Sharada Sharma was eight years old when she wrote her first poem. Over the years, the poem has disappeared, but she has been able to leave a mark in the Nepali world of literature with 11 books that vary in genres from poetry and short story anthologies to literary criticism and novels. Known for her critically acclaimed novels such as Taap and Kampa, in this conversation with the Post’s Abha Dhital, Sharma talks about how she became a writer and how writing is one of the most powerful tools of expression for introverts. Excerpts:

What role has literature played in your life and how has it shaped who you are? Could you guide us through your journey behind becoming a writer?

I have always been a very introverted person. Growing up, I didn’t have many friends, but I always had so much I needed to get out of my system. It was always difficult for me to communicate my thoughts and feelings to others even when my mind was always crowded with thoughts. There were so many things that I questioned, there were so many things that disturbed me. There was this agony inside me that I would douse by pouring my heart out, in writing. Writing felt like a dialogue between me, the pen, and the notebook. This is how I started writing. Literature has always been a tool of expression. I was drawn to it because of the need to let it all out. But my works stayed with me for a long time before they made their ways to the publisher’s desk. 

When did you start writing?

My first memory of writing goes back to when I was eight years old. I was in Pokhara and the poem I had written was inspired by the city’s natural beauty. 

Did you always know that you would become a writer?

I didn’t start writing because I wanted to become a writer. But thanks to my father, who wrote and edited for various papers at the time, I had learnt early on in life that writing is a good practice. The environment at home was just perfect to nurture the writer in me, but I was always so intimidated by my father that I could never bring myself to share my works with him.

What themes and motifs do you play with when writing? Why are these themes important for you? 

I have always been particularly amused by the mysterious force behind life and the universe. These themes can be found in almost all my works.

Is writing a natural and effortless process for you? Or is it more of a Sadhana, and you invest time and energy into it? 

Any work you do with dedication becomes Sadhana. Writing can be a Sadhana when the writer dives right in and dissolves into the process. For me,writing is sometimes a self-motivated process while other times it requires a lot of time and energy. Writing is mostly effortless in the beginning, when you are just letting it out. However, once you have poured it all down, the revision that follows takes a lot of time and energy. 

What separates a good writer from a bad one? 

I think this is for the reader to decide. If I am to comment on this as a reader myself, a good writing is as capable of disturbing the readers as it is capable of bringing peace to them. Good writing is capable of making an impact on the reader by arousing questions as well as shattering their previously held beliefs. A good work reflects the writer’s intelligence and conscience. 

Yet, it is not necessary that any writer who has a lesser impact on their reader is a bad writer. Some writers need more practice, they need more study, but just because they cannot meet a certain standard doesn’t mean that they are bad writers. For anybody who writes, just being able to translate their feelings into words is a therapeutic process; it has to be considered a feat.  

How open are you to criticism and how important do you think it is for a writer? 

Constructive criticism is very important to elevate the quality of writing. I listen to criticism and embrace it if it helps me grow.  

You have been writing for so many years now. Have you seen growth in who you are as a writer? 

With age comes experience and with experience comes maturity at all levels—mind, body, conscience. This maturity is reflected in your writing. Writing after all is a reflection of who you are on the inside. It is something that is so integrated with your life. 

My writing has definitely evolved over the years. How I view and absorb the world around me has changed. I have been writing for so long, and in doing so I have discovered myself in the process. I now feel like this beautiful literary journey for me will end once and when I reach a certain threshold inside me. 

Is Nepali readership ready for bold, strong, independent, female protagonists? If not, what can be done to change the scenario? 

The new generation of readers is definitely more receptive and progressive. The readers have become generous. Yes, there is still room for progress, and the writers are responsible to drive the change.  Life is short and uncertain. It is our responsibility as writers to pave the path for progress while we can. We cannot afford to wait for the readers to be ready for bolder, newer content. We have to push them to work towards it. 

How critical are you towards your own work? 

I always write for my peace of mind. Once it is out there, I examine and sift  through my work. I revise and re-revise it. It is not easy to be content with your work, but when I feel like I have done enough work, I let my writings surface for public viewing. Because I invest so much time and energy on revision, once the final version is published I am not so disappointed of my work.

What books do you think the readers should absolutely read in this era and why? 

Mahabharat. The epic paints a poignant picture of human life and behaviour. The story applies to all eras, all generations. It always feels contextual, it never feels stale. The Geeta is a very important text for the curious mind. It holds answers to the biggest mysteries of life and universe. It gives both hope and reason.  

How important is spirituality to you and how has it affected your work? 

Spirituality helps you take life as it comes, peacefully. It reminds us of our limitations and keeps us humble. Spirituality has checked my arrogance and as well as my anxiety. 

If you could change anything about the literature scene in Nepal, what would it be and why?

The new generation of writers are a capable and talented lot. There is ample good works available in the market. It is noticeable that the new writers are also investing in research and study. The problem, as I see, lies in carelessness while editing and translating good literature. If we can address these problems the literature scene in Nepal is already on the right path. It is capable of competing with literatures from other parts of the world.