SHARJAH, UAE- Everyone is made of stories, and every life holds experiences worth sharing. Bringing the theme of the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026), ‘Made of Stories’, into focus, Zaina Khaled, former TikTok Regional Public Policy Programs Lead, encouraged audiences to recognise the power of everyday experiences to inspire others.
Speaking during a session titled ‘How Do We Turn Our Experiences into Powerful Stories?’, Khaled, a content and media consultant, stressed that storytelling is not reserved for people with remarkable accomplishments. A professional’s career journey could inspire someone entering the workforce, while a working mother’s experience of balancing family and work could resonate with others facing similar challenges.
“Every single person has a story worth sharing. Your career could inspire someone who is just starting theirs. A working mother sharing how she balances home and work could inspire another working mother. We are all made of stories, as this year’s Sharjah International Book Fair theme says,” she said.
Khaled encouraged participants to reflect on their personal and professional journeys and identify experiences worth sharing through public speaking, writing, television, radio or social media.
Finding strength in setbacks
One of the biggest mistakes people make when telling their stories, Khaled explained, is failing to understand their own experiences before communicating them.
“People don’t understand their own stories really well, so they end up confusing others,” she said, encouraging participants to take time to reflect on their experiences.
Khaled also challenged the assumption that an inspiring story must centre on success: “People assume they need to have a lot of achievements to share with others, but I would say your obstacles and failures are often more valuable than your successes.”
Storytelling in the age of short-form content
Drawing on her experience at TikTok, Khaled addressed the influence of short-form video platforms on audience information consumption.
She acknowledged that short videos have made information easier to understand, but cautioned against confusing exposure to content with genuine knowledge.
“Short content has simplified information for people, and that is the positive side of it. But just because you watched a reel or an engaging video doesn’t mean you know the information or have knowledge about it,” she said.
She warned that audiences risk absorbing fragments of information across numerous subjects without developing deeper knowledge.
Concluding the session, Khaled urged participants to value their experiences, including their failures.
“Pause in this rushed life. Understand your journey, value your journey and value your small failures more than your achievements. Find a way to convey your message, whether to those around you or to a wider audience,” she said.
Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026) ran until November 15 at Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme ‘Made of Stories’, with the Sultanate of Oman as Guest of Honour. The fair brought together 3,212 publishers and exhibitors from 126 countries, showcasing more than 1.7 million titles. Its programme featured 1,500 cultural, creative and artistic events, with 106 guests from 25 countries.
