Maryam Piracha - Co-Founder of DWLWe pick up from where we left in part 1, here's the second and final part. Enjoy. :)
Q. You must give DWL a whole lot of your time, how has your family dealt with this over the years?
A. My family has been largely supportive of my endeavors with DWL over the years, although questions have been raised concerning its long term viability, which I think is only fair. There are always risks concerned when you start something new in general, and concerning the literary arts in particular. But yes, they've been mostly behind me for which I am incredibly thankful. Family support is important.
Q. Do you have anything on the drawing board in particular for the future of DWL offline?
A. There are lots of things planned for DWL's offline ventures; a possible playwriting competition, and compiling an anthology of the works of our writers and having that published. But many of these things are on the backburner for now, as the founding team turns our collective attention to fixing up some of the issues that have arisen on the online front, which is the true heart of who we are and what we do.
Q. Do you think that the three major cities you've tried to bring DWL offline into are quite different in character? And if so, then how? And does that affect DWL's growth offline?
A. Well, we’ve only brought DWL successfully to Islamabad. We will be launching something soon in Lahore and Karachi's up next, once we get a coordinator for the city. But generally, in terms of the meet ups I've attended in Lahore and Islamabad, each city has its own character and its own people. I am assuming, each chapter will bring something new to the proceedings. As to how it will effect growth, that remains to be seen.
Q. Coming to writer's block now...How often has the nasty bugger paid you an extended visit?
A. Hmm, there are some writers out there who rage against the phrase; that it doesn't exist, and maybe it doesn't. After all, why should writers stick out from the pack of other professions; doctors, plumbers, engineers don't have blocks, etc. Maybe it's the stemming of creativity; what really defines a 'writer's block'? When you can't write, or when you have no ideas? I've never had a problem with ideas or the words, thankfully. But I have been stunted for time, so while it may not have been writer's block; it was a time block. This is something I am overcoming now, thankfully. The block can be beat with persistence; that's all it is really, to keep writing over and over until you start to get somewhere.
Q. And what advice would you give to other writers reading this who are suffering from writer’s block?
A. To persist and to keep going. The only way to beat writer's block is through consistent determination and writing. Always, always write. No matter how bad it is. You'll pull through.
Q. Coming around to your own personal life now...What is there besides writing...? Are you fond of anything else?
A. Besides writing? It's interesting that you'd ask that, considering baking was my first love. I started baking when I was 10 and it started with simple microwavable recipes, before progressing forwards. In retrospect, it's been close to 15 years! Aside from that, reading, though I haven't been able to do enough of it as I would like recently. Swimming, horseback riding and ping pong and oh yes, TV. I love watching TV episodes online! Guilty pleasure.
Q. Haahahaaa... And you DO realize you just gave your age away? :P
A. Yes, I do. (Smiles) I’m okay with that.
Q. And speaking of age, where would you like to see yourself and DWL 5 years from now...? Let's say by the time you're 30?
A. Hmm...that's a good question, one that creeps up in your mind often: 'where will you be x many years from now'? I'd like to see myself as a published writer, first and foremost. I would like to be more involved and active concerning literary awareness, maybe with writers' workshops or something of the sort. For DWL, maybe see its online lit journal, PaperCuts find a print counterpart, and it being the stepping stone for writers to gain worthy publication. And then...and this is a far off dream, I'd like to see its own cafe. We (the founding members and I) have talked about it, as being a distant dream. Only time will tell whether it'll come to fruition!
Q. You've recently been involved in Project A as well? We are thrilled to have you onboard this venture and now we get to fish for compliments! *Evil grin* Why join...?
A. Moeed brought up the idea when we were discussing plans for Desi Writers Lounge, and though the two aren't linked, it's something I'm interested in seeing build up further. Because I believe Pakistan's literary and artistic scene is floundering, compared to other countries, and because there are such few outlets like these out there, I wanted to do whatever I could to make this endeavor a successful one.
Q. What do you bake best, in your own opinion as well as the opinion of your guinea pigs?
A. Hmm, it used to be brownies. I had the chewiest ones in this part of the world, but I think a close second would be chocolate chip oatmeal cookies.
Q. A word to prospective DWL members and then a word to those of Project A as well....?
A. A word to prospective DWL members? Come with an open mind and be prepared to leave your ego at the door. If you come with the mind to actively improve your craft and help hone the craft of others, you will do tremendously well. If not, it will be a bumpy ride. Honestly, though, it will be a bumpy ride regardless, but it'll be a less bumpy one in the case of the former! (Smiles)
As for prospective members of Project A: I think the same advice holds true. For some of the arts, like performance arts, be open to criticism and take the high road. Always take the high road. Nothing comes from belittling others or being defensive; in the end, the only one who gets hurt, is you.
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