Aishwarya Jha

Hi! My name is Aishwarya and I live in New Delhi, India. I grew up here and the city has always been a source of inspiration for me, with its infinitude of histories and stories simmering just under the surface of all the clamour. Apart from writing, I spend my time travelling, designing interiors and kowtowing to my army of dogs.

Question 1: What inspired you to start writing?

I've always felt as though the world was full of stories, flashing and hiding in the very air around us like fireflies, and I started writing as a way to capture some of that magic. As I've grown older, writing has become a way of expressing the things that matter most to me, of holding on to what is lost and sending out a hope for the future into the ether.

Question 2: What have you written that you're the most proud of?

My debut novel, published in 2023.

Question 3: What do the words “writer’s block” mean to you? 

Something I regularly wrestle with! I think writer's block comes from a fear of producing something that's not good enough, which is a constant companion for most artists. In my experience, the best way to conquer it is to power through the fear, to just write without worrying about the quality of what you're writing. A lot of it may turn out to be junk, but if you keep going you will eventually get to the other side--and you might even find some treasure if you sift through the ruins.

Question 4: When did you first call yourself a writer? 

I can't remember a time when I didn't.

Question 5: What is your writing process like? Are you more of a plotter or a pantser?

Definitely more of a plotter. I like to let an idea marinate in my head for a while, turning over different versions of it, and I make copious notes before I start writing. Having said that, I don't think it's possible to exclusively be a plotter because no matter how much you plot, there are things that come to you only during the writing process itself. In writing, as in life, some of the best plot twists are the ones you never saw coming.

Question 6: Do you play music while you write — and, if so, what’s your favorite?

I can only write the classical instrumental music, everything from Schubert to Philip Glass to epic movie soundtracks. I absolutely can't write to music with lyrics in it.

Question 7: What do you think is the best way to improve writing skills?

Aside from the obvious--practise, practise, practise--something that really helped me was to cultivate a writer's brain, i.e. to start looking at everything from the perspective of writing. I constantly write down any stray observations or ideas that come to me in my phone's notes app, even if they don't seem to amount to anything or relevant to what I'm currently writing, either for them to inspire me or to include them in something that I'm working on in the future. I also read like a writer, whether it's a book or an article, looking for the scaffolding other writers' stories and how they elevate a turn of phrase.

Question 8: What are your favorite blogs or websites for writers? 

Not a blog but I love the podcast 'The Shit No One Tells You About Writing' for its invaluable insights into the publishing and querying processes.

Question 9: Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing? 

Definitely my Mother, whose encouragement and confidence in me have buttressed my own belief in myself when it's been shaky. She is also my biggest inspiration.

Question 10: If you could invite any three people for dinner, whom would you invite? 

From the literary world, it would probably be Somerset Maugham, Nancy Mitford and Paul Scott.