About The Author: Trishna Chaudhuri is an avowed reader of romantic novels and an untiring watcher of romcoms. Between her day job as a teacher of English in a prestigious school and her 24×7 job as a mother of two, she decided to try her hand at writing herself and came up with a bunch. She now has two published novels : The Boss Dilemma, which is her first, came out in 2022 and Match Made in Heaven, her latest novel out now.
Born to a naval officer father and an English professor mother, Trishna graduated in History from St.Stephen;s College in Delhi and then completed her M.A. in Sociology and Women’s Studies from Pune University. She has been teaching in some of India’s best schools in Hyderabad, Gurgaon and now in Bangalore. She lives in Bangalore with her husband and two children.
Summary Of The Book: Match Made in Heaven is the story of Rohan and Rohini.
From being married to his school girlfriend to getting hitched to a relative stranger, Rohan must now balance his workaholism with husbandly duties. From being a carefree student to being the daughter-in-law of a prestigious dynasty, Rohini must now weigh her carefree decisions against societal norms.
Match Made in Heaven is the story of two ambitious and caring characters, made temporarily rudderless by unfortunate circumstances but trying to get their bearings right. It pits an industrialist who’s a softie at heart against a student who’s an activist at heart – as they figure out if the person they got hitched to is really the person they want to spend the rest of their lives with.
Match Made in Heaven is a sketch of two attractive characters who find a love story as they build their lives with each other.
1. Can you tell us a little about your book?
Match Made in Heaven is my second book. It was actually the third one that I wrote, but is the second one to be published. It is a simple love story , perhaps you could call it ‘a fairytale’ about two people- Rohini and Rohan, who find themselves in a situation where marriage to each other seems to be the best solution. There is an age difference between the two and they try to navigate through what life deals them. The story is set in Delhi- Gurgaon.
Match Made in Heaven should seem very real to the reader, because the characters are identifiable and the places where the story is set, are familiar.
2. Is there a specific event that inspired this story or was this an out of the blue idea?
This was just an idea that popped up. It is a simple idea. Quite common to most arranged marriages. Two people who don’t know each other very well, find themselves in a situation and try to make it work.
3. What got you writing in the first place?
I have always written. But, most of it has been for work. I teach children how to write creatively, I enjoy poetry and often sit and write when I get some free time. In the past , free time was difficult to find. However, the lockdown during the Pandemic is where and when I suddenly found time. During the summer holidays, after all the chores for the day were done, I would have afternoons free. My kids are not babies anymore, one is 17 and the other is 12, they didn’t need me all the time. I, one day, opened my laptop and retrieved an old folder with half written stories and storylines, some from over 10 years ago. After that, there has been no looking back.
4. What was your impression of your first draft when you read it?
My first draft for Match Made in Heaven was very different. The story was going around in circles. I wanted to make it read like a simple read , but each character kept getting pulled in different directions. I didn’t like it at all. So , I sat down to rewrite it from scratch and it just became so much better.
5. Which part of your story connects the most with you? Why?
Rohini’s character in the story is what I identify most with. She is independent and opinionated and also extremely close to her family. She is also quite emotional like me. I wanted to create a character that was normal, not superhuman. She would have everything going for her, education, a good family, no monetary problems etc, but was also sensitive towards others and realised that in life some adjustments need to be made. If things are done with a positive frame of mind, then things work out well.
6. What makes your book the one to read?
My book is a modern Indian story and I hope it will find readers who want to read a modern day romance. The book doesn’t preach. There is no social message , there is no right or wrong. It is a simple story, in a way like a fairytale, about two people who find love under different circumstances , but in real, recognisable settings. So, this story and all the ones I write are easy for the reader to imagine and actually, perhaps, imagine themselves to be in. All my stories are stories that are realistic and the ‘it could happen to you’ kind.
7. What was the best advice you got while writing?
‘Write…your stories will find an audience. Write for yourself!’ I actually gave this advice to myself. My first few stories received feedback from some publishers asking me to incorporate current themes that were popular.
My first book was about an office romance- I was told to add the ‘Me too’ angle, I refused to do that. In this book, I was told, ‘add the problematic in-law’ angle and I hate those stereotypes, so I changed publishers.
8. Who’s your all-time favourite author? Which book of his/hers made you fall in love with them?
My favourite author is and will always be Jane Austen, and my all time favourite book will always be Pride and Prejudice. I love Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy and the chemistry they share. That is for me the ultimate romantic novel.
9. What is your evergreen tip to the writers out there?
Write! Just write. If you don’t find a publisher who agrees with the stories you want to tell, self publish. The world of publishing has changed. There are many options now, don’t hesitate to take that step.
10. What was your hardest scene to write?
It is always difficult to end a story. Tying up all loose ends, making sure you do justice to every character and sticking to your storyline.
11. Do you have another plot brewing?
I have many. But I also have three more stories ready to publish. These are written and ready to be read. I plan to bring out one story at a time. Let us see how this plays out. I am optimistic that ‘Match Made in Heaven’ will get the same appreciation that ‘The Boss Dilemma’ received. When people read my stories and write in to tell me they liked them, it gives me the greatest thrill.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.in/dp/9357764135?ref=myi_title_dp