"I'm Inspired by My Life and Everyone Around Me"

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1. Tell us more about your background and journey.

Bina Pillai, is an alumnus of Lady Shri Ram college, New-Delhi and a retired travel professional. She is an award-winning poet, author, and a crusader for social causes. Her work has been published in several anthologies, magazines, in international poetry selections and literary journals.

She published her poetry book “Lyrical Rhythms of My Heart in 2017 which won awards, amongst which was the National Rising Star Award, in the category of Art& Culture. Her novel, “Under The Mango Tree,” was published by Bigfoot Publications in November2019, for which she has received critical acclaim and is amongst the best-selling books on Kindle.

She has two other books in the pipeline. A collection of short stories, “Nuggets of Wisdom.” and a collection of poems, “Mystical Dewdrops.” Bina is passionate about social causes. She has been pushing the causes of dyslexic children and was featured as a Citizen journalist of CNNIBN in this regard.

2. When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

From childhood, I had a dream to become a writer. I got married at eighteen, so that dream had to be pushed away with my commitments towards my family. However, it always remained at the back of my mind, and I thought when I retire I would become an author.

Probably, things don’t always work the way we think they should, but the determination to make it work helps. I seized the opportunity when I had a bypass surgery. I was not able to do anything else so I started writing when I was recouping.

3. Is it a financially stable career?

It’s my passion and my dream to write so it does not matter. However, it’s not a financially stable career. Editing, publishing and marketing costs money.

4. Who is your favorite writer and why?

I don’t have any favorites as such. If you ask me which is my favorite color, I love Pink, yellow, Black, white, Blue, Sea green, red etc. Similarly in books, I like different genres and many writers so I don’t have a favorite writer as such. ‘Ikigai’ is an inspirational book which I read lately and loved it.

The other books I loved are, ‘The girl on the train.”by Paula Hawkins. It’s a thriller. “The Great Indian Novel,” by Shaashi Tharoor. There is wisdom and humor in it. I love “The Secret” By Rhonda Byrne. I believe in ‘The Law of attraction.’ “What young India wants,” by Chetan Bhagat etc. He truly knew what they wanted.

5. Where does your inspiration lie?

I'm inspired by my life and everyone around me.

6. What does your typical day look like?

A typical day is full of life and I’m totally involved with my family, friends and the society. I write whenever I find time. I love life with all its ups and downs.

7. What piece of advice would you like to give to future aspiring writers?

Writing is a good therapy. It makes one feel good, and gradually eases feelings of emotional trauma if any. So never give up and keep writing.

- Bina Pillai Writer

- Interviewed by Kedar Lalwani

- Edited by Shilpy Sharan