Photo from the interviewee's archive. Shaksanem Murray
— How did your journey into literature begin?
— My interest in literature began in school when teachers inspired us to read during extracurricular activities. This desire to explore new books and authors led me to libraries. I remember how the reading rooms were filled with people. I always tried to write small reviews of what I read and shared my impressions with friends. The discussions were lively, and I wanted the new generation to also strive for reading.
Nothing compares to how I discovered new authors through the magazines "Star of the East" and "Foreign Literature." This essentially prepared me for writing my own works. My desire to write became particularly strong after translating the book "When the Edelweiss Bloom" and six stories by my grandfather, the science fiction writer Begenas Sartov, into English.
— Which genre is closest to you?
— I do not choose the genre or characters; they choose me. It all depends on the plot and the interaction of the characters, their dialogues. Creating a book is a monumental task that requires complete empathy for the emotions and events of the characters to create captivating reading. I strive for readers to be unable to put the book down until the last page and to experience strong emotions.
— What does your writing day look like: routine or inspiration?
— My writing routine is quite strict. I start working in spring and summer, waking up at 4:00 AM. With a cup of coffee, I go out to my garden, breathe in the fresh air, and listen to the birds singing. I reread what I wrote the day before, edit the text, and continue working on the characters.
I work until 6:00 AM, then take an hour break for a walk in the fresh air, visit the pool, and work out on the treadmill. This strict routine, which I call "military," is necessary to complete any work. Self-discipline is very important.
If I encounter a creative block, I leave the work for a while and enroll in literature courses at the University of Edinburgh.
Recalling how I read Alexander Pushkin's "Boris Godunov," I took the Russian version to read it again in class. My classmates asked me to read an excerpt, and I did so with pleasure. The Scots, not understanding a word, listened with interest. This inspired some of them to enroll in Russian language courses to read works in the original.
— What is more difficult: starting a new book or finishing it?
— Starting a new book is a complex process that requires serious preparation. However, the most challenging part is finishing it. It is an emotional moment when the finished work, like your own child, enters the world. It requires significant psychological work on oneself and interaction with editors to achieve a logical conclusion. Each book is the result of teamwork, including illustrations, cover design, and reader reactions.
— Are there themes you return to?
— The most important themes, like for many creative people, are love, respect, loyalty to one’s homeland and family, as well as qualities like kindness and tolerance, which are sometimes lacking.
— How do you react to criticism? Does it affect your work?
— Constructive and professional criticism makes me slightly anxious, but I perceive it positively. A critic should understand the immense work I have put into my works. I continue to work even if someone does not like what I write.
— Which of your books is the closest to you and why?
— All my books are dear to me, and I sometimes reread them, realizing what events I have gone through. Each new work is just a small part of what I want to convey to the world. I understand that my work is a drop in the ocean, but it is part of something larger that inspires me to write.
Especially dear to me is the book Naked Nimbus, which I worked on during the COVID-19 pandemic. I went through a severe illness, suffering from eczema, likely caused by stress. Previously, I often drew inspiration from museums and exhibitions, but during the isolation period, these opportunities were limited.
When the borders opened, I was able to visit Kyrgyzstan for a few months, not knowing that my father was ill. After his birthday, we lost him five days later. This was a huge tragedy for our family, and he dreamed of knowing the ending of my unfinished book.
He was eagerly awaiting the translation into Kyrgyz and highly appreciated the work of Karybek Baibosunov on the translation of my other book, "Cold Shadows." The Kyrgyz version "Muzdak kölökölör" is available online at literatura.kg in the section "New Literature of Kyrgyzstan."
— How is the profession of a writer valued in Scotland?
— In Scotland and English-speaking countries, reading is very popular. People read everywhere — on public transport, in parks, and libraries that are always crowded. I hope that there are also reading enthusiasts in Kyrgyzstan who could organize themed evenings and literary competitions.
— Which writers or books have influenced your style and thinking?
— There are many authors who have influenced me. Among them are our Kyrgyz writers and poets: Chingiz Aitmatov, Kazat Akmatov, Alykul Osmonov, Kubanychbek Malikov, Midin Alybaev, and others. From Russian classics — Alexander Pushkin, Leo Tolstoy, Mikhail Lermontov, Anton Chekhov, and others. From French literature: Émile Zola, Alexandre Dumas, Guy de Maupassant; from English: George Gordon Byron, William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, Oscar Wilde, Charles Dickens, James Joyce, and George Orwell; from Scottish: Ian Rankin, Robert Burns, Ian Banks, Arthur Conan Doyle, Walter Scott, and many others.
It is also worth mentioning Hermann Hesse, Theodore Dreiser, Margaret Mitchell, Milorad Pavić, and contemporary authors such as T.C. Boyle and Haruki Murakami.
You can review all issues of the magazine "Foreign Literature" from 1994-1996 and find incredible authors who played an important role in my creativity.
— What are you currently working on?
— I am promoting my new book "Naked Nimbus" and developing ideas for documentaries. I have many plans.
In addition to writing, I also engage in administrative work in a private company.
— How did Scotland surprise you after moving in 2001?
— I am amazed by the culture and tranquility of this country. Scotland has changed my perception of historical values. They truly care about preserving their history, and this is evident both in ordinary people and local authorities. Scots are true patriots, and I admire their efforts to pass on the values of their ancestors to future generations.
Interestingly, the Scots are divided into clans, each with its own tartan for kilts, which is an important part of their culture and attracts tourists. Tourism and whisky production are significant aspects of the economy.
Of course, there are downsides — dampness and constant rain. However, overall, it is a wonderful country. I miss my family and loved ones, so I try to visit my homeland more often, especially in spring and autumn.
— Do you help promote Kyrgyz culture in Scotland?
— Yes, we hold cultural events, mostly combined. For example, a recent evening was dedicated to Robert Burns, featuring bagpipe music and readings of his poems. Uzbek singer Samandar and actress from Kyrgyzstan Nazgul Juzumova also performed.
In December 2025, an evening dedicated to Chingiz Aitmatov was held in London, organized by the magazine OSA and Hertfordshire Press. The main initiators were Marat Akhmedzhanov and his son Timur, a young writer.
It was a rich evening, and I received a medal from the Eurasian Creative Guild for my active participation in literary festivals and support for culture in Scotland. It was very pleasant.
We also hold evenings of reading poems by Russian classics, which helps establish contact between the Central Asian community and local residents. Such meetings are important for exchanging information and communication.
— How do you see your future?
— It depends on higher powers. In general, I hope to find a good team of directors and producers to help young talents and develop a script for my second book "Cold Shadows." I met a talented director, Hassan Nazer, through the Eurasian Creative Guild, and we actively discussed this project.
It would be wonderful if we could find sponsors and patrons, as this is a team effort, and the project is genuinely interesting. We hope for the best.
