Q. Hi Jyotika, and thank you for agreeing this interview. Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
Hi. A voracious reader, ardent writer, passionate teacher, movie buff, shopaholic, zealous dancer are few ways I would like to describe myself. I enjoy the simple pleasures of life and create value in every situation.
Q. What is the easiest thing about writing?
Writing itself! Writing for me is a way to channelize my thought and unwind myself.
Q. What motivates you to write?
Challenges of life.
Q. When did you decide that you want to be a writer?
My literary aspirations began when I was pursuing my PhD. In addition to that, I had to compulsorily write research papers, which I enjoyed immensely. From that point on, I got the clarity that, writing was what I wanted to do.
Q. What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
Any review provides a platform to be in direct touch with the audience and understand his/her expectations. For me, every single review is precious and cherished.
Q. What do you prefer: Pen or Computer? And how do you stay organized (any methods, systems, tools you use)?
Pen and a blank notebook. Computer only for editing.
Well I can proudly call myself to be well organized. Each day I review my calendar and outline the key things I need to accomplish. Then I set up reminders, blocks of time, and to do lists to ensure I have adequate time allocated to meet those goals. Of course, not everything can be planned and when things come up last minute, I make sure I can adjust quickly and respond to those priorities as well.
Q. How do you relax?
I love to dance .I like to spend time with family and make it a point to catch up with friends. I also like to read, watch movies etc.
Q. What would you have done differently if you could do it again?
I would have taken life more easy, made more friends and travelled more. This is all I intend to focus on from now onwards.
Q. Something personal about you people may be surprised to know?
I am an introvert and hardly share my secrets.
Q. Do you re-read books? One book that you would read again & again?
Yes. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.
Q. Your influence(s)/ favourite author(s)?
Simone de Beauvoir AND Fatima Mernissi.
Q. Are you working on anything at the moment? When can we see your next work?
Yeah. I am working on my next book which is about socio-political issues in Contemporary India, next year March 2018.
I hope you review her next book. That is a topic that greatly interests me. I imagine a lot of writers are introverts. Writing is a pretty solitary endeavor and you need to be content with your own company a lot of the time.
I will try my best to get my hands on her book 🙂
Thanks.
Interesting to see that authors still preffer to write with a pen, rather than with a computer 🙂
You are right to point out.