About The Author
Meet Sohini Maitra, a writer who knows all too well that love is equal parts bliss and chaos. Armed with an overthinking brain and a heart that’s been through its share of plot twists, Sohini crafts stories and poems that explore the beautiful mess of human emotions. When not writing, she is either over-analyzing text messages (or the lack of it) or wondering why love doesn’t come with an instruction manual. Perfectly imperfect, just like her characters, Sohini invites you to dive into her stories and poems that remind us all: Love may drive us mad, but it’s worth every dizzying moment.
Sohini has published two collections of short stories: *The Odd One & Other Short Stories* and *Fragments of Life: A Collection of Short Stories*. Both books are available on Amazon and Flipkart, offering readers a glimpse into her unique narrative style and creative vision.
Read the review here: This collection promises both depth and delight – Fragments of Life by Sohini Maitra – Book Review
Interview
Q) Every writer has a unique journey. How did your love for writing begin, and what led to Fragments of Life? Was there a particular moment or experience that sparked the idea for this book?
I’ve always loved writing, and I have my grandfather to thank for that. He was the one who got me into reading—didn’t matter if it was Shakespeare, Shaw, Ruskin Bond, or Sidney Sheldon. As long as I was flipping pages and giving him a weekend summary, he was happy. Somewhere between those books and our little storytelling sessions, the dream took root—I wanted to see my own name on a book spine someday. And now, here I am, holding book number two. Feels pretty unreal.
Q) Fragments of Life is an emotional tapestry of human experiences. Is there one story that is closest to your heart? What makes it special to you?
Confession time: I know I’m supposed to love all my stories equally, but let’s be real—Buddhape Wala Love is my favorite child in Fragments of Life. The others are great, don’t get me wrong, but this one? This one hits differently.
Maybe it’s the idea that love doesn’t come with an expiration date. Or the heartbreak that leaves you questioning all your life choices. Or that bittersweet realization that, no matter how late, love has a way of finding you whether or not you are ready and waiting for it.
It’s messy, it’s real, and let’s face it—we’ve all been there. Maybe not in the “love in old age” way, but in the “what the hell just happened to my heart?” way. And that’s exactly why this story owns a little extra space in my soul.
Q) If you had to recommend one story from the book that every reader must experience, which one would it be and why?
Look, I’d say read all nine stories—because, you know, blood, sweat, and sleepless nights went into them. But if someone literally held a gun to my head and made me choose, I’d say, along with Buddhape Wala Love, you should definitely check out The Unexpected Visitor. Why? Because it taps into a fear that most women carry like an unwanted plus-one. Maybe men, too, but let’s be honest, women have a lifetime subscription to this kind of paranoia. It’s that lingering unease, that split-second hesitation before opening the door, that what-if whispering in the back of your mind. Fun, right?
So yeah, if you enjoy a little existential dread wrapped in good storytelling, this one’s for you.
Q) Writing a book is a journey in itself. How long did it take to complete Fragments of Life from idea to publication?
Roughly three years—give or take a few existential crises. Some days, I had no time. Other days, no ideas. And then there were those glorious stretches where I had neither the will to write nor the energy to fake it or make it.
It was like waiting for the stars to align, except the stars were my motivation, creativity, and general will to function. They don’t exactly sync up on command.
But somehow, against all odds (and several abandoned drafts later), this book finally came together.
Q) Were there any stories in the book that were particularly challenging to write? How did you navigate those moments?
The Unexpected Visitor. Completely fictional. Totally made up. Except for the tiny detail that it may or may not have been inspired by real-life horror. Of course, the actual event wasn’t this dramatic—I took some creative liberties (because trauma deserves good storytelling, right?). But let’s just say writing it felt like willingly reopening a door I had firmly bolted shut. By the time I was done, so was my mental stability. It took a few days to shake off the lingering dread and remind myself that life is probably not a psychological thriller.
Q) As a writer, did this book change your perspective on life, emotions, or storytelling in any way?
Nope, still the same—chronically overthinking and socially awkward. Personal growth? Never heard of her. My emotions are basically on a seesaw. Either I feel absolutely nothing like a low-budget robot or everything all at once like a malfunctioning drama queen. No middle ground. No chill. Just pure chaos.
Q) How has your life changed after the publication of Fragments of Life? Have readers’ responses surprised you in any way?
It honestly makes my day knowing that readers connect with my book and enjoy it. The fact that they’ve taken time out of their lives to read something I wrote? Feels surreal. Grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it!
Q) Are you working on a new book? If so, can you give us a sneak peek into what’s next?
The next one is a book of short poems. It is a part of a 21 day poem writing challenge. The collection dives into the beautiful mess of being human. These poems speak to the chaos of the human heart—the thrill of falling, the ache of longing, and the bittersweet beauty of letting go. Perfect for anyone who has loved deeply, grieved quietly, or simply felt too much, the collection will remind you that even in our most broken moments, there’s poetry in the cracks.
Q) What genres or themes would you like to explore in the future? Have you grown as a writer after publishing Fragments of Life? If yes, in what ways?
I’ve been itching to dive into the world of thrillers and mysteries—something about suspense and mind games just hits different. Still can’t wrap my head around the fact that I already have two books out there with my name on them. And now, book number three is in the works.
Q) If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring writers, what would it be?
I’m still pretty new at this, so I’m not exactly in a position to dish out advice. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that if you want something, you’ve got to go after it yourself. No one’s handing out freebies.
Q) Lastly, what message would you like to share with your readers, especially those who have connected deeply with your book?
I can’t thank you enough for choosing to spend your time with my book. It truly means the world! I hope it brought you joy and was worth every minute.
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