Why do we write

Why do we write: Author: Meredith Maran Language: Arabic Publication date: 2014 Book format: Paperback Publisher: Dar Al-Arabia for Science Publishers Number of pages: 303 Book classification: Literature and Poetry Description: Twenty successful writers answer writing questions, in the book (Why do we write?) recently published by Dar Al-Arabia for Science Publishers, Beirut, which is considered the first edition of the Taqweem project for creative writing. The book consists of twenty essays by twenty writers talking about their experience in writing, including – for example – Isabel Allende, Gish Jen, Terry McMillan, Susan Orlean, James Frey, David Baldacci, and others. A group of Arab translators from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Egypt participated in translating this book, including (Ahmed bin Aida, Ahmed Al-Ali, Asma Al-Dosari, Buthaina Al-Eisa, Reem Salah Al-Saleh, Riyouf Khalid Al-Otaibi, Sami Daoud, Ghaid Al-Jarallah, Mustafa Abdul Rabi, Nasser Al-Bureiki, Hind Al-Dakhil Allah, Hessa Al-Qahtani). This book is considered the fruit of a voluntary, collaborative online effort. Buthaina Al-Eisa states in the introduction: “I came across the book Why Do We Write by Meredith Maran in September 2013. I was about to select some quotes related to writing advice to translate, but the quote was not enough. I felt I was facing material rich with experiences and should be treated with the respect befitting the depth of the experience. Accordingly, through the project’s website, I extended an invitation to join the Taqweem translation team, for those who do not mind working ‘without compensation, except for the pure joy of giving and creating.’ The surprise was the flood of requests to join almost daily, which has not stopped to this day, despite more than six months passing. The real astonishment was the birth of this book within a few months, through collective, voluntary, passionate efforts, to the extent that the first Taqweem book was completed, addressing the biggest questions about writing ever; the question of why.” It is noteworthy that both the translation team and the publisher waived any financial gains from this book, including any awards it might win, in favor of educating an Arab child.