As Oprah Winfrey once said, “Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe.”; the same belief that has quietly shaped the course of life for Sonal Agrawal. Sonal has always trusted her inner vision — both in her personal and professional spaces — and stood firmly by the choices she has made along the way.
Born and brought up in Kolkata, and having travelled extensively over the years, Sonal has always held on to the importance of culture, tradition, and staying connected to her roots. Her journey has been anything but linear. From working in advertising to stepping into teaching and eventually leading a preschool, each phase has added depth to her understanding of people, purpose, and passion.
Writing, however, was never part of a grand plan.
It happened by chance — and then, it became a choice.
Sonal’s writing journey began when she was offered the opportunity to contribute articles to the Newspaper in Education (NIE) section of the highly prestigious The Times of India on behalf of her school. She wanted to highlight the unique and meaningful activities her students were engaged in — moments of creativity, learning, and growth that often went unnoticed beyond the classroom walls. The joy on the students’ faces when they saw themselves featured in print was truly unmatched. That joy became her motivation. One article led to another, and soon, writing became a regular creative outlet. Her work began receiving recognition from the school management, which further encouraged her to explore this space.
From writing structured school articles, Sonal transitioned into starting her own blog page on Facebook. This platform gave her something invaluable — freedom of expression. She began writing about thought-provoking topics that were close to her heart — subjects that people often felt but rarely articulated. Gradually, readers began to connect with her voice. Many even reached out with requests for topics that other writers often hesitated to address. What started as a small creative experiment soon evolved into something much more meaningful.
But this was just the beginning!
Deep within, Sonal knew she wanted to explore storytelling on a larger canvas. She wanted to give herself a real chance — not just to write, but to create something lasting. She began with a draft that initially lacked clarity, but she had a blueprint in mind. Interestingly, the characters came to life before the story did. Once they began speaking to her, everything else followed — the setting, the emotions, the conflicts, the climax. Drawing inspiration from personal observations and lived experiences, Sonal shaped these elements into a work of fiction that felt relatable, fresh, and emotionally resonant. Being an inherently positive person, she wanted the title to reflect a similar outlook. That’s how her debut book, “The Grass Is Greener On My Side – A Classic Tale of a Modern Girl”, found its name.
People often say that the grass is greener on the other side. But Sonal firmly believes that the real question is: “What have we done to nurture our own side?” The grass can indeed be greener where we stand — if we care for it, invest in it, and learn to appreciate its growth. Like every meaningful journey, writing came with its share of challenges. There were moments of self-doubt — questioning whether this was the right path, whether the effort would bear fruit, and whether her voice would find resonance.
There was what she calls the “Transitional Confidence Gap” – the uncertain space between beginning something and believing in its eventual success. But as they say, after darkness comes light. Instead of rushing the process, she chose to move at my own pace. Sonal allowed the story to evolve organically, giving it the time and emotional depth it deserved.
First creations are always special.
And the debut book will forever hold a unique place in the heart of Sonal Agrawal.
The narrative blends emotional depth with romance, drama, and unexpected twists — keeping readers engaged while also conveying a deeper message, particularly for the Gen Z audience: never give up on your dreams.
In today’s fast-paced world, where nuclear families are increasingly the norm, emotional bonding between parents and children sometimes takes a backseat. Her debut work aims to explore how families can remain supportive, connected, and collaborative in shaping each other’s journeys. It reflects the idea that even today, families can remain closely knit despite changing dynamics.
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At its heart, the novel follows Parineeti Banerjee — a spirited young woman from Kolkata who dreams of becoming a writer, despite facing doubts from her father. Encouraged by her mother and driven by determination, she moves to Mumbai to pursue her ambitions. As she navigates college life, friendships, and the vibrant pulse of the city, she encounters people who shape her growth — including her free-spirited roommate Anjali and her charming classmate Kunal. Through moments of joy, struggle, independence, and love, Parineeti transitions from a protected daughter to a self-aware individual learning to navigate life’s realities. Her journey ultimately reveals a simple yet profound truth:
Fulfilment does not lie in comparison — it lies in conviction.
Since the narrative moves between the two metro cities of the country, Kolkata and Mumbai, it subtly captures the cultural contrast and emotional diaspora between the City of Joy and the Maximum City. Through her debut masterpiece and her future writing, Sonal hopes to continue creating stories that feel uplifting, relatable, and capable of inspiring a wider community. Because sometimes, all it takes is a shift in perspective to realize:
The grass can be greener — right where you are!
The early association of Sonal Agrawal with the NIE initiative of The Times of India played a pivotal role in shaping her confidence. It taught her that stories don’t always need grandeur — sometimes, the smallest classroom moment or the quietest personal struggle carries the deepest meaning. Over time, Sonal realized that storytelling is not just about imagination — it is about connection.
Connection with readers.
Connection with emotions.
Connection with realities we often overlook.
Through Parineeti’s journey, Sonal wanted readers to see a reflection of their own aspirations, dilemmas, and inner strength. Her story is not extraordinary — and that is precisely what makes it powerful. It represents countless young individuals standing at the crossroads of expectation and ambition.
Blending familial warmth with youthful aspirations and urban challenges, the story celebrates courage, individuality, and the belief that life flourishes when we nurture our own path. Behind the scenes, this journey was supported by many.
Sonal feels that the deepest gratitude goes to her family, who stood by her through moments of uncertainty. During phases of creative fatigue, she found inspiration in calm, aesthetic spaces that helped refresh my thoughts. Conversations with friends; her constant pillar of encouragement keeps her motivated and grounded. Interestingly, deciding on the title was one of the toughest parts of the process. It needed to be engaging, meaningful, and reflective of the story’s essence.
In many ways, the journey of Sonal Agrawal reflects the evolving identity of today’s woman — rooted yet progressive, emotional yet resilient, traditional yet forward-looking. Writing helped her discover not just stories, but also her own voice. It gave her the courage to articulate experiences that often remain unspoken, and to transform everyday observations into meaningful narratives.
As Sonal Agrawal continues this journey, her aspiration remains simple — to write stories that comfort, inspire, and gently remind readers that growth does not always come from chasing distant dreams, but from nurturing what already lies within.
Because sometimes, believing in your own story is the bravest beginning of all.
