An interview with Zana Azeredo
Artist, author, screenwriter, and "creative humanoid"
A Brazilian-British artist, writer, mother, and all-around interesting human being, Zana Azeredo currently lives in Dubai in the UAE. Zana grew up in a household where academic success was celebrated and books were “as essential as oxygen”. She says: “Sports were mandatory and monologues about values, honor, science fiction and poetry lingered over lazy weekends.” She’s been a chemical engineer, a corporate climber, a marketing professor, a property developer, and a caregiver to humans, animals - “and, occasionally, humans who behaved like animals.” But today, she’s primarily a storyteller. “Whether through writing, painting, or drawing, I love creating tales and capturing the magic in everyday life. And while my journey hasn’t always been a straight line, it’s certainly given me a lot of stories to tell,” she says.
How did you end up in your current line of work?
I’ve been writing poetry since college and teaching myself to paint along the way. In 2009, I took a sabbatical, moved to Dubai, and finally wrote that novel I’d been dreaming about. For the longest time after that, I felt like there was a story inside me that just didn’t know how to come out. Many published short stories later, I attended a workshop by Socorro Acioli, and a light bulb went on. I then spent the next two months glued to my keyboard, hammering out the first draft of my next novel. With this draft, I applied for the ELF Seddiqi Fellowship, never expecting to win. I didn’t even show up for the announcement because, well, impostor syndrome is real. Winning that fellowship was a turning point. It changed my career and gave me the confidence to fully embrace storytelling as my path.
You’ve won a number of prestigious distinctions for your writing work, including the Emirates Literature Foundation’s ELF Seddiqi First Chapter Fellowship, as well as the Arab Film Studio Feature Film Fellowship. How have these programs helped you in your author career so far?
Winning these Fellowships felt like getting a golden ticket to a creativity factory. The ELF Fellowship was an incredible experience. I had the chance to learn from bestselling authors, get valuable mentorship, and train with Gotham Writers in New York. Plus, I became part of a community of like-minded creatives, which is basically like finding your tribe of book-loving, story-obsessed people who totally get why you sometimes talk to your characters out loud.
The AFS Fellowship was a deep dive into the world of cinema. I received intimate training in scriptwriting with an Oscar-nominated screenwriter and director. It was all about mastering the craft and getting a real, hands-on immersion into filmmaking. It’s where I learned to turn my stories into scenes, my dialogue into screen-worthy lines, and my love of storytelling into something that could light up the big screen.
Where do you find inspiration for your work? What is your muse?
My muse is a bit of a prankster. She shows up unannounced, usually when I’m trying to sleep or halfway through a shampoo. Inspiration comes from everywhere: a random conversation, a crooked shadow on the wall, or the epic battle between two pigeons over a single crumb.
I also talk to myself a lot. I’ll play out conversations and scenes, acting out a one- person show in my head. Before I write anything, I watch the entire movie play out in my mind, complete with dramatic pauses and plot twists. I’m basically the director, writer, and slightly eccentric audience of my own imaginary films.
As a mixed-nationality third-culture kid that has spent many years living as an expat, what fosters your sense of identity?
My sense of identity is a patchwork quilt of cultures, languages, and questionable airport snacks. I’ve reached the point where the question, “Where are you from?” feels more like a philosophical challenge than small talk. Honestly, I’ve embraced being a human of planet Earth. My identity is less about where I’m from and more about who I am and where I’m going. I’ve got a passport full of stamps and a heart that thinks empathy should be the universal love language.
What defines home to you?
Home is where I can wear pajamas all day, talk to myself without judgment, and where the Wi-Fi connects automatically. It’s also where the cheese bread is — because nothing says “you belong here” like the smell of fresh pão de queijo!
What has been the most challenging part of your career so far?
Probably convincing my inner critic to take a coffee break. You know, that little voice that says, “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” while I’m mid-sentence or halfway through a painting. It’s like having a backseat driver who doesn’t even have a license. But I’m learning to keep going anyway, because sometimes the best ideas show up when you stop listening to the doubt and just let creativity drive.
What about the most rewarding?
Definitely those magical moments when a story or painting connects with someone else. It’s like sending a message in a bottle and actually getting a response back.
Please tell us a little bit about your books.
Maid in Dubai is a novel about the harrowing journey of a Filipina maid working for a cleaning agency in Dubai. Through her eyes, the city unfolds as a stark contrast to the glossy images in travel brochures, revealing the hidden cost of dusting the “City of Gold”. 100 Jumps is an illustrated book telling the story of a spirited girl and her trusty horses as they leap over real obstacles and magical challenges, their bond growing stronger with every jump. Together, they prove that passion and teamwork can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Working in a career like this - where income can be unpredictable - can be quite daunting for those without an existing financial base. How do you approach it, and what advice would you give to others in this regard?
I’m very fortunate and grateful that my earlier career paths provided me with a stable income and a solid financial base before I became an author. I fully understand that not everyone has this safety net, and navigating a creative career with unpredictable income can be incredibly daunting. Scholarships, grants, and fellowships can truly change lives and careers. My advice to others is to seek out these opportunities, apply even when you think you won’t win, and build a support network of peers who understand the ups and downs of the creative path.
If you could write a letter to your younger self, what are the 3 main things you’d like to tell her?
Stop worrying so much: Half the things you’re stressed about won’t matter in a year, and the other half will probably turn into funny stories.
Embrace the weird: Your quirks are your superpower. The talking to yourself, the daydreaming, the weirdly specific love for stationery… lean into it.
Trust your gut: That little voice is smarter than you think. Unless it tells you to get bangs; then maybe double-check.
What advice would you give to young authors seeking to build their careers?
Write with abandon, read like a bookworm on caffeine, and don’t forget to enjoy the weird, wonderful ride!
What are your top three tips for fostering one’s creativity, whether that’s through painting or drawing, or writing?
Observe like a detective: The world is full of story starters and inspiration. Pay attention to the little things; they often have the biggest stories.
Ask “What if?” like a kid: What if clouds were actually cotton candy? What if your dog secretly wrote a blog about your life? Let your imagination run wild and see where those playful “what ifs” take you.
See the world with fresh eyes: Approach everything with the curiosity of a child discovering bubble wrap for the first time. Try looking at things upside down: sometimes, a fresh perspective is just a head tilt away.
You’ve done quite a bit of travel journalism. What’s the best place you’ve ever been to (and why)?
I’m always drawn to places where nature feels untouched and awe-inspiring. Locations like Iceland, Ireland, Trancoso, Komodo National Park, or the mystical diving caves of the Yucatán Peninsula have a special place in my heart. These are the kinds of places that make you feel small in the best way, reminding you of the world’s vast beauty and your place in it.
What are the top 3 destinations on your bucket list?
Madagascar, Raja Ampat, and Alaska.
If you could travel to any fictional world, what would it be and why?
The Shire (Middle-earth) – Because who wouldn’t want to live among hobbits, eat seven meals a day, and have a front-row seat to spontaneous musical numbers? Plus, I’d finally get an excuse to wear a cloak without judgment.
Atlantis – Assuming I could hold my breath long enough (which, fun fact, I can), I’d love to explore this underwater city. I bet their seafood is next-level.
Mount Olympus – If I’m going to visit a place with gods, I might as well go big. I’d love to grab a coffee with Zeus, ask Aphrodite for dating advice, and maybe challenge Hermes to a race.
What type of stories do you enjoy most? Any particular favorites?
I don’t have a favorite type of story. It all depends on my mood and the phase of life I’m in. My taste in books and movies is pretty eclectic. I can happily hop from a murder mystery to a religious treatise, from poetry to comic books. It feels a bit promiscuous, but I love the diversity. Ultimately, I’m always looking for something new, something that surprises me, or something I can learn from.
If you could pick any superpower, what would it be and why?
I’d want the everyday “superpowers” I lack: falling asleep the moment your head hits the pillow, having unwavering faith, or thinking twice before speaking. These simple gifts already feel truly extraordinary. But if I could pick any superpower, I’d choose the ability to speak animal languages. Imagine negotiating with the neighbor’s cat to stop judging me through the window, or convincing a mosquito to bite someone else? Plus, I’d finally know what my dog is barking at when there’s absolutely nothing there.
What might surprise people about you? Do you have any hidden talents?
What might surprise people about me is that I once was a national free diver record holder. My hidden talent? I can hold my breath for an impressively long time. Not just underwater, but also during awkward conversations.
If I were to peek into your fridge on any given day, what would I usually find?
You'd find a delightful mix of chaos and false wellness. On the door, there’s a proudly displayed bottle of probiotic pills, because gut health is important, even if I forget to take them. Then there’s the wasabi, which I put on sushi and pretty much everything else: eggs, sandwiches, steak. It’s not a condiment; it’s a personality trait. Inside, there’s always a half-eaten avocado clinging to life under a plastic wrap, and at least two jars of pesto as I keep forgetting I already have one. In the freezer, you’ll find ice cubes shaped like little balls (because my beverages deserve elegance) and a ziplock bag of dead rats. Yes, rats. For my pet snake, who refuses frozen food like a diva and insists on fresh, fine dining only.
If your life story was turned into a book or a film, what would it be called and why?
If the story of my life were turned into a book or a film, it would be called Are We There Yet? Chronicles of a Perpetual Overthinker. It would be a comedy-drama about my endless journey of setting goals, questioning them, overthinking every decision, and occasionally arriving somewhere awesome, usually by accident. And it would be filled with plot twists.
If you could curate a dream dinner party guest list - with anyone you wish, living or dead - who would snag one of 10 seats around the table (and why)?
My grandmother. For the family secrets and to soak up the wisdom of a true matriarch. Plus, she’d make sure everyone felt at home and probably send them off with leftovers. And if my grandmother couldn’t make it, Neil deGrasse Tyson would get her seat, not only because he could turn any conversation into a mind-expanding journey through the universe but also because he’d probably explain why my soufflé deflated using astrophysics.
To learn more about Zana’s work, you can explore her profile on the UAE Children’s Authors Network here, or grab a copy of her books here. You can find her on Instagram at @zanaazeredo
