Ask the Author: Deeba Salim Irfan
Answered Questions (7)
Deeba Salim Irfan
Dear Cynthia,
Sorry for a rather late reply! To answer your question, I was a teenager at that time and from that perspective I found post-revolution to be quite restrictive as opposed to pre-revolution. I wouldn't like to comment much on the policies as I am not the right person to do so. I am sure they had a valid reason for what they did. In any revolution, there are always two sides one that is pro and another that is against the cause. As an outsider and a non-Iranian I couldn't agree with the reasons for revolution, I felt bad for Iran and its people! I love and miss the Iran that was! That's why I wrote! I went back to Iran in 2005 and I think things have changed for the better, from immediate post revolution, but still a long way to reach what it was just prior to the revolution!!
Sorry for a rather late reply! To answer your question, I was a teenager at that time and from that perspective I found post-revolution to be quite restrictive as opposed to pre-revolution. I wouldn't like to comment much on the policies as I am not the right person to do so. I am sure they had a valid reason for what they did. In any revolution, there are always two sides one that is pro and another that is against the cause. As an outsider and a non-Iranian I couldn't agree with the reasons for revolution, I felt bad for Iran and its people! I love and miss the Iran that was! That's why I wrote! I went back to Iran in 2005 and I think things have changed for the better, from immediate post revolution, but still a long way to reach what it was just prior to the revolution!!
Deeba Salim Irfan
Do not quit! What what comes to you naturally. Write what you want to write. The great thing about this career is that it does not come with a predefined job description. You can write what your heart desires. The topic of the second novel I am working on was weighing heavily on me and tried to keep it aside for almost a year, while I did not stop researching on it. In the end, I gave in. I knew I just had to write this novel. I toyed with the concept for a long time, twisted the plot a couple of times, worked back and forth, but in the end I just had to write it. And I am happy with how it is finally turning out. So, really, my advice is to not 'run away' from your ideas, 'run after' them and make them happen!
Deeba Salim Irfan
I look for inspiration around me. Most of the time, its the music. I get inspired by lyrics of the songs, instrumental music, movies, books, even general humdrum of life, sometimes, leads to some kind of inspiration.
Deeba Salim Irfan
I am working on my second novel - Ladan.
They story is based in Dubai and India. It has two protagonists - one is an Indian girl - Devika who is diagnosed with cervical cancer and the second protagonist is an Iranian, Ladan, who is her best friend. The story explores the realms of friendship, bonding, loss, and love with an underlying key message -- how crucial can regular pap smears be to saving one's life.
They story is based in Dubai and India. It has two protagonists - one is an Indian girl - Devika who is diagnosed with cervical cancer and the second protagonist is an Iranian, Ladan, who is her best friend. The story explores the realms of friendship, bonding, loss, and love with an underlying key message -- how crucial can regular pap smears be to saving one's life.
Deeba Salim Irfan
I like to live in my world, the world I create for each novel. I hear my characters speak to me. It's a completely different feeling. I am also an advertising and events professional, have been a computer programmer in the past, I like to paint, but writing is peculiarly different. It is like you are in a trance, and a whole world that you have created is in front of you.I see things happening and they affect me deeply. Some people may confuse this experience with hallucination, however it is not the same. You can control your characters and while you are in their world and they are talking to you, you are aware of the fact that it's not real and that they are merely characters you have created, where as in hallucination, this fact is blurred or does not exist anymore. So, yes, I love this feeling. When I am in the writing mode, I want to be alone, to be able to talk to my characters and let them lead the story and sometimes when they stray away from my storyline, I pull them back in the right direction. At times they obey, at others they don't. Most interesting aspect I find about writing a novel is character interviews. When I am interviewing the character, I put forward the question and automatically the answers keep flowing, as if the character is answering without me actually even thinking. It's an amazing feeling.
Deeba Salim Irfan
When I am clouded with writer's block, I take a break from writing the manuscript I am working on. I do my research or write poems, or just do some free writing. Then, when my characters are back, they talk to me.. this happens, after a break...
Deeba Salim Irfan
I am working on my second novel. It is again a Women's Fiction. I got the idea at a hospital, where I had gone for my routine check-up. While I waited for my turn, I kept thinking of the patients at the waiting area and their lives and journeys to that point. It brought many questions to my mind which led me to talk to my doctor in detail. I got to know a few interesting facts and then I went ahead and did a detailed research on the subject and today, it's been two years I am working on it. Have spoken to many gynaecologists, patients, and read a lot on the subject. The novel is about a women's fight against Cervical Cancer, the only cancer that can be completely treated if detected early. The story explores the realms of friendship, bonding, loss, and love with an underlying key message - how crucial can regular pap smears be to saving one's life.
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