Interview With Author Haala Humayun
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Haala Humayun — a lawyer by profession, yet a wanderer of worlds beyond the ordinary. My life is lived between the precision of law and the freedom of imagination, and it is in that space — between reason and wonder — that my stories are born. From childhood, I carried worlds in my pockets: whispers of fairy tales, fragments of myths, and dreams that refused to be silent. Those early scribbles became the foundation of my journey, and now they have grown into something far larger than myself.
I write because stories are not just tales; they are vessels of truth, mirrors of the soul. In my work, science, religion, and fantasy are not separate, but entwined — like the wind, the stars, and the unseen currents of the heart. Science gives form, religion gives depth, and fantasy gives life. In my universe, magic flows naturally, the laws of nature hum in harmony, and the spirit of faith is never contradicted, only amplified.
So far, I have written three books in my epic saga, The Legend of Tilsim Hoshruba. Yet the most recent volume, Book 3 – The Rebel Queens of Tilsim, has been released in two parts, making it four intimate journeys into the heart of Tilsim. Each book peels back layers of destiny, rebellion, and love, revealing the hidden reasons behind every betrayal, every choice, every whispered secret. Here, nothing is random; everything is connected, and every heart carries its own story.
When I am not weaving worlds with words, I explore ancient civilizations, the quiet wisdom of nature, and the mysteries of the human soul. I see beauty in patterns, in storms, in silences — in the way the universe speaks to us if we only listen.
For me, writing is not merely creation. It is remembering the truths the world forgot, it is giving voice to souls hidden in shadows, and it is a promise that magic, wonder, and meaning can exist together — if we dare to see them.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Legend of Tilsim Hoshruba: Book 3 – The Rebel Queens of Tilsim ✴ Part II: The Fallen Crown. This volume is a journey into the heart of Tilsim like never before — a world where destinies collide, mysteries deepen, and every shadow conceals a truth waiting to be uncovered.
In the earlier parts of the series, Tilsim was alive with magic, battles, love, and the sprawling chaos of adventure. Yet through all the wonder and spectacle, one thread remained quietly missing — the subtle presence of faith, reason, and the natural order. Magic thrived, hearts clashed, kingdoms fell and rose, yet science and religion lingered on the periphery, seldom fully woven into the fabric of the story. I wondered: why must fantasy ignore these elements? Why can’t science, religion, and magic coexist in a story without contradiction? And so I set out to try something that is rarely attempted in literature — to create a world where all three could breathe together in harmony.
In The Fallen Crown, science whispers through the patterns of nature, logic flows through the currents of magic, and faith shines quietly in the souls of the characters. Religion is not shouted, nor science over-explained; instead, both are felt in the texture of the story — in the choices, sacrifices, and struggles of those who inhabit Tilsim. Magic does not defy reason; it complements it, as if it were always part of the world’s natural order.
The mysteries that began in the earlier volumes are unraveled here, yet never fully revealed — each secret has purpose, each betrayal a reason, and each act of love, whether selfish or selfless, carries the weight of destiny. Family bonds, loyalty, desire, and sacrifice all intertwine with rebellion, adventure, and the mystical forces that govern Tilsim. Even as revelations come to light, new enigmas arise, keeping the pulse of wonder alive until the very last page.
My background as a lawyer has shaped the way I craft these mysteries. I look for patterns, clues, and subtle motivations, just as I would in real-life cases, and I use that skill to give the story a structure that feels both logical and magical. Yet beyond all method, what drives this book is the heart — the human soul navigating courage, fear, hope, and love in a world where magic and destiny are inseparable from the truth of who we are.
This story is my invitation to readers: step into a world where faith, reason, and imagination coexist, where magic flows naturally through logic, and where the mysteries of life, love, and destiny are illuminated but never fully captured. Here, Tilsim is alive not just as a land of sorcery and adventure, but as a reflection of the unseen currents that shape our own world — the laws of nature, the whispers of the soul, and the eternal pulse of wonder.
In writing this book, I wanted to prove that fantasy can carry the weight of ideas, the depth of philosophy, and the subtlety of the human spirit — that magic can exist alongside reason, and faith can shine without overshadowing the tale. And in the end, what Tilsim offers is more than just adventure; it is a mirror of our own mysteries, waiting to be discovered, cherished, and believed.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes — I like to experiment. I write not just to tell a story, but to make the reader feel it, as if they are watching a movie unfold in their mind. Every sentence, every scene, is crafted to immerse the imagination fully — to create worlds that breathe, hearts that throb, and mysteries that linger long after the page is closed.
I take risks in my writing. I break conventions, blend genres, and explore ideas that most authors shy away from. In my latest book, for example, I wove science, religion, and magic together, something rarely attempted in fantasy literature, and I did it in a way that feels natural and alive. I experiment with pacing, with perspectives, and with the very structure of the narrative, pushing myself to make each chapter a unique experience — one that surprises the reader, challenges expectations, and evokes emotion.
Sometimes I write in fragments, sometimes in long, flowing streams, always guided by the feeling I want the reader to have rather than by rigid rules. My goal is that anyone who opens my book should not just read the words, but see the world, hear the sounds, smell the air, and feel the pulse of every heartbeat and every battle.
Writing, for me, is a living experiment — a dance between imagination and reality, logic and wonder, heart and mind. And I take joy in seeing where it leads, even if it is unconventional, even if it is risky, because that is the only way to make a story truly unforgettable.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
From the moment I first held a storybook in my hands, I was captivated. I still remember that very first tale I read in kindergarten — a simple story about Tom and Kate — yet even in those early, innocent pages, I felt the spark of something far greater: a world alive with imagination, emotions, and endless possibility.
By the age of eight, I read my first full-length novel, Oliver Twist, and I was utterly mesmerized. Before that, however, my days were filled with fables, fairy tales, and fantasy stories — worlds where heroes triumphed, lessons were woven into adventures, and magic existed even in the smallest details. These early readings laid the foundation of a lifelong love affair with stories, showing me that even at a tender age, literature could shape thought, emotion, and imagination.
At eleven, I encountered Shakespeare, and it was a revelation. Suddenly, I saw the vastness of language, the elegance of expression, and the depth of human emotion captured in words. My understanding of storytelling expanded — I began to notice the rhythm of phrases, the weight of choices, and the hidden truths embedded in dialogue and narrative.
During my IGCSE years, I read every novel included in the syllabus, slowly venturing into more complex and advanced works. By A-Levels, the library became my second home. I would spend free periods absorbing nearly every book I could reach, exploring not just novels, but histories, fables, and philosophical texts, each one shaping my understanding of the human experience, morality, and the boundless possibilities of imagination.
When I pursued my LLB Honors at the University of London, my passion for writing blossomed. I began composing short pieces for different blogs, experimenting with style, voice, and expression. Poetry became my first medium — a way to capture fleeting thoughts, emotions, and observations of the world around me. Writing was no longer just a pastime; it became a way to understand life itself, to explore the threads connecting imagination, observation, and truth.
Being a lawyer has further enriched my storytelling. I read people constantly — their gestures, unspoken motives, hidden fears — and I bring that skill to my characters. Each one carries the weight of realistic emotion, subtle motivations, and human complexity, making the fantastical world of Tilsim feel alive, believable, and immersive.
From my very first story at kindergarten, to Oliver Twist at eight, Shakespeare at eleven, the IGCSE and A-Level novels, and the rigorous studies of law, every experience has shaped me. Reading has always been as natural as breathing, and watching stories unfold — whether on TV, in novels, or in life — has taught me empathy, observation, and imagination. Every tale, every character, every word I have absorbed over the years lives in the worlds I create, making my stories not just fantastical adventures, but reflections of human emotion, logic, faith, and wonder.
In short, I have been influenced by every story I have ever read or watched, from my earliest childhood tales to the novels and experiences that shaped my imagination and understanding of the world.
What are you working on now?
At this moment, I am fully immersed in the fourth novel of The Legend of Tilsim Hoshruba, which, like its predecessor, will unfold in two parts, Insha Allah. This new installment is both a continuation and an expansion of the world of Tilsim — a world where destinies collide, hearts are tested, and the very essence of magic, reason, and faith intertwine.
As I write, I find myself returning again and again to the elements that have always defined this series: mystery, adventure, love, and the subtle, almost hidden currents of science and spirituality. I strive to blend them seamlessly into the narrative, so that magic flows with logic, faith shines quietly in the choices of the characters, and the natural world hums with the quiet truths of science. Each scene, each dialogue, is crafted not merely to tell a story but to make the reader see and feel the world as vividly as if it existed outside the page.
The challenges of writing this novel are as thrilling as the story itself. I experiment with structure, perspective, and pacing, taking risks to create a cinematic experience in words. My goal is for readers to hear the clash of swords, feel the tremor of fear and hope, and sense the fragile, beating hearts of the characters as they navigate love, betrayal, sacrifice, and ambition.
This book will continue to unravel mysteries left hanging in the earlier volumes while introducing new enigmas — puzzles of the mind, the heart, and the spirit — that invite readers to linger in wonder. The characters grow deeper, the stakes higher, and the world of Tilsim more alive than ever.
Writing this novel is not merely a process for me; it is a journey. Every day I enter Tilsim anew, walking its streets, listening to its whispers, witnessing the quiet struggles of its people, and feeling their triumphs and sorrows as my own. It is a world that breathes alongside me, a story that grows with each word, and a legacy I hope will captivate readers as deeply as it has captivated me.
In short, this next volume is my invitation to readers: to step once again into Tilsim, to explore its magic, its logic, its faith, and its mysteries, and to experience a story that is as much about the world outside as it is about the worlds within ourselves.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I believe that a story deserves to be seen and experienced, not just read, so I use a variety of methods to bring my books to readers. One of the most magical ways is through book fairs — earlier volumes of the Tilsim series were displayed at the Abu Dhabi Book Fair, and recently, my latest book is being showcased at the Sharjah Book Fair, Masha Allah. There is something truly special about seeing readers pause, explore, and connect with the worlds I have created in person.
Alongside fairs, I actively use social media to bring Tilsim to life. I create videos that not only introduce the book, but also depict the characters, their emotions, and the essence of the story. Through these visual and narrative glimpses, readers can begin to feel the pulse of the world — the magic, the mystery, and the heart of every character.
Ultimately, I aim to make every promotion an experience, not just an announcement. Whether it is through events, videos, or online engagement, my goal is for readers to step into the world of Tilsim even before they open the first page, to feel its atmosphere, its tensions, and its wonders.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write whatever your heart whispers, whatever it shouts, whatever it dreams in the quiet of night. Do not listen too closely to the world’s rules, the critics, or the word limits that others may impose. Writing is a wild, untamed force — like a horse running freely across endless plains. You must let it run.
Do not worry about when to stop, how to stop, or whether it is perfect. Trust the rhythm of your own imagination, the pulse of your own heart. The story knows its own path; you are merely the vessel that allows it to flow onto the page.
Take risks. Break conventions. Mix genres, experiment with structure, and follow the curiosity that drives you. Some words will falter, some sentences will stumble, and that is the beauty of creation — in imperfection lies discovery, in freedom lies the spark that will ignite the imagination of others.
Above all, write with honesty. Write as if no one is reading, as if the story is yours alone, yet with the belief that when it is ready, it will touch hearts and minds. Let your words breathe, let your characters live, and let your imagination roam.
Because the stories that are truly remembered are not those that are safe or constrained — they are the ones that were written like a wild horse, fierce and free, knowing when to stop only when the story itself whispers it is ready.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have ever lived by is my own: “Trust the rhythm of your heart, follow the pulse of your own imagination, and never be afraid to take the path that feels true to you.”
I believe that each person carries within them a compass, a quiet knowing of what is right for their own soul. When I write, when I create, when I make choices in life, I listen to that inner voice above all else. It is the voice that guides me through uncertainty, that urges me to take risks, to experiment, to explore ideas that seem impossible or unconventional.
This advice has shaped not only my writing but my approach to life itself. It reminds me that no one else can live my story for me, and no one else can breathe life into my worlds the way I can. The moment I stop trying to please others or follow expectations blindly, that is the moment my work truly begins to shine.
In essence, the best guidance is to trust yourself — to honor your own vision, your own curiosity, and your own voice. Because when you do, even the wildest, most impossible ideas can become real, and the stories that come from your heart will find their way into the hearts of others.
What are you reading now?
I am reading everything that fate places in my path. Every book, every story, every word that crosses my journey becomes a teacher, a mirror, or a doorway to new worlds. I read not only to escape, but to understand — the lives of others, the mysteries of the heart, the hidden rhythms of the world around me.
Sometimes it is a novel that sparks my imagination; other times it is a fragment of history, a poem, or a fleeting thought captured in a journal. Each one leaves its mark, guiding my own writing, shaping my understanding of human nature, and expanding the horizons of the worlds I create.
Reading, for me, is not limited by genre, by fame, or by expectation. I let life itself decide what stories I encounter, and in doing so, every book becomes an adventure, every page a conversation with the universe, and every lesson a thread in the tapestry of my imagination.
What’s next for you as a writer?
For me, the next step is always guided by faith. As a Muslim, I believe in Qadr — that whatever Allah has written for me will unfold in its perfect time. I write with intention, with heart, and with devotion, trusting that the paths I take, the stories I tell, and the worlds I create are part of a greater plan.
As Allah says in the Qur’an: “And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely upon Him” (Surah Al-Imran, 3:159). Every story I embark upon, every page I craft, is guided by this reliance — a trust that the journey, the characters, and the worlds I create will unfold exactly as they are meant to.
The future as a writer is not merely about the books I will write, but about the hearts I hope to touch, the imaginations I hope to ignite, and the mysteries I hope to reveal. Every story, every character, every word is a reflection of the beauty, wisdom, and divine guidance that surrounds us — a world shaped by destiny, human emotion, and the quiet guidance of faith.
I do not know exactly what awaits me — and that is part of the wonder. I trust that Allah will open doors to new stories, new journeys, and new worlds, and that each step forward will be exactly as it is meant to be. For a writer, and for a believer, what comes next is both a gift and a promise: a chance to continue weaving magic, meaning, and heart into the tapestry of words I am privileged to share.
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, the books I would choose are the ones that have shaped my imagination, touched my heart, and inspired my own writing journey. I would bring novels by Nimra Ahmad, whose storytelling has always made me feel the pulse of every character and the rhythm of every story. I would also carry works by Umera Ahmed, particularly Peer-e-Kamil and Aab-e-Hayat, which delve so beautifully into faith, human struggle, and the intricacies of the heart.
Among my choices would be Nimra Ahmad’s Jannat Kay Pattay, a novel that combines love, emotion, and life’s delicate truths with a poignancy that stays long after the last page is turned. I would also take Namal and Mala, stories that grip the soul with suspense, mystery, and deeply human dilemmas.
These books are not merely stories; they are companions. They are worlds I can return to again and again, each reading offering new insights, reflections, and emotions. On a desert island, they would be my window to life, my source of comfort, and my constant inspiration to keep imagining, dreaming, and creating.
You might be wondering why I chose these books for a desert island — and why, as a writer of fantasy, I am so drawn to novels grounded in emotion, faith, and human struggles. Well, the answer is simple: I love stories that make you feel, think, and wonder, no matter the world they are set in.
Fantasy allows me to explore magic, mystery, and imagination without limits, yet the novels I would take with me — Nimra Ahmad’s works and Umera Ahmed’s masterpieces — ground me in reality, in hearts and souls, in lessons that stay with you long after the story ends. They are my perfect companions: wise, moving, and full of surprises.
So yes, it might seem an unusual mix for a desert island, but these are the stories that spark my imagination, challenge my heart, and keep my mind wandering even when the world is quiet. And, between you and me, I like to think a little mystery, love, and drama makes even a deserted island a lot more interesting!
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