The peace that writing gives me is incomparable

Hello! 👋

Welcome to She Got You!, where I share my conversations with women professionals. It’s been a while since you’ve seen me, because I’ve been doing a lot of other things — a new job, catching up with life, and returning to work (after working remotely for more than 4 years). Hopefully, I’ll get back to this newsletter and bring more inspirational and fun stories your way.

Meet today’s guest: Richa Sharma

Richa is a writer and the debut author of Finding Home Again. She is an alumna of the Department of Communication at the University of Hyderabad.

Finding Home Again tells the story of three protagonists whose lives are disrupted by a train derailment in flood-ravaged Assam.

In this edition, we talk about books and how women's issues influence her writing.

Let’s get talking. 👇

Sunaina: Can you tell me about yourself?

Richa: A tough question indeed. To have a concise account of oneself is akin to finding oneself completely. I am still on the journey. Right now, I’m a writer, stationed in Hyderabad, who grew up in Arunachal Pradesh and has roots in Uttar Pradesh.

Sunaina: Congratulations on publishing your first book, Finding Home Again. Please share more about this.

Richa: Thank you, Sunaina. Finding Home Again is a story about all of us who have stayed in towns or cities which aren’t our hometowns. It is equally a story about those who have been at the same destination all their lives, yet are still in search of home. The idea of belonging and the elusiveness of it.

 This novel revolves around three main characters, who are struggling with displacement — both physical and emotional. The backdrop is of monsoon-led flash flood and train derailment, set mainly in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Sunaina: What has been the most memorable part of your journey as a writer?

Richa: Writing itself. On the days I am writing, I feel thankful. b. However, like most writers, I am also quite critical of my creations. On rare occasions, when I find a few couplets or paragraphs to my satisfaction, I feel content. In my journey as a writer, my most memorable moments have been instances that are quite solitary. The very act of writing is very personal to me — even when I am amidst a crowd and typing on my phone. 

Writing spaces like under the almond tree at my sister's home, or in front of the beach, are permanently etched in my memory. The very first times, when my close ones appreciated my writing, their words, those specific moments with each of them are close to my heart. 

Sunaina: Who were your biggest cheerleaders or mentors along the way?

Richa: My family. My parents, my brothers and sisters have stood by me through every phase of my writing journey. My husband's constant motivation kept me going, especially on days I felt unsure of my writing. The same goes for my friends. As a mentor, my eldest sister, Prachi, supported me throughout the emotional shifts that a writer often goes through while writing.

I have also learned a lot from the writings of great authors like Toni Morrison, Jhumpa Lahiri, Jerry Pinto, Ernest Hemingway, and Khalid Hosseini. The list can go on.

Sunaina: How have you been marketing your book? Can you discuss some lessons you've learned the hard way?

Richa: I use social media to share my writings, and sometimes my travel stories. But as a rule, I have kept away from the pressure of being in specific ways and have tried to keep it as authentic as I can as a writer. I followed the same rule when sharing snippets from my journey into writing and publishing this novel.  

Now, we are also focusing on offline events. We recently had a book talk with readers in Hyderabad, where everyone shared their insights and personal experiences with the book, especially how they could connect. It was humbling to hear their stories. There will be more offline events related to the book. The idea is to bring forth its major themes and generate discussions around them. 

Additionally, numerous new experiences arose following the book launch. I have come to understand the difference between the life of a writer and the phase of promotion that an author must embrace. Marketing has become an essential part of book writing and publishing. I have reached out to friends and fellow readers. Thankfully, now professional marketers are crafting exclusive campaigns for authors.

Sunaina: Have you seen your writing influence conversations around women's issues in unexpected ways? 

Richa: Recently, I met a young woman who shared how Finding Home Again impacted the way she thinks of her mother. How often do we end up seeing our mothers as someone who is forever available to provide and shield — and not as individuals with dreams, desires, and setbacks, with personal journeys of their own? This applies to our parents and caregivers, too.

Sometimes, parents too fail to see their kids as separate individuals with lives which are different from theirs — the complexity of families and relationships, and our unintentional roles in propelling those patterns. 

Many have shared how they could resonate with characters and their vulnerabilities. They felt seen through Kranti, Maya and Mridaula, even Sunil, Kranti's father or Maya's mother. Many could also relate to the story as they thought the characters were replicating reality. There is a freedom to be grey, at least in thoughts and desires, rather than the utopian idea of being "right" always. And this isn't gender specific. 

But when I talk specifically about women, I've had quite a few conversations about the silent, subtle strength that many women live by, which often goes unnoticed. The strength of holding oneself together in every situation. The strength of decision-making and living by it.

Sunaina: Which issues aren't getting enough attention right now?

Richa: Domestic work. Many women's issues are finally receiving the attention they deserve, but domestic responsibilities — whether for a family of one or ten — continue to await their due recognition and respect.

I am aware that many men nowadays are taking an equal part in raising a family. In fact, I do see how my brother and both of my brothers-in-law play an active role in raising kids and sharing the load of household duties. My own marriage follows this partnership model, where my husband and I both contribute equally and have equal say in decisions. The mutual respect and acknowledgement of each other's efforts make all the difference.

Despite this progress, women still carry the primary load of running households, regardless of their careers outside the home. This is why domestic work remains, for me, a quintessential women's issue.

Running a home is far more complex than it appears from the outside. This invisible labour includes financial management, coordinating schedules, meal planning, healthcare oversight, social obligations, and often raising children. The skill set required ranges from property management to human development — it's like running a small business, but without recognition, salary, or weekends off.

Some might argue there are more pressing women's issues to address — female infanticide, violence against women, and workplace discrimination. I absolutely agree that these are critical battles. But this everyday reality also impacts the overall quality of women's lives and their sense of dignity. When we consistently undervalue the complex work of maintaining homes and families, we diminish the contributions of millions of women who perform this labour daily.

So, that was my conversation with Richa. Follow her on LinkedIn, Instagram, and buy her book here. See you soon! 👋