EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW! Huma Qureshi on her new book Zeba: ‘I am each and every character in my book’

Huma Qureshi’s Zeba is a story about a carefree woman, who realizes that she has super powers to save the world from cruelty. It’s her debut superhero novel. Here is what motivated her to write the novel. She believes that writing is the best way to express oneself.

Edited excerpts from the interview:

What was the thought that went behind writing Zeba?

Zeba was born during COVID. It started off as a 10 pager pitch for a show but I decided to turn it into a book. Fantasy fiction is a genre that has fascinated me. Making a series that’s set in that world would mean big budgets. That’s why writing a book instead and letting my creativity find its voice seemed like a more doable option at that time. I have been an avid reader of fiction and non-fiction and loved getting lost in the worlds created by writers. World building that’s done by writers for films and shows has also intrigued me. I wanted to build this fantasy world and create characters which one has seen or imagined. The book served as a platform where I could let my imagination take over.

Why is the book called Zeba?

I just wanted to have a character name which started with the alphabet Z. So Zeba it was.

How much time did it take for you to write Zeba?

It didn’t take long for me to write the book. However, the edits took up a lot of time. And are more painful. So about one and a half years in all.

What was the most challenging part for writing the book?

As a writer, you think of the world that you want to create and it’s all in your head. The most challenging and interesting part is how you translate all of it on paper. The way the characters are described, how they talk, the inner workings of their minds and their reasons for doing so all of this needs to come together as a coherent whole.

How much of you is there in Zeba?

A lot actually. I am each and every character in the book. As a writer my experiences in life have found their way into the book. Though, I have taken a lot from my own impressions of the world and places, I have also added layers to the characters to make them my own.

When is your second book going to be out and what is it going to be on?

Well, you will have to wait and watch. But soon.

Your message to aspiring writers and artists…

With technology taking giant leaps, the need to read is declining. Audio-visual tools are taking precedence. But, in order to keep your mind sharp and to learn about everything in life, it’s important to read. Reading is a habit that I inculcated as a kid and it has served me well in life. As for writing, It’s one of the best ways to express oneself and one’s thoughts. I have been journaling all my life and it helps me see my evolution as a person. Practice makes perfect. It’s important to hone one’