An ode to friendship

Varsha Dixit’s new book ‘Rightfully Wrong, Wrongfully Right’, the final act in the best-selling ‘Right and Wrong’ series is already out on the stands. Dubbed as the queen of romance; Varsha is an author of four successful romance novels, and has a riveting writing style. Her stories are quick paced and leave an unforgettable impression on the readers.

Her characters share an intense and steamy chemistry and their banter is witty and exciting. The first book in the series was about a small town girl and the second one about a single, working mother. ‘Rightfully Wrong, Wrongfully Right’ is the story of an NRI girl, who decides to settle in India and her ensuing trials and tribulations dealing with the parental and societal pressures, how she comes to be her own person and the man she falls in love with.

Did you always aspire to be a writer?
Growing up, I was a voracious reader but I never thought I would become a writer ever. However, I always knew I would do something in the creative or entertainment related. When I started writing ‘Right Fit, Wrong Shoe’ in 2006, it was more of a cathartic process. Grieving over my father’s demise, to whom I was extremely close, I needed something to bring equilibrium. Something that was far removed from the emotional turmoil I was undergoing. Thus, I started writing random thoughts and disjointed story ideas. The idea that appealed most to me was a story of best friends. That was 2006 and this is 2016 and here I am still happily writing away.

Tell us about your ‘Right and Wrong series’?
Friendships have always played an important role in my life and continue to do so. Friends are the family we choose and I have to say I chose well. My ‘Right and Wrong’ series is about three friends, three different women in three different phases of their lives.

Why this book (‘Rightfully Wrong, Wrongfully Right’) is special to you?
This is the third book and it is very special part in the ‘Right and Wrong’ series. When I wrote the last word of the last scene for this book, my eyes were filled with tears and this surprised me. My characters and story are emotional yet I am stoic and calm when I write. Thus, I guess somehow even my mind recognised that this one was special. This book ends the series that helped me realise my dream of becoming an author.

We see many romantic novels coming up now and then, how yis our book is different from them?
Yes, I do write romantic stories and yes there are many others who do the same. However, my stories probably vary from others as my stories are not only about romance. They are about friendships, about sibling relationship, about families and about societies. My stories are a genuine effort, on my part, to provide the milieu of readers, young and old, with a humorous read, without overlooking the intelligence and thinking quotient of our personalities.

How is this book different from your previous books?
In my other books, my protagonists would be considered, good by society’s standards but the protagonists of ‘Rightfully Wrong Wrongfully Right’, Gayatri Dutta and Viraj Dheer are complicated and not so good or ‘right’.

What motivates you to write these stories?
Friendships have always played an important role in my life and continue to do so. Friends are the family we choose and I have to say I chose well. My ‘Right and Wrong’ series is an ode to all friends.

Any message you would like to share with upcoming authors?
Writing a book is a lonely job with a few chances of a big paycheck. But if you love writing with a deep-seated passion and it drives you then there is nothing more gratifying than to follow this dream. So keep at it and don’t forget to be your worst critic.