Name: Sherry Duggal

Birthdate: September 23^rd

Academics: B.Sc. (major: cell biology and genetics  minor:psychology), N.D.

1. When did you find yourself lost in the world of words?

I have been writing since highschool. I think this excerpt from my blog “Writing and Healing: The storm in my mind” will give you an idea of how it all started.

 “Writing was a purging. It kept me sane amidst newspaper headlines, global environmental concerns, bullying at school and a sense of not belonging.

We live in a dysfunctional world, but expressing myself through words was one way that I gave structure and beauty to my own life. It was one way that I was able to organize my thoughts so that everything didn’t fall apart.

It was like decorating a living space. I was decorating my mind.

Writing was a way that I could makes sense of what is considered  “normal”  in today’s world where values seem to be disappearing and the distinction between black and white, right and wrong is now muddled in shades of gray. Stories brought meaning to who I was .It was a way of exploring myself and others. It still is.”

2. Do you believe that self-experience is important to keep your pen flowing? What motivates you to write and just keep writing?

Your story is etched onto the canvas of your body.  Your surroundings color you and this is reflected in your words.  There is now way around this. As an artist one must be willing to experience the whole spectrum of life. This includes delving into that which is scary. When I do timed writing exercises in my workshops and someone gets emotional I know that they’re exactly where they need to be. That’s where the energy is.

My mind becomes a prism and the end product is an offering. This can also be a joyful process as my words allow others to think, meditate and reflect on the various shades of life. This becomes motivation in itself. I cannot NOT write. I am compelled to.

3. For a writer, how important is it to be a good reader?

Reading is essential.  I have never had a mentor in writing. A career shift was a challenge, but in the last five/six years I have tried to give myself space to read. Each writer I explore becomes my mentor. Exposing myself to different thoughts and ideas enriches me not only as an artist but as a person. As I become aware of the different ways people play with words I evolve in my craft. I have developed my own style and this has allowed me to create my own niche as a writer. I don’t think any writer should be limited to one style or genre of writing but you need to find your own natural way of expressing yourself before you can expand into other realms. I am naturally poetic in the way I express myself but have also explored the world of short stories, script writing and monologue. Many writers have fuelled my imagination, making me the person I am today.

Some of my favorite writers:  Rumi, Hafiz, Kahlil Gibrain, Paulo Coelho, Rishma Dunlop, Agha shahid Ali.

4. Tell us something about your books:

My first book “Beneath The Surface” was released in Mumbai, Maharashtra India via Leadstart Publishing, one of the leading publishing houses that offers a plethora of genres such as Fiction, Non-Fiction, Children’s as well as other categories. 

“Beneath The Surface” combines my passion in mind body medicine and the written form of expression. The goal of my book is to create emotional and spiritual awareness. Based on Chinese Medicine philosophy “Beneath The Surface” is written in poetic prose style as a stream of consciousness. The five elements, which forms the basis of all ancient forms of medicine is a central theme in my book. Blood imagery highlights the link between the non physical and physical realms. Mind and matter compete as emotions flow through the central character. I play with these polarities as the other characters come in and out of her life like wisps of her imagination.

Essentially, my book is about a healing journey.

Currently working on my second book and a few poetry anthologies. More to come!

5. Why do we need to sensationalize the topic of feminism? What is feminism for you?

I believe that by sensationalizing such an important issue we lessen the impact of what we’re trying to say. The meaning becomes lost which makes us immune. It’s almost as though we expect women to be treated as inferior. I feel that questions are the essence of life, so asking questions is key. That is the only way we will be able to trigger change. What is feminism for me? To me feminism is compassion. How can we have more compassion for the women ( and men ) in our life? Change starts from the self and how we treat others in our own household.

An  excerpt from an old poem I wrote while researching for my play: “Eve: A Balancing Act”

“Being a Woman”

Being a woman is being
everywhere
at the same time
a taste of the sublime
a universal chime
encompassed in this rhyme

She takes you closer to god
closer to the divine
and shows you the compassion
beneath the crime

Being a woman is just being yourself
it can’t be learnt
she is a sweet fragrance
emanating
from that which is burnt.

passion and fire
ignite
filling you with light
she is the will behind the fight
always
standing up for what is right.

A staircase going up
she takes you to new heights
she can’t be learnt
but
gives you wisdom and insights.

She is the blue sky in disguise
the wonder in a surprise
she is sweat, blood and tears
the truth hidden in lies
all the hard work and struggle
before the coveted prize

being a woman is being human
it is our destiny
our fate
being a woman is all inclusive
like an inborn genetic trait

Being a woman is a talent
a clean slate
a leap of the imagination
the moment before you create

she is a new thought
an idea
that comes from deep within
she is a well full of treasures
a place we’ve all been

she is familiar territory
the ground beneath us all
recall
her
outstretched hands
ready
to catch us
before we fall…

6. Your views on online readership 

I feel that we are losing our ability to think and use our imagination in creative ways. Part of this is the education system, but readership, whether it’s offline or online is key to shaping the youth of tomorrow.

We tend to be glued to our computers these days. I personally love the concept of holding a book in my hand. This forces one to use all the senses as part of the process and different parts of the brain get activated.

7. A message for young literature enthusiasts... 

Be true to yourself and don’t be afraid to ask yourself questions. I always do a self check regularly throughout the day: How do I feel? Why do I feel this way? Through self awareness you will be able to relate better to those around you. Don’t be influenced by others but pave your own way. Tapping into your uniqueness is the only way you can create impact.

Also, last year I was discouraged from launching my book in India. I was told that not too many people read books there and that without a celebrity no one would attend. But somehow everything fell into place. Don’t let others dictate what you want. Follow your heart with pure intentions. The universe will guide.