episode 15: resilience runs in our ink-tips from demet divaroren

Ready for some real talk about writing, creativity, resilience, and storytelling? Just wrapped a heart-to-heart convo with Demet Divaroren (author of Living on Hope Street & Blood Moon Bride) on Amra’s Armchair Anecdotes. Here are the gems you NEED to hear 👇

• Demet’s writing journey? PURE GRIT. She faced “rejection, rejection, rejection for what felt like a decade” before her first novel was published. Her secret? Perseverance x 1,000,000. Don’t quit just because it’s tough—you never know how close you are! 
• Editing was a gamechanger. Co-editing Growing Up Muslim in Australia wasn’t only about refining others’ voices—it transformed both of our writing. Demet’s style became punchier, more powerful. (Pro tip: Editing others is an underrated writing masterclass.)
• Let’s talk Blood Moon Bride, Demet’s latest: Set in a dystopian valley ruled by an oppressive governor, main character Rhea rebels against being married off and sent to a brainwashing “nest.” Dark? Yes. But there’s HOPE, love, resistance, & connection at its core. 
• Why dystopia? Because “the world can be dark,” but fantasy lets us process real-life injustice in a safer space. It’s about fighting back, seeing light in the darkness, and believing our voices can build a better world.
• On ancestral strength: Demet’s writing is powered by generations of resilient women—her illiterate great-grandmother, mother who prioritized education, and her own determined journey. Each generation rises higher on the sacrifices of the last. 
• YA fiction isn’t just for teens—it's for everyone “coming and becoming,” no matter their age. We’re ALL always coming of age, reshaping identities, and rewriting our narratives. Adults don’t have it all together, trust us. 😉 
• Behind every strong writer? Community. Demet credits having a “cheerleader” and finding stability as pivotal: “I never had a cheerleader before.” Who’s in your corner? Who are you cheering on?
• Pro-writer advice from Demet:

✔️ Persevere (it took her 12 years!)
✔️ Believe in YOURSELF first—faith is infectious
✔️ Don’t write for rewards or publication—write because you MUST
✔️ There’s no such thing as wasted practice. Every story counts.

• Final takeaway: You DON’T have to fit the mold. Demet shifted from gritty realism to fantasy to find new creative freedom. “Be willing to try new things, embrace change, and write what sets your heart on fire.”

P.S. If you love audiobooks, Blood Moon Bride is coming to audio in 2026! Audiobooks are REAL reading (don’t listen to the haters). They open new worlds for everyone—including EAL readers.

Go chase your story. Every journey has setbacks. Persevere, edit fiercely, surround yourself with supporters, and shine your light. Huge thanks to @DemetDivaroren for the wisdom—and for all the writers hustling in the dark every day. We see you.✨