Ghad's Blog: Streetlines & Storylines

The Books That Shaped My Pen

True to the Game was the first book that made me want to write. I didn’t just read it. I related to it. The world it painted was one I understood. The street codes, the hustle, the emotional risks, and everything in between. That story showed me urban fiction could be bold, real, and hit deeper than people expect. It was the spark that pushed me toward writing my own.

Then came Midnight by Sister Souljah. That book made me pause. Not just because of the story, but the way it was told. Midnight was from the streets, but the tone was refined. Grounded. Sharp. It challenged me to elevate how I write. To keep the grit but make it more inclusive. More intentional. That influence is still in every sentence I craft today.

And then there’s Dan Brown. His stories aren’t from the streets, but his style had a major impact on me. The structure, the pacing, the way his books keep you thinking while staying grounded in reality. That made me want to go harder. It reminded me that fiction should move fast, feel real, and teach something if it can. That’s what I aim for in every book I put out.

So my style is a mix of all three.
Relatable. Refined. Real.

This blog is where I’ll share more about the mindset behind my work. Where the ideas come from and how I bring them to the page. If you’ve read Murder on the Run or A Pimp’s Dark Love, you already know the world I’m building. If not, now is a good time to step in.

– GHAD