Acclaimed wordsmith, Jaishree Misra, holds forth on her creative muse as she dips into history for her latest book, Rani

Hailed as ‘the most vivid and exciting voice from the subcontinent since Arundhati Roy’, she spins gripping stories that are simultaneously imaginative and offbeat, with a real feel for human emotions. Formerly a radio-journalist in London, her debut novel, Ancient Promises, drew from her personal experiences to create compelling characters. She followed it up with Accidents Like Love And Marriage and Afterwards. Her latest book, Rani, is due for release.

My parents... taught me to be tolerant of all issues and people. Today, I’m still learning new values from my mother.

I began writing... for my school magazine at Materdei School, Delhi. Writing had a way of transporting me into another world, making me forget everything else.

My first husband... was someone my parents had chosen for me on one of my trips to Kerala, while Ash was at university in England. Far too young to comprehend the situation, I trusted my parents’ judgement. But I was unhappy right from the beginning, struggling with – and in a very conservative joint family that despite all its literacy, lived within closed doors.

My daughter... Rohini was born with a disability and needed special care and attention. I was shocked and hurt to see the prejudice that we both faced. I had to fight for what was best for her.

My first book... Ancient Promises happened by chance. I had divorced my first husband and my father had also passed away. Initially undertaken as a cathartic process, for me to get rid of old baggage and start afresh, it was written as an extended love letter to Ash and a memoir to myself. I never thought that it would get published.

My mother... was worried after I had finished it but seeing my joy and excitement, she masked her fears. Divorce was an unusual theme in Kerala - more so when a woman ended her marriage for another man.

My job... here in London, at the British Board of Film Censorship is fascinating and gives me a chance to explore other avenues besides writing. We analyse, record and decide on all classification issues before any film is released in the UK.

My new title... Rani is based on the mutiny of 1857 and covers the life of the Rani of Jhansi. It is essentially a love story between the Rani of Jhansi and Major Ellis, who helped her in protecting her adopted son's right to inherit her territory.

My favourite books... are Vikram Seth's A Suitable Boy and An Equal Music. Truly a multidimensional writer, he has written on varied subjects and dabbled in poetry and travel too.

I would like to meet... Anita Brookner who's written Hotel Du Lac. With just a few words, she can weave magical emotions.

I want to write... children's stories. Why should Indian kids be reading only Harry Potter?

My dream... is to open a residential home for people with learning disabilities where care and protection is provided for them.

- Nisha Paul in London