Are you an aspiring writer? When did you realise that you had a knack for writing? It may be very early or later in life. Varunika Rajput, a daughter, wife and a loving mother also realised her potential for the same later in life. But this did not keep her from pursuing her passion and profession.
Today Varunika is a published author, a sought-after blogger and a life skills trainer. She manages her home, looks after her daughters, pursues her passion, maintains her fitness and never fails to inspire!
Catch Varunika in an interesting conversation with Storiyaan below.
Varunika Rajput- Embracing Womanhood
Interview
Questions and answers
How'd you describe your journey from writing for yourself to being a well recognised published author ?
I think recognition is still something on the way. But from writing for myself to becoming a published author, the journey has been quite fulfilling and liberating. This journey I undertook has made me aware of my own strengths, weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
When did you first start writing and realised that you had a creative knack for it?
So writing wasn’t something that featured on my list until 2020. The only pieces I jotted down included some random Facebook posts. I took up writing during 2020 when the pandemic was at peak and that’s also when I started blogging in Momspresso. To my surprise, the blogs were received with love and admiration. This motivated me further to pursue writing, but all this while, I never realised I had a book coming!
Take us through the process of writing your first book.
I started crafting this piece of art in September 2021. I was also writing blogs at that time and participating in multiple contests featuring short stories. That’s how I developed my love for short stories. Other than that, Women in general have always inspired me. I knew I had to write about them. Women in all their glory and essence. That’s how I came up with my book, a short story featuring women and their struggles and triumphs.
Where do you derive your inspiration from?
Everyone and everything. I am not someone who looks up-to a particular person or a thing. I think ‘inspiration’ can be derived from situations and circumstances rather than people and things. Any person who holds on to positivity amid crisis is inspiring for me.
What were the major roadblocks you faced in pursuing writing as a passion and a profession ?
One of the major problems I faced as a mother and a wife was managing my home and career both adequately. This may not be relevant for other writers out there. But since my husband is a mariner who spends 8 months out of 12 in foreign waters and it became comparatively challenging for me to look after my children and finish the book. I had to plan my routine in such a way so that none of my priorities suffered. In the end, I would only say that despite the roadblocks, it was a beautiful journey, indeed.
What are your mantras to deal with the writer’s block?
I don’t force writing on myself, I let it come naturally to me. So, when it doesn’t come naturally to me, I take breaks, spend time with my children, watch a good movie and go for a stroll.
How important of a role does reading play in building a writer's skillsets?
Well, I think reading and writing both go hand-in-hand. I’m not aware of any good writers who are not avid readers. Reading provides a lot of knowledge and perspective and one should garner that before starting to write. Reading different genres, makes writing more inclusive and thoughtful.
Talk to us about some of your most recent milestones.
I started my own blogging site where I post once a week. I have participated in short story contests and won. Alongside I have also co-authored a book. So yes, apart from my book, these are some of the things I’m really proud of!
What is the one piece of writing suggestion that you'd give to all the amateur Instagram poets?
I’m not much of a poetry person. But my only advice for anyone who is starting to write would be, to keep it raw and real.
Talk to us about your most recent book release.
My book titled “Women & Their World: Tales of love, loss, and survival” was released on 20th of August, 2022. The book digs deep into the good, bad, and ugly of being a woman in this world. It’s available worldwide in all formats, across all platforms of Amazon/ Flipkart/ Kindle.
QUICK 5
- Your muse:: Currently my book. Otherwise, My children
- One advice that keeps you going:: Somebody I admire once told me: Write from your core. The temptation to be famous and successful however strong, must never supersede your value as a writer.
- An author’s work that you love: Ruskin Bond and Khaled Hosseini
- One advice for a peaceful life: Practice Gratitude.
- A book that changed your life:: Quite literally, my own book “Women & Their World: Tales of love, loss, and survival.