Interview with Sanchali Bhattacharya


An Interview with author of the book ‘ A Home for Urvashi’. Its a tribute to sisterhood with an amazing story.
Read a full review here.
Get your copy here.

About the Author:

An electrical engineer from Jadavpur University, Sanchali Bhattacharya is a director in her own engineering and manufacturing company. Sanchali’s short stories have featured in The Statesman. She is married and has a son. She lives in Kolkata.

Connect with her: Facebook.

Interview:

1) What other genres do you enjoy reading?

 – I enjoy literary fiction. Also non-fiction and historical fiction. Sometimes I read fantasy, mystery, and thrillers. If a book is well written, the genre becomes irrelevant. That said, a genre I avoid is horror.

2) Which of your novels best describes you as a person?
–A Home for Urvashi deals with a gamut of issues that one would expect from a mature author. This novel is about sisterhood, love, loss, and longing. There are two parallel worlds of reality and fantasy. I have explored a bold and forbidden expression of love. All this is seamlessly woven into the fabric of the story to give the reader a delightful experience. A Home for Urvashi is close to the present me who has seen the beauty and strangeness of life.

3) Have you ever written a character based on the real you in some part?

 – Ujjwala’s character in A Home for Urvashi values every relationship in her life. I guess this is a similarity people who know me would notice immediately. Her husband, her child, co-workers, boss, neighbours, friends and domestic help – Ujjwala respects each of these people in her life and puts in sincere efforts to maintain good relations with everyone.

4) Can you tell us about your current projects?
 – I’ll start working on my new novel soon. The idea is a little whacky. The protagonist will be an extraordinarily loveable male.

5) When can readers expect your next book in print?
 – By 2020, hopefully.

6) What is that dream goal you want to achieve before you die?
 – Well, I want every book I write to be better than the previous. So, I would love to publish my best book just before I die.

7) What is your motivation for writing more?
 – My motivation for writing each book is different. A Home for Urvashi germinated from my deep desire to know the great unknown – what happens when people die. Since there was no way of finding out, I imagined and created a galaxy, where every arriving soul is given a choice. The dead have a chance to control their destiny. If they try, they can return to the people they loved. 
 8) Do you pen down revelations and ideas as you get them, right then and there?
– All my ideas remain in my head. When I write, I draw them out and place them suitably within the story. For this book also, the idea of twin sisters, one dead and one living, stayed put in my head until I started writing.

9) What are your hobbies, passion other than writing?
– I enjoy reading.

10) What inspires you to write?
– I love weaving stories around a sudden thought. The process of writing, first in my head and then on paper, is cathartic and fulfilling. Every good book takes readers to a world different from their own. It allows them to discover something new and brings them joy. For me, writing is a beautiful way to spread happiness.

11) How often do you write?
 – Once I decide to write something, I write every day. For an hour or two. I maintain that discipline and keep the flow going.
 
12) Do you have a set schedule for writing, or are you one of those who writes only when they feel inspired?
 – Inspiration is a must for me. Fiction is for entertainment. If I’m not inspired, I won’t be able to write a book that entertains the reader.  I write only when I’m sure that an idea can be turned into an interesting story.

13) Do you set a plot or prefer going wherever an idea takes you?
 – I have a fuzzy plot in my head. I let it develop into a story as I write. I show the first draft to my family members and close friends. If they like it, I start working on it seriously.

14) Do you recall the first ever book/novel you read?
 – Of course. It was an abridged version of Great Expectations. I was ten years old and even the abridged version was a long book for me at the time. I absolutely loved it.

15) How long does it take you to write a book?
– I revise and rewrite many times. So a couple of years to get a story ready for submission.

16) In which genre would you write your book other than this genre?
 – A Home for Urvashi is Classic Fiction. It also has powerful elements of a fantasy and towards the end, it has supernatural action. For my forthcoming project, I’ll choose either literary fiction or fantasy.  

17) What is the main thing you want readers to take away from this book?
 – I want my readers to enjoy the book. Readers are intelligent. They will find the messages in the novel. Also every reader has a unique perspective and will have a different take on the book. So I would be happy if they interpret my work as they wish.

18) Message for aspiring authors?
 – Revise and rewrite until the story shines. Also, have patience and don’t lose heart when your work is rejected. If you have a good manuscript in hand, someday it will be published and appreciated.

Blog by Vidhya Thakkar

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Ajju

    Very well articulated ! Keep going :-)

    Ajay

  2. Life and it's tales | Vidhya Thakkar

    Thank you

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