At Booked4Books, we love getting deep into the stories behind the stories, so when we had the chance to chat with Anuja Chandramouli, the mind behind Girl Talk, we couldn’t resist. In this email exchange, we explore the inspirations, challenges, and creative process that brought Girl Talk to life. From conversations with friends to the books and shows that influenced the story, we saw how this bold, hilarious, and sometimes intense exploration of female friendships and messy love took shape.
Without any more waiting, here’s Anuja giving us an insider’s look at what makes Girl Talk so special!
B4B- Was there a particular book or movie that sparked the idea for Girl Talk? If not then where did Girl talk start like?
Anuja- Girl Talk had its genesis in long conversations I had with friends over the phone during the lockdown. That and the fact that friends and family members have been bugging me to write something, anything, other than mythology or historical fiction! Some of the girls were insistent I try my hand at erotica or romance and since I can’t write erotica worth a damn, I gave messy love a shot and Girl Talk happened. As the title suggests, I wanted the book to feel exactly like girls getting together and schmoozing – a gossipy, booze – fueled conversation that is replete with shared confidences pertaining to personal matters, boys, steamy sex, all things taboo, and a lot of laughter even if the themes can feel dark and intense.
As for the first part of your question, Girl Talk was also inspired by Anita Nair’s Ladies Coupe, Annie Ernaux’s Simple Passion, Phoebe Waller – Bridge’s Fleabag and Sex and the City but without the overdose of fashion and faux drama.
B4B- Did you discover anything new about yourself or your writing process while working on this book?
Anuja- Yeah, I discovered that I am governed by my fears and insecurities and have spent my life coasting along on false bravado. In some ways, it was fun and easy to try my hand at a new genre and flat out terrifying in others. Hence, Girl Talk was very therapeutic for me as I got to experience the many stories and secrets shared with me over the years in a space that felt safe while also testing me to the limit.
I haven’t exorcised all the demons in my head and the assorted phobias have not been quashed entirely but I think I am slowly learning to let the fear go…for both real and imagined evils.
B4B- If Girl Talk were to be adapted into a visual medium (film, series, etc.), what elements would you want to see highlighted in the adaptation?
Anuja- I love that Girl Talk is a book about women, by a woman and for women! To my surprise so many men have also expressed an interest in the book claiming that they have a healthy curiosity about what girls talk about. If it were adapted into a film or TV series I think it would be a kick ass show with meaty parts for a whole lot of women which is a rarity nowadays. It would translate into something bold, brilliant and beautiful in a visual medium. And the best part is that it will be so much fun, since it is just girls in a whole lot of avatars doing their thing without giving a damn about making a larger point or kowtowing to conventional or progressive ideals.
B4B- What advice would you give to young writers who are interested in exploring complex themes and emotions in their own work?
Anuja- I am not big on doling out advice despite what my daughters claim! But I will say that it might be best for young writers to trust the process and their own instincts. It is best not to get ahead of oneself and sometimes all you need to do is be in the moment and focus on giving your all to what is required of you in that particular instant.
B4B- If Girl Talk had a soundtrack, what songs would definitely be on it?
Anuja- You don’t own me – Leslie Gore
Boss Bitch – Doja Cat
Worth it – Fifth Harmony
Princesses don’t cry – Carys
Hey Mama – David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha, & Afrojack
Let it Go – Idina Menzel
Speechless – Naomi Scott
It’s my life – Bon Jovi
Unforgiven – Metallica
Lose Yourself – Eminem
B4B- What’s your favorite scene in the book? Any behind-the-scenes fun facts about writing it?
Anuja- I like it all! But the meet – cute between our protagonist and her Mr. Wrong is really cute! She is on her period and cramping pretty badly and he comes to her rescue in a dicey situation. A friend and I were talking about menstrual cups and our reluctance to try it though it was highly recommended by another friend who happens to be an OB-GYN, because of our disproportionate fear about things getting stuck in our unmentionables! Long story short, I eventually did try the menstrual cup and I am sold despite some hair – raising moments!
B4B- What impact or legacy do you hope Girl Talk will leave? How do you want it to be remembered by readers?
Anuja- Honestly, I haven’t thought that far ahead although I will confess to the occasional daydream about Girl Talk being a smash hit and an international bestseller with everyone in the far flung spaces of the galaxy reading and talking about it and swearing that it made them cry a little and laugh a lot and it is the greatest book they have read and will ever read since it helped them make their peace with the assorted pains in the patootie that being a girl entails!
That is not at all excessive right?
B4B- Are you working on anything new right now? Can you give us a sneak peek or tease what’s coming next?
Anuja- I am working on something right now. It is too soon to talk about it though.
I have another book coming out later this year. And it is about a wife and the other woman. I think it is brilliant, but I might be a tad biased!