AN AUTHOR who went from BD3 to one of Bradford's best selling writers has told of her journey into the world of literature.

Until six years ago, lawyer Abda Khan had never considered picking up a pen until she realised the power it held.

Having worked with victims of domestic violence throughout the career, Abda realised how she could use her experiences to inspire gripping plots, raise awareness and help women from both BAME backgrounds and non-BAME backgrounds too.

"I never really set out to be a writer," Abda said.

"The reason I started writing, I started thinking about the issues I'd come across through my work. It just made me realise there's so many stories out there that aren't really available through fiction. You do get a lot of issues covered in the news or research or academia but sometimes it'd be nice to have those themes in books.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

"Fiction is a great way to highlight the problems you see around you.

"Sometimes fiction can make a big difference.

"When a couple of women wrote me to report rapes, I talked through the process (of going to police) - that was worth writing such a difficult story. It was worth it because I made a big difference to someone's life."

Abda says she is proud to be where she is now, having overcome obstacles at a young age and defied expectations in the form of 80s stereotypes and racial microaggressions.

Looking back on her teen years, she explained: "I didn't always want to be a writer. I grew up in a very traditional Pakistani family. Nobody had gone up the age of 16 at school in my family before me. I wanted to go to university. I didn't really have any role models around me - it was just something that was part of me.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

"My mum was really great. I was really adamant I wanted to carry on in sixth form. My dad was quite strict and said, 'You can only do pharmacy or law'. Unfortunately my mum passed away in sixth form, it was a really difficult time. She felt really proud for me to have my chance in life.

"When I look back now, it was quite difficult. I did suffer a bit of racism in my life. I remember my career's advisor - I might have been about 15 - I went into her office and she said, 'What would you like to do?' and I said, 'I think I'd quite like to do law' and she shook her head and said, 'Girls like you don't study law, do they?'. If I'd been a different type I might have been put off. It was such a different time."

Abda has lived with her family in the Midlands for 26 years now but she affirms, "Bradford is my home. I'm incredibly proud of my Bradford roots."