Young author Ankita Banerjee had been writing since childhood and now she has become a full time writer to fulfill her childhood dream. The Kolkata Mail correspondent Priyanka Dutta caught up with the writer in an exclusive telephonic chat. Excerpts..

At what age did you start writing?

Ankita Banerjee- I remember my father bringing me a diary when I was probably eight or nine years old and I never stopped writing ever since. I loved journaling and all through my teenage years I used its pages as an emotional outlet.

Have you always wanted to become a writer?

Ankita Banerjee- This brings me again to my love for journalling. Yes, I have always wanted to be a writer. I wasn’t sure of making it my day job, but I realized from a very early age that no matter what career I choose I had to keep on writing – about my thoughts, the pains and desires and how I see the world around me.

Tell us something about your works that have been published.

Ankita Banerjee- It’s a mixed bag, actually. I wrote about cinema, culture, food and relationships. I did journalism when I was in the university, then eventually moved into the business of content writing. My first short story was published in The Bangalore Review and a creative non-fiction travel piece about the time I lived in New Zealand was published in Coldnoon – international journal of travel writing and travelling cultures.

Your book is coming out soon which consists of ten erotica shorts. Can you throw some light on it?

Ankita Banerjee- It’s going to be published as a series – one erotica short story every month for ten months. I’m super excited that Juggernaut Books has picked up my stories. The first three stories of the series are focused on a single fetish – voyeurism. I’m currently working on the next issue. All my erotica shorts are about women reclaiming their role in the sexual power play.

The book will be published under a pen name. Even in this age, do you feel that freedom of expression is not present completely in our society?

Ankita Banerjee- It was a conscious decision because of two reasons. Firstly in the literary world erotica as a genre is generally looked down upon. Even though writing about sex minus the cliché and uncouth languages is not an easy job. And secondly using a pen name will probably save me from receiving a bunch of unsolicited judgement.

What are the challenges that you have to face as a writer?

Ankita Banerjee- Time management, hands down! Between cooking dinners, taking the dog out for walks and answering the door, staying creatively focused is a challenge I have to face every day.

Who are your favourite authors?

Ankita Banerjee- I like Fredrick Backman, Jeanette Winterson, Julian Barnes, Monica Ali, Mieko Kawakami, Sunil Ganguly and Ashapoorna Devi in no particular order. But my heart beats for Haruki Murakami. He is for all seasons, all moods.

What is your favourite book?

Ankita Banerjee- It’s difficult to name one. But Norwegian Woods changed my life.

Apart from writing, what other hobbies do you have?

Ankita Banerjee- I love to cook, hike with my dog and do Netflix and chill.

Books on mythology are much in vogue too. Do you plans of writing in that genre?

Ankita Banerjee- Not right now. But I like to experiment with genre-bending narratives, so Indian mythology meets urban fantasy might happen in future.

As a writer, writer’s block is a common thing. How do you deal with it?

Ankita Banerjee- When I get really stuck I take a few days off. I go for long walks, watch something good on TV, read a new book, try to sleep for longer than usual and when I feel its time I get back to my desk.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Ankita Banerjee- On the New York Times Best Seller list..Haha!

We too hope that Ankita’s dreams are fulfilled. Best of luck!!