The idea behind my books is to take the reader on a joyful ride: Vibha Batra

Chennai-based author Vibha Batra released her latest book 'Bathinda to Bangkok' in this year. A graphic novelist, advertising consultant, poet, lyricist, translator, playwright, travel writer and columnist – Vibha wears multiple hats.

Vibha has been actively writing since 2007 and has authored 16 books. The list includes 'The Reluctant Debutante', 'The Dream Merchants', 'Keeping it Real', 'Euro Trip', 'Ludhiana to London', 'Glitter and Gloss', 'The Activist', 'The Capitalist', 'Sweet Sixteen (Yeah, Right!)', 'Seventeen and Done (you Done!)', 'Eighteen and Wiser' and 'Ishaavaasya Upanishad: Knowledge and Action'. Her travelogues have been featured in reputed magazines. Her plays have been staged during the 'Short and Sweet Theatre Festival South India'.

Vibha shares that non-fiction and romance are her favourite genres. "I would like to write horror stories too. The idea behind my books is to take the reader on a joyful ride. My multi-diverse background of growing up in the north and settling in Chennai helps in offering a rich palette of characters. Literary festivals and interactions with readers have been overwhelmingly motivating. This year I want to come to Hyderabad for the literature festival," she says.

Apart from penning novels, she also conducts creative writing workshops for children and adults at the British Council Chennai. Her first graphic novel is being published by Harper Collins in early 2002.

When Vibha Batra's grandfather Late Shri Vishnu Kant Shastri, passed away, she decided to translate his work on the 'Ishaavaasya Upanishad', a book that combined philosophy, mysticism, spirituality into English. And that's how it all started. Vibha says, "It took me around a year-and-a-half. And I was worried I wouldn't be able to do it; it would be too tough and too time-consuming. Worse, I would abandon it midway. So, I did what all those self-help books ask us to do. I announced my goal to the whole world. And it worked! I couldn't chill for a minute without family, colleagues' friends asking me, 'Hey, don't you have a book to write?"

"My late grandfather was an academic, Sanskrit scholar, and prolific writer. And my parents are avid readers. I grew up surrounded by books and yummy food as I am from Kolkata. Initially, all I wanted to do was eat. But despite my best intentions, my family's love for the written word rubbed off on me,'' she shares.

About her latest book 'Bathinda to Bangkok' she says: "It's a romantic comedy. It's a sequel to 'Ludhiana to London'. And oh, it's in Hinglish! Mahi's really sorted, she knows her mind, speaks her mind, doesn't suffer fools gladly. Lavith, on the other hand, is more circumspect, not as expressive; a little messed up, a lot vulnerable. She's the quintessential cool, small-town kudi. He's the HPM (Hot Phoren-returned Munda) and, in my considered opinion, they are both very real and relatable."

"I like writing for diverse age groups. My latest book has a colloquial touch to it. The people in the book are fun-loving, enjoy drama, and too many things are happening simultaneously It's a conversational read," says Vibha.

At the same time, she is addicted to writing romantic books she says, "It's kind of nice to be transported to an all-new world where love and romance (albeit with some amount of squabbling) reign supreme. So much so, that sometimes (okay, most of the times) it's tough to snap out of it."

About her writing process she says, "With a toddler and a day job, things can get quite topsy-turvy (and they often do). When I do get down to writing… I write furiously, I lose myself in it completely. I cannot hear anything or anyone. Not the cell phone, not the doorbell! On occasions even forget to eat!"

"Up next is my first graphic novel for young adults. It's being published by Harper Collins and will be out early next year," Vibha concludes.