She has been a freelance journalist, author and screenwriter. She loves travel, food and words and is passionate about using the soft power of storytelling to bring about understanding, empathy and a refocus on the human connection around the globe.
Q.1 Tell us something about yourself that not many people know.
A. Well, I love studying different subjects. Currently, I am obsessed with Quantum Physics.
Q.2 When should we expect your next book? What will it be about?
A. Very soon hopefully. Maybe a romantic comedy novel.
Q.3 What inspired you to write Almost Perfect, but Mostly Not and delve into the world of short stories?
A. The medium came naturally to me and inspiration was everywhere - from my ancestors’ wisdom to my travels around the world and of course a vivid imagination fuelled by art and life. I love art galleries and they inspire me. Sometimes a long walk or a hot shower can fuel an idea for a great story. A warm sunny day inspires me.
Q.4 What is the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
A. I feel that the human emotion is one - whether you’re a man or woman and all of us possess masculine and feminine qualities. I guess one can tap into either if you try and tune.
Q.5 How do you select the name of your characters?
A. The personalities of my characters reveal their names to me while I write.
Q.6 How do you handle writer’s block or creative challenges when they arise?
A. Give yourself some time and eventually, like everything, that too passes.
Q.7 What is your writing routine like? Do you have any specific habits or rituals that help you write?
A. When I am specifically working on a project, I like sitting down in a specific space, usually during the afternoon.
Q.8 What do you hope readers take away from your stories?
A. I want my readers to take away a shared experience with the characters, one that stays with them. I want my readers to get solace from a story. That’s a lovely thing.
Q.9 How do you deal with feedback and criticism of your work?
A. I strive to take it on the chin and get better at my craft.
Q.10 What are you currently reading, and how do you choose what to read next?
A. Orhan Pahmuk’s My Name is Red. I choose what to read instinctively. Sometimes I read many books at once.
Q.11 How long, on average, does it take you to write a book?
A. It really depends - novel or short story or screenplay?
Q.12 Looking back, is there anything you would change or add to the story now?
A. No. I think there’s a reason why it’s published when it is. It’s meant to be out. Like the genius Leonardo Da Vinci said - Art is never finished, only abandoned.
Q.13 What do you enjoy doing when you're not writing?
A. Oh A ton of things. Watching a film, reading, travelling or catching up with friends over an almost perfect cup of coffee.
Q.14 Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?
A. I would speak my words and truth and hopefully it would reach people's hearts.
Q.15 Outside of your family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author?
A. All those who published me initially.
Q.16 If you could meet any fictional character from your book, who would it be and why?
A. I would meet Rajan from Serendipity Lost and Found. I want to know all the emotions he feels when he spots the love of his life across the road on his work trip in London.
Q.17 How important is it for you to balance darkness with hope in your writing?
A. Very.
Q.18 Are there any particular authors or works that have influenced your writing style or the creation of your stories?
A. I am sure every author whose works I have loved has probably had an impact on a subconscious level. Agatha Christie, Roald Dahl, Alice Munro, Jeffery Archer, Orhan Pamuk, Elif Shafak, Enid Blyton, JK Rowling, Tayari Jones to name a few.
Q.19 Which is your favorite story in this collection, and why?
A. Can you choose between your children? I can’t choose!
Q.20 Share the experience of your writing journey so far?
A. I wrote my first story about a bunch of friendly witches, at age 8 (this was before Harry Potter came out). They lived in a village called Tribble Trabble. That was one of my first experiences, and well, what can I say? I will need a lot of ink and paper to summarise it so far! But the visceral experience has been cathartic many times.
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Instagram - @vasudhasahgal @vasudha_poetry
X - vasudha_1
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