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| Pakistani author, Mirza Waheed (Left) and Nepali author, Manjushree Thapa (Right) at Sharjah International Book Dair on 14th November 2012. Photo by Sree lakshmi and Kavita Mehrotra. Click here for more photos. |
On the 8th day of the
Sharjah International Book Fair, writers, Manjushree Thapa and Mirza Waheed
addressed students from schools across Sharjah and gave them helpful tips to be
a successful writer.
ManjushreeThapa spoke about multilingualism, she went on to speak about the ‘power of expression’ and the
‘art of observation’ since she specialized in photography. The Nepali writer loved
literature but was never sure of writing, until she wrote her first book, Mustang Bhot in Fragments (1992) at the
age of 24.
Thapa
discussed the importance of creative writing and also informed the students
about the new career alternatives like bachelors and masters in creative writing.
“Reading is a very large part in being
a writer and is equally important for writing”, Thapa said.
Thapa said that she spends 3-4 years on
each of her novels and advices aspiring writers to “make active notes” alongside
the book they are reading.
She also spoke of realistic issues like
earning a living while writing. For a successful book, she said, a writer must
have a good relationship with their team which includes a literary agent, a
publication house and the most importantly, a great editor.
Sharing
the stage was Pakistani author and journalist, Mirza Waheed stressed on the
importance of language to make one a global citizen.
Waheed
remembered how his
parents forced him to learn 4 languages; however he is grateful to them now as
the knowledge of “language takes you into a different world”.
He confided with the students how he
was a closeted writer and never shared his passion for writing with anyone. He urged
the students not to follow his footsteps and instead share their works with
someone like a teacher. The Kashmiri writer shared with the audience how
getting published can be a gruesome wait.
Waheed agreed with Thapa’s
views about how a writer should be well financed before deciding to take up
writing as a full time profession. Together the two writers urged the
audience to keep a daily journal.
“Writing
is a solitary business; it is like actually going to the office. Writing every day,
is practice, you get your voice right, and you get your tone right,” said Waheed
as the session concluded.
By Nicole Xavier
The writer is a first year MA Media and Communications student in Manipal University, Dubai.
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