Interview With Author Affan Shaikhsurab
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Affan Shaikhsurab — a software engineer, self-learner, and someone who just loves building things. I’ve been curious about how stuff works since I was a teen, and over the years I’ve built apps, tools, even my own programming language and blockchain. I’ve written a bunch of blog posts and technical articles, but this is actually my first book. It’s something I’ve poured months of learning and trial-and-error into — not from a research point of view, but from someone who just wanted to understand how things work internally and share that journey.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest (and first) book is “SimpliLang: Crafting Your Own Toy Programming Language.”
It all started when I hit that weird spot — you know, after building a bunch of apps and learning a few frameworks, where nothing felt exciting anymore. I was just sitting there with a cup of tea thinking, “What next?”
That’s when it hit me — I’ve used so many programming languages, but I never really knew how they work under the hood. Like, how do loops even work? How does a class get interpreted?
It felt impossible at first to build my own language, but I didn’t start with that. I started with curiosity — and that slowly turned into this book. It’s basically the guide I wish I had when I began that journey.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Oh yeah, definitely.
I write like I talk — literally. I don’t follow any “author rules.” I don’t outline everything first or worry about structure from day one. I just start writing as if I’m explaining something to a friend while sipping chai. Sometimes I even leave sentences half-done just to come back later with a better, more natural flow.
Also, I don’t write in silence. I usually have lo-fi beats or random tech podcasts playing in the background. And I write best at night — like 1 AM kinds of night — when everything’s quiet and my brain randomly decides to become smart.
So yeah, definitely not the textbook writer. But I think that’s what makes it feel more real and personal.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Two books that really influenced me are Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
Both of them hit different, honestly.
Miller’s book made me realize life itself is like a story — you don’t just live it, you edit it, shape it, make it something worth telling. That really stuck with me, especially when I felt stuck or confused about what to do next.
And The Alchemist? Man, that book taught me about following your own path — your “Personal Legend,” even if no one else gets it. It reminded me that curiosity, courage, and a bit of madness is sometimes all you need to keep going.
Both books didn’t teach me how to code or write technically — but they reminded me why I build things in the first place.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on a few things that feel close to heart.
First, I’m refining my book “SimpliLang: Crafting Your Own Toy Programming Language”—polishing the final chapters, formatting the design, and preparing for release. It’s something I’ve poured months into, and honestly, I just want to make sure it feels as personal, clear, and helpful as it felt when I started writing it.
Apart from that, I’m building a couple of tools—one is an AI-assisted code platform, and the other is a small app idea I’ve had for a while that I just want to release without overthinking it.
And always, quietly experimenting with stuff in the background—language design, blockchain, little AI toys—just things that make me curious again.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Honestly, I don’t think there’s just one “best” method. But what’s worked for me—or at least what feels right—is sharing the journey instead of just the finished book.
I mainly use LinkedIn and Twitter/X. But not to just say, “Hey, buy my book.”
Instead, I post about the process—like the struggles, little wins, the ‘aha’ moments, screenshots of things I’m building, or just raw thoughts while writing. That builds curiosity way before the launch.
I also share code snippets, design ideas, or even doubts I had while building the language—so people feel they’re part of the making-of story.
Other than that, my website and platforms like Hashnode help give it a more “official” space.
So in short:
Build curiosity by sharing progress
Be real about what’s working and what’s not
Don’t sell the book—share the story
People don’t buy just books—they buy into the person behind it.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Start small. Share what you’re learning. And don’t wait to feel like an expert.
You don’t need to be the world’s best writer or have some mind-blowing story. Just think about what you wish you had when you were starting—and write that.
Also, treat writing like building a project. Start with a rough version, fix it as you go, and don’t be afraid to throw parts away.
Most importantly:
Keep showing up—even on days when it feels pointless.
Some days you’ll feel like it’s all trash. Write anyway.
And remember, it’s okay if your first book isn’t perfect. You’re not writing to impress. You’re writing to help someone, even if it’s just one person.
That’s more than enough reason to keep going.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Think big. Start small.
That’s the one I always come back to. You don’t need to have it all figured out—you just need to take the first step. Build momentum.
Another one that stuck with me is:
“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
It’s wild how a shift in mindset can literally change everything around you.
And then this:
“Life is what you make of it—and it all starts with a thought.”
A small idea, a moment of curiosity… that’s all it takes to start something big.
These aren’t just quotes—they’re blueprints for how I try to live and build.
What are you reading now?
Right now, I’m reading Atomic Habits by James Clear.
It’s crazy how such small changes can have such a massive impact over time. The way he breaks down behavior, consistency, and identity—it just clicks. It’s not one of those motivational books you read and forget. It’s more like a playbook you keep going back to.
Perfect for someone like me who’s always juggling ideas, projects, and trying to stay consistent.
What’s next for you as a writer?
What’s next for me? I’m working on my next book called “One Step.”
It’s not technical—it’s more personal. It’s about the power of taking small, consistent steps in life, in learning, and in building things. It’s kind of a reflection of my own journey—of not knowing where to start, feeling lost, but still choosing to move, just one step at a time.
The goal is to inspire builders, creators, and dreamers to stop waiting for the perfect moment and just begin. Because honestly, everything starts with a single step.
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?
If I were stranded on a desert island and could only take a few books, I’d go with the ones that shaped how I think and feel:
The Alchemist – because it’s a reminder that the journey matters more than the destination.
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years – it made me look at life like a story I get to edit.
The Go-Giver – for when I need to remember that giving value creates the most meaning.
The Top Five Regrets of the Dying – to keep me grounded in what actually matters.
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