Share a part of the life of our consultants by discovering their hobbies! This month, let's talk about Yamen Manai (d²X Paris) and his passion for writing.

What is your double life?

I am an engineer and a French-speaking writer.

After graduating from Télécom SudParis in 2004, I worked as an IT project manager in various business contexts (automotive, energy, gaming industry) and on different subjects (CRM, BPM, ITSM...). Parallel to my assignments at d²X, I try to pursue a career as a writer.

I have published three novels with Elyzad editions: « La marche de l'incertitude » (2009), « La sérénade d'Ibrahim Santos » (2011), and « L'amas ardent » (2017) which won the Five Continents Prize, awarded by the International Organization of La Francophonie.

When and how did you start?

I've always loved reading and I used to scribble down and keep what I wrote to myself. But 15 years ago, I heard a story that seemed so extraordinary that I had to share it. I started writing it down and « weave » over it. Three years later, my first novel was published.

What do you like about this passion?

It is to not take the world for granted, but to question and explore it constantly, to learn new things about oneself and about the world, because writing a novel is to « gain space for nuances », and also documenting a universe that we explore, for example a geography, a part of history,…

And in your daily life, how does your passion fit in?

At the moment, writing is not a daily activity. I don't set myself goals or discipline. I write when I can, when I am inspired. Having your notebook nearby is perhaps the only constraint. But it suffices for a book to come out for this daily life to be turned upside down: the promotion work requires organization, coordination and keeping an up-to-date agenda.

Have you acquired skills that you use in your professional life?

Telling stories to clients... No, I'm just kidding! There's a rigour to have two lives, a sense of continuity in ideas, a part of ego to master as well.

Thank you Yamen for answering our questions!