It’s never wrong to try.
Meet Ali Al Muhanna – an 18-year-old Kuwaiti author and writer constantly looking to formulate meaningful projects that could change his world and hopefully the world of those around him.
Tell us about your education.
I graduated from the American School Of Kuwait. I am also looking forward to obtaining a bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University Of Bristol, England.
Share some of your childhood hobbies.
As a young kid, I was always interested in sports. I always envisioned myself participating in football-related paths. However, as I grew older, I realised that I was much better academically than athletically. That led me to other opportunities involved with writing.
What inspired you to write your first book?
It has always been apparent that my most significant strength is communication, primarily through writing. So when the COVID-19 pandemic took over in 2020, I was left with nothing but a desire to showcase my skills uniquely. A Cruel Path To Clear Perception was the way to start everything for me.
What was the most difficult part in the process? How did you overcome it?
The most challenging part of the process was realising that I was not ready. When I first wrote this book, I ended up with 30 pages. So I had to start from scratch, formulate a plan, create an outline, and turn my story into a 216-page book.
How did you decide on the title for the book?
Humans learn from their past. Our weaknesses and misfortunes make us wiser. A cruel path in life leads to a clear understanding of ourselves. “A Cruel Path To Clear Perception.”
Who is your target audience for the book?
From what I have seen, people of various ages found this book helpful. The human mind constantly evolves. Some conclude that they must turn their weaknesses into strengths when they are 12. Some reach that conclusion when they are 70. That is the beauty of the message I portrayed.
How was the book published and how was been the response?
I self-published this book and posted it on amazon. Many people were confused as to why I did not sign with a publisher or display my work in a bookstore, but I wanted this first book to be a product of my hard work. Furthermore, I liked the process to be exclusive to me. It still paid off as many people in Kuwait and some from various parts of the world ordered my book on amazon.
How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
Publishing my first book was a unique experience. I had older and wiser writers read over it and tell me what I got right and, most importantly, what I got wrong. These priceless tips have only made me a better writer, and I strongly feel that if I were to write this book again, it would only be better.
Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why? How did you select the names of your characters?
Yahya is the main character of this book. My book follows his life story, which is also somewhat the story of my life. I called him Yahya and not Ali because I did not want readers to know where the story was going. Also, I selected local Arab names to represent a local Arab setting.
What message are you trying to convey through your book?
The message I am trying to convey in this book is that our self-growth results from our failures. Whether we decide if those failures are detrimental or beneficial to us is up to us. We are the writers of our own stories.
Who are some of your favourite authors and why?
Dale Carnegie is my favourite author. He wrote “How to win friends and influence people,” arguably one of the best self-help books. He stood out to me because he would back up every piece of advice suggested with countless real-life experiences he and others around him had. In addition, his storytelling method was beautiful.
What’s your favourite genre to read? Is it the same as your favourite genre to write?
Unexpectedly, my favourite reading genre is not the same as my favourite genre of writing. My favourite genre to read is self-help. On the other hand, my favourite thing to write is to create stories. However, it does make sense because I still am not credible enough to write textual pieces relating to self-help. However, I plan on doing that one day.
You recently joined the group “Tafarudi”. Tell us more about that.
Tafarudi is a startup company whose main service is a website for freelancers in Kuwait. Freelancers can register and sign up, maintain a profile, and list as many services as they want under provided categories. I offer various writing services.
What are your plans for your higher studies?
I am looking forward to obtaining a bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University Of Bristol, England. After that I will be aiming for a masters and doctorate degree in clinical psychology.
What are some of your hobbies?
Some of my hobbies are travelling, photography, football, and driving aimlessly.
Your message for our readers.
It’s never wrong to try. Go for whatever you believe in. Not a lot of people will believe in you but everyone will cheer you on once you make it.
Your message for us at CP magazine
Thank you for welcoming me to your community. It’s an honour and a pleasure to be part of this magazine.
