Author Interview with Sejal Badani of “The Storyteller’s Secret”

Q&A Time!

The Storyteller’s Secret is a richly imagined novel about love, hardship, resilience and courage.  What was the inspiration for the story?

I grew up hearing the story of how my maternal grandmother passed away when my mother was two. She was bitten by a mosquito and her community believed that the encephalitis ravaging her body was a demonic possession. Like the protagonist, my grandmother was also tied to a tree and beaten. Her death led to the break down and fracturing of the family that still resonated generations later. It was a truly tragic story. Those who knew her spoke of an incredible woman who was kind and generous to everyone, regardless of their caste, class or gender. Her loss moved me and the woman she was inspired me. I knew I had to tell her story.

How much research did you conduct for the book?  Were you surprised by anything you uncovered?

I spent years researching the book, wanting to make sure I accurately depicted the intricate historical details of the Raj occupation of India. There were so many intriguing facets of that time period that I discovered. For example, in the earlier years, there were many marriages between the British officers and Indian women. Whole generations of mixed children were born from these unions. But in the ensuing years, as there was increased tension and strife, it became taboo for the British and Indians to mix. Yet, you couldn’t avoid how intimately their lives were intertwined. From the mastering of each other’s languages to the interchange of fashion, food and beliefs, they were connected in ways that are still apparent to this day. It was fascinating to read some historians’ perspectives who, without delving into the political ramifications, detail the complicated costs and benefits of both the occupation and eventual liberation. I tried to touch on that aspect of the occupation via the conversations between the heroine and Stephen. There were no easy answers and they recognized that.

The Storyteller’s Secret focuses on Jaya’s life-changing journey to India. Where do you most enjoy traveling to and how have different countries and cultures influenced you?

From my time in the various regions I have a deep appreciation for the cultures and beliefs that embody the different places. My family and I are grateful to be able to travel overseas. Europe is very much a favorite. What really strikes me is how, no matter the regional or cultural differences, there are common threads that run through all of us. We have similar needs, fears, hopes and dreams for ourselves and loved ones. To me, those similarities are a powerful bridge between perceived insurmountable differences. It’s truly inspiring. I tried to call upon that when writing Storyteller’s – both in the parallels between Jaya and Amisha’s lives and the connections between the Indians and the British through and despite the occupation.

Before you became a writer, you were an attorney.  How would you compare yourself now as a writer to yourself then, and how, if possible, do the two worlds overlap?

I have two teenagers, both of whom are planning careers in the arts. The one thing I tell them as they map their own paths is that I’m infinitely grateful for my law degree. It gave me the maturity and patience to understand the publishing business and it made me a better writer. Through law school and then practice, you are privy to real people’s personal struggles and situations. Human emotion is a necessary and powerful driver of stories. My time practicing gave me a unique appreciation of the human spirit when faced with adversity. My stories, like life, show that we are fortunate if we have a strong group of loved ones to help navigate the difficulties. In addition to my novels I also write screenplays. In every story I have at least one person practicing law or connected to the legal world. It’s my way of tipping my hat to my former life.

About The Author

A former attorney, Sejal Badani is the author of the bestselling novel and Goodreads Fiction Award finalist Trail of Broken Wings. When not writing, Sejal enjoys reading and traveling.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads

Thanks again to Sejal for taking the time for a Q&A session! The Storyteller’s Secret will be available September 1st, 2018. Be sure to add this richly diverse novel to your TBR!