Alaa Al Aswany on Going from Dentist to Novelist

TL;DR

Al Aswani, an Egyptian novelist, initially became a dentist due to the difficulty of making a living from literature in the Arab world. However, his exceptional success as a bestselling author has allowed him to continue practicing dentistry only twice a week.

Transcript

my name is Al aswani I am a novelist I am from Egypt and uh I was raised on in the house of my father who was uh as well uh a very known novelist in Egypt and I was his only child so I was very attached to him and we had literature everywhere in the house so that was my only dream to be a novelist but in the Arab world uh it is almost impossible to... Read More

Key Insights

• 💨 Balancing two careers can be challenging, but Al Aswani has found a way to practice dentistry while also pursuing his passion for writing.
• 🍗 The Arab world presents unique challenges for authors trying to make a living solely from literature.
• 🥺 Rejection can be disheartening, but perseverance and commitment to one's craft can lead to immense success.
• 🤗 Global recognition and success can elevate an author's career and open doors to new opportunities.
• 🖐️ Cultural and familial influences can play a significant role in shaping one's career choices and passions.
• 😑 Immigrating to a different country can be a significant decision for authors seeking better opportunities and freedom of expression.
• 🌍 Multi-lingual and international publishing can greatly expand an author's reach and popularity.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Al Aswani balance being a dentist and a novelist?

Al Aswani manages his time by seeing dental patients only twice a week, allowing him to focus on his writing career. He has colleagues who take care of his dental clinic when he is abroad.

Q: How did Al Aswani's novel "The Yacoubian Building" impact his career?

"The Yacoubian Building" became a huge success, selling millions of copies globally. It made Al Aswani a bestselling novelist and elevated his status in the literary world.

Q: Why did Al Aswani consider giving up on literature?

Al Aswani faced rejection from the government for publishing his books multiple times. This led him to feel desperate and question the value of pursuing a career in literature.

Q: How did Al Aswani's upbringing influence his passion for writing?

Growing up in a house filled with literature, with his father being a well-known novelist, deeply influenced Al Aswani's desire to become a novelist himself.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Al Aswani grew up surrounded by literature and always dreamt of becoming a novelist, but in the Arab world, it was challenging to earn a living solely from writing.

• He became a dentist as a profession but continued pursuing his passion for writing. He faced rejections from the government for publishing his books, leading him to consider giving up on literature.

• However, his novel "The Yacoubian Building" became a massive success, selling millions of copies in multiple languages and countries. Al Aswani now balances his time between being a bestselling author and practicing dentistry.