🏆 Receiving My RSA Award 🏆
In 2016, I was honoured to receive an RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) award for my writing — a moment that changed everything for me. At the time, my book had not yet been published or even started. I was still in the early stages of crafting it, drawing from my lived experience to create something honest, raw, and real. To be recognised by such a prestigious organisation at that point in my journey felt so surreal. It was the first time I truly felt seen as a writer and a person — not just for my words, but for my courage to speak up and voice my views.
Up until then, I had carried my story quietly, uncertain of how it would be received or whether it was even worth sharing. The RSA award was more than a recognition of writing talent — it was an acknowledgement of truth-telling, resilience, and the power of lived experience. It meant more to me than anything that I had achieved. I remember feeling emotional, overwhelmed, and incredibly proud. It gave me the confidence I needed to keep going, to believe in my voice, and to trust that my story could make a difference to others.
That night became a turning point for me in itself — a reminder that healing through writing was not just possible, it was powerful. It affirmed that my story had value and that sharing it could inspire others to find their own voice too. I did not get much of a chance to speak up when I was younger but that night showed me what I had to do going forward to help other people in the similar situations as me.
Where my writing began.
My writing journey began long before I ever called myself a writer without me realising I ever was. It all started in the quiet moments when I needed a voice when the world felt too loud and silent at all the same time. Writing became my way of making sense of the chaos, expressing pain, holding on to hope, and sharing truths that were often too heavy to say out loud. I did not know if I was coming or going with all the trauma I was going through so decided to write to help me. Over time, it evolved into more than just a personal outlet—it became a calling. Through storytelling, I found healing and hope. Through sharing, I found my purpose. And now, I write not just for myself, but for others who need to know they are not alone.
A few years after the RSA Fellowship Award
A few years on from winning the RSA award, I often reflect on what that moment meant for me. At the time, I was deep in the editing process of my first book—shaping raw experiences into something that could speak to others. The editing process was overwhelming for me because I had never got to see how a book could be transformed from something that I had in my mind to a real living book what can be done during that process and more. Winning the award gave me a sense of validation when I needed it most. It reminded me that my voice mattered, even amid self-doubt and the hard, emotional work of editing. Since then, I have gone on to publish my first book and witnessed how a book cover can transform the book massively along with typesetting. Since then, I have begun writing my second and building a platform where I can share my story through writing, speaking, and training. That moment was not the finish line—it was the spark that helped me realise how far I could go.