WriterStory Interviews of Writers
Apart from being an author of two books, Purba Chakraborty is a freelance content developer and a freelance writer. She has done her graduation in Microbiology (Honors) from Calcutta University and has recently pursued a post graduate diploma in Creative Writing in English.
What inspired you to start writing?
I think I was in class four when I started writing poetries. Writing gave me a beautiful pleasure and I always loved to write. I have participated in several creative writing competitions in my school days and my favorite subject has always been English. Writing a book was like a dream. I always wanted that there should be a book authored by me. After completing my graduation, I finally added color to that achromatic dream that was lying dormant in my heart for years. This is how my first book Walking in the streets of love and destiny happened and my first book made me realize my true calling that all I want to do in my life is write and write some more.
What did you like to read when you were a girl?
I used to read a lot of short stories by Rabindranath Tagore, Satyajit Ray, Ruskin Bond. I also used to read novels occasionally, but short stories used to really attract me when I was young.
What is the greatest challenge in writing a book?
Well, first of all the challenge lies in creating characters that are believable, relatable and can make a place in the heart of the readers. The second challenge is in effectively narrating the story. The plot of the story might be brilliant but unless and until it is narrated in an interesting and beautiful way, it won’t create an impact.
How much research do you do before writing the book?
A lot. Before starting to write a book, I thoroughly research about each and everything that I need to write the book. I generally start the research after sketching the plot in my diary. I try to understand the characters and the place where I am setting the story. Only when I am satisfied with my research, I start with the writing.
What motivated you to write the book “The Hidden Letters”?
A lot of things were at play. First of all, I wanted to write a really good book after I realized that writing is my true calling. I wanted to challenge myself to write about a middle aged woman, from the perspective of a middle aged woman. Secondly, I noticed that there are so many people, who despite being happy and successful suffer everyday because they lack mental peace. Thirdly, I also observed a couple of dysfunctional and failed marriages around me. All these several things motivated me to write The Hidden Letters and I must say that writing this book was a journey of self-discovery.
Can you tell us more about your latest book “The Hidden Letters”?
The Hidden Letters is a story of a successful writer, Anaya Chatterjee, who is settled in Singapore happily with her doting husband and loving daughter. People envy at her success and thinks that she has the perfect life. However, there is more than what meets the eye. One day, she bumps into a piece of her past accidentally, a past which she has kept concealed from everyone for several years. All the past years, she had been fighting with her mind and heart and let her mind win, but after the chance encounter, she decides to put an end to her long-term secrecy and reveal the truth of the hidden letters to her family. She decides to face the repercussions of her act gracefully. To unlock the hidden letters and to know what happens when Anaya throws away the veil from the letters, readers need to read the book.
How did you come up with the idea of writing fiction genre book?
I am in love with stories. I remember that when I used to get caught in childhood doing some mischief, I used to cook some really good stories to escape punishment. I love listening to stories and I also gain a huge pleasure in telling stories. Putting those countless stories on paper is liberation and happiness for me. Therefore, writing fiction is completely my cup of tea.
Who are your favorite authors?
The list is long. Rabindranath Tagore, Paulo Coelho, Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, Satyajit Ray, Charles Dickens, Daphne De Maurier, Cecelia Ahern, Elizabeth Gilbert, John Green, Nicholas Sparks, Jhumpa Lahiri, Ruskin Bond, Preeti Shenoy.
How much time do you dedicate for writing on a daily basis?
As I am a content developer and a freelance writer, all I do the entire day is writing. However, I dedicate at least 2 hours every day for my creative writing, whether it is a novel or a short story or poetry. I am working on my 3rd manuscript currently and I write at least 500 words every day, even if I am not well.
What words of wisdom would you like to give to aspiring writers?
Write for the love of writing, not for fame or money. Respect your writing and try to improve yourself every single day. Read a lot. Write every day. And lastly, be patient and perseverant.
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