We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Swati Sharma a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Swati , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
I have so many moments where I think, “I can’t believe this is my life.” Be it being on set, hitting writing milestones or at networking events. Having a creative job in Los Angeles itself seems like a blessing but having one as a young immigrant from India adds another overwhelming layer to it. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would live and work as a writer and producer in one of the biggest cities in the US, if not the world. I think because of that sense of disbelief and overwhelm, I find that our first barrier towards success is often ourselves. Before convincing other people that you belong in a room, you need to convince yourself. Over the years, I have learnt that the best way to account for being different is to make it a point to incorporate your unique perspectives and experiences in your working style. Everybody already knows you’re not like them, so why try to blend in when you just can’t? The more I ease into making space for my complex and vast life experiences in my every day life, the easier it becomes to be myself and not get discouraged about being the only person in the room who looks like me.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m a screenwriter based in Los Angeles, California. At 17, I immigrated to the US from Jaipur, India to pursue a B.F.A. in Screenwriting from the School Of Visual Arts, New York. I’m not sure how my parents let that happen either!
Through my work, I am committed to writing a new generation of South Asian protagonists who navigate rejecting regressive cultural norms without completely abandoning the culture that birthed them. My work explores mental health, generational trauma, complicated relationships, sexuality, and immigration – so you know, the fun stuff!
I have been a jack of many trades: a Writers’ Assistant and Writer for Brat TV’s web series. A writer for a True Crime Podcast named ‘What Happened With Jackie Flores?’ And I currently produce ‘Anna’s Guide’, the podcast. My poetry has been featured in “Feminists Don’t Wear Pink and Other Lies’ published by Penguin Random House UK.
I was a mentee in the 2024-25 Athena Film Festival Writers Lab and the 2023-24 Rickshaw Film Foundation’s Writers Lab. I am currently a semi-finalist for the TRIBE Mentorship Program.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I would say perseverance, collaboration and balance. Everybody knows the entertainment industry is a tough business so developing a persevering spirit is the only way to stay put throughout the ups and downs. No matter what’s going on around you, what opportunities or accolades you may or may not be getting, the most important thing is to keep working on your craft and keep putting yourself out there. Without burning yourself out of course! That’’s where the need for balance comes in. I feel like developing hobbies, friendships and a life outside of my career has had an incredible impact on my career. So many young people pigeon hole themselves early in their careers but it is very important to have a rich and diverse life. The last one is collaboration! A golden advice I have gotten is to network with my peers instead of networking ‘up’. I believe that there’s room for everyone and being on this journey with people who share your dreams and ambitions will make the ride more joyful for you.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
This question hits home because it’s something I’m still navigating on the day to day. I think what helps me is letting go of the big picture for a little bit when things get overwhelming and focusing on small tangible tasks that I can realistically accomplish. I may not have the answer to a question as big as “Am I going to be a successful writer?” But I can easily make a plan to write, apply for fellowships, and network. It’s always about asking yourself what you can do this year, this month, this week, or this hour. Putting pen to paper and making simple lists is also useful to me – I often leave myself little encouraging and funny notes on those lists and when I’m done with a task, I get the satisfaction of striking down the things I have accomplished.
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