Kensington Books

Kensington Books asked Sonali Dev:

Hi Sonali, A reader wants to know: Are a plotter or pantser (not following an outline) when you tackle a new writing project?

Sonali Dev I’m neither and I’m both. A Panty-Lotter? Basically, I know my characters really well when I start and I know the arc they must travel and the conflicts they must overcome and I know what I want to explore through the story. I also know the big scenes that the protagonists are working toward and working through. But it’s all very nebulous. Like, I know that they will be breaking each other’s hearts but I don’t always know how. I know they will be changing how they feel about something at an intrinsic level but not how. So, I know what the paradigm shifts in their inner landscape will be but not the details of how things will shift.
And then I grit my teeth and get through the first draft. The blank page terrifies me. The magic for me happens in revision when I get to develop the story and give it form.

More Answered Questions

Megan

Megan asked Sonali Dev:

Hello! I LOVE the Rahjes series. Thank you for writing such strong, female, brown characters. Do you know who the third book will be about and which Jane Austen novel it will be inspired by?

A Goodreads user

A Goodreads user asked Sonali Dev:

Big fan here! I just finished reading A Change of Heart and I wondered: was it difficult for you to write Ria? In The Bollywood Bride, we got to experience her internal dialogue as she wrestled with her life, which made her seem more relatable. However, the way Jess saw her is how she actually would seem: cold and somewhat spoiled. It was quite jarring, especially after reading the two stories one after the other!

Aishah Q.

Aishah Q. asked Sonali Dev:

Hi Sonali!! I’ve read all 3 books in the Bollywood trilogy and just finished A Change of Heart yesterday. Words can’t express how much I loved the emotion and how articulate the entire story was. I know it’s probably too early to ask, but are you working on any new books currently? And if so, would you still include Indian characters? Thanks x

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