Meet the SHEROES - Renita D'Silva

Renita D’silva has published 4 books and is currently working on the next one.What inspired her to turn into an author, especially during a time where the value of the written word seems to have gone down quite drastically? How did she follow her passion and what makes Renita a successful writer?

Let’s read on to get to know about her.

Q1. Can you tell us a little about yourself (your past work experiences / childhood / where you grew up etc)

I grew up in a small village in Mangalore, South India. I graduated as an Electrical and Electronics Engineer, worked as a software engineer, moved to the UK after marriage and continued to work in IT until my youngest child was born.

Q2. How and why did you choose to become an author?

I love stories and have always wanted to write. But it was only when my children started school that I had time to indulge my passion, do something about it. I enrolled in a creative writing course at the local adult education centre. My stories were liked by the other participants and our tutor urged me to send them off. Many of them got published, a few won competitions and appeared in anthologies and a couple were even nominated for awards. That gave me the confidence to try my hand at writing a full length novel. I haven’t looked back since.

Q3. In the Indian market, when you talk of today's youth, do you think there is still value for words (for reading books?)

I think there is something special about reading. Opening a book and getting drawn in and ensnared by someone’s words, reading a tome from cover to cover, fosters patience and concentration and sparks the imagination – something that seems to be missing in today’s world of television and computers and game consoles. Reading a book is taking a step back, relaxing from the busyness, indulging in the luxury of quiet and peace, which I think is important and necessary.

Q4. How many books have you written so far? What is your next book about? (Can you share brief details of each)

I have had four books published and am currently in the planning and conception stages of my fifth.

Monsoon Memories is my debut.  

Exiled from her family in India for more than a decade, Shirin and her husband lead a comfortable but empty life in London. Memories of her childhood – exotic fragrances, colours, stifling heat and tropical storms – fill Shirin with a familiar and growing ache for the land and the people that she loves. With the recollections though, come dark clouds of scandal and secrets. Secrets that forced her to flee her old life and keep her from ever returning. 

Thousands of miles away, in Bangalore, the daughter of Shirin’s brother discovers a lost, forgotten photograph. One that has escaped the flames. Determined to solve the mystery of an aunt she never knew, Reena’s efforts will set in place a chain of events that expose the painful trauma of the past and irrevocably change the path of the future. 

The Forgotten Daughter is my second published novel.My third book is The Stolen Girl and my latest book, A Sister’s Promise, was published on the 2nd of July.Set against the dramatic backdrop of India, A Sister’s Promise is a powerful, emotional tale of family secrets, love and the ties that bind sisters together. 

Q5. What are the top factors an aspiring author should keep in mind?

1. Finish your book and work and rework it until it is the best it can possibly be.
2. Research your publisher/agent before sending your book off to them. Make sure they accept unsolicited submissions from writers in your genre. It will save you a lot of heartache.
3. Don’t be disheartened by rejection. Easy to say, I know, but remember everybody gets rejected.
4. Believe in yourself. There will always be people who’ll not like your writing but equally, there will be many others who will.
5. Don’t give up. It only takes one person to say yes to publishing you and they might be the next person you send your work to.

Q6. What is your average work-day like?

I tutor kids at home while also looking after my own children, doing the school run and ferrying them to their various activities. I try and fit my writing in among all these other things. I am always thinking about my work-in-progress, so while I am doing all my other jobs, my subconscious is dwelling on the story, the characters growing and taking charge in my head.

Q7. Any words of advice for our readers?

Like I said before, believe in yourself and dare to dream. You never know, your dream just might come true. Mine did J

Q8. What or who do you draw your inspiration from?

I read a lot, widely and variedly and take inspiration from all the authors I read. In real life, my mum is my inspiration. She keeps going and never stops, She is amazing. She came from hardship, but she always looks forward, and is always positive. She is my role model, the best, kindest, most generous and wise person I have known.