‘Writing gives wings to my imagination and to my mind’

Q. Can you tell us about your book,to

A. It is a Y/A women’s fiction novel in epistolary format. Set in the 1980s, the book is based on the life, experiences and journey of a woman named Nadia. It not only explores the idea of love between husband-wife and mother-son, but also covers the family relationships and power dynamics within a family. Of how ingrained patriarchy within both the sexes can influence their behaviours and how it can affect their personalities and mental health.

Q. What inspired you to write this book?

A. I started writing it while I was pursuing my Masters in Creative Writing from England. I had to write a scene between a mother and son for one of my classes, and my professor liked it a lot. He said and I quote “I like how you have a knack for detailing, it is one of the toughest parts of writing a book.” He motivated me to continue the story.

Q. What do you like the most about the protagonist in the novel?

A. I think it is the fact that she is so flawed and real, that she made so many mistakes that all of us make, that she is no hero but as human as possible. My protagonist is not perfect, she has her own guilt and mistakes to deal with. I like that many might not end up liking her or think of her as a fool, but they’ll all connect with her.

Q. What made you interested in writing?

A. The power to create my own world, my own people, habits, cities, towns, characteristics, plot, etc. is what got me interested. It gave wings to my imagination and the wanderings of my mind. There was no better way to channelise all this and my emotions than to write and liberate myself. I feel so empowered being a writer.