Brinda Gulati

What was your favorite book as a child?

I started reading non-fiction literatures relatively early on, but some of my fondest memories of musing alongside the written word are my mother's narrations of Indian mythology. We used to have hundreds of these pictorial pamphlets called "Amar Chitra Katha" and I would re-read all the stories over and over like it was the first time.

Do you remember the original reason or motivation why you started writing creatively?

I'm a radically different person now than I was growing up. I'm outspoken and brazen, unafraid and unashamed of my values, opinions, and past. When I was yet to grow into my identity, I was submissive to a fault — oftentimes at my own detriment, to keep the peace and shoulder the secrecy of a family falling apart. So I found my voice — or at least a part of it, in words. I didn't say much, but I observed every movement, every scratch, every whisper. And this gave me an ounce of power over my surroundings — that feeling of regaining control in a world where you could never belong is something I've never forgotten.

What was the most adventurous or thrilling thing you ever did/experienced?

Two words — solo travel. (There's more stuff for sure, but I'm either drawing a blank or have already written it to death in my novel's drafts.)

Do you listen to music while reading or writing?

I do, actually! I listen to classical music mostly, nothing with lyrics that would sit on my lips. I also quite loathe pin-drop silence so sometimes when the whirring of the fan blades just doesn't cut it, I have a few favourite creators on Youtube who make a great mixology of soft oldies, music, rain, and crackling fire.