Interviews

An Interview with Author Rashmi Agrawal

  • When did you discover your love for writing?
    After seeing a classmate writing beautiful poems, I wrote too when I was in school. But the charm faded away soon. I started writing a food blog soon after my maternity leaves finished. This was to fend off the postpartum blue, I believe. The blog also sizzled off in a year.
    I started writing short stories in 2017 and slowly I made it a part of my routine. I did not realize when it seeped into my work and I started searching for characters and plots in my past, in the people around me, and through the incidents taking place in life. Thus, the love for writing evoked and is growing every day.
  • What drives you to write or who inspires you?
    As I mentioned, my past, incidents happening around me, a piece of weird news, a bizarre incident, or anything that ticks my mind.
  • Do you like reading? If yes, please tell us about your favourite authors and books?
    Absolutely! When I am not writing, either I am reading or busy in everyday chores.
    I love reading Cecelia Ahern and Khaled Hosseini. The books I have enjoyed are numerous but Flawed & Perfect (2 books series) by the former writer and all the books (all of them) by Khaled are my favourite apart from ‘The Lunar Chronicles’ by Merissa Mayer and ‘The Book Thief’.
    I also enjoy reading new writers to understand and analyze the latest writing styles.
  • Which genre you prefer to write more?
    I love writing social and family dramas related to regular people and lives. As one of my dear friends (and an amazing writer) calls it ‘Slice of Life’ stories, I express my emotions through such tales. But I love sci-fi and speculative stories too.
  • What’s your thoughts on ‘Storytelling is an art’?
    Storytelling is indeed an art that compels a lot of practice and observation. A bit (or a lot) of research too.
  • Every month there are so many calls for the anthology, how you choose the anthology?
    My criteria are simple:
    1. There shouldn’t be an entry fee.
    2. It should not be commissioned. I don’t want to buy 5 copies (or 20) myself to be a part of it.
    3. The theme and genre should appeal to me.
  • How you come across Album of Hearts Anthology?
    Through Facebook.
  • Do you have any near plans for writing your full-length novel? Or tell us about your upcoming novel?
    I do plan to publish a novel soon but how soon—I am not sure. I have written one during NaNoWriMo of 2018, which is not yet complete and needs a lot of research and editing. With only 20% through, I should say it is 70% writing done in the first draft. I am firm on taking NaNoWriMo this year too. Let’s hope to get some fruits blooming soon.
  • Apart from writing, what other things you prefer doing?
    Do I need to mention reading? I like spending some ME time with my kindle or books. I also put some time in gardening.
  • Do you have any message for your readers?
    If you have a passion, nurture it. If you have a hobby, try to invest time in it and grow so that at 60 when you look back, you can feel proud.
    Also, if possible, read new authors and leave a genuine review on Amazon or Goodreads. This really motivates new writers.
  • What’s your message to budding/ aspiring writers?
    Don’t get carried away with vanity publishing. If you are determined, go self-publish. If you have patience and a great story, go for traditional publishing. Anthologies are a nice way to start too.
    Write, edit, rinse and repeat. Never let a plot bunny escape.
  • Lastly, how was your experience working with us?
    I would say, this is one of those few anthologies that did not ask for money and followed the promised timeline. So, I am happy. I look forward to working more with them. Perhaps, full-length books! I wish them good luck with all their endeavours.

So that was Rashmi. Thank you for taking out time and interacting with us.
Wishing her good luck in all her future endeavours
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You can read more about her here.

— Interviewed by Aditi Srivastava.