What inspired you to write The Invisible Canvas?

I’ve always been drawn to the stories that people don’t tell out loud—the parts of their lives they keep hidden because of shame, fear, or cultural expectations. In my own life, I’ve seen how silence can shape a person’s identify just as much as their experiences. With The Invisible Canvas, I wanted to explore what happens when that silence finally breaks—how confronting the past, even when it’s painful, can open the door to self-acceptance and healing.

How much of the novel draws from your own experiences?

While the story is fictional, it’s emotionally truthful. I’ve woven in the textures of my own cultural background, my understanding of immigrant family dynamics, and my interest in mental health advocacy. Certain scenes were informed by moments I’ve witnessed or felt, but Jansi’s journey is her own—a composite of imagination, empathy, and lived insight rather than a direct retelling of my life.

How do you think the conversation about mental health is changing in South Asian communities?

I do think the conversation is opening up, especially among younger generations and in ethnic communities. Social media, advocacy groups, and public figures sharing their stories have helped chip away at the stigma. But it’s still complicated—in many families, mental health is only addressed in terms of crisis, not prevention or everyday well-being. That’s part of why I wrote this book: to put a South Asian woman’s mental health journey front and center, in a way that’s nuanced and unashamed.

What do you hope readers feel when they finish the book?

I hope they feel two things: first, that they’ve experienced a moving, well-told story. And second, that they see the quiet courage it takes to confront what we’ve buried. If even one reader feels a little less alone in their struggles—or gains more compassion for someone else’s—then I’ll feel I’ve done my job as a storyteller.

What’s next for you as a writer?

Right now, I’m focused on launching The Invisible Canvas and connecting with readers. But I’ve already started shaping ideas for my next novel. I also plan to continue writing essays and poetry, because those forms keep me creatively nimble and feed into my fiction in surprising ways.