Author interview with Richa Telang A Place in this world

In this exclusive interview, author Richa opens up about her writing journey, the inspiration behind her latest novel A Place in This World, and how she balances themes of love, grief, and resilience. From her childhood love for stories to pandemic-driven storytelling, Richa’s journey is one of transformation and authenticity.

Interview with Author Behind the book –

A Place in This World

Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Richa, author of A Bit of Both and A Place in This World. In this candid conversation, she opens up about her writing journey, the inspiration behind her latest novel, and how she weaves together themes of grief, love, and resilience.

1. Richa, before we dive into your book, can you share what first inspired you to start writing and how your journey as an author began?

Well, writing has always been my happy place – my favorite jam! Ever since childhood, I found joy in reading stories and then rewriting them in my own words. English was my favorite subject, and I always felt a natural connection to the language. Whenever there was an opportunity to write or express something creatively, I would grab it with both hands. However, my journey as an author began much later. I was already a mother when I started writing short stories for my blog, Wordrazzi. Each story ranged between 10,000 to 20,000 words, and slowly, I realized that I could create narratives that truly engaged my readers. That realization gave me the confidence to take a leap and publish my fifth story as a full-length novel. But I’d also like to add that, writing for personal satisfaction is one thing and getting it published as a novel is a whole different experience. My debut novel, A Bit of Both, was released in 2020 and received a warm response from readers. But more than anything, it marked a turning point: from writing quietly for myself to sharing my voice with the world.

2. Your novel A Place in This World deals with love, grief, and second chances. What sparked the idea for this story, and why was it important for you to tell it?

The idea for A Place in This World was born during the devastating Delta wave of COVID-19. It was a time of unimaginable loss. Every day brought news of someone in our circle who had passed away. While I grieved deeply for those who were gone, I found myself constantly thinking about the ones left behind. The survivors. The people who had to carry on with a void in their lives. That emotional weight stayed with me, and I knew I had to write about it. I wanted to explore not just grief, but the resilience it demands – and the possibility of healing and rediscovery. That’s why I chose to set my second novel against the backdrop of the pandemic. It was my way of honoring those silent struggles and giving voice to the journey of finding love and meaning again, even after profound loss.

3. Writing often comes from a deeply personal place. Was A Place in This World born out of your own reflections, and how does it connect with your journey as a writer?

A Place in This World is purely a work of fiction. It didn’t stem directly from my personal experiences or reflections. But emotionally, it took a lot out of me. Writing this story meant stepping into the shoes of people who’ve endured unimaginable loss and trying to capture the quiet strength it takes to keep going. That process was deeply affecting. In many ways, this novel pushed me further as a writer. It challenged me to explore grief, resilience, and hope with honesty and empathy. Even though the story isn’t autobiographical, the emotional investment I made in it has definitely shaped my journey as an author.

4. If you had to describe your journey as an author in one word, what would it be — and why?

Transformative.
Because this journey has reshaped me in ways that I never anticipated. Writing has taught me patience, resilience and the power of authenticity. Moreover it has taught me the confidence of facing the world if your art is genuine you can face with utter confidence. I have grown as a writer, as an author a lot during this journey.

5. As a reader, which authors or books have had the greatest influence on your storytelling style?

I think I fall in love with the characters more than their creators. It’s the stories themselves that draw me in, rather than the names behind them. Over the years, I’ve read many books by emerging authors or writers who may not be widely known but have delivered truly compelling content. I’ve loved and learned from many of those stories. So, I wouldn’t say there’s a single author or book that has shaped my storytelling style the most. But if I had to name a few who have left a mark, I would mention Preeti Shenoy for her emotional depth and the Indianness in her writing style, and Haruki Murakami for his surreal storytelling. Their work resonates with me in different ways and has certainly influenced how I think about narrative and character.

6. Grief and romance don’t often share the same page. How did you find the balance between keeping the story emotionally raw and still hopeful?

A Place in This World is not solely a story of grief, nor is it a traditional romance. At its core, it is a journey of self-discovery, with grief and romance acting as supporting elements. The readers will find that the novel opens with a sense of loss, but by the second chapter, the protagonists begin to interact more comfortably, and the narrative shifts into the rhythm of everyday life and its struggles. Grief is not a constant presence throughout the book. It resurfaces at some points, yet never overwhelming the story. Romance follows a similar path. Ira and Sahaj, the protagonists, are not in love, but there is a subtle attraction between them. They are aware of it, and they choose to keep it in check because of their family responsibilities. Finding this balance was important to me. I wanted the story to feel real, emotionally honest but also grounded in the quiet strength people carry as they move forward.

7. The characters Ira and Sahaj feel so real, but the supporting cast – Vicky, Kritika, Soham, Pia also leave an impact. Did you plan their arcs in detail or did they evolve organically as you wrote?

They evolved organically as I wrote. In fact, the characters of Kritika and Vicky came to me much later in the process. I didn’t want Sahaj to be the only anchor in Ira’s life. I felt she needed a strong friendship as well, so I introduced Kritika as someone from her past who reenters her life. Kritika’s character carries her own emotional weight, and to support that arc, I created a space for Vicky too. Pia and Soham were part of the story from the beginning. I wanted to include a Gen Z couple who could bring a fresh perspective, but responsibly and maturely.

8. Were there scenes in the book that were particularly difficult for you to write because of their emotional intensity?

Absolutely. There were several chapters that were emotionally challenging to write. The Dinner and the Grief, Friendship and The Respite are very intense chapters and their scenes carried so much emotional weight that I found myself in tears while writing them. I was completely immersed in the characters’ pain and couldn’t focus on anything else until those chapters felt honest and complete. On the other hand, The First Encounter and The Second Encounter are romantic chapters, and writing them brought a different kind of challenge. Capturing the tenderness, hesitation, and emotional charge of those moments required carefulness. I wanted the romance to feel real – not just beautiful, but fragile and true to the characters’ journeys.

9. Your book doesn’t tie up neatly with a “happy ever after.” Was that a conscious choice, and is realism something you want to keep carrying forward in your stories?

Yes, it was absolutely a conscious choice. I love crafting conclusions that offer hope while leaving space for readers to interpret what comes next through their own emotional lens. That approach has been a consistent theme across both of my books.
In A Bit of Both, it was actually my husband who suggested leaving the ending open rather than wrapping it up with a neat resolution. With A Place in This World, I knew from the very beginning that I wanted the story to reflect the complexity of real life where people may achieve something meaningful, yet still have mountains left to climb. That’s how life works, isn’t it? You don’t reach one milestone and declare the journey complete. There is always more to learn, more to grow, more to feel.
Let me share a couple of my favorite films that embody this kind of storytelling. In Piku, there is no grand romantic gesture or dramatic climax. Yet by the end, you feel fulfilled. The characters who are meant to be together find each other. They grow and settle into a rhythm but the story doesn’t insist on a “happily ever after.” It simply allows them to exist as they are.
Similarly, in Tamasha, Ranbir Kapoor’s character is the emotional heart of the film, while Deepika Padukone’s character, Tara, acts as the catalyst. She doesn’t just support his journey – she transforms it. And still, the film doesn’t conclude with a wedding or a proposal. It ends with a sense of completeness found within. With personal evolution. With the quiet understanding that life will continue to unfold in its own time.
That’s the kind of ending I love to write. One that feels natural, leaves some threads untied in the most meaningful way, and still carries a sense of promise.

10. At its core, A Place in This World is about navigating love, grief, and the search for self. If readers walk away remembering just one truth about life from your book, what would you want that to be?

First and foremost, I want my readers to feel happy and deeply fulfilled when they finish A Place in This World. I hope the story offers them a reassurance that life doesn’t end when you lose someone close. Instead, it can open up in ways you never expected. It can offer you new choices, surprising turns, and revealing inner strengths you didn’t know you had. So do not give up on hope.
If this book leaves readers feeling more confident, more hopeful, and more alive to the possibilities ahead, then I’ll feel that its purpose has truly been met.

✨ “Now that you’ve heard Richa’s story in her own words, take the next step and explore how her novel comes alive on the page — read the complete review of A Place in This World here

About the Author

Richa Talang is an author who discovered her love for storytelling early in life. Writing has always been her happy place, where she found joy in weaving words into meaningful narratives. Though her journey as an author began later, after motherhood, she quickly transitioned from short stories on her blog Wordrazzi to publishing her debut novel A Bit of Both in 2020. Her latest work, A Place in This World, was inspired by the emotional aftermath of the pandemic, blending themes of love, grief, resilience, and self-discovery.

Highlights from the Interview

✨ Favorite Anecdote:
Richa shared how her writing journey began through her blog Wordrazzi. What started as short stories between 10,000–20,000 words eventually gave her the courage to publish her debut novel.

💭 Must-Read Quotes from Richa:

• “Writing has always been my happy place – my favorite jam!”

• “A Place in This World is not solely a story of grief, nor is it a traditional romance. At its core, it is a journey of self-discovery.”

• “Transformative. Because this journey has reshaped me in ways that I never anticipated.”

• “I love crafting conclusions that offer hope while leaving space for readers to interpret what comes next through their own emotional lens.”

• “Do not give up on hope.”

📚 Takeaway for Readers:
Richa reminds us that storytelling isn’t just about love or loss, but about the courage to keep moving forward, to rediscover life after grief, and to embrace second chances.