Interview With Rochelle Potkar – Author of Arithmetic of Breasts & Other Stories

After reading the book – Arithmetic of Breasts & Other Stories by Rochelle Potkar, I was very keen to ask some questions from the author – Rochelle Potkar. So, I sent her an email with a couple of questions and eagerly waited for the response.

Once I got the answers, I was like – this is one of the best interviews ever. And to confirm this, I need you. Check out my conversation with Rochelle Potkar revolving around her latest book – Arithmetic of Breasts & Other Stories and writing as a profession in India.  

1. Tell us about how you got started with writing?

I began writing in 2007. I was working as a content writer and one day I just free-wrote a paragraph. You can say that paragraph liberated me. It was a window to a congested room of client specifications. I jumped out of it and escaped. I never looked back from then on as I ran placing one alphabet ahead of the other.

2. Tell us about the books/stories you have written?

I have three books of short stories. The first one is ‘The Arithmetic of breasts and other stories’. The two others will be out shortly. I also have a book of prose, a book of poetry, and a speculative novel waiting to fly. 

3. Which of these books/stories is your favorite and why?

A very difficult question. I like all the stories I have written. The same goes for the stories in ‘The Arithmetic of breasts and other stories’. Of course, readers have had varied reactions and that stokes my curiosity: the way we look at things differently…

4. What inspires you to write? 

The world around me: People, science, philosophy, animals, man, woman, and child. In one word: everything.

5. What do you think about writing as a career in India?

It is tough if you don’t find a big publisher, or are not a bestseller.

But leaving the commercial aspects aside, writing is an inspiring and beautiful ‘profession’. Thinking, is the fountain of youth and any profession that challenges your thinking process, schools of thoughts, and ideologies all the time is worth every sacrifice, forfeiture, and struggle.

I view my ‘profession’ in its dichotomy of the temple and the bazaar. The temple might be full of restiveness, peace, idea, and inspiration. The bazaar is a circus of chaos and happenstance. You don’t know what will happen the next minute in the dusty lanes of the bazaar, but as long as you know the way home to the temple, you shall be fine and safe. 

6. What do you do apart from writing? 

Day-dreaming; caring for my 6-year-old daughter – listening to her lofty tales; meeting friends for coffee. I am a full-time writer supported by my family, but I must say I find 24 hours less, in spite of this. Writing is a big process encompassing conceptualizing, research, drafts upon drafts, getting stories beta-read, working again on edits and finally to the satisfactory story in a clean copy. I need 50 hours in a day for that. Where can I demand for it?

7. Tell us about your hobbies?

I don’t think I am left with any hobbies not related to writing.

8. What would your readers get through your book “The Arithmetic of Breasts and Short Stories” according to you? Is it available on internet? In which formats?

Different readers will get different things from this book and there is the fun. This book is available in its electronic avatars and print forms on Amazon and Flipkart and other major e-stores like Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Smashwords. This book is also available in select physical bookstores.

The easy links are:

Amazon India
Flipkart
Amazon

9. How can the readers contact you and any special message for your readers? 

Through my website contact form www.rochellepotkar.com , or write in to author.rochellepotkar@gmail.com.

My message to my readers is: Hope you enjoy reading the book. Please post your review of it on its Amazon or Flipkart pages. It would be great to know what you think.

10. What do you think about Finix Post and did you like the review we did of your book?

First and foremost the name is rare and unique: Finix Post. The hostess – Manpreet – is warm and affable and that increases the connection quotient of this interface.

I like the regularity of your interesting posts, Manpreet and wish you all the best for the future. I appreciate the candidness of your review of my book.

I will certainly remember this conversation with Rochelle Potkar forever, especially her answer to writing as a profession in India. It is indeed one of the best answers ever on this subject.