Shiwani Neupane is a writer and businesswoman. She currently works as the Assistant Director at Ambe Group of Industries. The Post’s Alisha Sijapati recently caught up with Neupane to talk about her new book, Crossing Shadows, her love for books, and her plans. Excerpts:

How did the novel Crossing Shadows come to be? 

I was in my early twenties, working as a newsreader, when I started writing Crossing Shadows. I come from a very sheltered home, and while working as a newsreader, reading and writing about the monstrosities of the country and the world, I was introduced to a world I didn’t know much of. But I was inspired by it. I wanted to write more about it. Through Crossing Shadows I have tried to make sense of the world we live in, in the chaos, and understand why people do what they do. 

How does the focus of Crossing Shadows differ from that of your first novel, Monica: Pieces of Perfect?

Monica was a teen fiction book, which I wrote when I was very young. I wrote Monica for my teenage self that starved for stories with a Nepali protagonist. And it mostly connected to teenage girls who loved the dreamy world of Monica. Whereas I wrote Crossing Shadows as a challenge to prove myself that I could weave a good story. My two books are poles apart from each other.

How has the response to the new book been like?

Crossing Shadows has been received well by readers. It is humbling to receive the messages, calls and texts, by both friends and strangers, who have read the book. I am very happy with the way it’s going. 

How do you base your characters? Do you have any favourites? 

Yes, I do have favourite characters but I put so much time and effort into building each character that my favourite changes often. I think consciously and subconsciously, I end up basing characters from the people I encounter. It’s the strange behaviour of people, or someone’s unique character that often sticks to me. But I try and introduce a few characters who are not-so-larger-than-life in what I write, because fiction—even though it is just fiction—is better when it is grounded on reality. 

What is good writing for you? What would you say makes a good writer?

For me, good writing is anything that tugs your heart. A lot of people are dismissive of simple writing—like Chetan Bhagat and Paulo Coelho—but I find them incredible because they reach out to millions of people through their words. Having said that, I like fiction that reads like poetry; fiction that’s sharp, direct and touches your heart, like any of Toni Morrison’s work.

How did you first come to love books?

Growing up, my mother used to take me to libraries. There was this one library in particular, called the AWON library in Kupondole, which let us borrow 20 books at a time. In the beginning, I used to borrow books with pink glittery covers selectively but slowly moved to writers such as Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton, and the like, taking home multiple books at the same time. 

What was the last book you read and how did you like it?

The last book I read was The God of Small Things, by Arundhati Roy. I loved it. The book is about a Syrian Christian family in India—the tale is so eloquently woven that it made me feel like I was in the midst of a soulful song. 

 Which book do you want to read next and why?

I really enjoyed Chitra Banarjee Divyakaruni’s Palace of Illusions, so I am now reading her recently-released novel, Before We Visit the Goddess. Simultaneously, I’m trying to read Elena Ferrante, which has become a difficult task as I am reading the soft copy on the iPad, so I am trying to find the hard copy of the book. I’m also looking forward to reading Jhumpa Lahiri’s latest In Other Words.  

 What is your favourite genre?

I love fiction, and I’m growing fond of South Asian literature. I enjoy the stories as I can relate to them in some ways.

How do you select books to read?

I’m always looking for recommendations, and that is how I select most of the books I read. I also stroll around bookstores, and read the synopsis of various novels, both from writers heard and unheard of, and pick a book. I really enjoy this process. 

 Name a book that you would or would not recommend, and why?

It’s hard to think of a book I wouldn’t recommend, but one of the books I would definitely recommend is Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic. Whether you loved or hated her international bestseller Eat, Pray, Love, I would still recommend that anyone engaged in creative pursuits read this book. 

Do you plan to write another book soon?

I’m always writing a book. I think I want to write a short teen fiction book for the fans of Monica, and then transition to a book of short stories. Let’s see what happens.

Your advice for general readers… 

Read! Read anything—comics, science fiction, non-fiction, biographies, but read. If you are not an avid reader already, take up the habit. Reading opens the door to a whole new world. And in the worst of times, sometimes, books can be your only friend.