“Writing Is Like Unburdening Myself On Paper!” Nandita Sharma, Author Of The Month, July 2018

Nandita Sharma feels that women should not need to “take permission” for their choices, and is angered by the fact that daughters are brought up to be dependent in our society.

Women’s Web is powered by an incredible community of (now) 3000 contributors, who bring their experiences, views and knowledge to share with others in the community. Every month, we recognise three of them as the Authors of the Month. This July 2018, Nandita Sharma is one of our three Featured Authors of the Month. You can view Nandita Sharma’s writing at Women’s Web here.

Authors are often asked this question, but everyone has their own reasons, very personal to them. So, why do you write?

What do you enjoy reading? Does any of it help your writing?

I enjoy reading stuff where I can connect to the subject on some level. Writings for example like Khalid Hosseni’s ‘The Kite Runner’ and works by Ruskin Bond, are great examples of writings from the heart. Yes, they have actually helped me to a large extent in the way thoughts can be articulated and presented to the reader apart from their strong visual imagery and keen observation as writers. I call their works as learning libraries for budding writers.

When it comes to writing on/for/about women, what questions and issues drive you the most?

Writing about women, the issues that drive me the most is the problem with our upbringing where most women in Indian families are not taught to be mentally strong and take a stand on their own whenever the need be. We still come across numerous examples where the norm is that daughters should carry on being unloved just for the sake of her children and moreover, to escape the social stigma. The voices are being raised and curbed subsequently but I as a writer feel that our pen should never cease to bring the reality to the fore and that too, without a peck of hesitation.

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Could you narrate an issue or incident in your life which you think was gender related, and you handled it in a way that has made you proud.

Yes, that was one of the male members in my in laws family objected to my going out to work and earn. However, I did not hesitate to go ahead with my preferences and inclination as an independent thinking women, keen to create her own identity.

What are the things you would like to write about in the future for Women’s Web?

I would like to write about transgender women and their lives, the changing relationships between parents and their off springs and the need to do away with that ‘requisite permission’ for most women to make choices.

Thank you!

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