Interview With a Writer: Saqib Rahim
Who are you? What do you?
I’m a freelance writer currently living in the languid Southeast Asia country of Laos. My work is an ever-shifting mix of journalism, essays, copy writing, teaching and assorted side hustles. For 10 years I was a daily news reporter in the US, but I felt I needed a shake-up. So you could say I’m out here to “reset” and pursue my next challenges as a writer and person.
What is your favorite topic to write about? Why?
I’m fascinated by the world of sports. So many people feel this deep personal connection to sports. Yet sports also serve as mirrors to the society and culture they operate in. Think about the US Women’s National Team’s lawsuit for equal pay. Or Colin Kaepernick galvanizing a generation of athlete-activists by taking a knee. Or how China is rushing to establish an ice hockey program, basically out of thin air, for the Beijing Olympics in 2022. Or how Lao women are surprisingly good at rugby. It’s rich and largely unexplored territory.
What’s the most difficult part about writing?
Getting started. For me there’s usually a moment, right after I’ve prepared everything — generating an idea, sketching out a plan, getting my coffee — that I sit down at my desk and…nothing comes out of my fingers. Or everything that comes out is trash. It’s the curse of perfectionism. You’re a writer precisely because you have high standards for writing; yet it’s those same standards that can paralyze you in front of the keyboard. Getting through that part is never fun.
What inspires you to write?
It’s different for different kinds of writing. For journalism, I’m usually driven by some question or puzzle that has hooked into my brain and that I’m obsessed with figuring out. It’s the thrill of learning. And then I get to write a report about what I found.
For personal writing, like poetry or essays, I’m usually animated by the desire to understand a feeling I’m having — to get a hold of it, express it, and then cross-examine it.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Don’t listen too much to professional writers. Take what they (people like me) say with a grain of salt. Everyone in this business took a different path, and they have their own biases and blind spots. Question everyone, and don’t worship anyone. Make up your own mind about how to go about your business.
Writing is not a gift; it’s a craft. Focus on your craft. Find what you need to improve and attack it. Yes, the writing industry is struggling, but it’s also a time of immense promise and potential. Experiment. Find the thing that you can do better than anybody. Once you know your jam, you’ll be a confident writer — and it will show.
This is part of my “Interview with Writers” series on Medium.
If you’re interested in learning more about Saqib’s work and connecting with him, visit his website saqibrahim.journoportfolio.com and follow him on Twitter at @SaqibSansU.
