I discovered Nikita while looking for new Hindi poets and stumbled across her book, “Sangam.” I later learned that it was her second book after ‘Goonj’, and the rest is history. She is not only an author but also an avid reader and book blogger. She recently released her new book, “Eternals,” so I decided to conduct an interview with her. Well, I must say, it was hard to reach her for it, but once we met and she answered all my questions, I must say, “Boy, oh boy,” it was worth all my hard work. So here goes our conversation.
Me: I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to have a conversation with you, but I understand you have a short time so I’ll to the chase. So my first question is when did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Nikita: Actually, figuring out the exact time when I want to be a writer is very difficult. Because somewhere I always wanted to be an author; from my school days.
Writing, literature, and poetry, always used to excite me, but we live in a society where education, career, and living come before our dreams. Therefore, the dream of becoming a writer was somewhere left behind in the past, but when I focussed on reading besides academics, back in 2018 following the routine reading my sister, the appetency to create my own book grew fervently.
Me. So, I would like to know how long it does takes you to write a book?
Nikita: Well, it depends on the book I am writing & the timing when I start writing the book.
There is no exact duration for writing a book, at least for me. For example; I took around one year to write my debut. I published my second book in a span of 3-6 months. A similar case was with the third one and for my fourth and the latest book, “Eternals”, It took me less than one month.
Recently, it made space in the top 50 books in the Kindle Store under the category Religion & Spirituality.
Me: What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
Nikita: Generally, I write at night whether I have a hectic schedule or have free time. Though I love writing at any hour of the day, I prefer to write at midnight.
Me: What would you say is an interesting quirk in your writing journey?
Nikita: I would say it was the juncture when I was planning to publish my debut book. I was just a student and had no income source like others.
Above this, I wanted to surprise my family by being a published author, so I didn’t ask my parents for financial help to publish my writing.
Thus, I borrowed the publishing package amount, published my book and later refunded that from book sales and secondary sources of my income.
Me: Where do you get information or ideas for your books?
Nikita: There is nothing like getting information for my books, but yeah, I get ideas from the surrounding. I observe people around me, their condition, life, and state. With careful analysis, I try to pen down the emotions effectively.
My writing has no specific theme. I mean, I write about multiple subjects. I love to explore new things through my writing. In general, I write about everything that inspires me to write. Be it Supreme God, Devotion, Love, Nature, Society, Pain, etc.
Unlike my poetry collections, the information, ideas, inspiration, and all the things came from the holy scripture; the speech of Lord Krishna, Srimad Bhagwat Gita.
Me: When did you write your first book and how old were you?
Nikita: If I talk about my writing journey, I started it with social media. Later, I wrote my first poem there, namely, Ishwar. The poem got immense love from the audience.
I used to conduct demand sessions; you may call it as I started writing what the public demanded.
As you know, “Appreciation is always a source of Inspiration”. By the overwhelming response, I was inspired to write my debut, Goonj, which is a Hindi poetry collection later published on 10 April 2019.
Conclusively, it took me about 2 years to write my first book.
Me: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Nikita: This question makes me smile. Well, Reading is the answer.
Me: What does your family think of your writing?
Nikita: They are happy with my writing, they always inspire me to interact with people, to go out and promote my books, to write more graciously, and wish for my success.
They always stand beside me to support my dreams and to be a strong independent woman.
Me: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
Nikita: In creating my book, the most surprising thing, I would say, was my decisions.
Generally, prior to any of my published books, I had no thought that I would create one or that I had plans that I would write the particular book.
By the grace of God, opportunity knocked by any means; be it appreciation (At the time of Goonj; my debut), be it my efforts to encourage Hindi Literature (For Sangam; My 2nd book and the First anthology), be it an invitation (at the time of my 3rd book & the 2nd anthology namely Punar Sangam); noted, you may call it appreciation again. Finally, the eagerness to spread the great wisdom of the eternal truth (reason for the creation of Eternals; my 4th and the latest book). I just go as my Karma allows and I become an author of the reader’s choice.
For all this, I bow down to the almighty; Lord Krishna, who is the cause of all causes.
Me: Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Nikita: Firstly, my gratitude to you for considering me a person who can suggest you be a better writer. It’s an honor for me.
Well, it is not a suggestion, it is a kind of guide you can say; I want to share in response that writes what you feel, experience, or what inspires you. Write what is able to create knowledge, inspire people and help them to move towards the truth.
Because beautiful things never ask for attention. Rest, it is totally up to you what you want to present to your readers.
In the end, thank you for having me.
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This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.