Muhammad Asif Nawaz, a doctor and civil servant, is a versatile writer. He began writing for Us while still a student, captivating readers with his well-crafted stories....
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Muhammad Asif Nawaz, a doctor and civil servant, is a versatile writer. He began writing for Us while still a student, captivating readers with his well-crafted stories, insightful articles, and engaging travelogues. His distinctive style quickly won the hearts of Us readers. Recently, Asif has published his debut novel. Us sits down with him to discuss his journey and thoughts on his writing.
Us: What inspired you to write The Pilgrims?
AN: I believe all writing basically stems from a desire for expression. The Pilgrims had been on my mind for a while, but it came together on its own. Writing a novel was on my bucket list, but I never expected it to happen at this particular time. It felt as though the characters had grown tired of existing only in the periphery of my mind and wanted to be out into the world.
I’ve always wanted to tell a story that is Pakistani at its core, one that resonates with all segments of our society. Pakistani fiction in English is seldom skewed toward a specific set of issues, but I wanted to create something that spoke to me, and to millions of others like me. As I mentioned in the acknowledgments, a significant part of my inspiration came from the deliciously diverse geography and history of our region.
Us: Please tell us about the novel.
AN: The novel is about four people, each grappling with issues of belonging and identity. However, the agency of these characters is somewhat limited, as the story delves deeper into the history, culture, and politics of our region, which take the lead in the story. As the title suggests, it is a pilgrimage - each character embarks on a quest to find whatever it is they are looking for.
The story also touches on sensitive issues as it progresses, so I think serious readers will appreciate it more. That said, I believe there’s something in the book for everyone - even for children, with its Lion King references. But I would strongly recommend they wait at least ten years before reading it!
Us: How do you hope readers will feel when they read your book?
AN: Primarily, I hope readers find the novel engaging and readable. I am not personally inclined towards books that pack a punch but test your nerves. It is for this reason that the great Russian novels have been eyeing me indignantly from my bookshelves for years now. While The Pilgrims deals with many nuanced issues and may border on being a heavy read, I’ve made a conscious effort to ensure that it flows smoothly.
For every person who reads the novel, it is going to be an altogether different book, and that perhaps is the beauty of writing a novel. In fact, people are telling me such intricate interpretations of the novel that I have to double-check my own ‘writerly’ intentions. I hope the characters of the book remain with the readers - as they have done with me - long after their stories are over.
Us: How was the experience of writing a novel? How does it compare to your previous writing work?
AN: I never thought I’d be writing a novel - at least not this soon. A novel requires immense consistency and dedication, and I never considered myself that serious a writer, especially since I have a regular job that keeps me fully occupied. I thought that if I ever wrote a novel, it would be after the age of 40 (and I’m sure some critics might opine I should have stuck with that notion!). However, the age-specific themes of this book made it something only the current version of myself could write.
With my previous writing, it was always about finishing in one sitting. But as I mentioned, the way the novel came about was pretty natural. Of course, there’s no comparison between having a novel published and being printed in other media. A novel feels like a complete entity on its own, taking on an independent life as soon as it’s finished. Now that the reviews are pouring in, I’m sometimes impressed, sometimes amused by how readers interpret the novel in ways that make it entirely personal to them.
Us: How does your work as a doctor and civil servant inform your writing?
AN: I once read that first novels are always partially autobiographical, and The Pilgrims certainly reflects many of my life experiences and observations beyond just the professions. By reading the novel, you can probably tell that I love traveling, that I know a thing or two about medicine, and have an avid eye for history, and so on. As for the professions themselves, both medicine and civil service involve a lot of interaction with people, which broadens your perspective and influences how you think and observe the world. The contrast is also interesting - to have jobs where you are surrounded by people to doing something as solitary as writing makes the experience almost like a desperately needed break.
Us: Who are some of your favourite authors? What makes their work special?
AN: I think my favourites keep changing, and it’s often more about individual works than the authors themselves. Authors, like people, evolve. For example, some longtime readers of Us might find it difficult to reconcile the fact that this serious, complex book was written by the same person who used to write mostly comedy pieces for Us. I actively seek out lesser-known, diverse voices - often translated into English from their native languages - because that adds so much to one’s cultural consciousness. That said, one writer who never disappoints is Arundhati Roy. Whether it’s her fiction or non-fiction, she maintains such a poetic quality in all her writing that they sweep you in.
Us: How do you feel about the Pakistani literary scene?
AN: I don’t think it’s the easiest ride out there for Pakistani writers. While I was lucky with my first book, and Liberty did a great job with it, it’s unsettling that Pakistan doesn’t have any major publishing giants, and we often have to look to other countries or territories to help us tell our stories. As a result, there are compromises that Pakistani writers are expected to be okay with in the current international political climate.
The interesting aspect of the Pakistani literary scene today is that, unlike the previous literary boom, which saw expatriate Pakistanis telling the stories, there is now a new wave of writers living in Pakistan taking center stage. I have nothing against the former, but the literature produced by the latter has its own distinct flavour.
Us: Do you think there is a significant market for Pakistani literature?
AN: I’m not sure I’m the right person to answer this, as the question relates more to the business side of things. But one could start by asking if there’s even a significant market for literature at all, especially in countries like ours. Can a book achieve the same level of penetration in society as a movie or a TikTok video, for example?
So, all I can do is share what I experienced during this process: writing a book to the best of my abilities and releasing it with the hope that it will reach the places it’s meant to reach. Alternatively, if you’re asking whether writing is a lucrative profession, I’ll just smile sheepishly at the audacity of that question and let it pass.
Us: Tell us about your journey with Us magazine.
AN: I wouldn’t have become a writer if it hadn’t been for Us magazine - it’s as simple as that. If I hadn’t discovered this platform all those years ago, my writing would have died its untimely, unnatural death. We’ve come a long way, from when Us was an obese, overly-fed baby to its current fling with size zero. Us feels more like family now. I often get asked by new writers where they can showcase their work, and honestly, do we have any other options in the country for creative writing besides Us? Us has been a blessing for both writers and readers of English in this country.
Us: Any advice for aspiring novelists?
AN: I don’t think I’ve reached the arguably mature stage of giving advice to others with just one book in my hands, but I’ll repeat something I once heard: There is a mountain of books out there. Do you really think you need to add to it? If you’re convinced yours is an offering that ought to be there, keep going and finish that book. It will find its place in the world.
The journey is full of disappointments, as everyone says, but it all becomes worth it when you finally hold your published book in your hands. The feeling is second only to holding your baby in your arms, and right now, my baby is snatching Milo wheat balls from my hands as I type this.
