An Interview with Priti Ghai

Priti Ghai, hailing from the picturesque state of Uttarakhand, India, is a passionate poet and aspiring author. Her love for literature was kindled by the timeless verses of renowned poets such as John Keats, William Wordsworth, Edgar Guest, Rudyard Kipling, and Maya Angelou. Their words left an indelible mark on her creative soul, shaping her artistic journey.

Writing, for Priti, is more than a mere hobby—it’s a refuge from the chaos and stress of the world. It brings her a unique joy, one she hadn’t experienced before. Priti firmly believes that writing is a powerful instrument—one that can empower others, raise awareness, and inspire people to chase their dreams.

In addition to her poetic endeavors, Priti has ventured into prose. She has authored two captivating books available on Amazon Kindle:

Together Again: A heartwarming short story that revolves around the Miller siblings—a family torn apart by life’s twists and turns. When their terminally ill mother wishes for a final Christmas reunion, they must confront their past, present, and future. Through love, faith, and forgiveness, they discover the unbreakable bonds of family.

Poetic Landscapes: An Ode to Life’s Journey: In this enchanting chapbook, Priti paints vivid landscapes with her words. Her poems explore life’s various facets—the beauty of nature, the complexities of human emotions, and the inexorable passage of time.

Beyond her literary pursuits, Priti serves as an English teacher at a boarding school in the serene hill station of Mussoorie. Her dedication to nurturing young minds through language and literature is commendable.

What inspired you to start writing this book?

The genesis of my novel sprang from an unassuming classroom discussion that took a flight of fancy. As an English teacher, I sought to thaw the first-day frost with a thought experiment: ‘Imagine discovering that a penny’s discard from last year is now a treasure trove. How would you reclaim it?’ The room buzzed with theories and laughter, but when the tables turned on me, I quipped about bypassing the hullabaloo. ‘Why chase the wind when you can craft a saga?’ I mused. And thus, the seed was sown.

In the fertile soil of imagination, that seed burgeoned into the manuscript of The Erasure Chronicles. It wasn’t just a tale I was weaving, but a tapestry of whimsy and wonder, spun from the very threads of my daily musings. As a writer perpetually in pursuit of idea for my stories and poems, this was too tantalizing to let slip through my fingers. So, I embarked on penning my debut novel, not just to capture a fleeting thought but to ensnare a fortune in the bound pages of whimsical adventure. It’s a testament to the serendipity of life and the magic that ensues when you let your imagination run wild.

Describe your dream book cover.

It would be a bustling Delhi street painted in warm, earthy tones serves as the backdrop. In the foreground, a gilded, ornate frame encases a 3D lenticular image of the The Erasure Chronicles, which seems to dance and shimmer as you tilt the book. The main protagonist, with a look of wide-eyed wonder, reaches out towards it, his hand almost breaking the plane of the cover, inviting the reader into the adventure.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

For the soundtrack of The Erasure Chronicles, considering the magical and comedic elements, I believe the following songs would capture its essence perfectly:

1. “Magic” by Coldplay – To set the tone for the magical aspect of the story.

2. “I Will Follow You into the Dark” by Death Cab for Cutie – Reflecting the theme of destiny and things meant to be.

3. “Adventure of a Lifetime” by Coldplay – Emphasizing the adventurous spirit of the protagonist’s quest.

4. “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles – A nod to the hopeful and uplifting resolution of the story.

5. Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey – Encapsulating the perseverance the protagonist shows throughout his journey.

These songs, with their mix of upbeat and reflective melodies, would complement the highs and lows of my protagonist’s quest to reclaim what belongs to him. The soundtrack would celebrate the magic of the mundane and reinforce the belief that sometimes, life’s greatest treasures come back to us in the most unexpected ways.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

My writing is a legacy of my mother’s love for reading, which she passed on to me. The eloquence of authors in capturing life’s essence inspired me to craft my own narratives. With each book I read, I felt compelled to express my imagination and insights through words.

Writing became my way of connecting with the world, sharing stories that could stir hearts and minds. It’s a blend of artistry and authenticity, where I find joy in the simple act of storytelling. My mother’s encouragement and the enchantment of literature were the catalysts that set me on this path.

In essence, it was the allure of storytelling and my mother’s influence that shaped my writing journey.

Where is your favorite place to write?

If something works for you, then that becomes your creative haven. For me, that haven is the cozy cocoon of my bed, where ideas unfurl like the petals of a blooming flower. It’s a place where comfort meets creativity, and the whispers of dreams blend seamlessly with the strokes of my pen. Some may raise their eyebrows at the thought of a bed being a workspace, but isn’t that the beauty of artistry? It defies convention, dances outside the lines, and finds its rhythm in the most personal of spaces. In the sanctuary of my bed, stories unfold in the quiet, and my imagination soars on the wings of freedom and comfort. That’s the art of writing—finding your unique space where the magic happens.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

I hope readers take away the profound understanding that life’s true treasures aren’t always the ones we chase after, but rather the experiences and memories we collect along the way. My story symbolizes the idea that sometimes, letting go of our past and the desire to change it can lead to a richer, more fulfilling future. I want readers to finish the book with a smile, embracing the notion that the universe has a way of bringing things full circle in the most unexpected and magical ways.

My perfect reader is someone who appreciates the whimsy in life and doesn’t shy away from a good laugh. They find joy in the little things and are not afraid to embark on adventures, whether through the pages of a book or in their own lives. They are open-hearted, love a good plot twist, and cherish stories that leave them with a lingering sense of wonder and a renewed belief in the magic of fate.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.