In conversation with Aniesha Brahma

Aniesha Brahma is a talented young author from Kolkata.  She is currently pursuing her Post Graduation degree in Comparative literature from Jadavpur University. ‘The Secret Proposal‘ is her debut novel. Aniesha believes that anything is possible if you put up your mind to it.

Recently Susmita Bose caught up with Aniesha in a candid interaction. Here it goes:

Congratulations on the release of your debut novel ‘The Secret Proposal’. What kind of response you have been receiving?

Thank you. The response for the novel has been pretty good. Everyone who’s read the book told me that they found it pretty “unputdownable”. Though, the older generation admitted to getting a culture shock from the very storyline.

Tell us how much life changed after the release of your book…

Not much. I’m still the same young woman, completing her Masters from JU. And as I am reminded every now and then, I still have miles to go. But it does feel nice to see a story I wrote in print.

Are the incidents and narrations in the book completely fictitious?

All the incidents in the book revolving around Veer and Larissa are fictitious. I cannot say the same about Larissa and Lakhi though…some of the incidents of Lakhi’s marriage was taken right out of real life. But that’s where I get my inspiration from: real life.

Do you consider yourself a hopeless romantic just like Larissa? How much Larissa resembles Aniesha?

Not really. I’ve never been as madly in love with anyone as Larissa seems to be with Veer. I like the idea of being a hopeless romantic, but practically I know that’s impossible in this world.

I was around the same age as Larissa when I began writing the book. She too was pursuing Masters, and that was the only thing we shared in common. Larissa and Aniesha are like chalk and cheese.

Is ‘Veer’ Aniesha’s dream man too? 🙂

No way! Veer sounds really good on paper. In reality, I’d have probably punched him hard on the nose.

Is the character of Meghan based on any real person known to you?

Yes, she is.

Romantic stories are considered to be safe to debut with and the success of this book proved that too. However would you like to write on different topics in future?

Agreed, romantic stories are safe to debut with because they are always in demand. But I’d like to try my hand at other genres too. Although romance has always been my forte, I wouldn’t mind experimenting if I come up with a good enough plot.

Is there any work of literature especially any love stories that you would like to rewrite? If so, why?

I respect all works of literature, and even though sometimes I may not agree with how the stories end, I don’t think I’m in position to rewrite the endings. Every writer has his or her own reasons to tell the story the way they want…why would I want to change that?

Being a debutant author did you face any kind of difficulties with publishing the book?

General Press was more than helpful in the publication of the book, and Azeem Sir was there throughout.

Was writing comes easy to you?

Writing comes naturally to me when I know where my story is headed, and when I really, really want to tell the story.

Aniesha Brahma

Tell us something about yourself. What interests you other than writing?

Reading – all kinds of books. Blogging at times, making movies in Windows Movie Maker, making cartoons at times…everything interests me. I do not like to stay idle for long and that is the reason I keep finding new hobbies to keep myself occupied with.

What kind of books you like to read?

Romance novels, crime fiction, fantasy novels… I love reading all the works of Ruskin Bond, and I grew up with J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter. My recent favorite author is Meg Cabot. Her The Princess Diaries Series and The Mediator Series I’ve really admired and loved.

Have you started planning for your next book? What would be the subject?

I’ve a couple of ideas for the next book, but I’ve not really began planning it all out. I’m not sure what the subject would be – but the genre just might be romance.

Any message to the readers…

Thank you so much for reading my book and making the journeys of Larissa and

Veer so memorable for me. My book became successful because you read it, loved it and made it so.

Thank you Aniesha for your time, we shall meet again! Wish you all the best for your future works.

• About the Author

About Sprightly Spirit

“I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares more is none”. And all, may be. It may be the vigor. Or the spirit. Or the courage to avoid being “politically correct” or bent. And, ban all averse with immaculate overture of graciously fathomable words firm in views. Subtle. Justifying the undying conscience. Values. Knowledge. And, dares to stay true. True to own. True to the world. And, to the words. With a dream in eyes it exists. In you. In me. In all. The sprite that never shies away. The spirit that never dies!