Interview

 

1. What drew you to the specific themes of identity and mental health in your book?

The strength to fight against all odds and understand that success is never out of reach if you truly, passionately pursue it.

Most characters in my novel are pursuing success relentlessly. Mukta, Prem and their four daughters are all fighting against many odds, including a lack of money and opportunities. Why are they doing this? Because success in its varied forms gives individuals their identities.

When facing setbacks, perhaps related to age and personal and professional loss, it pays to be armed with persistence. We persevere to succeed because somewhere deep down, that is how we identify ourselves. I’m a big fan of these things: introspection, individuality, independence, self-growth, facing challenges and overcoming obstacles, etc. Perhaps that drew me to this theme.

As for mental health in my book’s context, many reviewers have said the “struggles of my characters feel personal,” which means the book has tapped into internal battles, suggesting emotional vulnerability.

My characters’ journeys are filled with highs and lows: obstacles, insecurities, and self-doubt take a toll on our mental and emotional energies. Persevering through all this can give people anxiety and maybe even depression.

The last part portrays the family's victory, highlighting their resilience and the emotional healing that followed their challenging journey.

Again, this is the usual cycle of life most people go through. Some might break down mentally and emotionally in this journey, while some emerge winners.

I have a huge, mammoth soft corner for staying mentally and emotionally strong and surviving against all-odds narratives. And I wanted to use that in my story.

2. Can you describe a character or scene from the book that was especially fun or rewarding to write?

Look at the protagonist Mukta’s character. She is a nurturer, yet an independent individual who doesn’t lose her sense of what she wants to achieve. While pursuing progress and a better life for her family, she never crumbles nor plays the gender or victim card even once. Instead, she uses her wisdom to understand the strengths and weaknesses of her family members to navigate them.

How many people will have the courage to hand over all they built brick by brick to debtors and start all over again by doing menial jobs in their 50s?

I loved building and writing Mukta’s character.

3. How do you stay motivated and inspired throughout the writing process?

As an author, once you set your mind on seeing your book in the hands of the readers, you are ready to soar! This is my opinion. Also, I wanted to put Thakurli on the map. And I am saying this with all honesty and from the bottom of my heart. Thanks to the decades I spent growing up, absorbing, and living that life, it has given me everything, including a rich imagination that I have (or at least I think I have). That sliver of happiness wrapped in the gloom of inconveniences, the freedom that was born from living and facing harsh life, the bliss that came from the security Thakurli provided us, a carefree life that comes from not knowing what will happen tomorrow because you have nothing much to lose, to begin with.

That was the world I grew up in: unsanitized, not unhygienically, but in a clean and organic way.         

I had to honour Thakurli for giving me the rustic aesthetics wrapped up as inspiration. Those emotional memories, inspiration, and motivation are more than enough to last me a lifetime.

4. What kind of research, if any, did you undertake to ensure the accuracy and depth of your story?

The first thing people I approached to get my debut novel published asked if this was a memoir. I said then, and I am saying this again: the words, narration, and chapters are outcomes of my emotional memories of having lived, experienced, and observed that life. Of course, it’s fictionalized. But the heart, the core, is from that life lived many decades ago. I truly wanted to capture that and seal it forever in a time capsule. This is what I have done with this book.

To answer your question, the research was to pull out a memory, go over it, visualize and articulate it. As for accuracy, I am hoping I have retained as much authenticity as possible. And, I think I have.

5. How do you handle writer’s block or creative hurdles when they arise?

I guess by doing things I love, like making myself a tasty meal. I love mixed vegetable curries a lot, khichdi with chilli pickle is another favourite. I also love making tangy chutneys to go with dosa. (I prefer the thick, set dosa to the crispy, thin ones). Procrastinating, watching some comedies (Indian, Charlie Chaplin, Motu Patlu, and Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashmah). While I’m involved in these activities, suddenly, my brain will shoot off a line, a word, or a sentence and push me back to work on my writing.

I’m not sure if this relates to writer’s block, but there were times when my experiences and observations would threaten to get lost in translation while putting them on paper. But I survived those.

 

6. What is one thing you learned about yourself while writing this book?

That I could also narrate a story! I discovered how fortunate I am to have such a rich imagination from which I could draw anytime. The best part, though, is that I could articulate my imagination creatively and present this book to the world.

7. Do you have a favourite passage or quote from your book? If so, why is it special to you?

“Mukta, watching him from the other corner said, “Seems

like you have found the envelope cleverly hidden again by

Suresh bhau.”

“Ha, ha, ha, yes, I found it. Mukta, what I want to say is…”

Gesturing him to stop right there, Mukta added, “No, I

am not going to stop working. The past 5-6 months since the

envelopes have started coming, you have been playing the

same record over and over again.”

This passage speaks volumes to me and probably to the world at large. Mukta has always believed in working, staying employed, being financially independent for herself, and supporting her family. In this instance, even though she is old, fragile, and suffering from aches and pains, she desires to keep working despite money coming from various sources, including her husband, who is earning.

 

8. How do you connect with your readers, and what kind of feedback has touched you the most?

As an author, I try to remain as close and authentic to real life as possible. That is the only way I know to narrate a tale. Maybe the market demands something different. But I have never checked those things like why a particular book has become a bestseller, etc.

From the reviews collected so far for Butterflies of Success, it seems book lovers are connecting to the relatability and a slice-of-life narration served to them.

My first review by Namrata of Keemiya Creatives hit the bull’s eye by recognizing the nuances and emotions of the book. That strongly encouraged me while reiterating my belief in authentic storytelling.

9. What role does humour play in your writing, and how do you incorporate it into serious topics?

“It is impossible to win any argument with this bullheaded

lady,” Prem muttered under his breath.

Fully aware of what he was murmuring, Mukta looked

him in the eye and gave him her best toothless, open-mouthed

smile.

Shrugging his shoulders, Prem lay down on the bed.

This and many such light-hearted banter between this couple shows how relationships need the support of the navarasas (nine emotions). All emotions occurring at various stages, in my opinion, help make relationships stronger, not just between couples, but also between other relationships. The ego is the killer, and understanding the difference between the ego and protecting self-respect helps. Having a healthy Emotional Quotient helps.

 

10. Can you share a behind-the-scenes detail or fun fact about the book that readers might not know?

Whenever I wrote a cooking scene and mentioned the recipe, I used to abandon my writing and cook that meal for myself!

Most of the dishes mentioned were staples of the neighbours I grew up with in Thakurli. Those days, once we were back from school, moving and running between houses were common because no family ever closed their doors except at night. And that meant eating in the homes of any neighbours we kids were playing at. I guess that’s why the memories of those foods remain fresh to date, and I could use them in my book.