By Leila Aboulela

Polish your intention. Why are you writing? What do you really want to achieve? I once picked up a book of poems by Les Murray and the dedication said, “To the Glory of God”.  Other writers feel that they are bearing witness or that they are born story-tellers or that they are activists, entertainers, reformers, artists  or that they want to challenge perceptions or shine a torch into a dark cave of wonders.  There is no harm in starting out with the highest of intentions – if luck strikes it will keep you grounded and when disappointment hits you can still keep your head up high because you had picked up your pen for the sincerest of causes.