Our Tainted Souls is a story about two people who belong to opposite sides of the social spectrum, but come together under the most unlikely circumstances. Set in the shimmering world of upper-class Lahore where nothing is not what it seems, and the cramped village of Zaleemabad where the despicable prejudices held by Pakistani society are hidden behind mud walls and cloth curtains, Our Tainted Souls is the journey of two individuals, Ahmed and Seher towards and then away from each other. The two characters start from a point where they can’t stand to see themselves in the mirror to a place where they do find peace by having the courage to change. The story is about the lust for power, fighting your inner demons and about hope. I also wanted to highlight the reality that we are all on our own journey and are meant to give ourselves our own happy endings, something that I hope is reflected through both my characters.
What drew me to explore these themes was the fact that I feel like these are things we all feel or have seen in our lives sometimes. We all want to see things change for the better in the world, especially in this day and age and we want to be part of that change, but circumstances make it hard to do so, and I wanted to show this through Ahmed and Seher, and their journey as they find the courage within themselves to take a step towards that. It is human nature to want more, but we need to know where to draw the line, and I wanted to show this through characters like Ahmed’s father and grandfather and what their lust for power does to them.
You have used two very contrasting settings in the novel. Is there a reason behind the different backdrops?
I would like to think that Our Tainted Souls explores two very different worlds and how, even though they are different on the outside, they actually do have more in common than what we might think. Ahmed has grown up in the opulent world of upper class Lahore, a city with towering glass structures and billboards that signify the wealth and privilege enjoyed by the elite, whereas Seher has spent her life in the confines of Zaleemabad, a village known for its strict social norms and limited social mobility. But when we think about it, there are certain norms and protocols to be followed by the apparently untouchable elite of Lahore as well, norms that if broken will cost you dearly which we do see through Ahmed’s character.
In the same way, while Ahmed feels trapped by his inability to walk the path of morality that he desires, so does Seher. So even though the two belong to completely different worlds both geographically and socially, they do grapple with the same underlying problem; the freedom to live their lives as they choose.
Where did the idea for Our Tainted Souls come from?
I don’t think there is any one moment or evet that inspired me, but stories and events that occur every day that are usually overlooked or go by unnoticed. So it was the stories I had heard from the staff at my house, and what I saw happening around me as I lived in Lahore, from friends and what I read in the newspapers. I feel like there is so much going on in the world around us, and sometimes we are not even aware of the prejudice we, or people around us hold. I just wanted to give a voice to the people who actually live those stories. I also really wanted to write something that might one day start a conversation about how we need to be the ones to bring the change that we want to see around us. It actually started off as a short story from Ahmed’s perspective, and then I felt like there was a lot more to his world than what I had written. Eventually I ended up toying with the idea of exploring the differences between two opposing ends of the social spectrum and that’s how Seher’s character took form.
Were you worried about possible criticism whilst writing Our Tainted Souls?
When I first started writing the book, I knew that some of the themes that I wanted to explore, such as political corruption might not be everyone’s cup of tea and that some people would have strong opinions about it, and I do understand that because these are very layered topics. I was also afraid that it might be taken out of context as well. Later when I decided to talk about inequality and lack of opportunities, I knew that that might irk some readers as well because we all have our own way ofdealing with problems, and I knew that readers might not agree with my main characters or what I was trying to show. But in the end, what motivated me to write was the fact that we all have a right to feel how we feel about certain things and to express ourselves in a way that does not harm anyone. I told myself that it might at least help one person to see things in a different light. So far the book has not received major criticism and I am really glad about that, but I think that every writer is concerned on some level about possible criticism, but what keeps us going is the love and positive feedback we get from readers through reviews and messages. I try to focus on that and let it drive meforward.
Our Tainted Souls sheds a light on the various inequalitiesfaced by different segments of society. What role do you see writers playing in bridging these inequalities?
I think as writers, we have a responsibility to inform people. We have the power to tell stories that are real and can resonate with people and we can use this to create change. By informing people about things that they might not be previously aware of or might not have seen up close, we allow them access to a different world, and that, in my opinion is how we can help bridge inequalities between different segments of society. If people read about a different world than their own, they will eventually want to reach out to it and help in whatever way they can. And if we can make things a little better for even one person, I’d say we were doing a good job.
Your novel also has some strong side characters that drive the story forward. Could you tell us a little about how these characters are significant to the story?
I have always believed that a story is much more than its plot and the main characters. In fact, it is often the minor, side characters that help in carrying it forward and delivering its message. So for me, characters like Seher’s mother and her friend Razia were very important in conveying the message that I wanted to put forward. They represent the lives of so many women that do deserve better but are not as strong-willed or lack the strength to essentially do something to achieve what they actually deserve. I wanted to show that they have been conditioned to live a certain way all their lives and while Seher chose to go out and find a better life for herself, that choice does not come by as easily for others. In the same way, characters like Wes and Irene represent a certain level of comfort and privilege that is not easy for many of us to leave.
Your story is set in Lahore and its outskirts, but you yourself are based in Islamabad. What drove you to choose Lahore as the focal point in your story?
I have spent the majority of my adult life in Islamabad, but will always have strong ties with Lahore. I was born there and have spent my childhood there as well. I also visit it quite regularly because most of my family lives there so it has a very special place in my heart. I feel like Lahore has a certain energy about it that can’t really be found anywhere else. The people, their stories and the sights are so vibrant and full of life that I felt like it would be the ideal setting for the story.
You talk a lot about morality and how certain moral values are shaped by society to benefit a select few in your book. What would you say defines real moral values?
In my book, people, especially the elders from Seher’s village use the morality card, so to speak, in order to shape and cultivate the kind of society that would benefit them alone, not really seeing whether those values and traditions are in fact morally right or wrong. That is something she struggles with throughout the story. In my opinion, we all do this to some extent such as the social norms constructed by the elite in Ahmed’s world, norms that only benefit a certain segment of the society. In my opinion, real moral values should be defined by the fact that something that is considered good or morally right should not have the power to bring another segment down or harm it in any way.
What is your writing routine like? Do you any set rules that you adhere to?
I always feel like setting rules or a time limit for does not really work for me. So I just write when I feel inspired or motivated to write. Quite often, I do come up with ideas during the day and then note it down, but usually, I write during the night, because it is more peaceful and I can focus better on my work. So I try toget as much done as I can at that time, and don’t set a word limit, but I try to make it to at least 2000 words. I also work very well with a broader deadline,
When did you first start writing fiction?
I think I have been writing for as long as I can remember! It started back in middle school and I was fortunate enough to have good teachers who encouraged us to write and gave us the creative freedom to do so. So it started with start over-the-top stories for my English class and then developed into writing on wattpad, a platform that really helped me through my teen years. I then began toying with the idea of writing contemporary fiction set in Pakistan as I started reading stories by South Asian writers such as Khaled Hosseini, Mohsin Hamid and Kamila Shamsie.
Which authors have you learned from the most? Whose work do you admire?
I have been a reader ever since I was in elementary school, so I have been able to read and learn from various authors over the years. But F. Scott Fitzgerald and Harper Lee are two that I have learned from the most. The first book that I read as I was coming of age was, To Kill a Mockingbird, and it has shaped not onlymy writing, but also the way I look at life. The themes Lee explores truly resonated with me and I felt like those were things I wanted to write about as well. I love the way Fitzgerald illustrated the society during the Jazz Age in his works and I would like to hope that my writing on some level reflects that as well. Recently, over the years I have grown to admire the works of Tolstoy as well as Dostoevsky.
What projects are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a collection of short stories that will hopefully shed a light on numerous social issues that we are facing today, and am also in the very early stage of writing another novel that is set in contemporary Pakistan.