About Debanjana Mukherjee
Debanjana is a storyteller at heart. A lifelong reader with a love for romance, thrillers, and drama, she now crafts heartfelt stories that explore themes of second chances, multicultural romance, and the beautiful complexities of human connection.
Her background in engineering and nearly 15 years in a 9-to-5 career didn’t exactly scream “future novelist,” but life loves a good plot twist.
At home, she lives with her husband, their energetic child, and a lovable dog who ensures life is never too quiet.
LiFT: Tell us about your book, the journey of writing it and its content?
Debanjana Mukherjee: Have you ever just smiled at a stranger in passing? A fleeting moment, barely a second long. But what if that one innocent smile turned your life upside down?
That’s exactly what happens to Tara when she smiles at a handsome stranger at a gym in Manchester. She goes back to her workout, thinking nothing of it, until he unexpectedly strikes up a conversation. Imran is charming, warm, and the chemistry between them is instant. But when Tara learns that Imran is from Pakistan, her heart sinks.
Yet, the undeniable pull she feels towards Imran proves far more powerful than logic and draws Tara into a steamy romance she can’t resist. Tara tells herself it’s just a fling, but love has a way of ignoring logic, and before she knows it, she unexpectedly finds her soulmate in him.
Just when Tara starts to believe they can overcome the odds, a devastating secret tears everything apart – and no, the secret is not that Imran is your typical Bollywood Pakistani villain.
Can love overcome the divides that stand in its way? Or are some barriers too strong to break?
The journey of writing this book was a steep learning curve as a first-time author. When I started, I knew three things: how it began, the twist, and how it ended. Everything in between? That came together over multiple rounds of trial, error, and feedback. My alpha and beta readers were my guiding light, helping me refine and strengthen the story with each iteration. Big shoutout to them! This book wouldn’t be the same without their insights.
LiFT: Why you chose this title?
Debanjana Mukherjee: I originally picked Love Across the Border because, well, it was an India-Pakistan love story. It seemed like a solid choice. But then I realized it made it sound like my characters were literally stationed on either side of the border, which was not the case at all. They met and fell in love in England, miles away from home. So the word “border” had to go.
At its core, a love story is about the obstacles that separate the lovers. So, I decided to focus on the divides that force Tara and Imran apart. It is not just the issue of them being from rival countries; there are hidden secrets, family pressures, and other forces at play. The real divide is not just political; it is personal. And that is how The Divide Between Us: An India-Pakistan Love Story was born.
LiFT: When did you realize that you want to be a writer and what’s your inspiration behind it?
Debanjana Mukherjee: I studied engineering and spent nearly 15 years in a steady 9-to-5 job. Life was good – a loving husband, a wonderful son, and an amazing dog who filled my days with joy. I was content, balancing work and family.
Then, in June 2024, everything shifted. Bronchitis forced me to take sick leave from work for over a month. Suddenly, I had all this unexpected free time. I was physically quite weak but mentally restless. My mind kept circling back to a story I had carried for years, one that had quietly lingered in the background.
As a busy mom, I never had the time – nor the courage – to write. I mean, I was just a regular working professional. What did I know about writing fiction? Why would anyone even read what I wrote? But with nothing to lose and plenty of time to spare, I asked myself: What if I tried? What would the opening scene be? What would be the first line?
I started small – first a paragraph, then a page, then a chapter. Before I knew it, 90,000 words had poured out of me, and I was hooked. What began as a creative escape became something much more – a calling.
By September 2024, a month before my 40th birthday, I had quit my corporate job to pursue writing full-time. Since then, my first book has been published, my second is in final edits, my third’s first draft is complete, and the plotlines for my fourth and fifth are close to being finalized. It has been quite a ride.
LiFT: Where do you see yourself ten years down the line in the world of literature?
Debanjana Mukherjee: Ten years from now? Short answer: I’m still writing.
Hopefully, I’ll be surrounded by a stack of my own books, deep in the chaos of writing yet another one.
I see myself as an established author with a diverse collection of novels that explore the messy, beautiful complexities of love, relationships, and second chances. I want my books not just to entertain, but to resonate, to make readers feel seen, and to leave them with stories that stay long after they turn the last page.
I also hope to have a strong community of readers who eagerly wait for my next book, passionately discuss my characters as if they are real people, and maybe even argue about who deserved a second chance and who didn’t.
Most of all, I just want to keep telling stories. Because as long as I’m doing that, I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
LiFT: How much do you think marketing or quality of a book is necessary to promote a particular book and increase its readers?
Debanjana Mukherjee: Of course, both marketing and the quality of a book are crucial for reaching readers. But as a self-published author, I’ve learned that marketing is its own beast – especially for an introvert like me.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy being around people. But there’s a saying:
“People who don’t know me think I’m quiet. People who know me think I’m outgoing. People who really know me wish I would stop talking.”
This could not be more true for me.
I love writing, getting lost in the world of my characters, and weaving stories that feel real. But marketing is an entirely different skill set, and let’s be honest, it can be painful for introverts.
That said, I truly believe that while marketing gets a book in front of readers, it is the quality of the story that keeps them hooked. My hope is that if I focus on telling compelling, emotionally resonant stories, then, eventually, my awkward marketing efforts will work their magic. After all, the best marketing is a reader who loves your book enough to tell someone else about it.
LiFT: What is the message you want to spread among folks with your writings?
Debanjana Mukherjee: I don’t write with a grand message in mind. Life is busy, stressful, and sometimes overwhelming. Books provide an escape, a brief respite from reality. That is what I want my stories to offer. I want readers to step into the lives of my characters, to get lost in their joys, struggles, and messy emotions, so they can forget their own worries for a little while.
More than anything, I want my books to make people feel. Whether it is love, heartbreak, hope, or passion. I want my stories to resonate with people. And if, in the process, someone finds inspiration or sees a reflection of their own journey, then that is a wonderful bonus.
At the end of the day, if my books can offer someone comfort, a sense of connection, or even just a few hours of pure enjoyment, then that is all that matters.
LiFT: What do you do apart from writing?
Debanjana Mukherjee: Outside of writing, I cherish time with my husband, son, and our lovable dog, who make sure there is never a dull moment at home. I also run Scifun Academy, a YouTube channel dedicated to making science fun and engaging for kids. In a way, creating explainer videos feels like another form of storytelling, just with facts instead of fiction.
That said, writing takes up most of my time these days, and I don’t get nearly as much time to work on my channel as I would like. But whenever I can find the time, it gives me a lot of joy.
LiFT: What are the activities you resort to when you face a writer’s block?
Debanjana Mukherjee: When I face writer’s block, I have different ways of dealing with it depending on the situation.
If I am stuck on a new book idea, sometimes the best thing to do is simply walk away. I shift my focus to something else. I might work on a social media post, create content for my YouTube channel, or just spend time with my family. Taking the pressure off writing often allows inspiration to strike when I least expect it. I have learned not to force it. Sooner or later, something in my surroundings will spark that next idea.
If I am struggling with a specific scene in my work-in-progress, one trick I picked up from other authors has been a game-changer: if I’m stuck on a scene, I skip ahead to a part I’m excited about. More often than not, the missing pieces fall into place naturally. And even if that doesn’t happen immediately, at least I have moved past the writer’s block and am writing again. Momentum is key, and sometimes, simply keeping the words flowing is enough to unlock the solution when I least expect it.
LiFT: What if your story will be adopted as a movie? Whom would you want to work as a director or actors in it?
Debanjana Mukherjee: Oh man, this is such a tough question! Of course, I have indulged in the fantasy of seeing my book come to life on screen and wondering who could perfectly play Tara and Imran. But, honestly, as a busy working mom, I don’t get as much time to watch movies as I’d like. So, this is purely based on the first names that pop into my head rather than an exhaustive, well-researched list. Also, I’ll admit, I’m not super familiar with a lot of the newer faces in the industry.
For directors, I would love to work with someone who has a knack for crafting heartfelt, gripping narratives that resonate deeply with audiences. With my limited knowledge in this space, I’d say maybe Zoya Akhtar or Imtiaz Ali? Both have a way of weaving raw emotions into their stories, which I think would fit beautifully with this book’s themes.
For Tara, I’ve always imagined her as this sweet, demure girl who feels things deeply. But beneath that gentle exterior, she has a quiet intensity about her. She loves novels, music, coffee, and her inner hopeless romantic. Shraddha Kapoor or Mrunal Thakur come to mind. They both have that soft, dreamy aura but can also bring depth and determination to their roles.
Imran is a tall, muscular guy with Bollywood hero looks (ironically, I’m now thinking of Bollywood heroes who could play him.) He is charming, cheeky, and a little dramatic. He loves his Bollywood movies, cricket, food, working out, and dancing to Bollywood music like nobody’s watching. Looks-wise, I think I can imagine someone like Aditya Roy Kapur or Vicky Kaushal.
Again, these are just off-the-cuff thoughts based on people I have seen. I’m sure there are many others that I haven’t had the chance to even check out.
LiFT: Are you working on your next book? If yes, please tell us something about it.
Debanjana Mukherjee: Yes! I have multiple stories in the works.
The first one, “Heart Overruled – A Bengali Tamil Romance”, is in its final edits and nearly ready for release. It follows Pari and Aravind, whose paths first crossed at her sister’s wedding. For Pari, it was love at first sight, but Aravind barely spared her a glance. Eight years later, fate reunites them, but this time, she’s impossible to overlook. As attraction flares in a city far from home, they must choose between love and family expectations.
The second, Kintsugi Heart, tells Ruhi’s story. Once, she had it all: a loving husband, a beautiful son, and a thriving career. Then, in an instant, her life was shattered. Now, as a single mother in a new city, she is determined to rebuild. When a charming neighbour, Suhas, brings unexpected joy back into her life, Ruhi begins to wonder if love can have a second chapter. But just as she starts to heal, her past crashes back in.
And of course, there are more stories brewing. Hopefully, the ideas never stop.
LiFT: What are your suggestions to the budding writers/poets so that they could improve their writing skills?
Debanjana Mukherjee: Write what moves you. Don’t get bogged down by terms like “trends,” “tropes,” or “story beats.” I once received feedback that my romance novel wasn’t following the expected beats of the genre in the right order. At the time, I had no idea what that even meant. When I looked into it, I discovered that there are formulas that supposedly guarantee a ‘successful’ story.
For a moment, I considered restructuring my entire novel to fit the mold. But only for a moment.
Because here’s the thing. Life isn’t formulaic. Love isn’t formulaic. So why should stories be?
Formulas can be helpful if you’re starting from scratch and need a framework to build upon. But if you already have a story in your heart, tell it the way you want to. Don’t break your story just to fit into a pre-set mold. Trust your instincts, embrace your unique voice, and write the story that feels true to you.
Click here to order Debanjana Mukherjee’s Book – The Divide Between Us
