Coming of age: Octogenarian pens a psychological thriller

Mamta Sharma had never imagined that she would write a book at the age of 81 and see it published.

“I have been writing since childhood. I started writing when I was in class 9 but I never took it seriously. I wrote this book for myself. Then my daughter came across its draft and told me to turn it into a book,” she told Patriot.

Mamta unveiled her captivating mystery novel, Searching for Sarah, during its launch function at Stainless Gallery, New Delhi.

Literary people had gathered to celebrate the launch and were captivated by Mamta’s compelling story and remarkable journey as an author.

The book is about solving the mystery of a girl, Sarah, who disappears at the age of 17 and nobody knows where she has gone. Thirty-four years later, the search for Sarah begins.

The book is a masterful blend of psychological intrigue and emotional depth that keeps readers hooked until the last page.

Reflecting on her experience of writing this book, she said, “I wrote it for myself and I had never thought that I would get it published. I kept writing it randomly. I think my daughter did right by suggesting I publish my book and now I think I should have published it earlier. It is an amazing feeling.”

She describes herself as a mystery buff. 

“I have always read suspense writers and watched suspense movies. I wanted to write something mysterious and that is how this story came up,” said Mamta, who was born in Dehradun in 1941.

Mamta’s characters in the book are the outcome of her keen observation about small things. 

“I am a keen observer of people’s characters and things. I keep watching their manners and hobbies. That is what I have incorporated into my characters. I even created a fictitious character named Vijay Verma, my childhood friend, and a detective,” she explained.

Mamta Sharma admitted that there were minor challenges while writing this book.

“There were breaks. I wrote this book in breaks. It took me five months to write this book and if I had been a regular writer, I would have finished it within two months,” said Mamta Sharma, who loves to read Satyajit Ray’s work.

Mamta, whose book is available on Amazon and other online platforms, wants the story of her book to be turned into a web series.

“When I was writing this book, I was thinking about the cinema too. There are many cinematic touches in the book. While writing this book, I was feeling like I am watching it on the screen,” she said.

Currently, Mamta is working on her new social romantic book. 

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“It is half written and I hope it comes out soon,” she said, adding, “I do not write every day but I wish I could write every day.”

She advised aspiring writers to become keen observers. 

“Read good books and be an avid reader. Do not waste your time on social media. This is what I also do.”

From spinning tales for her siblings to winning awards for her Hindi poetry during college, Mamta’s love for literature has remained a constant.  The college years saw her penning award-winning Hindi poetry.

After Dehradun, she shifted to Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and did her graduation from there. She later earned a post-graduate degree in English from Panjab University, Chandigarh.    

Mamta married an Urdu poet who was in Haryana Civil Services. She shifted to Delhi in 2002 after serving as Principal of a senior secondary school in Haryana for more than two decades.

“Mumbai weather is pleasant so I travel there in winter months to see my son. I go to malls and Connaught Palace in Delhi,” she concludes.