She is busy. Always. Whether it is spinning stories, or the other interests that this former advertising professional and creative director has taken on with aplomb. Her new book Mayurkhund — A tale of royal passion, secrets and lies, was launched recently, and Sadiqa Peerbhoy explores past trauma and how it plays out in present life.

“Childhood trauma stays with us through life, and haunts us in the form of complexes and insecurities as we get older,” says Sadiqa.

The author has published six books — among them are Marry go Round and House of Discord. She smoothly journeys between different genres and platforms. She says, “This book does not fall into any one genre. Like life itself, it is difficult to classify. It spans romance, drama, suspense and mystery. It is actually two books in one spanning three decades in the life of a mother and daughter.”

Going back to the drawing board where she created some memorable ads, she reveals, “I have a special fondness for Prestige (in the 80s). The line I wrote ‘Jo biwi se kara pyar wo Prestige se kaise kare inkaar’ has been revived after 40 years. Just shows that a good idea is forever. The advertising scene today has changed tremendously. We gave full reign to creativity but now multinationals have statutory strategies and platforms — there is limited scope for free-flying creativity. You still see some great ads that are as good as feature films too.”

Mayurkhund Sadiqa Peerbhoy Pp:284 Publisher: Readomania — Kolkata Cost: Rs 295.

Newspaper columns, short stories and serials have also been a part of her body of work, infact, Peerbhoy had earlier scripted two serials, Sara Jahan Hamara and the long-running Honee Anhonee. So it’s apt to say that stories are always bubbling inside her.

Her seventh book takes place both inside the protagonist Amaari’s mind, and outside.

Childhood trauma is a much explored topic among fiction writers, and Peerbhoy has taken the onus to pry out the anguish and give it a relevance in life. “All of us have a past, some of which was traumatic, and it lingers on to affect behaviour and how we deal with life. In my protagonist’s case, she was 4-year-old when her mother vanished. It shows in her lifelong insecurity and commitment phobia. It is best to confront such issues or seek psychiatric help. She goes back to the scene of her childhood to unravel the mystery of what happened to her mother, and why she was abandoned,” explains Sadiqa.

The backdrop of Rajasthan, which captivates Peerbhoy with its romance and royal lineage, was what inspired her. “People still believe in old values of loyalty and valour, and keep traditions intact. As I was writing about a singer, I wanted a larger than life setting,” she says.

Creativity ebbs and flows though her stories and she has managed to inspire herself through the years. “Each of us live unique lives with ups and downs. I think life gives one enough material to write dozens of books,” says this lover of Hindustani music.

And as is the nature of creativity, it creates its own identity, and subject matter. She is writing a series of linked short stories about the Indian Diaspora now, “NRIs who wallow in nostalgia and patriotic love for the land.

They pine for the life and relationships they have sacrificed for green cards. I am also planning a book of historical fiction from the Mughal period,” adds the writer who concludes, “Life keeps me enthused. I keep busy as I believe that the day you stop being productive is the day you are ready to die.”