A Teacher turned Author and her VIEWS
Today it is again another woman. I have been waiting a lot to interview women around us. Finally, I made it. And I am proud that I met some wonderful ladies here.
Neha Rawal is a published author and here is her genuine and spontaneous response to a few of my questions.
Neha Rawal is a teacher-turned-author. How did this transformation occur and why did you choose to be an author?
There was no realization. To write is something like wow!!! Maybe I did not believe I could write. So, I had already written some unfinished drafts. I would rather call a vague piece that wore proper clothes when I started knitting it in the period of lockdown. Hence, my debut novel was born.
Who is the person that has influenced you in your writing?
I got really inspired by Mr. Hosseini who is an author. Otherwise, It’s a natural thing. I mean it just comes. Your gut tells you and it is never wrong.
Developing a character and providing detailing to each character is difficult. Do you agree with this statement and why?
I would like to thank you for asking this question because I have really worked hard developing characters in my book. The original character of My lead Protagonist was something else, then I reframed it. The male character was developed with my husband’s complete help. I have portrayed him as a businessman into manufacturing and investments. So without his help, I wouldn’t have done that.
Have you ever felt that our society is male-dominated, regardless of the gender equality statements they make?
Day in and day out. It exists in the family. I would request every elderly woman to support her children, be it a male or a female. I guess mothers and mothers-in-law play a major role in this. As a mother, I am going to tell my boy to behave and respect women which my parents may not have done. I wish every husband realizes that my working or non-working wife needs a helping hand at the end of the day. He empathizes with her situations and the conditions she is into.
If you can reach a wider audience, what will be your motive with your writing- inspire them, motivate them, or just engage them by delivering a feel-good story?
Of course, I would like to inspire people through my writings. I am a thinker and I would want the lives of people bearing an impact through my writings which might be against the so-called societal rules, societal stereotypes, etc.
You are raising two kids. Being a responsible mother, what do you think is more important- raising them with religious values or with human values?
I would want my children to be raised with human values and not religious. That is what the need of the hour is. We need to make our children understand human values first which are very basic. First, they need to understand to be human first and then have religious sentiments.
In most cases, a woman’s life after marriage hinders her from pursuing her dream regardless of what it is. Being a published author at this point in your life, what is your word of advice to them?
Be focused. Whatever comes your way, just surpass it with a smile. If you are a woman, you will do it. They have that power to take in shit and still stand straight.
I don’t believe we are living in a country where we are safe, especially in the case of women. With your experience and knowledge as a lecturer and author, what is the major difference that should be put into action so that our country turns out to be a safe place to live?
First and foremost every woman should vow to educate her son to behave correctly with every girl or woman he comes across, then only change is possible. India is not a safe country anymore. There are cases related to molestation happening or eve-teasing taking place every day, I mean it every day.
In concluding what is that you have to say to the public. It can be about yourself, your achievements or dreams, or even any experience that is worth sharing.
Please do not ask any author to give his or her book for free, go to the store and buy it. It makes a lot of difference. Indian writers are the only underpaid species on this earth. In the international market, they work for very less pay.