In Conversation With Rekha Mordani

About Rekha:

Apart from being the mother of two, Rekha Mordani is a story teller, blogger and now the author of ‘Miles & Fears.’ She has been the part various Anthologies like She – The Warrior, Half Baked Love 2, Dreamz Anthology etc. She has meticulously blogged for various writing platforms like Momspresso, Women’s Web, Asian Literary Society, ArtoonsInn and many more. However she had started her journey with LiFT Magazine and Damick Publications which uprooted the barriers to make a way ahead. Her debut book “Miles & Fears” is being considerably appreciated by the readers.

She was born and raised in the Pink city of India, Jaipur and is currently based in the Tea-city of India, Dibrugarh. She is a commerce graduate from a renowned college of Jaipur and pursued a career in Company Secretaries. During her childhood, she found a great interest in writing private journals. Her interest transformed into passion as she grew up. You may read her blogs on various prestigious writing platforms like Momspresso, Women’s web, Asian Literary Society, ArtoonsInn, etc. She has earned her followers through her sublime, entrancing blogs on various portals, which tickled readers’ fancy. At the best, she had also ranked top on the acclaimed circle of ‘Momspresso’ where more than 3000 prolific bloggers write. Oftentimes, she wins online writing contests. Having witnessed a wide circulation of her blogs across the internet and a persistent approach of readers, influenced to write a book.

LiFT: Tell us about your book, the journey of writing it and its content.

Rekha: Having the greatest admiration for the military personnel stimulated me to choose the plot for my debut fiction novel, ‘Miles & Fears.’ I believe that a strong country is made up of its impregnable army and true patriots. The novel is based on ‘Kashmir’ since it is the most defensive and sensitive field our soldiers work on. The romance genre makes it more appealing. It is an innocent love tale of a common Kashmiri Pandit girl and a soldier. It highlights vividly how the sour internal and territorial affairs of the two countries can lead to destructing innocent lives. The novel is overlaid with sentiments, serenity yet vociferates brutal, ugly terrorism. ‘Miles & Fears’ touched the emotional side of readers with its sensitive yet fascinating storyline. After four days of its release, it hit the charts and set its foot in the top twenty Amazon list of bestsellers. The book details and my interview were featured on around eight state media channels and two national media channels named, ‘Sudarshan’ and ‘TV9.’ Book details and reviews have been published in the various local and state newspapers. In addition to it, an article related to the same has also been published in the prominent newspaper of Kashmir, ‘Inside Kashmir.’

LiFT: Why you chose this title?

Rekha: There couldn’t be more appropriate title than this. It shows the pain, fears and affliction military families go through when miles away the soldier secure borders.

LiFT: When did you realize that you want to be a writer/poet and what’s your inspiration behind it?

Rekha: I have always been a girl with a journal. I used to write in it everyday ever since my childhood. When I started writing blogs, appreciation from my readers geared up me to write a book. My blogs have always been hugely read and shared. Apart from that my biggest inspiration are the books itself. My fascination towards books, stories, imaginations inspired me to write one. If you have thousands of thoughts dancing in your mind, they ought to be expressed.

LiFT: Where do you see yourself ten years down the line in the world of literature?

Rekha: I have not planned for the future. I am working to establish myself at present. But yes when you work with all your mind and soul, it would definitely take you to the places unplanned, unexpected. So I focus on my work only with a plan of writing more and more books. Definitely hard work would never let me down.

LiFT: How much do you think marketing or quality of a book is necessary to promote a particular book and increase its readers?

Rekha: Definitely marketing and book quality are necessary to promote. A good quality book attracts readers and proper marketing drags attention. Many times an amazingly written book is not even glanced due to poor marketing. Good quality of paper gives you that quintessential feel of being a paperback reader when you trace the pages with fingers.

LiFT: What is the message you want to spread among folks with your writings?

Rekha: I want them to feel and imagine the entire picture while reading my books. Stories could be made alive if written with soul. I want them to know them that if a woman with several household responsibilities, no prior professional experience can write then why not you. It all needs your filtered thoughts. Being change with your writing. Evolve the people around you because a pen is mightier than a sword.

LiFT: What do you do apart from writing?

Rekha: Apart from writing I am a full time mom. I also deal in organic skin care products. I had started this company three years ago and it is amazingly growing with considerable pace. I am a freelancer as well. Whenever I get a good project, I don’t leave the opportunity to work on it.

LiFT: What are the activities you resort to when you face a writer’s block?

Rekha: I usually go for a quick walk to get some fresh air, listen music and have some cookies (A cookie jar that I keep beside my writing table always help me). I make sure not to continue with writing. At that point I take a break, relax. At times I look blankly at walls with my thoughts. When the best line, best twist hit my mind I put it down on the paper.

LiFT: What if your story will be adopted as a movie? Whom would you want to work as a director or actors in it?

Rekha: That would definitely be an unexpectedly huge turn. Who doesn’t want that! We all want to progress with our book. Maybe that would make my book a big hit. Pun intended!

My preferable director would be Ranjan Chandel.
Characters:
Fatima Sana Shaikh as Dr. Shireen Koul.
Tahir Raj Bhasin as Major Paramjeet Singh.
Vikrant Massey as Dr. Imran Qureshi.
Mithila Palkar as Mia.

LiFT: Are you working on your next book? If yes, please tell us something about it.

Rekha: Yes, I am working on my next book. It would again be based on patriotism. This time it would be about Assam. My book is based on the freedom fighters of Assam people barely know about. Their sacrifice has to be recognised as well. It is just the beginning so I cannot tell much about it. Stories of independence struggle have always fascinated me so that would be my subject only.

LiFT: What are your suggestions to the budding writers/poets so that they could improve their writing skills?

Rekha: My only suggestion to them is read and write everyday. Only this would improve you as a literary person. No matter what others think of you as a writer/ poet, what truly matters is your own thought process. One has to be obsessed with the passion of writing. Do your work with all your heart. Proper grammar, syntax, punctuations should be correctly used. It gives good impression of you as a writer.Maybe some people disappoint you but remember few would uplift you and your work will definitely be recognised someday. Believe in yourself.

Click here to order Rekha’s Book – Miles & Fears