Shoba Narayan, author of ‘Monsoon Diary’, speaks about her book and life in the US to Shubhra Krishan

Chennai-born Shoba Narayan’s book, ‘Monsoon Diary’ released in the USA to superlative reviews. A nostalgic memoir of India’s rich culture and cuisine, the book is a first-person account of Shoba’s life in Chennai, her journey to America, and the delicious recipes she picked up along the way.

Shoba Narayan’s articles have appeared in leading American publications such as ‘The Wall Street Journal’, ‘New York Times’, ‘Gourmet, Food And Wine’, and ‘Boston Globe’.

Q What brought you to America?
I was studying psychology at the Women’s Christian College in Chennai, which is a sister institution of Mount Holyoake College in Massachusetts, USA. I applied to Mount Holyoake for a foreign fellowship — without telling my parents — and won it.

Q How did your family react to the news?
They were torn between being shocked and proud of me. Initially, they refused to send me but finally they laid down a condition that if I could cook up a magnificient feast for the family, I could go. They thought I would lose the challenge, because they knew I was no good at cooking.

Q So were they proved right?
No! Surprisingly, I was able to cook up a sumptuous spread, at the end of which my grandmother belched contentedly, and I knew I was going to America.

Q You’ve been in America about 15 years now. What do you appreciate most about the country?
I think the most important thing America gives you is the opportunity to explore and indulge the different aspects of your personality. For example, I was able to do both a Bachelors in psychology and a Masters in fine arts, as well as write for magazines because I was here. I was able to take several creative detours, and enjoy them very much.

Q Your tremendous success as a writer is an inspiration — do you think aspiring writers based in India can also hope to write for American and European publishers?
They absolutely can. I recommend a website called www.everyonewhosanyone.com, where you can post your book proposals for free to literary agents and publishers in both the USA and UK.

Q What would you say is the secret of your success?
I think it is perseverance — I just never give up. It wasn’t easy to get my first magazine article published — I received a pile of rejections before I finally got a ‘Yes’ from ‘House Beautiful’ magazine.

Q Do you work from home? Has it been a challenge for you to manage home and career?
I think I was able to write my book, Monsoon Diary only because I have a baby-sitter! Otherwise, coping with two young kids is a full-time job, and leaves you with very little time and energy for anything else.