Author's Interview with Adrija.

1. Could you please introduce yourself to us?

I’m Adrija, now the author of Pilgrims of Reflection, my debut full length book, am a writer, a friend to my spouse and a rather disciplinarian to my own mom. Besides, am also someone who is extremely curious about several dimensions of life and takes a keen interest in spiritual journey of human existence. 

2. Congratulations on your book. So what inspired you to write this book?

I have been writing for quite a long time now. Inspiration per se was little apart from the fact that all my life I’ve found refuge in written words. My life has seen too many roadblocks and shifting dynamics from a very young age and after a point reading a lot became counter intuitive and it was writing that my wide range of reading interest led me into. Essentially the serious inroads of my writing career was made during the onset of pandemic when to keep my sanity I was invested into writing like a maniac day and night. I never planned to make it this far but only did for the sake of holding myself in the face of personal challenges I faced during the Covid years. 

3. What is the book all about and what made you choose the genre? 

The book is a collection of seven short stories. I still remember an afternoon when I was extremely put off and depressed because one of my stories (not a part of this book) was rejected by an online literary magazine. I was tempted, as a first in life, to broaden my writing scope and work on more stories in the hope that I can link them through a common theme. Back then I was clueless about the theme, the stories and the smaller issues. I had this big blank space in mind which I thought can be served best through exploring human existence. I wanted to write about people, complex people, simple people and what they could do in strange and out of the box circumstances. It borders on partial magic realism, as well as with characters placed against societal boundaries. 

4. Why did you choose this genre for your book?

It was probably an extension of my inner self that sought adventure, something very different from run of the mill existence I hold onto. So my book is about the sixteen protagonists who are continuously navigating the odds of life. Some ridiculous odds, some dangerous odds, some odds that make the characters revisit their own self. One can say that am somewhat hooked on to the study of identity. That reflects a lot in my book’s characters. And as I said I tried to make my book border on magic realism because I feel in India in mainstream we haven’t seen much of that genre, though where I belong as a Bengali, in Bnegali literature magic realism has been there for a long time. Also, as a genre it has a lot to be explored. Much like an empty canvas, postmodernist art impressions which can be moulded albeit given that one has the ability to do so meaningfully. 

5. In relation to the book, which all writers, if any, did influence you to take up this genre?

As I already said, I’ve been writing for quite sometimenow and it was because of my rather mature reading scope from a very early age that writing probably got into me. If I need to pinpoint writers whose writing style made me write this book, I have to say I looked up to the greatness of Murakami, Jhumpa Lahiri and in parts contemporary writers like Nafisa Thomson Spires’ writing had profound impact on me. However, I would like to mention that however little of a writer I am, I generally never read when I am writing seriously and extensively. I feel it thwarts my own flow in favor of the text I am reading.

6. How much time did it take to complete this book?

It took me close to two and half years to finish the essential writing part. Another eight months to edit, revisit and re edit. 

7. When is your second book coming? Any idea as to what it can be?

Am quite a whimsical person so I kind of mentally chart out a plan. So far I think a next manuscript is going to take up quite a long time, as am currently getting onboard with a very different professional profile, something related to academics. But yes, I have to squeeze out time for writing and hopefully next thing should be a long drawn thing, novel sort of. Yet I cannot tell it for sure, it can be so that quarter down the writing I can probably shrink it to story format as well. I also want to write more poetry now. It is one of my first loves. 

8. While writing did you get any writer's block? What is the Tip that you will give others who are facing writer's block?

I did get writers block. The block was for two reasons if I can be very rational. One, death of both of my grandparents’ who were my rocks and pillars of love. Two, a bad experience with someone whose harsh words almost made me stop writing and completing my manuscript. I was not able to write for this second reason for a long time, almost five months…however I promised my Grandmother that I would write more and for me that keeping my word to her worked. Although I feel very shy to give any tips because I strongly believe I haven’t accomplished even an inch till now, yet I can share that Writers Block is real but one should take it as an opportunity. Going with the flow helps…I never forced myself to write but say after a two month or month long hiatus I usually opened my laptop and tried to scribble down. Initially, journalling helps a lot and also sleep and a good book to read. 

9. What are your other hobbies besides being a talented author?

There are plenty, but the top ones should be travelling, scheduling travel plans, cooking a wide range of cuisines and experimenting with food. Also am a keen observer of people so love to hang out in a café for the feel of it. Finally singing especially Indian classical and Bengali Rabindrasangeet helps me unwind. 

10. Last but not the least, How did you feel, while giving this interview?

*prefer to keep this part spontaneous*

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