Well, if you're asking whether I actually sat down, looked around me and said 'Oh, okay, I want to write about this,' that's never happened. But I did want to paint a true picture of my generation, of people growing up in Indian metros and that's what I set out to do. So no, I don't think it reflects my life experiences in any way. I wanted my protagonist to be someone who everyone could identify with -- I wouldn't say I know a girl like that, or I am that girl. In that sense I tried very hard not to let any of my own thoughts enter Arshi's world. When you're writing in the first person it's hard not to let bits of yourself filter through.

Your blog is very popular -- how do you feel about negative feedback, especially considering that our society is rather conservative when it comes to single young women and sex?

Um, I really don't consider negative comments on my blog as feedback -- I only consider it feedback when it comes under a real name, with a real email address or if it's from a person who's familiar with my work. I know that there are many different Indias and everyone is entitled to their own opinions, so I think it's justified to say that I'm entitled to mine as well.

Did severe reactions to The Compulsive Confessor get you to think twice about writing the book, given the risque nature of your writing?

I've never actually felt threatened enough to stop writing the blog. It annoys me on a bad day -- it just adds to the bad and I may feel bad, but mostly it just annoys me, like maybe a mosquito would, or something. I'd prefer to live without it, but since I can't, I guess I'll just live with it!

What feedback have you received from readers regarding the book? How does it match up to your expectations?