Priya Rohan
1. Neel Preet: What inspired you to write this novel, Cleopatra — Mysterious Tale Of A Secret Goddess? Was there a particular moment or story that sparked this idea?
Dr. Priya Rohan:
My inspiration for this novel came from my fascination with Cleopatra and ancient Egyptian history. Whenever I read about ancient Egypt, it gave me goosebumps and layered ideas about the hidden truths of the universe. I first learned about Cleopatra when I was a teenager, reading a torn book at the National Library. It portrayed her as cunning, aggressive, and diplomatic—someone who killed rivals, seduced men to protect her country, and was hailed as the most beautiful woman of her time. But something about this portrayal didn’t sit right with me.
At that time, I didn’t have much knowledge about Egypt, and without easy access to the internet, learning about her was challenging. Yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the facts I read weren’t entirely true. This sparked a lifelong quest to uncover her real story. Over time, I gathered my own experiences—some of which were far from ordinary—and they became a collection of stories waiting to be told. I felt compelled to share her reality, to challenge the common perception of her as merely a seductress or a cunning queen.
This drive deepened when I watched the Elizabeth Taylor movie about Cleopatra. While visually stunning, it reinforced the same one-dimensional portrayal. It left me unsatisfied, and I knew I had to dig deeper. Over the years, I connected with archaeologists and experts from Egypt, read extensively, and immersed myself in ancient Egyptian history. I discovered the wisdom and knowledge of that era—how advanced their society was, with skilled doctors and profound spiritual practices. I also learned about goddesses like Isis and Bastet, whose stories intertwined with Cleopatra’s legacy.
This journey lasted nearly 20 years. As a doctor, I never imagined I’d write a book. I doubted my ability to tell a story, especially since I wasn’t a literature student. But life took a turn when I became a mother and co-founded a company called Cleopatra the Diva. We created seven unique dresses, each needing a story. When I couldn’t find anyone to capture Cleopatra’s essence, my husband encouraged me to write the stories myself. They became incredibly popular, and people asked for more. That was the turning point.
With my husband’s support, I began writing for myself, setting aside self-doubt. I realised I had unique insights about Cleopatra that others didn’t. The words flowed naturally, that’s how the novel began.
It wasn’t a single moment but a lifetime of curiosity, research, and personal growth that led me to write this book. Cleopatra felt like a constant presence in my life, and I wanted to portray her as more than the label history has given her. This novel is my way of sharing her story, one that goes beyond the myths and reveals the truth as I’ve come to understand it.
2. Neel Preet: Your childhood was filled with books, Vedic translations, and an early love for words. How has that shaped your writing style and storytelling approach?
Dr. Priya Rohan: My childhood experiences with literature and Vedic texts greatly influenced my writing style. Being exposed to complex narratives at an early age allowed me to appreciate layered storytelling, where philosophical and historical themes coexist seamlessly. The Vedas, with their profound wisdom and intricate metaphors, taught me how to infuse deeper meaning into my stories. This is why my novel doesn’t just tell a tale but also presents philosophical questions, existential dilemmas, and cosmic mysteries. I strive to blend poetic descriptions with compelling storytelling, ensuring that the reader not only enjoys the adventure but also contemplates the hidden wisdom behind the narrative.
3. Neel Preet: This novel blends history, science, adventure, and romance. How did you balance these different elements to create a cohesive and engaging story?
Dr. Priya Rohan: Balancing multiple elements in a novel is challenging but rewarding. I approached it by ensuring that everything served a purpose within the story. These themes—history, science, adventure, and romance—are like spices in a dish. Just as we use different spices in cooking, where one spice doesn’t overpower another, each element in the novel has its own unique flavor and blending ability. In Indian dishes, for example, each spice contributes to the overall taste without dominating the others. Similarly, I blended history, science, adventure, and romance in a way that they complement each other, creating a unique and harmonious narrative.
Romance, for instance, adds drama and emotional depth, creating a natural and beautiful essence to the story. History provides authenticity, while science introduces a logical and mysterious structure, making the story more adventurous. Science fiction, in particular, adds a layer of intrigue, whether in historical or contemporary settings. The blending of science and historical fiction works seamlessly, much like how salt and turmeric mix well in a dish. Romance, on the other hand, gives the story an emotional outline, making it more engaging and decorative. Adventure, meanwhile, acts as the driving force, creating waves of excitement that keep readers hooked and eager to uncover the mysteries of the novel.
In creating the character of Cleopatra, I wanted to move beyond the traditional portrayal found in history books. As an artist who also paints, I aimed to paint her portrait through words rather than colors. Each emotion associated with her character was given a distinct “color” in the narrative—love as pink, fashion as blue, and so on. This approach allowed me to define her character in a way that was empowering rather than overpowering, blending seamlessly with the authenticity of the novel. While the story contains elements of historical fiction and myth, it also carries underlying truths. It’s up to the readers to interpret the depth and meaning of the novel, much like how each person experiences the unique blend of spices in a dish. The novel offers enough space for readers to form their own perceptions of Cleopatra while the romance and other elements are woven naturally into the story, creating a colourful yet subtle flavour that enhances the overall narrative.
4. Neel Preet: Time travel is a fascinating concept. What inspired you to incorporate it into Cleopatra’s story, and how did you approach writing those scenes?
Dr. Priya Rohan: The concept of time travel intrigued me because history is often viewed as something rigid and unchangeable. But what if knowledge from the past could influence the present in ways we cannot comprehend? Ancient civilizations had advanced wisdom, much of which has been lost. Through time travel, I wanted to explore the idea that such knowledge could still be accessible to those who seek it. Writing these scenes required a blend of scientific plausibility and truth-seeking storytelling. I ensured that the time-travel sequences felt logical within the narrative while also maintaining an air of mystery and wonder.
5. Neel Preet: Stylianos, the protagonist, goes from being an ordinary tour guide to being part of a cosmic mission. What was your process in developing his character arc?
Dr. Priya Rohan: Stylianos’ character arc represents transformation and destiny. I wanted him to be a relatable figure—someone ordinary who is unexpectedly thrown into extraordinary circumstances. His journey mirrors the hero’s quest, where he starts as a skeptic but gradually embraces his higher purpose. His growth is not just physical but also intellectual and spiritual. He is forced to question everything he knows about history, reality, and himself. I developed his arc by placing him in situations where he had to make difficult choices, pushing him to evolve. Through this journey, he discovers his true potential and the cosmic role he is meant to fulfil.
6. Neel Preet: Zy is a mysterious figure with an enigmatic past. Without giving away too much, what makes her such a compelling character?
Dr. Priya Rohan: Zy is compelling because she embodies the unknown. She represents ancient wisdom, hidden truths, and a link between past and present. Her presence in the novel is both alluring and unsettling because the reader is never quite sure whether to trust her. Her knowledge surpasses human understanding, making her a guiding force yet an enigma. I crafted her character to be multi-dimensional—she is not just a mentor but also someone with her own past burdens and struggles. Her aura of mystery keeps readers intrigued while also serving as a key to unravelling the deeper secrets of the novel.
7. Neel Preet: What kind of research did you conduct to bring ancient Alexandria and Cleopatra’s reign to life? Did you uncover any surprising historical facts?
Dr. Priya Rohan: Research was an essential part of writing this novel. I studied ancient Alexandria’s architectural wonders, the Ptolemaic dynasty’s rule, and the political intrigue surrounding Cleopatra’s reign. One surprising fact I discovered was how advanced Alexandrian scholars were in various sciences, including astronomy, medicine, and engineering. Their knowledge was centuries ahead of its time, yet much of it was lost. This fuelled my idea that Cleopatra might have been safeguarding something beyond political power. I also delved into lesser-known myths and legends about Cleopatra, which inspired me to reimagine her as more than just a historical queen but as a guardian of ancient wisdom and a secret goddess.
8. Neel Preet: Cleopatra is often portrayed as a powerful yet enigmatic historical figure. How does your novel present her in a new or different light?
Dr. Priya Rohan: In most historical accounts, Cleopatra is depicted as a cunning ruler, a seductive diplomat, or a tragic figure. However, I wanted to present her as something more—a visionary, a guardian of hidden knowledge, and a figure with cosmic significance. Instead of focusing only on her political prowess, I explored her as a mystic, someone who understood the secrets of the universe. My portrayal aims to humanize her while also elevating her to a legendary status, making readers question whether history has truly captured the depth of who she was.
9. Neel Preet: What challenges did you face while writing this novel, and how did you overcome them?
Dr. Priya Rohan: One of my biggest challenges was balancing my own known facts with historical facts. While I wanted to stay true to the truths I had uncovered, I also needed to weave them together with history, science, and mythology. Some of the truths I discovered were so unconventional that I had to present them as historical or science fiction, even though they weren’t entirely fictional. This required creating a delicate balance, leaving room for readers to interpret the deeper meanings behind the story. After all, there are many unknown truths in the world, and what we once considered fiction in our childhood is now often accepted as reality. Writing this novel meant navigating these complexities and presenting them in a way that was accessible and engaging.
Another challenge was maintaining the novel’s engagement while conveying its deep and intricate themes. The story is layered with profound knowledge and hidden meanings, which can sometimes become overwhelming or boring for readers. Striking a balance between the deep, thought-provoking themes and the adventurous, mysterious elements was crucial. To overcome this, I relied on meticulous planning, feedback from my husband and friends, and continuous refinement of the manuscript. I paid close attention to their reactions as I read parts of the book aloud, observing how their expressions changed at key turning points. This process helped me ensure that the novel remained engaging while still conveying its deeper messages.
Writing this novel was a journey of patience, passion, and creativity. It wasn’t easy, but it allowed me to bring my vision to life. By carefully blending the known truths with historical and scientific elements and by maintaining a balance between depth and engagement, I was able to create a story that is both meaningful and captivating.
10. Neel Preet: Now that Cleopatra — Mysterious Tale of A Secret Goddess is out, what’s next for you as an author? Can the readers expect more such incredible works in the future?
Dr. Priya Rohan: Absolutely! This novel is just the beginning of my journey into historical fiction blended with cosmic mysteries. I am already working on my next project, part 2 of the book. I plan to write many parts for this story, which will explore other historical figures of the same era and Cleopatra through a similar lens—one that combines mythology, science, and adventure. I aim to shed light on forgotten, untold secret stories from histories and hidden wisdom through immersive storytelling. I believe history holds secrets waiting to be discovered, and I want to continue bringing them to life through my books. Readers can certainly look forward to more intriguing and thought-provoking narratives in the future. The enigmatic storytelling begins.
Cleopatra: Mysterious Tale of a Secret Goddess
