Parul Sharma is an author whose novels explore memory, belonging, and the quiet struggles of everyday life. Her latest book, 17 Morris Road, tells the story of a woman at a crossroads who revisits her childhood home to reconsider the life she wants. In this conversation, we talk about her writing process, the years she spent balancing creativity with corporate life, and how she rediscovered her voice during the pandemic lockdowns.
Parul shares the difference between nostalgia and homesickness, the agony of not writing, and the joy of finally finishing a story that had lived inside her for years. It’s an intimate, thoughtful look at what drives a writer to keep creating — even when life gets in the way.
Story Highlights
- The difference between nostalgia and homesickness, and how both shaped 17 Morris Road
- Why writing is both a gift and a burden
- The heartbreak of not writing during busy seasons of life
- How motherhood, corporate work, and creativity can coexist
- The long road to publishing and how it changed her view of success
Quote
“The toughest part about writing is not writing. It’s when you don’t write — and the misery that it gives you.”
About Parul Sharma
Parul Sharma is an Indian author and creative professional based in Singapore. She has published four novels, including 17 Morris Road, By the Water Cooler, and The Wake-Up Call. Her writing often explores themes of memory, belonging, and womanhood in modern India. Alongside her fiction, she has led a corporate research career and mentors aspiring writers. Follow her on Instagram @parulsharma or find her books on Amazon and Kindle worldwide.
Why This Conversation Matters
Parul’s story reminds us that creative work doesn’t disappear when we get busy — it waits. Her return to writing during lockdown is a reflection of how passion can lie dormant and still survive. This conversation isn’t just about publishing; it’s about returning to what gives life meaning after years of distraction.
Turning Points
From her first novel written in stolen hours after work to a long hiatus spent building a business and raising children, Parul’s path shows the patience behind creative endurance. The lockdown gave her the stillness to rediscover what she loved most — the act of writing itself. Each book marks a different season of her life, and her next, The Missing Piece, has been fifteen years in the making. Her story is proof that creativity never truly leaves us; sometimes it just waits for the right time to reemerge.
Key Lessons
- Honor your calling. The misery of not creating is its own reminder to start again.
- Be patient with your craft. Some stories need years to mature.
- Balance is imperfect. Creativity and career often coexist in tension, not harmony.
- Feedback is part of the process. Courage is sharing your work before you feel ready.
- Keep showing up. Writing — like growth — is about consistency, not perfection.
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