LAHORE:A debut novel tracing a young woman's struggle to break social barriers, pursue her ambitions and navigate the complexities of love was unveiled here.Author Naveed Iftikhar discussed the inspiration behind ‘Hold On’ and later engaged in an interactive question-and-answer session with the audience. The event was moderated by Zumer Zia.
Describing the novel as a story of quiet resilience, the author said ‘Hold On’ follows Hira Gul as she journeys from the cultural landscape of Kohat and Peshawar to the contradictions of Islamabad and the promise of New York, exploring themes of identity, love, ambition and sacrifice.
In conversation with moderator Zumer Zia, Iftikhar reflected on his transition from writing newspaper columns and articles on current affairs to fiction, saying his lifelong passion for literature eventually inspired him to venture into novel writing.
He acknowledged that the shift was accompanied by self-doubt, including concerns about criticism and uncertainty over writing a novel in English due to coming from a humble rural background. He said the greatest challenge was overcoming those mental barriers and taking the first step.
The author said choosing a female protagonist was another challenge, as he wanted to portray an authentic character shaped by real-life experiences. During the interactive session, members of the audience asked about the novel's central message and whether readers should view it as an optimistic or pessimistic story. Responding to the questions, Iftikhar said he deliberately leaves that interpretation to readers, allowing each person to draw their own conclusions. Addressing aspiring writers, he encouraged them to begin writing without overthinking distractions or the fear of criticism.
