Interview With Author Affan Shaikhsurab
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hey, I’m Affan Shaikhsurab. I’m a developer, curious builder, and someone who just likes to explore how things work. I’ve been making apps and tools since I was a teenager. This is my first book, and honestly, I wrote it because I wish something like this existed when I started. It’s not perfect, but it’s real — just like the journey of learning.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is “Build Your Own Programming Language” — and it was born out of pure confusion 😅
I was sipping chai one day, had already built a bunch of projects, learned some languages and frameworks, but didn’t know what to build next. That’s when it hit me — I’ve used so many programming languages, but never really understood how they actually work under the hood. How loops run, how variables get stored, how interpreters or compilers actually do their thing.
So I started digging in… and one thing led to another… and boom — ended up building my own programming language. This book is that journey — the guide I wish I had.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yeah, I actually have a bit of an unusual writing habit — I don’t just sit and type everything out. I usually speak out loud and convert my speech into text. It’s more natural for me that way. I think while talking, and then later I go back, clean it up a bit, and structure it properly. So yeah, I kind of “talk” my way into writing .
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’d say “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho and “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” by Donald Miller really influenced me. Both books aren’t just stories — they’re about life, meaning, and purpose. They made me think deeply about my own journey and how we all have the power to shape our own stories. They didn’t just inspire my writing, they inspired how I see the world.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m focused on building my startup — it’s kind of like my main adventure at the moment. I’m trying to solve real problems with tech that’s actually useful and thoughtful, not just hype. Alongside that, I’m slowly shaping ideas for my next book, but most of my energy is going into making something people actually want and use. It’s exciting, confusing, overwhelming — but I love it.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Honestly, I just share it with my friends, post about it on some Discord servers I’m part of, and drop it in relevant subreddits when it makes sense. Nothing fancy — just putting it out there wherever I hang out online.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just start small. Don’t overthink the perfect idea or structure. Write like you’re talking to your friend. Don’t aim to be perfect—just aim to finish. Once you get the first draft out, everything else slowly falls into place. Think of it like building in public—bit by bit, mess is okay.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Think big, start small. And one that really stuck with me is — when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. Life is what you make of it, and it all starts with a thought.
What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading Atomic Habits by James Clear. It’s honestly such a simple but powerful book — reminds me how small changes every day can stack up into big transformations
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working on my next book called One Step. It’s a mix of personal stories, lessons I’ve learned, and technical stuff — all around the idea that small, consistent steps can lead to big changes. It’s something close to my heart and I hope it connects with others who are figuring things out like I am.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Hmm, tough one But yeah, I’d probably take The Alchemist — that book always resets my brain. Then Million Miles in a Thousand Years because it makes me think about life differently every time. The Go-Giver — simple but powerful. And maybe The Top Five Regrets of the Dying… just to keep my priorities straight even on a desert island 😅 .
Author Websites and Profiles
Affan Shaikhsurab Amazon Profile
Affan Shaikhsurab’s Social Media Links
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