A fourth-generation member of the armed forces, Geetika Lidder is a sapper’s daughter and an infantry officer’s wife who has welcomed life with open arms and takes in her stride the highs and lows it serves her. She is now the Vice Principal of the Junior School. She stays in Delhi with her daughter Aashna. Part love story, tribute and family history, with I Am A Soldier’s Wife, Geetika Lidder takes a brave step in opening her heart and sharing the constant battle between emotions, courage, and integrity in the lives of army wives.
1. Best writing advice you have received?
The best writing advice I have ever received is to use language which is simple and relatable to keep the story moving fast since we all live in an age where time is the only premium.
2. Where do you write? Do you have a favourite spot?
I write at my workstation and that too at night when the world sleeps. I have a very action-packed, roller-coaster day and hence there is never a moment where I can sit down with myself and just be. By virtue of being in a school, I am used to chirpy and happy environments. Late night when it is quiet around me, I can sit and journal or write. I wish I had the luxury of time to be able to enjoy with a mug of coffee sitting in my beautiful garden and writing there. That would be my desired favourite spot.
3. Which word or phrase do you most overuse?
Essentially, as a firm believer in “it is what it is…” karma and destiny, I use “god-willing”, “inshallah” a lot.
4. Which author or book has influenced your work the most?
“A Princess Remembers”, by Maharani Gayatri Devi. It is the closest tribute to life and love of a spouse by a devoted and loving wife.
5. Apart from what you do today, what do you wish you could do or pursue as a career?
Well, an interesting occupation is what I would call my innermost desire- I wish I could do something like managing a bed and breakfast in a cottage up there in the mountains in a sleepy, quaint, hill-town.
6. A fun fact about yourself that readers might not know…
I love cooking, crave sweets and thrive on praise!! At an age (pre-Google times) when girls read Mills and Boon books, I raided the library to learn hand-rolled cannelloni.
7. What is your greatest fear?
What if I have nothing to do with my time one day! That is my scariest thought – nothingness.
8. What is your guilty pleasure?
Eating 6 gulab jamuns, laddoos or rasmalais in a single day, but not adding sugar to my tea!
9. Who would be the guests at your perfect dinner party?
My 4 am friends.
10. Why should everyone read I Am a Soldier’s Wife?
It is an honest and heartwarming love story. A story of soul stirring love, which goes beyond the measure of time spent together. It is a tale of loss and yet not a tragedy, for true love gives much more than it takes. Grief is the price of love, and true love teaches surrender and dignity. It has vignettes of life as it unfolds in each chapter and every woman will find herself in one chapter or another as she reads. The aspects of love and relationship which have been brought out make the soldier’s persona complete as a husband, a son, a father and a friend.
Connect with the author, Geetika Lidder, on her LinkedIn, Instagram.
I Am a Soldier’s Wife by Geetika Lidder
