TAKING THE LITERARY WORLD BY STORM

Author Interview: Reecha Agarwal Goyal

Reecha Agarwal Goyal is an MBA from Loyola Institute of Business Administration and is based out of New Delhi, where she lives with her husband and two kids. Describing herself as ‘Fragile but Unbreakable’, she believes in miracles, takes life head on and is passionate about weaving magic with words. Her first book is “Such is HER Life” and her second book is “Witnessed by the Hills”. She writes stories about nuanced characters with resolute perseverance and unflinching determination. In a candid chat with Chirdeep Malhotra, she talks about her books, her writing journey, her favourite books and authors, and much more.



Please tell us more about Reecha Agarwal Goyal as a person.
Wow. Before this, I never actually gave a real thought about how I am as a person. Thank you for asking me this. Let me think. Okay, I am a crazy person. You know, a nonconformist. From as early as I could remember, I would do things that wouldn’t be expected of me and would love all the weird reactions I would get from people around. Like, I would not think twice before heading to a high end mall in pyjamas and flip-flops. I am also a very sensitive person. I feel and observe everything around me very minutely. I think a lot. There is always something new brewing up in my mind. Of all the roles that I play in life, that of a mother is my favourite. I can spend my entire life being just with my kids, reading and writing. Also, I don’t talk much. I let my books do the talking.

Has writing always been a part of your life? Or did you chance upon it later on and then instantly fell in love with it?
Oh, it has always been a very integral part of my life. Be it writing a diary, contributing poems to my school and college magazines or blogging, I have always had a writer in me. I have always had an undying passion for words and literature. I would read a sentence in a book, would fall in love with it and would keep thinking about it. I would always drool over new words. Whether I’m reading or writing them, books have always been my saving grace.

Can you tell us more about your book “Such is HER Life”?
It’s a book that is very close to my heart. It was born the day my daughter was born, for, from that day on, I started taking injustices against women in the society personally. The book highlights the experiences of a woman in Indian society that are not very pleasant. It chronicles HER journey from birth, or rather from even before she is born, till she breathes her last. The book tells us what being a woman in this society is like. The musings are poetic and sarcastic in nature and are written straight from the heart.

How has the response of readers been to this book?
It has been overwhelming. The book has received so much love from readers all over the nation. I get messages where readers actually thank me for writing this book. They tell me that this book had been like a warm hug to them. They tell me that they feel that the book is written specially keeping them in mind. I feel very humbled. The book is doing really well.

What type of research went into writing this book?
The fabric of this book is woven with the emotions of all the women I have met and have known since my childhood. Only the words are mine. So, in a way, you can say that this book was written after an extensive research, spanned over years. There is something for everyone to connect with in the book.

In terms of the complexity of the character and the nuances of the dialogues, the character development of whom was the most difficult in this book?
There is just one central character in this book and that is “an Indian Woman”. She is not complex. The society that she is a part of, is.

You have recently come out with your second book “Witnessed by the Hills”. Having authored two books in quick succession, your literary career is taking great strides. How do you feel about it?
Trust me, I don’t think about it. The moment I finish writing a book, I start thinking about the next one. I don’t sit, relish or mull over the acceptance of my previous books. Let me quote Robert Frost here. “I have promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep”. I am here to stay and I am not stopping.

Can you tell us more about your book “Witnessed by the Hills”?
“Witnessed by the Hills” is not just a love story. It’s a story about perseverance and strength. It’s set in the beautiful Hills of Darjeeling. I’m sure readers are going to like this one too.

What are your favourite books? Can you share with our esteemed readers about the genres that you like and your favourite authors?
‘The Fountainhead' by Ayn Rand, ‘The Palace of Illusions’ by Chitra Divakaruni, ‘1984’ by George Orwell and ‘Forty Rules of Love' by Elif Shafak are among my favourites. Actually there are many. It’s unfair to name just a few. I don’t believe in genres. The genres usually cut across in most of the books.

What are your other interests apart from writing?
I have two small kids. Do you think I have the luxury to have other interests? (a wide grin). Okay, getting serious, apart from writing and reading, I love spending time with my kids and watching movies.

Are there any other literary projects in the pipeline?
I have signed a contract for one more book called 'She' with the same publishers. I have started writing my fourth book and have conceived the idea of my fifth.

Is there anyone, you would accredit your success to?
There are many. I could never have done anything alone. First and foremost, I am grateful to the almighty for His role in my life has been miraculous. I owe everything to my parents. It was my mom who made sure I took studies seriously and it was my dad who always fuelled my creative urges. My husband has stood by me like a rock and I draw inspiration to write from my kids. My in-laws have been always supportive and my sister has always pushed me to write. But there is one person I am eternally thankful to -the person I see in the mirror every day. I am so glad that I’m doing that which I’m passionate about, against all, all odds!

There are many new writers and poets who are aspiring to get their work published. What would you say to them?
Dare to be different. Be crazy. Believe in your work and in yourself. And have patience. You need a lot of patience in this industry. The journey from the conception of an idea of the book to actually having it in bookstores is very long and painful. You have to have your head on your shoulders all the while.

Can you share with our readers a motivational quote that keeps you going?
These are “The question is not who is going to let me, it’s who is going to stop me” by Ayn Rand, and “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.

Updated On 2/13/2019 9:14:49 PM