I almost never listen to music while I’m actually drafting, but creating a playlist and listening to it on repeat is a critical part of my brainstorming process. I want to feel what the characters are going through and to me, music is the best way that this can happen. Here are five songs that you can find on the Marriage & Masti playlist.   You’re On Your Own, Kid by Taylor Swift. The Midnights album came out the year that Dating Dr. Dil was published. I already knew that Veera and Deepak were going to be friends to lovers, but I didn’t know which direction I wanted to take their story until I heard this song. There is a lyric that says, ‘I waited patiently, he’s going to notice me, it’s okay, we’re the best of friends, anyway.’  That was the lyric that inspired Veera’s painful feelings that she harbors through the first two books.   I Will Possess Your Heart by Death Cab for Cutie. There is an eight-minute version of this song and I’ve been obsessed with the music video for it since it came out in 2008. The video is available online and I urge everyone…

Book Title: THE LETTERS WE KEEP Character Name: Jessie and Ravi   How would you describe your family or your childhood? JESSIE: I have the best parents. They tried to give me all the best experiences and childhood memories they could even though they didn’t have a lot of money. They have a small sandwich shop, so I spent most of my time in the back booth doing homework and talking to my Dad who used to be an engineer. RAVI: Do I have to do this? JESSIE: Come on, Ravi, it can’t be THAT bad. You’re literally famous. RAVI: Fine. My childhood was filled with Indian auntie nannies because my father’s family became super rich off of some patents and now, I’m supposed to go work with them. JESSIE: Maybe with a little more pep? We’re trying to sell our story here. RAVI: Fine. I used to ski in the Alps during the winter and went to Paris for my sixteenth birthday. JESSIE: Better.   What was your greatest talent? JESSIE: I almost won the state spelling bee when I was twelve! RAVI: That’s cute. JESSIE: Are you making fun of me? RAVI: No, I mean it. That’s cute….