MADHVEE SAXENA | AUTHOR INTERVIEW | CRITICSPACE

Akhila Saroha: Before beginning this interview, I would like to congratulate you on the publishing of your book, “Me Vs. Me”. How has the response of the readers been so far?
Madhvee Saxena: Thank you so much. Response has been very good so far, by God’s grace. It’s very overwhelming and I hope to get more support in future.

Akhila Saroha: The title of the book, “Me Vs. Me” sounds quite interesting and attractive. How did you come up with the name and how is the book you vs you when there were so many people appearing in the text?
Madhvee Saxena: The book is not only about me. It’s about oneself. A fight that one has to win over self.  How to conquer over self? Yes, we all have so many people in our lives. There are so many people who advise you, who support you, who criticise you but, ultimately it’s only you who have to act upon. You have to follow the path that you feel is right and whatever makes you content. You start losing yourself when you live on other’s advice, criticism and other beliefs. So this book is just a message to be strong enough to love yourself and take the right step to move on.

Akhila Saroha: How easy or difficult was it for you to write all the experiences in “Me Vs. Me”?
Madhvee Saxena: It was, I would say not very difficult to write the experiences as my life has witnessed a series of events one after the other but yes forming it into a proper structure was quite challenging.

Akhila Saroha: There are very few books that talk about the subject you have chosen. How did the idea of writing the book come to you?
Madhvee Saxena: I have seen people are facing such kinds of issues a lot but nobody talks about it. Thanks to my life, that it has made me learn some great lessons and I had always been passionate about writing so it occurred to me why not pen down the thoughts.

Akhila Saroha: The protagonist has to go through many adversities in one lifetime. Do you believe that fate was too unjust to her?
Madhvee Saxena: No, I don’t think so. As it is the main theme of the book that there are many adversities faced by people at every stage of life. It is a part of life. So it’s on us how we take it, what lessons we learn from it and what we let go.

Akhila Saroha: Are there any present-day writers you like to read? Or any writers of earlier times?
Madhvee Saxena: From past times, I like Agatha Christie. From current times, I really like reading Novoneel Chakorborty’s.

Akhila Saroha: How, according to you, can a person stay strong and sail through the most challenging times?
Madhvee Saxena: One should keep in time that the situation is not permanent and the bad times will pass. As it is said that “out of sufferings have emerged the strongest souls.”

Akhila Saroha: If there are people like the protagonist, who have suffered like her in real life, what would your advice be to them?
Madhvee Saxena: Yes, the protagonist has suffered but in the end she has herself gathered herself and has emerged as a strong soul so I think she is already a mature person now. She has found herself and conquering over. So, no advice.

Akhila Saroha: Since “Me Vs. Me” talks about many aspects and themes, if you were to assign a genre to the book, which would it be?
Madhvee Saxena: It would be inspirational fiction, literature and fiction, literary theory.

Akhila Saroha: What advice would you like to give to the growing writers on the basis of your experience in writing?
Madhvee Saxena: I personally believe writing is not easy. As a beginner, I don’t think I am in a position to lend advice.

Akhila Saroha: Your writing shows a clear potential of a lot more to come from your pen. Please share about your future projects.
Madhvee Saxena: I am yet to give a thought to it.

Akhila Saroha: Thank you for sparing time for this interview. I wish you the best for your future.
Madhvee Saxena: Thank you so much.