INTERVIEW INVINCIBLE
1. Can you tell something about yourself
I was born in Mumbai but grew up in the hills of Himachal Pradesh and
Uttrakhand. I began my education at Welhams Girls School Dehra Dun and
completed it from All Saints College Nainital. I completed my post graduation
and M. Phil in English from Himachal Pradesh University Shimla, where I was
ranked second in the university. After my marriage, I shifted to Delhi and did
my B. Ed from CIE Delhi University, where I was a scholarship holder.
Thereafter I joined St. Anthony’s Senior Secondary School as the Head of the
English Department, where I continued to inculcate the love for the English
Language in my students for 35 years. It was here that my penchant for story
telling was given precedence. It not only kept the children riveted, but also led
them to explore their creativity. This book, is probably an outcome of that.
2. How is your book different than others?
My book is a collection of short stories, like many other books. Yet it is
different. The variety that it has to offer, makes it stand out from other such
collections. There is no one theme that I have followed. The stories are spicy,
funny, emotional, philosophical , as eclectic as the varied relationships that
life has to offer. The characters are simple, easily relatable. The language is
smooth and fluent which makes the stories easy to read. And yes they have
happy endings.
3. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
I have drawn on my own personal experiences for the stories that I have
written. Somewhere or the other the stories are connected to my life. It maybe
something that that happened to me, or something I read or heard about.
Further research, if required was done from whereas sources. But the real
facts of my life, have become interesting stories because they are clothed in
fiction and therefore remain half truths.
4. What was one of the most surprising thing you learned in creating your
book?
As such, there were no real surprises. What I would say was the biggest
surprise for me was, that I authored this book, since I had never nursed any
such ambition. I was very content being a teacher. I loved my profession. And
that was all I wanted to be. But yes, I liked to play around with ideas. I loved
experimenting with words. With encouragement from my family I finally
surprised myself by penning these stories.

5. What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
As I just said, I think I am a chance author. I do not follow a dedicated
schedule when I write, as many other serious writers do. Rather I am an
impulsive writer. When an idea comes to mind, I let it grow in my head. When
I find time from my usual routine, I put it down as a story. I am an avid
traveller. Many of theses stories were written on long flights that I had
undertaken. Others came up while I was stuck in Liechtenstein and later in
Dubai during the two different lockdowns
6. What do you think makes a good story?
There are lots of elements that add up to make a good story. A short story
must have a plot that is gripping . It cannot have the liberty of pages and
pages of description as a novel. The characters should be relatable to the
readers. The narration should be easy going, allowing the reader to move
along comfortably. But most important to me, is the end of the story. The
climax must be good because that leaves an impact on the minds of the
readers long after the story ends.
7. What is your writing process like?
My stories are simple, so the process is also simple. Once an idea comes to
my mind, I let it remain there and ruminate on it for sometime. When I find the
time, I try to write out the complete story at a stretch. Once the story is
completed, then I revise it a number of times, making changes for the better. I
am a very logical person. Therefore I ensure that nothing in my stories should
appear absurd. I do continue to visit my stories again and again when I have
the time. I think that is with all writers. You can never be satisfied. There
always seems to be scope for further improvement.
8. What advice do you have for writers?
Being curious and sensitive to the whereas nuances of life is very important.
The more we observe life, the more real the story becomes. When you write a
story, be a part of it. Enjoy the process. This will make the characters,
emotions, situations more relatable. The narration should be kept simple,
even if the plot has many twists and turns. Your individualism should be
reflected in your style. The story should be led to a good climax, to have a
greater impact. A story will be successful only if it comes from the heart, is
fabricated in the mind and is finally woven through your words.
9. How did this story occur to you?
These stories, as I earlier said, come from my own experiences. Delving into
the various chapters of my life, I took what I thought others would find
interesting. Then I clothed them in layers of fiction, and they became Half
Truths.
10. What is the book all about?
It’s a work of fiction. A collection of 14 short stories, it attempts to examine the
varied relationships of life from the perspective of the characters, often
reaching a philosophical conclusion. Relationships between husband and
wife, between lovers, family members, humans and animals and even ghosts!
I have attempted to make each story different from the other, so that it is a
totally enriching experience.