Author's Interview with Ranga Iyer

Before we dive into our exciting conversation with today’s remarkable author, let’s start by getting to know the creative mind behind the diverse and captivating stories.

1. What inspired you to write this book and explore the themes of self-discovery and personal growth?

Life itself! I get large doses of my inspiration from living, observing, understanding the nuances of how human beings face and overcome challenges. You know, resilience is one of our greatest strength, and even those who seem the weakest will find hidden resources of strength when pushed to face adversity/adversities. Personal growth and self-discovery are born out of struggles. Yes, these transformations, and evolution take time, but it happens, sometimes through a nudge from introspection, and sometimes through a strong desire to open closed doors. Thakurli, the place I spent a little over two decades of my life has helped give a shape to my inspiration.

2. Can you share a memorable moment or experience that influenced the creation of this story?

Hmm, after spending the first two decades of my life in Thakurli, (a distant suburb of Mumbai), I moved out and for over four decades now, have been living abroad. Call it nostalgia or wanting to go back to my roots, but the memories of growing up in that small village which did not have many facilities. It lacked in everything, but was filled with joy, optimism, and a desire to chase and capture the rainbow! That energy, that spirit is something I wanted to honor. And unknown to me, all that was stored in my subconscious came out in the form of my debut novel, Butterflies of Success.

3. How do you approach creating relatable and authentic characters in your writing?

I’m not sure how. But I guess this is how it happens. I start writing the story and imagine a person to go along with that narration. Once I have mentally conjured up images of the character, their traits, body language, clothes, and their mental and emotional graph gets formed.

4. What was the most challenging aspect of writing this book, and how did you overcome it?

Looking back, honestly, I don’t recall any challenge as such. The power and the pull of the story were so strong that it felt like it actually wrote itself! Maybe a random writer’s block which I usually overcame by cooking myself a lovely meal.

5. How do you balance writing about serious topics with maintaining an engaging narrative?

While writing this novel, I aimed to keep my narration as realistic as possible. Life is never black and white, it exists somewhere in between shades of grey, blue, and red even, and I followed that line. A lack of money may create hardships, but it doesn’t mean people live in constant despair, always shedding tears, nor there is that air of hopelessness hanging around in their homes. Regardless of money situation, or lack of education, opportunities etc, people do nurture dreams of a better future and within their limits, try to work towards achieving their dreams of building a better future. These contrasts helped me weave this narration, which, I’m guessing, my readers are finding it engaging.

6. What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

That, real life is not like a movie scene, or a page out of a novel. Life is what you make out of it. A life if filled with moments of despair, boredom, one challenge after another, and just when you think you have solved a problem, there is another roadblock is staring at you! But, but, here is the thing, The only way to enjoy life's bliss is to live fully in the in-between moments, fight boredom, and keep finding solutions.

Destinations are temporary, the journey is constant.

7. Are there any particular authors or books that have influenced your writing style?

Pearl. S. Buck’s The Good Earth has helped me connect with a subject that had long been dormant in my subconscious. I’d also credit a dash of Ayn Rand, Mills & Boons, Enid Blyton, and whole load of authors and books from different genres that fueled my passion for writing. As for my writing style, it’s shaped by the countless books I’ve absorbed over the decades.

8. What was your writing process like for this book? Did you have any unique rituals or habits?

I started my day by solving crossword puzzles before dedicating a few hours to writing my novel. In the afternoon, I spent time reading—fiction, self-help, newspapers—or occasionally watching a movie. Then, I’d return to my novel. Alongside writing, I also managed my home, taking care of cleaning, grocery shopping, and cooking. While these daily tasks served as my stress busters, reading and movies provided research, inspiration, and creative fuel for my writing.

9. How did you find your own voice as a writer, and what advice would you give to aspiring authors?

I found my voice as a writer by telling a story that was not only close to my heart but also one I felt confident handling. Keeping my vocabulary simple and using everyday language helped me stay true to my style.

For aspiring writers, my advice is to give a voice to the story that lingers in a corner of your heart. Dust off those incomplete drafts tucked away in your drawer and start writing. And most importantly, write every day. Treat it like a job—whether or not it pays right now, it will reward you in ways you never imagined.

10. What are you currently working on, and what can readers look forward to from you next?

I’m currently working on my second novel and am happy to have a 50,000-word draft ready. Like my first, it’s women-centric, but this time, the focus is less on family drama and more on an individual’s journey of growth and evolution.

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