Authors’ Background: Author Maitabi Banerjee, an English Literature and Mass Communication graduate is a communication consultant, co-founder of Writer’s Collective, and curator of eight books. Her debut novel, “Aashi” explored emotions and human connections. Based in Bangalore, she balances writing, mentoring, and freelancing while sharing her life with her husband and two children!
Questionnaire:
Neel Preet: Your book, “Daughters Who Loved” explores love, family, and secrecy. What inspired you to tell this particular story?
Maitabi Banerjee: While this isn’t a true story, but in bits and pieces it comes from various stories I have heard during my stay in Jabalpur. Largely fiction, it does have elements that resemble real life.
Neel Preet: Mili and Julie’s journey is deeply influenced by their patriarchal family. How important was it for you to explore themes of women’s defiance and resilience?
Maitabi Banerjee: Very important. In cities we may not find such incidents. But in 2 tier cities, patriarchy is very much an issue, which curbs a woman’s innate wishes. I believe it’s always important to talk about how things can horribly go wrong than painting a rosy picture.
Neel Preet: The novel features a complex plot filled with mystery, love, and hidden truths. How did you approach weaving these elements together?
Maitabi Banerjee: I think, a story starts writing itself after a point 🙂 There was no approach as such. But I knew what I was writing and what my narrative needed. Rest everything just flowed seamlessly.
Neel Preet: Your debut novel, “Aashi” explored human emotions and relationships. How does “Daughters Who Loved” differ from your previous work?
Maitabi Banerjee: Aashi was also a women centric novel. Though it had a much softer approach. Daughters Who Loved can unsettle you a lot. Aashi was a warm read, DWL is incisive and much deeper in its theme.
Neel Preet: Your background in English Literature and Mass Communication must influence your storytelling. How do these disciplines shape your approach to writing?
Maitabi Banerjee: Storytelling comes naturally to me. I see stories everywhere. One of the most important aspects of writing is to be able to express yourself vividly. I think my expressions and a research based approach, both come from my background in Mass Com.
Neel Preet: The book moves across different locations — Jabalpur and Hyderabad. How do these settings play a role in shaping the narrative and characters?
Maitabi Banerjee: These are the two cities I have lived in myself. I know these places well. However, Jabalpur and Hyderabad are characteristically very different cities. Their texture is completely different from each other. So I guess it helped me create an undertone of difference in the lives of the two protagonists through these cities.
Neel Preet: Your novel presents a gripping narrative filled with twists and turns. Did you plan every detail in advance, or did the story evolve as you wrote?
Maitabi Banerjee: Some were definitely planned. But there are quite a few which evolved as I wrote. Like I said some stories start writing themselves 🙂
Neel Preet: Your work spans writing, mentoring, and curating books. How do you manage these different creative roles, and do they influence each other?
Maitabi Banerjee: When you love the work you do, there is nothing to manage:) All the things I do are interrelated. They don’t influence, but definitely complement each other.
Neel Preet: What challenges did you face while writing this novel, and how did you overcome them?
Maitabi Banerjee: This biggest challenge was – this isn’t my genre. I had never dabbled in such a space before. Even to think like this was difficult, leave aside writing with conviction. I had to really challenge myself to be able to complete this novel. It was not effortless. But whatever it is, the kind of review I am getting, every bit of it feels worth it.
Neel Preet: Now that “Daughters Who Loved” is out, what’s next for you as an author? Can the readers expect more such incredible works in the future?
Maitabi Banerjee: Surely.
