Inside the Mind - Pratibha R DH

My writing journey began when I was about nine years old. I had just finished reading The Diary of Anne Frank, which moved me deeply and inspired me to start keeping a diary of my own. I would jot down daily events, small anecdotes, or simply whatever was on my mind. That quiet habit gradually grew. By the time I was in middle school, I had started writing poetry. Later on, I contributed articles and short pieces to school and college magazines. Reading was my other great passion growing up. I devoured books by authors like Enid Blyton and Carolyn Keene. Those stories would spark my imagination and make me dream of being an author someday—though, back then, it felt more like a whimsical thought than a real goal. I never seriously or ambitiously pursued it. But the love for reading and writing stayed with me. It grew quietly, almost like a companion, and eventually turned into something more—a calling I never planned, but couldn’t ignore either.

"Butterflies in the Storm" is the coming-of-age story of an eighteen-year-old girl named Rhea Siddhant. Life has never been easy for her—she grows up without parents and lives on the charity of relatives. Faced with financial struggles, manipulative aunts, jealous cousins, and a controlling brother, Rhea’s circumstances are far from ideal. Yet she handles it all with a quiet strength and maturity well beyond her years. With grit and determination, she excels in academics, becomes the school topper, and earns a scholarship to one of the most prestigious universities in the country. For a while, life finally seems to be falling into place—Rhea blossoms at university, becoming one of the top all-rounders of her batch and forming strong bonds with her friends. However, her intelligence and charm soon draw envy and unwanted attention. When Aditya Sareen—one of the most eligible bachelors in the city—begins to fall in love with her, Rhea finds herself at the centre of a storm involving jealousy, deceit, and revenge. A blend of family drama, university camaraderie, light-hearted romance, and moments of suspense, Butterflies in the Storm follows Rhea’s journey as she overcomes every challenge and transforms into a woman of strength and substance.

For me, characters often begin with real-life observations. I pay close attention to the people around me—family, friends, neighbours, even strangers. Their mannerisms, quirks, emotional responses, and the little things that make them unique all feed into the way I create fictional characters. I find that basing characters loosely on real people helps make them more believable and relatable for readers. Once I’ve formed a basic outline—perhaps a name, an age, an occupation—I begin adding layers: their backstory, physical features, personal flaws, strengths, and the motivations that drive them. I always try to strike a balance between their admirable qualities and their vulnerabilities. No one is perfect in real life, so I want my characters to reflect that kind of authenticity. But more than just creating them, I actually listen to them. Once I’m deep into the writing process, the characters start to feel like real people to me. I can hear their voices, imagine their facial expressions, even anticipate how they’d react to a situation. It’s as if they begin guiding me—telling me how their story should unfold, or how a particular emotion ought to be expressed. Their presence becomes so strong that I sometimes get choked up by their pain or feel joy in their triumphs. In fact, my stories are completely driven by my characters. They’re not just participants in the plot—they are the plot. I don’t always control where they lead me, and that unpredictability is one of the most rewarding parts of writing fiction.

A typical writing day for me begins early in the morning. That’s when my mind is at its freshest—before the day’s chatter, work demands, and responsibilities take over. I find that early mornings allow a kind of clarity and creative flow that’s hard to find later in the day. Meditation is part of my morning routine—it helps calm my thoughts and allows ideas to flow more freely. I usually start by lighting a lamp at the small altar near my writing desk, sometimes use incense sticks, and create a peaceful, uplifting environment that sets the tone for writing. Because I also run an IT business and have responsibilities in the technology sector, I’ve had to structure my writing time quite carefully. I no longer allow myself long, unbroken hours like I used to when the children had school holidays and I had more free time, or when my IT projects were lean or in-between phases. These days, I dedicate around 60 to 90 minutes to writing—just enough to stay productive without it spilling into the rest of my workday. Discipline is absolutely key for me. If I’m not deliberate about setting aside that writing window, the day can easily slip away. So when I’m working on a novel, I treat it like a project with its own timeline and deadline. That helps me stay committed and consistent. Of course, weekends are a bit more flexible, and I do try to write more freely then. But on most weekdays, it’s all about carving out that sacred hour in the morning—before the world starts knocking.

Writing for children and young adults needs a very different approach. The language has to be simple and lucid so that younger readers can easily understand it. As tempting as it is to use bigger words (which might come more naturally), I avoid them to ensure the content stays accessible and engaging. In my Magical Venture of Loli and Lenny series, I’ve made sure to keep the pace quick and the action upfront. Children tend to get bored if there are too many descriptions or background details. So instead of long introductions, I jump right into the adventure. The focus is more on what’s happening rather than where or why it’s happening in too much detail. That keeps the excitement alive. Also, I try to be more expressive when writing for young readers—to thrill them, to make them laugh, and to take them along with the characters on a magical ride. The joy is in showing the world through the eyes of a child, full of wonder, curiosity, and imagination.

The research process and figuring out how to go about it can be quite daunting at first. This was particularly true while writing Child of Paradise: Listen to Your Dreams, a mystery-thriller with a cosy detective tone. Although the story leans more on emotions and intuition, I had to be mindful of accuracy when it came to crime procedures, investigation techniques, and the psychology of the characters involved. That required me to dive into reading case studies and, at times, speak to professionals to ensure the details felt convincing yet accessible. Even in Butterflies in the Storm, though it’s primarily a drama, there are strong elements of suspense and emotional thrill. For example, the protagonist is wrongly accused of financial embezzlement, and that arc demanded a solid understanding of corporate systems, legal implications, and the emotional weight of such a situation. Writing those portions with credibility—while still keeping them engaging for the reader—was no easy task. So yes, getting the research right, especially in stories involving law, crime, or technical domains, continues to be one of the more challenging yet fascinating parts of my writing journey.

Yes, I use a software called Spacejock, which helps me add structure to the story—it allows me to organise everything into sections like outline, characters, plots, subplots, locations, word count, etc. From there, the real journey begins as I start building the full story. And if I get stuck on a particular chapter or subplot, I simply move on to the next scene and return to the difficult part later. This approach helps me maintain the momentum and stay creatively engaged. When it comes to brainstorming and creating the initial plot, sketching out characters, building the backbone of the story, or drafting chapter synopses and key scenes—I often turn to pen and paper. I choose a beautiful diary or journal notebook for this stage, because the look and feel of the diary deeply influence my creative mood. The time it takes to write by hand actually helps the ideas flow better and allows me to immerse myself more fully in the process. I’ve collected quite a few lovely journals over time, using them not just for stories but also for routines, reflections, and spontaneous dialogues that strike when I least expect them. There’s a quiet inspiration in the texture of the pages and even the scent of paper—something digital tools can’t replicate.

First and foremost, don’t quit your day job too soon. The financial stress of paying bills can quickly take the joy out of writing, no matter how passionate you are. Creative energy needs some breathing space—and worrying about survival can choke that flow. Also, be emotionally resilient. Writing is a deeply subjective journey. The moment you put your work out into the world, it becomes open to interpretation—and yes, to criticism too. Not everyone will get what you write, and that’s okay. Keep your focus on growth, not applause. Writing is pure meditation, a personal glory that can’t be measured in reviews or sales. Dream wildly, indulge in your imagination, and pour your heart into your work. That moment when you're holding your finished manuscript or book—that’s a fulfilment like no other. And above all, read. Read as much as you can, and across genres. Good reading sharpens your instincts and makes you a better writer over time. Let your curiosity lead you. Writing can be lonely, but it’s also fun—a world where you make the rules. So, grab a fresh mug of coffee, sit at your desk, and write away. Your stories deserve to be told.

That's a tough one—I’m a big-time self-help junkie, so I’d probably sneak in a few from the current bestsellers list! I don’t mind re-reading old favourites either if they help me realign or reflect. Books by Robin Sharma, Paulo Coelho, and Norman Vincent Peale have always stayed close to my heart. Their words feel like personal conversations—grounding and empowering. That said, I’m also completely hooked on cozy detectives and thrillers. Whether it’s vintage whodunits or contemporary mysteries with quirky investigators, I love escaping into those fictional worlds. So I’d probably carry one or two cleverly plotted mysteries too—just to keep things exciting on that desert island! A mix of soul-stirring wisdom and cleverly crafted suspense sounds like the perfect survival kit to me.

Yes, I’m currently working on the sequel to Butterflies in the Storm. It’s titled Butterflies in the Spring. While Butterflies in the Storm was very well received, Rhea’s story felt incomplete—it ended on a tragic note. In the sequel, we’ll revisit her life 10 years later and follow her journey as she navigates a new phase, with all its hopes, scars, and surprises. I’ve also explored the cozy mystery genre earlier in my book Child of Paradise: Listen to Your Dreams, which blends elements of a paranormal romantic suspense thriller with cozy detective vibes. That genre really excites me, and I plan to delve deeper into it by writing an entirely new detective series. So yes, those are the stories currently brewing—and I can’t wait to bring them to life for my readers.