An Interview with Meena R.D.
Meena R.D. is an award-winning author of Path to Rebirth: Fight. Survive. Repeat., a memoir about transformation and perseverance. Her work has appeared in Pretty Women Hustle Magazine, Caribbean Collective Magazine, and Influencer Magazine UK. Based in Queens, NYC, she draws on over twenty years’ experience as a legal secretary/assistant and as a client service professional at H&R Block. Since October 2023, Meena has worked on a podcast highlighting autism moms. As a parent of a child with autism, she actively promotes awareness through involvement in her son’s school community and advocacy groups like the ARISE Coalition. In fall 2025, she joined Girls Write Now as a mentor. A lifelong writer and music enthusiast, Meena has won literary contests and finds inspiration in R&B.
What inspired you to start writing this book?
My decision to write this book was shaped by several significant experiences in my life. Throughout the years, many people – especially my dad – have encouraged me to share my journey, pointing out that I have overcome so much from birth to the present. Their belief that my story could resonate with others motivated me to put my experiences into words and share them with the world.
Another profound influence was the approaching ten-year anniversary of losing one of my best friends to cancer. Her unwavering faith in my writing abilities inspired me to honor her memory. I wanted to create something meaningful that would reflect the impact she had on my life and the encouragement she always gave me as a writer.
Finally, in late 2022, my dad was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. With his prognosis uncertain, I felt an even greater urgency to complete my book while he was still with us. This became a personal mission, and though it was an emotional journey, I am grateful that I was able to finish and publish my book in time. It meant the world to me to be able to show him the completed work the day before he passed on June 14, 2024.
Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
Finding the right title for my memoir was a meaningful process. I spent considerable time weighing different ideas, but none of them truly resonated with me. Seeking assistance, I reached out to one of the only people who knew about my memoir. Together, we engaged in a simple but powerful exercise: She encouraged me to close my eyes and focus on what this project meant to me, then write down the words that came to mind.
This process was both introspective and creative, allowing me to connect with the core emotions and themes behind my story. After considering many variations, I finally arrived at the title that felt authentically right for my memoir. Choosing a title for my book was as profound as writing it, and the final name holds deep personal significance for me.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
Although I have always been an enthusiastic reader, there were no specific books or authors that directly shaped my approach to writing. My passion for literature began at a young age, and it was this general love of books that sparked my interest in creative expression. Alongside reading, journaling became an important outlet for me, fueling my desire to craft short stories and poems as I grew up.
This enthusiasm for writing continued into adulthood. After the birth of my son in 2005, I took another step in nurturing my creative interests by enrolling in classes on how to write children’s books. These experiences, rooted in a lifelong enjoyment of reading and personal reflection, played a significant role in developing my voice as a writer.
Where is your favorite place to write?
For me, the act of writing has never been tied to a specific place; I can write just about anywhere. What truly matters is the timing. When I was a teenager, my favorite time to write was right before I went to bed. After the day was over, I looked forward to opening my diary and letting my thoughts flow onto the page.
As I grew older and technology evolved, the way I wrote changed as well. From writing in diaries to computers, I found myself writing at any moment inspiration struck – sometimes during the day at work, and other times late at night when the world was quiet. Regardless of where I was, it was always about capturing those moments when I felt compelled to write.
What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?
If I could offer guidance to my past self at the beginning of my writing journey, I would urge myself to take more chances. Reflecting on my experiences, I recognize there were numerous opportunities to write for different outlets and even participate in contests. Unfortunately, fear often held me back from pursuing those possibilities. Overcoming that hesitation and having the courage to take risks could have unlocked even more doors for me as a writer. Learning to embrace uncertainty and step outside my comfort zone would have been invaluable advice as I started out on this creative path.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
Throughout life, it is inevitable that we will encounter dark times. These difficult moments are essential, because they allow us to genuinely appreciate the times of light and joy that follow. You may be familiar with the saying, ‘There is a light at the end of the tunnel.’ It serves as a reminder that hope persists, even when circumstances seem bleak. My personal journey stands as a testament to this powerful message. No matter how overwhelming or challenging life’s darkest moments may be, there is always the possibility for ‘rebirth.’ By holding onto hope and persevering through hardship, we can emerge stronger and find renewed purpose. This is the message I hope stays with readers long after they finish my book: Even in the darkest times, transformation and new beginnings are possible.
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