Wajed "Melo" Doumani
Joined Meer in February 2024
Wajed "Melo" Doumani

Screenwriter, sports, and philosophy writer residing in Dubai, UAE. Born to Lebanese parents in the United States and raised in the United Kingdom, Over 20 years of writing experience with the aim to stimulate thought and provoke feeling.

It was my English teacher at the American School of Rabat, Mrs. Mkinsi, who first made me aware that I was a writer. Ever since hearing that compliment, I’ve never veered off that path. I have devoted my time and energy to proving to my traditional parents and the non-artistic skeptics that I am destined to express the articulation of my heart, mind, and soul through writing. It’s a motivation that is perpetually in motion.

I recall my first venture into expressing myself with the pen when I was 12 years old. My uncle, may he rest in peace, encouraged me to pursue writing by sitting me down on his antiquated Toshiba laptop. He had a journalism software program, and I used it to write sports articles to pass the time in the dull city of Tripoli, Lebanon. From a young age, I sought feedback from family members, but I was left disappointed with the lack of consideration.

It wasn’t until a couple of years later, after returning from a skiing trip with my father and his friends, that I captured my father’s interest. He had asked me to write about my impressions of this generous trip. I discovered that one of his intentions in inviting me to join his buddies in this once-in-a lifetime experience was to serve as their butler. My accurate and humorous depiction evoked feelings of anger and discontent. I was swiftly instructed to write another version. A “better” version, one that reflected the expectations of my father. That was the moment I learned how to write for a specific audience.

The craft of writing is physically enduring and mentally taxing. Blindly walking in a landscape, not knowing how the message will be received. It has taken me a while to hone the talent and translate it into a legitimate and recognizable skill. Along the course of my experimentation, I have composed and published two novels, a poetry book, philosophical articles, sports articles for various media outlets, and most recently screenplays for an array of media companies.

I have a passion for creating and bringing worlds to life through screenwriting. It’s my niche, where I like to play in the metaphorical sandbox. A place where I can think, reflect, and have fun. My true desire for my audience is to have them believe that the 20 minutes it took them to read were not a gargantuan waste of their efforts and time. The skill is to have readers contemplate and feel what they consumed. That is the mark of an artist.

When I write, it is not for fame, fortune, ego satisfaction, or even pain. I write to let you know that I am sane. To be understood even if not appreciated, to be heard even if not in agreement. All I care about is expressing my truth in its rawest form. I invite you to join me on my journey to uncover the answers to questions that burden our minds. To discover what it is that you truly want out of life, to understand what it means to feel, and to explore my painted canvas in words that would render you speechless.

Follow me and express your feedback. I want to know what you think and how you interpret my writing. I want you to be free to express yourself and to be authentic. There’s nothing more disconcerting in this world than dealing with the artificial and synthetic.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know me.

Articles by Wajed "Melo" Doumani

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