Dubai Abulhoul has an unusual name, and is unusually gifted! She produced a film for the 2008 Gulf Film Festival, and launched her novel “Galagolia: The Hidden Divination”. Tempo spoke to Dubai about her writing and directing experiences.
1) When did you know you wanted to be an author?
Since I was eight! I’ve always been into writing and reading and I would always imagine story lines and try to put them down on paper. I didn’t actually realise that I wanted to be an author until I wrote the 80th page of Galagolia!
2) How would you summarize Galagolia?
Galagolia is the story of a ten-year-old Emirati girl who inherits the throne to an unknown world outside of ours. She discovers that, all along, her family has been ruling Galagolia and now it’s her time to do so.
3) What inspired you to write this novel?
I was watching a Harry Potter movie one night and it just hit me. I saw characters in my head and I knew that even though they didn’t make sense at the time, I had to write them down.
4) Did you face any difficulties launching your book?
Definitely! Especially since I was 12 when I first started looking for a publisher. Not many publishers believe in a 12-year-old with a manuscript, so it wasn’t easy.
5) And you directed a movie for the 2008 Gulf Festival?
It was actually a two-minute animation of a scene from Galagolia.
6) What were the main reasons behind the success of your book?
The massive support from my friends, family, and even the people I’ve met through Twitter! I have surrounded myself with very supportive people who didn’t allow me to stop or give up, and that is very important. Another reason is my parents who never once doubting my sanity when it came to dreaming big.
7) Is it hard to juggle school and your writing and directing career?
Not really. There is definitely an element of stress, but I’m not the kind to crack under pressure. And between you and me, I even write a few chapters during Calculus and Physics classes!
8) What is your most memorable writing experience?
There were a lot of times when I felt like giving up, when I got one too many rejections and I thought I wasn’t good enough. I think those moments are the most memorable since they motivated me to go further.
9) What are your plans after graduating from school?
It’s an open road. I still don’t have a clear idea, but I want to work in a creative field, such as animation or writing.
10) Where can we find your book?
It is available at all Magrudys book stores across the UAE and in Kinokuniya at The Dubai Mall. It will be available online on Amazon very soon!
11) Any tips for aspiring writers?
Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer, literally! I know how clichéd that sounds, but really, do what you love and answer to no one but yourself. I believe that when people tell you that you can’t do something, it’s because they can’t do it themselves.
Find out more about Dubai Abulhoul and her novel Galoglia on her website www.galagolia.com
By Manar Al Hinai
