Geetanjali Gusain – Author Interview

In coversation with Geetanjali Gusain

Congratulations on the release of your book, Unanchored: Stories of Hope from Corners of India! How does it feel to share this collection of stories with readers?

Geetanjali Gusain: Thank you so much. To be honest, this book didn’t begin as a deliberate quest for publication. But holding the published book in my hands now feels entirely surreal, especially when I see the image of my childhood home gracing the cover. That house held the genesis of my worldview, before I moved out to see the world, so having it anchor these stories of hope feels like bringing everything full circle. I also feel an immense sense of gratitude. Knowing that these lives and corners of the country have found a resonant chord with readers, that complete strangers are welcoming these fragments of my heart and the realities of these communities into their homes and lives, is humbling.

Could you tell us a little about yourself and your journey as a writer? What inspired you to pursue writing?

Geetanjali Gusain: I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. Growing up, reading was heavily encouraged in my home, and that early immersion really stretched my imagination. Attending a Convent school added to that foundation, with its strong focus on reading and writing, the habit took root before I even realized it. On top of that, growing up in Dehradun was a gift. The small town was a peaceful, creative backdrop that naturally nurtured artistic expression. In an environment like that, people found different outlets, my friends painted, but for me, it was always writing. It became my natural response to the world around me.

What inspired you to write Unanchored, and how did the idea for this collection of fourteen stories come about?

Geetanjali Gusain: In all honesty, the collection began in a very organic way. Like I said, I have been writing for as long as I can remember, but it’s always been scattered across different places. This time I just started putting them into a single folder just to keep them together. When I shared the drafts with my family and close friends, they saw something special in the stories and encouraged me to give them a wider audience.

The stories in your book explore different parts of India, from Amritsar and Rajasthan to Kerala and Mussoorie. What inspired you to choose these diverse locations as settings for your narratives?

Geetanjali Gusain: India’s diversity is staggering, and as someone who travels with open eyes and an open heart, I’ve always been captivated by it. I have visited these places, strolled through their bustling streets, tasted their local flavours, and noticed the subtle, beautiful details that define each region, down to the distinct ways turbans are tied from one town to the next. So, traveling naturally fed into my process. Every journey added new layers to my observations and experiences, giving me authentic backgrounds to build these narratives upon. In a way, the locations chose themselves, because the spirit of each region perfectly matched the emotional landscape of the character living out their story there

The book explores themes of hope, resilience, nostalgia, and belonging. Which of these themes resonates with you the most, and why?

Geetanjali Gusain: If I had to pick one, it would be nostalgia. Growing up in the 1980s was a world entirely apart from today, especially in a small town like Dehradun. Back then, every home seemed to have an orchard in its backyard where we climbed litchi and mango trees. We went to school cycling along a canal and walked everywhere without a second thought, regardless of whether there was a car or scooter parked in the driveway. Bit by bit, that gentler pace of life receded. The landscapes shifted, and life as we knew it was gradually replaced by something unfamiliar. Nostalgia is my way of keeping those quiet, cherished memories alive and giving them a permanent sanctuary on the page.

Your stories feature characters facing personal struggles, life-changing experiences, and family expectations. How do you develop such relatable characters, and are any of them inspired by real-life observations or experiences?

Geetanjali Gusain: Yes, absolutely. My mind is constantly taking notes on the subtle details of everyday life, the person your eyes search for when there is a happy moment to share, or the quiet grace with which someone carries their unspoken heartbreaks. I am deeply fascinated by these small, unscripted moments. But I also believe that while I might shape the plots, the stories only truly come to life through the reader’s own memories. When someone reads these pages, they bring their own lived experiences, nostalgia, and heartaches into the narrative, making the characters uniquely theirs.

What was the most challenging part of writing Unanchored, and what did you learn about yourself during the process?

Geetanjali Gusain: The hardest part was the emotional weight, sitting with real human vulnerabilities, stepping into these characters’ shoes and feeling their struggles alongside them, can be deeply draining. You can’t write authentic hope without first walking through the dark with your characters (at least, I couldn’t). During the process, I learned that I have far more emotional endurance than I thought. It proved to me that honoring difficult truths is exhausting, but it is also the most fulfilling work I can do.

Is there a particular story or character in this collection that holds a special place in your heart? If so, could you share what makes it meaningful to you?

Geetanjali Gusain: The entire collection is deeply personal to me. The characters are named after people who have touched my life in unforgettable ways, it felt like inviting old friends into these pages. But The Bonsai holds a singular place in my heart, as it was born out of my reverence for my grandmother, Mrs. Hasija. She lived with such grace and quiet strength despite life’s constraints, much like a bonsai tree. Writing that story allowed me to pay tribute to her legacy and share her incredible spirit with the world.

What do you hope readers will take away from Unanchored after reading the fourteen stories? Is there a particular message you would like them to remember?

Geetanjali Gusain: The crux is in the fourteenth story. “Youth has no monopoly on confusion, and age is no guarantee of certainty.” “We all have a sacred right to choose the weight we carry and to chart our own path home, even when ‘home’ is a place yet to be visited.”

Who are some of the writers or literary works that have influenced your writing style and storytelling?

Geetanjali Gusain: I don’t think that my writing style has been directly shaped by any specific author. Truth be told, I don’t think of myself primarily as a storyteller. I see myself as a story collector.

My greatest inspiration has always come from people themselves. It’s the lived experiences of everyday individuals, their quiet victories, vulnerabilities, unspoken truths, dreams, that draw me in. Rather than crafting tales out of thin air, I feel my role is simply to gather these real human moments and give them a voice on the page.

Are you active on social media? How can readers connect with you, follow your work, and stay updated about your future literary projects?

Geetanjali Gusain: Yes, I am on LinkedIn and Instagram, but my central home on the web is my website, geetanjaligusain.com, where I post dispatches and updates about my upcoming projects. That said, the fastest way to get in touch with me directly is by email at contact@geetanjaligusain.com. Because I view myself as a story collector, I love hearing from readers. If you have a lived experience, a cherished memory, or a story from your corner of the world that you’ve been holding onto, please write to me. I would be deeply honoured to be the medium that helps bring your story to light.

Finally, where can readers purchase Unanchored: Stories of Hope from Corners of India? Do you have any upcoming books or writing projects you would like to share with your readers?

Geetanjali Gusain: Readers can purchase Unanchored: Stories of Hope from Corners of India online through Amazon, Flipkart and in person at Midland Book store in Delhi and English Book Depot in Dehradun. As for future projects, I am thrilled to share that Reanchored, Book 2 in the Landscapes of Hope series has officially been released this October!

Beyond that, I am currently writing my debut full-length novel, The Winter Flower, which will be published next year. Readers of Unanchored will actually find the preface to this novel right in Chapter 4. It centres on the irrepressible Mrs. Hasija, a witty, hilarious woman who decides to reclaim her independence, her joy, and her life in her golden years.

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions and share your literary journey with us. We wish you continued success with Unanchored and your future writing endeavours!

Review: Unanchored by Geetanjali Gusain: Stories of Hope from India