A PLAYER OF WORDS

women at work

Afshan Shafi has studied English Literature and International Relations at The University of Buckingham and Webster Graduate School London. Her poems have appeared in magazines like Poetry, Poetry Wales, Blackbox Manifold, 3am, (an online journal) and Ala Champ magazine. Her poems have also appeared in the anthologies - Smear (edited by Greta Bellamacina), The New River Press Yearbook and Halal if you hear me (edited by Fatima Asghar and Salma Elhilo).

Her debut chapbook of poems “Odd Circles” was published by Readings (Pakistan) in 2014. For her work as a poet, she has been interviewed by Arte Tv (France) and Words Without Borders. She was a co-founder of the Woolf Writing Club, a creative workshop series in Lahore. As part of the Jane Austen Society of Pakistan, she has appeared on BBC (World), The Times (UK) and in The Economist”s culture magazine. She has also served as a poetry editor for The Missing Slate and is currently a senior contributing editor at Pakistan”s leading literary journal the “Aleph Review”. She also serves as an editor-in-chief for the online Pandemonium Journal, which is a platform for emerging creatives from Pakistan and abroad. In a candid interview, Afshan talks about her work and journey as a poet...

You! How old were you when you wrote your first poem?

Afshan Shafi: I started off with short stories around at the age of around 7 or 8 but wrote my first proper poem at 13. I”ve been writing poems for around a decade now.

You! Have you written prose too? What defines you better - a poet or a writer?

AS: Since I am a freelance journalist and a books columnist for a magazine, I do write prose consistently. However, I would love to be termed as more of a poet, because it”s a form that allows me to express myself without inhibitions and is always a source of delight.

You! Where did your poems get published?

AS: I”ve been lucky to have been published in some of the most leading poetry magazines out there right now, like Poetry (Poetry foundation) and Poetry Wales.

You! When was your first collection of poems published?

AS: I wrote my first collection titled “Odd Circles” during summer holidays from the University of Buckingham where I was an undergrad. The poems range from musings on figures like Audrey Hepburn and Pakistani politicians, while other poems address body image and leaving behind adolescence.

You! Can you tell us a bit about your latest book “Quiet Women”?

AS: “Quiet Women” is a collaborative book which features the artwork of three leading female artists - Samya Arif, Marjan Baniasadi and Ishita Basu Mallik alongside my poems. It”s a book which celebrates womanhood, the imagination and artists as a collective.

You! Why did you choose the title “Quiet Women” for your second book?

AS: I feel that, often, as women we are encouraged to draw a veil of silence across our lives. Every single woman has felt a certain kindling of shame about at least one aspect of her life. What I want to communicate with this book is that there is a sense of beauty in honesty, in the act of creating art or literature or movements that speak of the multifaceted truth of being a woman.

You! How long did it take you to compile “Quiet Women”?

AS: The poems that I later collected into the form of “Quiet Women” were written across a period of two years. It”s a tribute to the female voice.

You! Haven”t you thought of becoming a novelist?

AS: A novel is definitely in the works! Quite a few novelists have started out as poets. A novel feels more like a confession, whereas poetry is acutely subtle and full of secrets.

You! What is your most treasured possession?

AS: My family calls me a “hoarder” but I love collecting beautiful trinkets like aesthetic journals and bookmarks. I love strange costume jewellery as well!

You! What is your greatest regret?

AS: Of not speaking up at the right time. Of giving someone too much leverage.

You! If you could choose to be a character in a book, who would it be?

AS: This is a tough one! I think I would like to be someone from the world of Truman Capote”s novels, because they are all so glamorous and odd!

You! What kind of poetry you really enjoy?

AS: I love passionate, eagle-eyed poetry, like the kind Sylvia Plath or Ted Hughes writes.

You! Why do you write poetry?

AS: The poet Robert Graves once said that “to be a poet is a condition, not a profession”- I completely subscribe to the latter sentiment!

You! What is your favourite subject which is close to your heart?

AS: These days I love reading the works of Sufis and am also besotted by Urdu poetry which is dazzling to listen to!

You! Have you thought of writing in Urdu?

AS: Yes. With some serious apprenticeship I may perhaps try.

You! Can you name some of your favourite books?

AS: “The Beautiful and the Damned” by F.Scott Fitzgerald, “The House of Mirth” by Edith Wharton, and anything by Zadie Smith or Laura Albert!

You! What did you like to read when you were a little girl?

AS: “The Faraway Tree” series by Enid Blyton, Asterix comics, Archie comics and the entire “Sweet Valley High” series. I discovered Judith Krantz, Jackie Collins etc in my aunt”s study later on.

You! What advice would you give to aspiring authors/poets?

AS: The persistent desire to read needs to be there. One is always a reader before one is a writer, but when you start writing you need to develop a fearlessness too, and a very thick skin.

You! What is the most important advice you can give to women?

AS: Believe in grace, your own intuition and in the women who came before you.

You! What does a typical day look like for you?

AS: Writing. Editing. Looking at art. Daydreaming. Mindfulness practice. Pets. Trustworthy friends.

You! Your philosophy of life:

AS: Live life unapologetically but with an eye to the divine. Live life in service to those around you and your gift.

You! Do you think that in 20 years, people will still like to read books in print or e-books will dominate the era?

AS: I am a devotee of old-fashioned books. We must keep in touch with the times but I don”t think the printed book will ever die!

You! Are you considering writing any other novel or book?

AS: A novel is the next step.

You! When you”re not working, what are some of your favourite ways to relax and have fun?

AS: Movies. Amateur painting. I am also a foodie so discovering new cuisines etc.

You! What is your ultimate desire?

AS: To live life with grace and to tell the stories of those who are unable to do so themselves.