it was in Gulberg as well. Opposite what used to be Pace once.

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