Shamim Sarif is a jack of all arts. She has written three novels, adapted two of them for the screen, directed their adaptations, and even provided on-set catering and an original song for one of the films, “The World Unseen,” screened at Zocalo. She also writes poetry and short stories. The one talent she wishes she had? Being able to provide better answers for the Green Room questions. Here are her (quite fine, we think) answers.
Q. What do you wake up to?
A. My children, cuddling in bed and irritating me (in a nice way).
Q. What’s your favorite word?
A. Passion.
Q. What do you consider beautiful?
A. My family.
Q. If you could live in any other time, past, present or future, when would it be and why?
A. I think now, I just don’t want to be without hot showers or voting rights.
Q. What is your greatest extravagance?
A. Good food, good wine.
Q. What worries you the most?
A. Anything happening to my children.
Q. If you could take only one more journey, where would you go?
A. Around the world!
Q. What profession would you like to practice in your next life?
A. Singer/songrwriter.
Q. What talent would you like to have?
A. To be able to answer questions like these more decently!
Q. What is your fondest childhood memory?
A. Dinners around the table.
Q. Who is your favorite Beatle? Why?
A. John Lennon, I think he’s a poet.
Q. What is your most prized material possession?
A. I collect old books.
Q. What is the most unusual time, place, or situation that you came up with a brilliant idea? What was the idea?
A. I guess running in the park, which is where I came up with the idea for “Despite the Falling Snow,” one of my novels.
Q. What promise do you make to yourself that you break the most often?
A.To eat more healthfully.
*Photo by Aaron Salcido.