She was born and brought up in Kolkata. She was an alumnus of St. John’s Diocesan Girls’ Secondary School and Jadavpur University (Department of Comparative Literature and Department of English). Apart from writing stories for children and young adults, she writes travelogues and short stories.
A passionate traveler, she pens down travel stories both in Bangla and in English. As a result of intense traveling, she gathers many experiences that have become a principal crux in her writings. She has contributed to several e-magazines like Yourstoryclub.com, Indian Ruminations, A journal for Indian Writers in English and aamaderchhuti.com, (Bengali Travel e-magazine).
Q.1 Tell us something about yourself not many people know?
A. I love to sing.
Q.2 When should we expect your next book? What will it be about?
A. Koko Story is my debut storybook. While I was penning down the story, I was working on another children’s storybook simultaneously. Now, the manuscript of the second storybook is complete. Once the illustrations are done, I shall be approaching my publisher.
Q.3 What made you write Koko Story?
A. Koko Story was first published in my blog with WordPress, and the first few chapters were very popular. Then my friends and well-wishers advised me to publish it as a book. I completed the rest of the chapters and gave it a book format accordingly.
Q.4 What actually goes on when the author and illustrator meet?
A. I am indebted to my illustrator Mr. Debasish Deb for giving life to my characters in such a vibrant manner. There should be an excellent understanding between the illustrator and the author. Harmony between them results in a brilliant outcome.
Q.5 What do you love most about writing stories for children?
A. Nowadays, children are hooked to different electronic gizmos. It appears to me that today’s kids have lost their innocence and have become mechanical. I love to boost their power of imagination and encourage nurturing the love for nature in young minds.
Q.6 Why do you think it is important for children to develop a love of reading?
A. I consider that reading is nourishment for quintessence. Reading all sorts of books enhances knowledge, provides succor to the mind, and enriches vocabulary. That is why children should develop a love for reading. It helps to build their characters and personalities.
Q.7 What’s your writing schedule while you’re working?
A. There’s no fixed schedule for my writing. I sit with my laptop whenever I get time in between my work.
Q.8 Many writers describe themselves as “character” or “plot” writers. Which are you? What do you find to be the most challenging part of writing?
A. I am none of them. For me, both “character” and “ plot” are equally important in writing a story. The most challenging part of writing that I encountered was putting the right names to the characters. I put a lot of emphasis on it to make it likable for children.
Q.9 Which children’s book most inspired you as a child?
A. The children’s book that inspired me most as a child was Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Vernes.
Q.10 How do you select the name of your characters?
A. Surroundings and life itself.
Q.11 Do you have any advice for aspiring children’s book authors?
A. Read a lot. Increase your horizon of imagination.
Q.12 Do you believe in writer’s block? If yes, how do you deal with it?
A. Yes. I believe in writer’s block. Sometimes there is an absolutely zero productivity period, and at other times, one is at his/her best. During a less productive period, I listen to classical music, which increases my zeal for writing.
Q.13 Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with good or bad ones?
A. Yes. I read my reviews regularly. There’s no doubt that good reviews make me feel good. But at the same time, I appreciate bad reviews because, at times, they set up pointers from which you can learn about your flaws.
Q.14 Do you have any unique and quirky writing habits?
A. Nothing as such.
Q.15 Outside of your family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author?
A. My editor, Mr. Shyam Sundar Bulusu, supported me to a great extent. He provided me with useful suggestions and extended his hand of help whenever I needed it.
Q.16 How will you describe your life before and after getting published?
A. Before publishing the book, I used to contribute to e-magazines and had virtual readers. After publishing the book, I feel happy to reach out to the readers with the hard copy. The pleasant scent of newly printed books with colorful illustrations brings a feeling of blissfulness to my mind.
Q.17 What three things should readers expect from your books?
A. Honesty, innocence, and intense imagination.
Q.18 Which famous person, living or dead, would you like to meet and why?
A. I would like to meet Amitav Ghosh, one of the greatest Indian writers in English. He is an outstanding storyteller, and his novels deal with the Indian historical framework.
Q.19 What is your favorite book (apart from children's ones) and why?
A. One of my favorite books is One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It is a landmark novel impregnated with the thematic of Magic Realism and is considered an extraordinary novel in Latin American literature.
Q.20 Share the experience of your journey so far?
A. Since the publishing of my book, I received numerous calls from my friends, relatives, well-wishers, and my mentor. Everyone cheered me to write more and publish more.
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