Love without barriers

Bhaavna Arora, author of The Deliberate Sinner and Mistress of Honour, loves writing about sensitive subjects through strong female characters in her novels. And her latest book Love Bi The Way explores the bisexual relationship between two female protagonists, Rihana and Zara.

As a kid, Bhaavna would often sit down and scribble. Talking about her passion for storytelling, Bhaavna shares, “I was too young to remember what I wrote but I always wanted to write. Books have always fascinated me, and I think reading and writing go hand-in-hand. I was, and continue to be, a voracious reader and that has automatically supplemented my desire to express using the written word.”

The protagonists in her latest book are inspired by a cocktail of interesting people that she has met over her lifetime, admits the author. Giving us an insight into the main characters — Zara and Rihana — the author puts forth, “In all my books, my protagonist is Rihana, a strong-minded girl who knows exactly what she wants. While writing I often put myself in her shoes and gauge, ‘Had I been in that situation, what would have I done ’ And I get my answers. Zara, on the other hand, is a softer character, but equally strong and independent. This is only revealed later in the book though.”

Bisexuality is quite an untouched, virgin topic in our society, and that is what prompted her to open the topic for free discussion. She says, “I wanted to break the virginity and open the topic up for discussion in the commercial space. The story of Love Bi The Way is unconventional, and I really enjoyed writing it as I got the opportunity to interact with a different community. I would definitely say ‘different’ as they don’t fit in the stereotypical society. They have a world of their own, and don’t want to be disturbed. But it’s imperative for humanity to accept all without any prejudices.”

Through this book, she wants people to recognise love without barriers. “Love must be allowed to exist freely without any barriers like caste, religion, nationalities, colour or even gender. It shouldn’t be bound by any external force, least of all by societal acceptance. Love, force and alcohol don’t make a good combination when mixed, and a part of my book also addresses that,” says the author who claims that her bookshelf is as varied as her writing style.

When quizzed if she has any specific time in the day when she prefers to write, Bhaavna says, “It is important for me to have a writing routine because it’s like any other exercise. If you break the momentum, you stop. Writer’s blocks do come, and they are a part of the process. I think powering through, and even if I write only a few words each day, can help me overcome the shadows of the much dreaded ‘block’.”