According to the horror writer Stephen King, "The scariest moment is always just before you start." Writer Mouri Morium has always been imaginative and emotional, which is probably why she never felt the fear Mr King described before beginning something new.

Mouri's greatest passion has always been reading books. Due to her vivid imagination, she would often daydream about the countless possibilities life might hold. Once her mind was brimming with ideas, she decided to start putting them down on paper. She was only about 16 years old at the time. Much later in life, she began sharing her self-written stories on social media regularly. Her stories garnered a dedicated following, and it was from her readers' suggestions that Mouri found the inspiration to publish her first book.

What sets Mouri apart from the rest of us mere mortals, you might ask? Quite a lot, really. She has an exceptional ability to draw inspiration from her everyday life—particularly from her favourite writers and her readers, both of whom she considers her muses. Interestingly, the way her favourite authors inspire her is unique. She explains that whenever she enjoys the work of a new author (or even an old favourite), she feels disheartened at not being able to articulate herself as effectively. This feeling, however, spurs her to work harder and strive to write more beautifully than ever before.

From a very young age, Mouri has been deeply captivated by Humayun Ahmed's writing. She feels a profound connection with his characters and stories. Among all his books, "Moddhyanho" holds a special place in her heart, although every one of his works is dear to her. She believes that reading his books has contributed significantly to the development of her own writing skills.

In addition, Mouri has been an avid admirer of Dan Brown, particularly for his ability to craft intricate tales woven with literary finesse. She hopes to emulate his storytelling prowess someday. Her favourite work of his is The Da Vinci Code.

For Mouri, life would seem incomplete or uneventful without its share of challenges. This does not mean that life should be filled only with sadness or despair. On the contrary, she believes life should be an extraordinary blend of bittersweet moments that teach us valuable lessons or, at the very least, leave us feeling nostalgic. She likens the writer's journey to this philosophy, recognising that every path is paved with its own hardships.

Mouri also reflects on the unique challenges faced by women in Bangladesh, observing that they often endure far greater difficulties than others. However, she holds a refreshingly optimistic perspective, viewing hardships as integral to life's tapestry. She approaches these challenges head-on, devoting her full concentration and effort to overcoming them.

For Mouri, the love and support of her readers is the ultimate measure of success. She describes the unparalleled joy of seeing fans brave the crowds at book fairs just to purchase a writer's work. Such moments, she says, are profoundly validating and deeply emotional, often moving writers to tears. Reflecting on her career, she treasures the moment she received the Humayun Ahmed Literary Award in 2022. Beyond that, her books consistently become bestsellers. While finding publishers was initially challenging, the roles have now reversed—she is inundated with deadlines, often having to complete at least two books a year. Sometimes, she wishes for more time to refine each project.

Mouri has high praise for the Stellar Women initiative, describing it as a prestigious recognition that has brought her immense joy and inspiration. In her view, awards like these foster greater dedication to one's craft. She is deeply thankful to bti and The Daily Star for considering her for this honour.

Mouri also offers valuable advice to aspiring female writers. She encourages them to pursue opportunities like Stellar Women, which she believes can inspire women from all walks of life to work hard, achieve success, and earn such recognition.

May Mouri Morium continue to shine brightly as a beacon of inspiration, guiding future generations of aspiring female writers and professionals alike.