The idea came from observing how people carry memories — especially of love and loss — long after life has moved on.

Ghulam Abbas Saghar – 4 November 2025

The Back Flap

A Heart Remembered is based on a true story—a journey of two souls whose friendship blossomed into a love neither fully understood until it was tested by life’s unpredictable currents. It is a tale of laughter shared under the old banyan tree, of whispered dreams during late-night study sessions, and of a bond so deep that even the passing years could not erase it.
This novel does not claim to offer closure or easy answers. Instead, it invites you to walk alongside its characters, to feel their joys, their heartbreaks, and their relentless hope. For sometimes, even when hearts are torn apart, they are never truly lost—they are remembered.

This novel is inspired by real-life events that unfolded across continents, weaving the fragile beauty of love with the harsh realities of duty and loss.

The story of Raja and Aaliya is not just a tale of love, but a reflection on choices, sacrifice, and memory. Their letters, laughter, and moments beneath the banyan tree are preserved here to remind us that love, even when unfulfilled, leaves a lasting imprint on the heart.

Every character, letter, and memory in this novel is a tribute to those who quietly shape our lives, often in ways we cannot fully acknowledge.

About the book

What is the book about?

A Heart Remembered is a story of memory, love, and redemption. It explores how the past continues to live within us — in the people we’ve loved, the choices we’ve made, and the silences we’ve carried. It’s about two hearts separated by circumstance, yet bound by something deeper than time or distance.

When did you start writing the book?

I began writing it in late 2022, though the idea on real story had been quietly forming in my mind for years before that.

How long did it take you to write it?

The first draft took about a year, but the editing and emotional refinement took much longer. Altogether, around two years until I felt it truly reflected what I wanted to say.

Where did you get the idea from?

The idea came from observing how people carry memories — especially of love and loss — long after life has moved on. It’s also inspired by personal reflections and the emotional landscapes of my hometown, Jhelum, where silence often speaks louder than words.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Yes, absolutely. The hardest part was writing the moments of emotional confrontation — when the characters face truths they’ve avoided for years. Translating that quiet pain into words without over-explaining was a real challenge.

What came easily?

The atmosphere — the tone, the imagery, the sense of longing — came naturally. I’ve always been drawn to the quiet emotions between words, and that helped the story flow with its own rhythm.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real-world people you know?

They are fictional, but they carry fragments of real emotions and experiences I’ve seen around me. I think every writer borrows pieces of truth to build a believable world, even in fiction.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Writers like Khaled Hosseini and Paulo Coelho have influenced me — not just in style, but in emotional honesty. They write about human fragility with such compassion. I’ve also been deeply influenced by classical Urdu poets for their rhythm and depth of feeling.

Do you have a target reader?

I write for readers who look for emotion beneath silence — people who have loved, lost, or remembered deeply. My work speaks most to those who find beauty in introspection and connection, regardless of where they come from.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so, can you please describe it?

My writing process is quiet and intuitive. I usually start with a feeling rather than a full plot — an image, a line, or a memory that won’t leave me alone. Once that emotion takes root, the story begins to form around it. I write mostly at night when everything is still, and the world feels more honest.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I prefer loose outlines — just a few notes, key moments, or emotional shifts. I like to give the story space to breathe and surprise me. Too much structure can sometimes suffocate the heart of the narrative.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

A bit of both. I often reread the previous day’s writing to find the emotional rhythm again, making small edits along the way. But the deeper revisions always come after the first draft, once I can see the full arc clearly.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Yes, I worked with a professional editor for A Heart Remembered. A fresh perspective is always valuable — it helps you see the work beyond your emotional attachment to it.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Yes, always. Music sets the mood. I often listen to instrumental tracks — piano, Sufi music, or film scores. Ludovico Einaudi and Pakistani folk melodies often accompany my writing sessions. They help me stay within the emotional tone of the story.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to agents?

Initially, yes. But I soon realized that my voice might find a more direct path through independent publishing.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

It was a gradual decision. I wanted creative freedom — to tell stories without compromising their cultural or emotional essence. Independent publishing allowed me to stay true to my voice while reaching readers directly.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

The cover was professionally designed. I believe the visual identity of a book is as important as the words inside it. The designer and I worked closely to ensure the cover reflected the mood and spirit of A Heart Remembered.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

A bit of both. I’ve planned certain campaigns — online features, reader interviews, and book blogs — but I also believe word of mouth and emotional connection are the most powerful forms of marketing. Authenticity attracts genuine readers.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Be patient with yourself. The process is long, sometimes lonely, but deeply rewarding. Don’t rush for recognition — focus on honesty in your writing. And remember, even one reader who truly connects with your story makes it worthwhile.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Jhelum, Pakostan — a city filled with stories, silence, and river winds. It shaped my imagination and gave my writing its reflective tone.

Where do you live now?

I now live in Blackburn, Lancashire, in the United Kingdom. It’s become both a home and a bridge — between cultures, languages, and the worlds I write about.

What would you like readers to know about you?

That I write from a place of sincerity. Every story I tell carries a part of my truth — even in fiction. I believe words have the power to heal, to remember, and to bring distant hearts closer.

What are you working on now?

I’m currently working on my next English novel and also a new Urdu poetry collection. Both explore identity, migration, and the quiet spaces between belonging and exile — themes that continue to echo in my heart.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of A Heart Remembered from Amazon US or Amazon UK.