GrubStreet is delighted to celebrate Chital Mehta's release of her debut novel Have You Seen Romit?, a James Alan McPherson Prize for the Novel, AWP Award Series Winner. We had a chance to ask Chital a few questions about her debut book:

GrubStreet: Can you share your book pitch and what inspired you to bring it to life?

Chital Mehta: The pitch for Have You Seen Romit? - When her adopted son disappears into the South Indian forests, Usha defies her husband and sets out alone on a harrowing journey to find him.  

In 2018, I came across a newspaper article that reported the case of a missing adult man in India. I asked myself—who might go looking for a missing family member if that happened in my family? My protagonist, Usha, appeared early on, and I began drafting to answer the questions that kept me awake at night. As I began writing, I became deeply interested in Usha’s world and the people surrounding her.

GS: GrubStreet is all about supporting writers through all stages of their writing journey. How has GrubStreet supported or shaped the writing journey with your debut?

CM: I started writing my novel in 2018 but gave up too soon. It was after receiving a literary fund from GrubStreet that I found the courage to keep writing. That validation kept me going through the years. GrubStreet has helped me in numerous ways through agent meetings, consultant meetings, literary funds, and classes. I am eternally grateful. I made two writer friends through the MUSE conference. To date, they are by my side, always ready to give feedback and hold me when things get difficult.

GS: Writing a book can be a life changing experience. Looking back, were there any standout moments — a challenge and breakthrough, or a surprise — from the process of writing your book?

CM: My book changed entirely from the first draft. I experimented with third-person POV, then moved to first-person POV and finally decided to shift back to close third-person POV. I also removed many secondary characters that I introduced in the first draft as they didn’t serve the story. I experimented with three different climaxes. At one point, I cut down 50,000 words from the draft, which, in fact, resulted in me rewriting the book. I was surprised I did all these experiments with the book, something I had never known in the first few drafts when I thought that the book was done.

GS: One of the great benefits of a writing community like GrubStreet is the opportunity for learning and feedback from so many different perspectives. Was there a specific piece of advice or workshop experience at GrubStreet that significantly changed how you approach writing, either creatively or practically?

CM: There wasn't one single moment that changed my writing. In fact, it was the culmination of meetings that I had with agents and consultants through Manuscript Mart appointments. Each meeting left me with more room to work on my manuscript. Instead of dreaming of seeing the book in print, I actively looked for opportunities to improve my writing.

GS: Aspiring authors often wonder how to take that first big step. What’s one piece of advice you would offer to writers preparing to take on their first book?

CM: Starting a book is a big step, but I highly suggest writers not make it appear like it's a big step. In fact, it's only by taking small steps that you can complete a novel. Break the entire project into small pieces and achieve one scene at a time. I wrote my book five minutes at a time most days.