Q1. Would you like to introduce yourself to your readers?
Hi Aditi. Thank you for inviting me to this candid talk.
I do not want to introduce myself as a boring Banker but rather as an artist who draws a connection between science, philosophy, art and literature showcasing in my work. I am a planning oriented person in general, and more so towards my work and career. Hindrances sometimes have constrained me in terms of time, to reach where I wanted to. But, I have never deviated from my goal. I am an artist – writing, reading, dancing, singing, even acting in dramas (performing arts) – I have done and love all. I love science and defying or understanding a theory with numbers. I can’t blindly take in any theory you tell me without reasoning and derivation. I believe in absorbing deep not in superficial read. Above all, I am a dreamer and I intend to live my dreams.
Q2. Congratulations on your beautiful book ma’am. What’s the significance of the title?
Thank you so much. I feel the book has a lot of potential and is still light-years behind in reaching to the audience. I am hoping this interview would help the audience in gauging the book’s essence. Marigold – The Golden Memories, is not just a random book title that was thought of at the last minute. Each and every story in the book is a reflection of the vulnerability yet the strength behind human emotions. The flower Marigold is a ceremonious symbol and a cherished flower that depicts happiness, freshness, beginnings. Simply put, it soothes our soul, bringing a sense of calmness. Humans are a rare race who can remember the past, bottling them in as memories and inhaling the essence whenever they reminisce. That’s what the title of the book conveys. The book is a medium for readers to reminisce their fondest or unforgettable memories.
Q3. What do you hope your readers take away from this book?
I think the readers are already able to connect with the stories in the book. There’s a reason for that I think. The book is wrapped up with a lot of different human emotions, unravelling thoughts, memories and feelings that you might have overlooked at that point in time. This book takes you into a retrospection zone where you ruminate on past events that happened in your life. For those who haven’t yet read the book, I would like to say that the characters in the book are built with a lot of emotions to seem them feel real when you read their stories. I think the readers are able to connect with the emotions. We are blissful that humans can speak about their emotions. So, it’s wonderful to see the connection. But, I still feel the book has a lot of potential to reach more readers. I am hoping this interview would help the audience in gauging the book’s essence.
Q4. What was the first thought which came to the mind that actually persuaded you to write your own book?
Two thoughts that I would like to share with you today that are my basic foundation. One, I believe as a race we are privileged to understand and be understood. Second, Truth has its own well-founded authority that cannot be denied come what may. These are two solid foundations with which I was brought up and I believe on. All my actions are based on these. But I feel the link and the connection between humans is somewhat tainted nowadays. The institution of understanding each other is shattered and everyone is in their own race to either destroy something/someone unknowingly or knowingly. Calling it as a success. Everyone loves to read a story and I want my stories to infiltrate the sense of understanding amongst our race. It is not okay to form an opinion about a person to declare him or her absurd or weird. You need to be thoughtful, you need to know someone and you need to communicate. I write with the hope and vision that it sends out a positive message to society. My motive is only for everyone to co-exist without judgement. Learning is a holistic process and you can learn from each and everyone if you open your mind.
Q5. How do you pick the subjects and characters of your stories and what is your writing process?
I have a very short and simple answer to this. I am inspired by everything. Everything that surrounds us – moving or non-moving, tangible or intangible. From a person’s behaviour in general, reaction to a situation, nature and it’s whispering, wildlife, everything. I am inspired by reality which I relate to fictional characters and weave stories around them. Those fictional characters can be very much you and me – relatable to many. That’s how I write – be it short stories or a novel.
I read a lot of books in the genre I want to write my book on. Different styles – classic, modern – in short, a lot of books authored by different magicians (I call every artist as a magician because they are!). I watch movies, TV. series etc of the same genre. It takes some time to then think about the setup, characterisation, etc. While I start writing I isolate myself a lot. Writing is one of the many things that I love and do. So juggling my life between a job, writing articles for a media house, sketching, being a partner to my husband and then isolating myself to be in my ‘writing a book’ zone is challenging. But it’s worth it and I love that absolutely. It enriches you and each time you write, you discover a part of yourself that you weren’t aware of yet or were in denial. It’s a learning process to me more than a writing process.
Q6. What did you learn while writing this book?
The book is wrapped up with stories of emotions. Emotions that we feel on an everyday basis- people like you and me. In the process of writing the book, I took a walk down my own memory lane, retrospecting some events in my life, that I looked at now in a different light. It was a very enriching experience in ruminating my life events and feeling things that I never felt at that time.
Q7. What were the difficulties you faced while writing this book?
Anything you do where you are putting your work out in the public sending a message and trying to connect with them is an effort. Writing is demanding since it reflects a part of you or your thought, be it short stories or a novel. I won’t say managing time was a problem because you definitely make time for something you love. I do not really see anything as an obstacle, rather I see it as an experience. You have to develop a new character(s) each time you write a new story. To put it across to the readers in a coherent and comprehensible way, you require to see the story from the readers’ eyes. That requires a lot of concentration, will power and patience, needless to say, vivid and superlative imagination. Going into this zone each time was a challenge since I do not live alone. I can’t simply ignore my partner for a year or so because I want to go into my zone to write and finish this book. But my husband understands me and the sine qua non of a writer’s space. He gave me enough space and time to let me justify my thoughts and the characters that I developed for the stories. He co-exists with me every day and yet comfortably evanesces whenever I want to go into the writer’s mode.
Q8. What kinds of advice from fans/readers do you find most/least helpful?
I take every comment, review/advice from readers wholeheartedly. Even the most critical or scornful reviews help you to understand the reader or the community of readers with the same mindset. This helps you to understand the readers’ community in a holistic way.
Q9.Which is the one thing that writing changed in you?
It made me more patient. It made me believe in the institution of connection. Connecting with readers, who are unknown to me is surreal. You get to hear their views, discuss with them your thoughts, books, etc. and create a bond that lasts long. I think writing brings a magical change in you, where you understand people, without any judgement. So, yes it made me more compassionate.
Q10.How does one become a better writer according to you? Any message for your readers?
Well, I don’t think I am in a position to really advise anyone. I am still learning and growing each day with everything I write. But if I have to share from my own experiences it will be to believe in yourself and constantly keep improvising. Failures are good. Embrace them and then work on yourself to improve. And, if you can’t then at least you know this is not for you and you can do something else. Take each life experiences as a lesson and not as a remorseful event. This will help you make a better person out of yourself which in turn will help you write better.
‘What you seek is seeking you’ This is a quote by Rumi. Each time I feel disheartened by the comments and judgements that people pass on me, my mind and my abilities, I remind myself of this quote. Always believing the fact that I need to work towards my quest, rather than only thinking about it. In doing so it will always bring me near to the answer/solution or just understanding of the whole quest. So the whole purpose of knowing something when you deep dive into it is actually waiting for you to be known.
Thanks again, for joining me in. I wish a very good luck for your future and your next project. We will be waiting for your next book.
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