By Sara Naveed is a Pakistani novelist based in Lahore. She’s written three books, Undying Affinity (2014), Our Story Ends Here (2017) and All Of My Heart (2018) all of which are romance novels. Sara passion for writing grew when she was getting her Master’s degree in Banking and Finance. We sat down with her at Mashion HQ to learn about what inspires her and where she sees literature in Pakistan going. Keep reading to hear what she had to say!
1. How did you come to write your first novel?
I just happened to get a plot while I was pursuing my Masters degree. I was staying in a hostel, far away from my family. Perhaps solitude is what got me into writing. I wanted a way to escape the reality around me and writing helped me do that.
2. What generally inspires you?
Everything, especially music.
3. What do you think makes a good love story? Since those are what you write.
A good story told in the simplest way.
4. Is a story more important to you or the characters?
The story needs to be good. Characters just blend in.
5. What difficulties came your way with regards to publishing?
There were so many, I don’t even know where to begin. There were no traditional publishers in Pakistan – still isn’t one that I can think of – so this was one of the major setbacks for me in the beginning. Since I had no other option, I opted for self-publishing with my first book.
6. Have you ventured outside of fiction lately?
Not yet. I don’t think I will be able to do that. Fiction is what I’m comfortable with. Nonfiction is just not something I can be good at.
7. Do you have a personal favorite among your work?
Our Story Ends Here. I chose this book among the rest because I haven’t felt closer to any other story or characters as much as I did to this one.
8. Why is writing and reading important for a society?
Reading helps shape society. Writing is what comes after reading. The first step is to grab a book and start reading. You can’t be a writer unless you’re not a reader.
9. Do you think people read enough? Just enough or not enough?
They read just enough. I wish the literacy rate in Pakistan was higher. People should read more books and help promote emerging Pakistani writers.
10.Would you like your novels to be adapted for movies or dramas?
Yes. I would love to. Hope that happens someday.
11. Thank you for being with us today. Anything you’d like to say to our readers?
Keep reading and keep giving a chance to budding Pakistani writers because if it weren’t for you, writers like me could never exist.
What do you think?
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