Shiwani Neupane, the author of Monica: Pieces of Perfect, actively leads multiple professional careers. A corporate marketer by day and a freelancer on the weekends, she has previously worked as a journalist and a newsreader as well. Neupane, whose second book Crossing Shadows is nearing its publication, talks about her books, her body of work, and about what makes a good book, in this interview with the Post’s Gaurav Pote. Excerpts:

To start off with, would you tell us a little about yourself?

I grew up in Kathmandu but changed schools frequently—from Kathmandu to India and back to Kathmandu where I finished my high school. I then went to Ithaca College, in upstate New York, where I completed my double-degree in Political Science and English. It was very challenging but also rewarding. I even managed to finish it relatively early—in three-and-a-half years—with several full credit semesters and not a lot of partying.

When I returned to Kathmandu, I worked as a newsreader, writer and freelancer for a year and a half. By then, I had already started working on my second novel, Crossing Shadows. Shortly after, I left for Columbia Journalism School in New York City, and later got selected for a year-long digital media fellowship at the Tow Center for Digital Journalism. I, however, was always set on returning to Nepal because I wanted to explore business. Outside the sphere of writing and journalism, business has always fascinated me. At the moment, I work at Ambe Group, and assist my father, who is the Managing Director of the company.

What keeps you busy these days?

I spent a long time this year working on the last few drafts of my book, while also learning the ins and outs of running a business. If I get time I  work as a freelancer as well. My schedule has been a tad freer of late because I’ve finally submitted my book, although its printing had to be pushed back due to a paper shortage, thanks to this blockade.

So I’m not working on anything too interesting right now, but have constantly been on the lookout for great start-up ideas. Ideally, I’d like to find a business model for a journalism start-up. There’s another teen fiction that I’ve been planning to start but let’s see what comes of it!

Would you tell us a little about your book Monica: Pieces of Perfect?

My book Monica: Pieces of Perfect was a teen fiction. Many have also called it the first Nepali teen fiction written in English. I was 19 when I finished that book and it did quite well among the young readers. So much so, I still receive messages occasionally, asking if I will write anything like Monica again. But, the Nepali market for English literature is small, which means the market for teen fiction is even smaller. It is difficult to find a large audience at the national level.

And, about Crossing Shadows?

Crossing Shadows has taken years of my life unlike Monica, which I wrote in about two

months. I have put a lot of hard work, energy, and thought into this new book that chronicles the uniquely interconnected lives of half-a-dozen characters. All I can reveal right now is that the book starts with a detective trying to solve a crime.

What, in your opinion, makes a good book?

I think a good book is one that has gone through lots and lots of editing, (something I learnt quite late). But that aside, I like books that use a direct style of writing—the one that sends chills down your spine. Toni Morrison, my favourite, is a perfect example of this. At the same time, I also think writers who can find a large audience are admirable. A lot of people look down on mass-market books like those authored by Nicholas Sparks or Chetan Bhagat, but it takes skill to be able to touch millions of people through words. I admire that kind of writing.

So, what stirred you into professional writing in the first place? What keeps you motivated?

Writing comes naturally to me. As a little girl, I pretended to write books, and growing up, I kept tons of diaries. I’m not sure exactly how my love affair with writing began, but after I finished reading Anne Frank in the fourth grade, I thought it was one of the best things I had ever read and took pride in writing diaries from then on. Reading a good book has always motivated me. Even to this day, every time I read something I love, I am motivated to write.

You have also worked as a media-person and in marketing. Would you tell us more?

I was a newsreader at News 24 a few years ago, and a freelancer for a number of lifestyle magazines. I was also doing a marketing stint at Ambe Group at the time. Even though it was interesting, I think I am more interested in the entrepreneurial side of business, however. I am still figuring that out!

For a writer, you must have a voracious appetite for reading literature…

I do. I find it hard to stick to a particular genre so I find myself reading all kinds of books. But for my favourites; I really liked Kiran Desai’s The Inheritance of Loss, Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Lowland and Adam Johnson’s The Orphan Master’s Son. These books have collectively left an impact on me, so to speak. I also read lighter love stories, biographies, and a lot of long-form pieces.

How do you contrast the contemporary Nepali literature with the conventional one? Is there a distinction to begin with?

I haven’t read a lot of literature in Nepali, so I may not be the right person to answer this. But I think we now have a fledging breed of Nepali writers, who write in English. Every writer I have read is amazing and I’m looking forward to all the literature that is going to produced in the future.

What’s next for Shiwani Neupane?

I am still trying to figure out what’s next, but I sure hope it involves writing.

I’m sure our readers would like some literary advice, at the end.

I’m still learning, I always am. So, I guess my advice is to never stop reading or trying, and not to ever think of yourself as better than others. Humility is key! Writing is a difficult process and very few people are incredible at their first attempt. So, you just have to keep trying.