How the death of her dreams helped poet Saira Anwar find her voice

Saira Anwar is an educator, poet, author, content creator, and spoken word artist. She published her first poetry collection The Death of a Beautiful Dream in January 2014, which was featured on Amazon’s Top 20 Bestsellers list.

We were honoured to speak with Saira in anticipation of the launch of her second poetry collection, Rising From Despair: A Journey to Hope, the long-awaited sequel to her first collection and 10 years in the making.

Tell us all about your first book The Death of a Beautiful Dream - A Poetry Collection.

The Death of a Beautiful Dream: A Poetry Collection features poetry written on a variety of themes most predominantly of love, marriage, betrayal, friendship and family ties. Released in January 2014, it was self-published through Amazon CreateSpace. The collection is available for purchase on Amazon.

Tell us about your journey to becoming a poet. What drew you to writing poetry and what inspires your poetry?

Before I dive into my story, I need to take you back to a pivotal moment in my life. Picture this: it’s 2011, and I’ve just received a marriage proposal from Australia. A dream was about to come true. I was swept off my feet by the promise of a new life in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. Sunshine, fresh starts, and that beautiful Aussie accent everywhere. Who could resist?

But here’s where things took a turn. I got married within a month, ignoring advice telling me to slow down. And boy, did things unravel fast. What started as a dream quickly spiralled into a three-month-long nightmare. By the time I got back to the UK in October 2011, I felt like a shadow of myself. My confidence was shattered, and I was grappling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Nights were the worst – I’d often wake up crying or screaming. I shut myself away, not wanting to face the world or even chat with friends.

Then, something shifted. My brother, seeing the state I was in, suggested I try counselling. I was hesitant, but I went. And something amazing happened after that first session – I started writing. At first, it was just a way to process my therapy sessions, pouring all my tangled feelings and experiences onto paper. But then, it evolved into poetry.

That’s when it clicked for me. My journey through a failed marriage didn’t just end with a divorce; it led to the discovery of my voice as a poet. It was as if through the storm, I stumbled upon a hidden part of myself waiting to be unearthed.

So, I made a decision. I was going to take my poetry, my story, and share it with the world. I published a book and set up a website, not just as a creative outlet, but as a beacon for others navigating their own rough seas. Through my work, I delve into themes like marriage, divorce, healing, and the journey to self-love and understanding love anew.

My message is simple: through sharing our stories, we find common ground, healing, and maybe we can help someone else feel a little less alone. That’s the power of turning our struggles into art.

I work as an educator in a school setting, specializing in supporting children with additional needs. My role involves helping students overcome any barriers they may experience with their learning. I assist and support teaching and learning within the classroom, prepare and maintain teaching resources, and deliver small group interventions and support.

I love being part of a committed team that works hard every day to keep children happy, safe, secure, and supported. I am very proud of how resilient the children are and their ability to challenge themselves to be the best they can be.

My growth didn’t end there. I have spent 12 years writing poetry, publishing my own book, engaging in public speaking, performing publicly, and building an online community. I express my passion for teaching and learning through content creation and live sessions on social media. Additionally, I have participated in poetry workshops as a poet and assisted in extracurricular classes as a teaching assistant. I have also volunteered and led teams at a local charity.

I started writing poetry in May 2012 with the aim of sharing my life experiences and lessons with others to help them heal from similar experiences. Specifically writing about marriage, divorce, healing, self-love, and love. Two years later my debut poetry book, ‘The Death of a Beautiful Dream: A Poetry Collection,’ became a top 20 Amazon bestseller.

When writing poetry, do you feel like this is a healing journey for you? Especially with the difficult and personal topics you discuss such as marriage and divorce.

Writing poetry has been an immensely healing journey for me. Since I began in May 2012, my writing has been a sanctuary—a safe space where I can process and reflect on my experiences. Poetry allows me to turn pain into purpose and transform life’s struggles into something meaningful. It has become both my medicine, soothing emotional wounds, and my armour, shielding me from life’s challenges. Each poem I create is a step toward my own healing and a way to connect with others, offering hope and strength through shared experiences. Writing is not only my path to healing but also a way to inspire others to find their strength and light.

What do you hope to express through your poetry, and what do you hope people take away from your writing?

I love writing from the heart and sharing my life experiences and lessons to help others heal. My poetry focuses on themes like marriage, divorce, healing, and self-love. My message is simple: by sharing our stories, we find common ground, foster healing, and, perhaps, help someone else feel a little less alone. I hope these pieces bring readers peace, love, comfort, strength, hope, and inspiration as they navigate their journey. I want them to find the light at the end of the tunnel and take whatever resonates with them from each poem.

Why do you think that people relate so strongly to the topics in this book?

I believe people relate so strongly to the topics in this book because they reflect universal human experiences—love, heartbreak, betrayal, healing, and self-discovery.

These are emotions and challenges that many of us face in one way or another, and poetry has a way of distilling them into something raw and relatable. My writing comes from a deeply personal place, and I think readers can sense that authenticity. By sharing my struggles and growth, I aim to create a connection that reminds people they are not alone in their journeys, and that there is hope and strength to be found even in the most difficult times.

What is your favourite poem or quote from this book?

‘The Ocean of Hopes and Dreams’ holds a special place in my heart because it's inspired by my favourite beach in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia—Gold Coast Beach at Surfers Paradise. The poem captures the solace, inspiration, and renewal I often feel when walking along its shores. It's about finding faith, peace, and the courage to dive deep into life's possibilities, even when dreams seem distant.

Were there any challenges in writing this book? For example, how does it feel to write something so personal, sharing about your divorce on the page?

There weren’t any challenges in writing this book. Sharing something so personal, like my divorce, felt deeply cathartic and liberating. Putting my emotions and experiences on the page allowed me to process them and transform pain into purpose.

Writing about such personal topics gave me the chance to connect with others who may be going through similar struggles. It felt empowering to turn vulnerability into strength, using my words to challenge societal stigmas and create conversations that foster healing and understanding. Through this process, I found not only my voice but also the power to help others find theirs.

Do you have any advice for new poets making their way into the industry or poets who want to publish their own poetry collections?

1. Define Your Purpose: Know what you want to achieve with your writing. What is the intent behind your work? Whether it's healing, sharing experiences, or inspiring others, this purpose will be your guiding light throughout the journey.

2. Write for Yourself First: Don’t worry about perfection or your audience initially. Focus on expressing your thoughts and emotions freely. Writing can be deeply therapeutic and offers a space to process your feelings objectively.

3. Embrace Vulnerability: Some of the most impactful poetry comes from a place of vulnerability. It’s in these moments of raw honesty that your true voice emerges. Authenticity will help you connect with readers on a profound level.

4. Draw Inspiration From Others: Read poetry from others who’ve navigated similar experiences. Their stories can provide perspective, comfort, and inspiration as you shape your own voice.

5. Use Writing as Therapy: Writing is a powerful tool for self-discovery. Journal your thoughts, explore your emotions, and don’t shy away from the messy or unfiltered parts of your experiences.

6. Trust Your Writing’s Impact: Believe in the power of your words to heal, empower, and connect. Writing is not only a way to navigate your own journey but also a gift that can touch and inspire others.

7. Start Small: Self-publishing can be overwhelming, so begin with a small project, like a booklet, to familiarize yourself with the process. This will help you understand formatting, cover design, and publishing platforms, making you more confident when tackling a full-length collection.

8. Understand Your Goals for Publishing: Whether you’re aiming for maximum reach, building your brand, or simply sharing your voice, be clear on your objectives. This will help you choose the right platform and strategy.

9. Self-Publishing Insights: Platforms like Amazon are great for maximizing reach and simplifying the process. But be prepared for decisions on book formatting, cover design, file types, and marketing. Take the time to research and plan your launch carefully.

Starting your journey as a poet is as much about self-discovery as it is about sharing your work. Be patient with yourself, and don’t be afraid to take the first step—you never know whose life your words might touch.

What achievement as a writer are you most proud of? For example, how does it feel to be one of Amazon’s best-selling poets?

I still haven’t fully come to terms with the fact that I have a book with my name on it. To have it not only published but also become a bestseller and rank within Amazon’s top 20 was shocking, to be honest. It was an incredibly humbling experience, especially for a book I once thought might never see the light of day. This milestone was made possible by the unwavering support of those who purchased the book and supported the cause throughout the journey.

One of the achievements I’m most proud of as a writer is the impact my work has had on readers. Knowing that my poetry has resonated with people worldwide and helped them find strength, healing, or comfort is incredibly rewarding.

Becoming one of Amazon’s best-selling poets was an unexpected and humbling milestone. It’s a testament to the power of vulnerability and storytelling, showing me that sharing personal experiences can truly connect us on a deeper level.

For me, success isn’t just about sales or rankings—it’s about the messages I receive from readers who say my words have touched their hearts or helped them through a difficult time. That connection is what drives me to keep writing and sharing my journey.

Are you working on any new poetry? Are there more books in the future?

Yes, I’m currently working on my second poetry collection, Rising From Despair: A Journey to Hope, which is the long-awaited sequel to my first collection. This book, set for release in Summer 2025 with Partnership Publishing, continues the journey I began in The Death of a Beautiful Dream. It takes readers through the darkness and reveals how I found my light, allowing them to witness my healing journey and transformation.

The release of Rising From Despair: A Journey to Hope is something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. I’m eager to see how it resonates with readers and the impact it will have on their lives. This next chapter in my writing journey feels deeply meaningful, and I’m excited to share it with the world.

A huge thank you to Saira for being so open and sharing her journey, from being in such a dark place to inspiring others on their journey of self-discovery and healing.

You can find out more about Saira’s work and purchase her collections here: https://sairaanwar.co.uk/bio/

How the death of her dreams helped poet Saira Anwar find her voice

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How the death of her dreams helped poet Saira Anwar find her voice

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