Srijita Dutta is a passionate young writer and student who is steadily carving her space in the world of literature with her debut solo book Fantasies of Life. A lover of fantasy fiction and mythological tales, she beautifully blends imagination with cultural depth to craft unique and engaging short stories.
Beyond writing, Srijita enjoys dancing, reading, and swimming—creative outlets that enrich her storytelling perspective. With a deep sense of gratitude for her journey so far, she aspires to become a full-time writer while continuing her academic pursuits. Her debut marks not just the beginning of a promising literary career, but also a reflection of her dedication to storytelling and her love for fantasy worlds.
1.What inspired you to write your debut book Fantasies of Life?
Ans: I was already writing short stories and they weren’t getting accepted in any literary magazines. So I decided to publish my works as a book. It wasn’t something new I was trying to achieve. I just wanted to satisfy my writing desires.
2. Why do you enjoy writing in the fantasy and mythological genres?
Ans It is hard to say. I’ve always been fascinated by fantasy, magic, other worlds and myths are the foundational base of the fantasy genre. I also have a special paper on fantasy fiction so that has also facilitated my fondness for the same. I’ve always liked mythological stories as a child and continue to nurture that interest.
3. Can you share your creative process while developing your short stories?
Ans I usually draw from my own experiences and mix it with my own interpretations of mythological stories. I had read a book on various Indian myths and I inculcated those mythological stories in my stories by reimagining them. I also include snippets from fantasy books that I’ve read.
4. Which story in book is closest to your heart and why?
Ans I would have to say the short story titled “Murderess in Heels”. It’s the only short story in the book which is not a work of speculative fiction. It’s about a female murderer who hides in plain sight. I wrote this story to dismantle the masculinity and femininity rules that men are more naturally prone to aggression and women are naturally submissive. It is not like that. Masculinity and femininity are fluid concepts and anyone can be capable of both nurturing and destroying.
5. How do your hobbies like dancing, reading, and swimming influence your writing?
Ans: Well, reading influences more as I naturally draw a lot of inspiration from the books I read like Harry Potter, Percy Jackson series etc. Swimming and dancing are more subtle. I sometimes build my characters with similar hobbies so in that sense they influence my writing.
6. What challenges did you face while writing and publishing your first solo book?
Ans: Well, I did find challenges in choosing the publisher for my first book as I was new to this industry and I had no idea. But some amazing friends of mine helped me with it. I chose a self-publishing route as it is quicker and you have more control. The issue with writing was that I did suffer from writer’s block when things seemed hopeless. But I managed to sail through the deep waters just fine. It was difficult but can be broken through with patience and either re-reading comfort books or reading fast-paced narratives.
7. What are your future goals as a writer and in academia?
Ans: I wish to publish my own original fantasy series and gain a fandom for the same. That is my future goal as a writer. I want more people to read it and I hope it can push the boundaries of what a literary canon should be. I wish to become a respectable professor in academia and publish research papers on the books I read and write. These are my future goals as a writer and professor.
8. What message would you like to give to aspiring writers who want to publish their first book?
Ans: To be patient. Don’t rush into it even if it feels like it. Keep on editing your manuscript and it is tiring but worthwhile. Choose your works to be published carefully and make sure to set money aside to invest in marketing and other such things to promote your book.
