For My Sister follows twin sisters from Mumbai who, through unfortunate events, end up separated and in the red light district. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

For My Sister was inspired by my volunteer work overseas with girls rights and human rights awareness causes in Uganda and India. When I wrote the story, at first, it was a part of a collection of short stories highlighting causes like girl trafficking amongst others. The story of Amla and Asya stood out to me and when I developed it more, it turned into this novel. I spent many hours doing research with nonprofits who serve survivors of human trafficking as well as interviews with survivors of child marriage. While the story is fiction, it was important for me to portray the experiences with empathy and accuracy.  

What was your process in writing the characters’ interactions to develop the bond they have?

I derived much of the heartfelt and complex interactions between Amla and Asya from my own experiences as a sister myself.  Since I was writing about twins, I interviewed a doctor and expert on twin identity to dive deep into the main characters’ minds. The twin bond is even stronger than regular siblings, like my own close relationship with my sister which allowed me to dive into understanding that relationship. I learned that twins have been reported to feel their sibling’s pain, even when apart. When it came to Amla and Asya, I wanted to portray the strength sisterhood can have in times of darkness.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

I wanted to give voice and visibility to the voiceless, specifically trafficked girls and women such as Amla and Asya. Along with the social issue of human trafficking, I touch upon gender inequality, colorism, caste and poverty. The main theme I hope one feels when reading about these topics is connection.  I believe one of our greatest human qualities is our ability to feel and connect with one another. Stories bring people together and can inspire us. Inspire all of us to listen to our inner voices, just as Asya and Amla did to gain their freedom. People have been using the power of sharing stories since ancient times.

What is the next story that you’re writing and when will it be published?

I am currently working on another novel focused on being first generation and social causes related to race and identity. Stay tuned at my social media handles, psnamaste on Instagram and Puja Shah Author on Facebook to learn more.

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