1. When was the first time you realized you wanted to be a writer?
When my Middle school teacher announced in class that since my Primary school education had been in a non-English speaking country, I would never learn the English language. Instead of sinking irretrievably, my pre-teen heart soared high up with resolve. I decided I would not only learn the English language but would grow up to be known for my writing in English! I have spent my entire life trying to fulfil this dream.

2. What were the highest and lowest moments in your journey as a writer?
My lowest moment was when my beloved 40 year old husband died suddenly on a beautiful Spring morning. With two small children to take care of, fumbling my way through this world-maze all alone and no grief counsellor to nurse my broken heart, I took refuge in writing. I poured my heart out into writing a book about our love story. That became my therapy.
My highest moment was when the legendary Mr Khushwant Singh took me under his wings on my return from the US after obtaining my Masters in Journalism degree. He saw some spark in me and offered to co-author a book with me—a book about the unearthed wealth of India’s regional writing, especially those that had not been made accessible to English speaking readers.
In those pre-Google days I had to travel to each State of India to collect and translate hitherto unknown, untranslated literary gems in regional languages. I also had to do a lot of footwork to physically visit Sahitya Akademis, libraries and unknown regional authors across the country.And every time I grumbled about the hard work he was putting me through, he would say, “America ke liye kafi kur liya, apne desh ke liye kya kiya? Kaisi writer hai tu?” That would quieten me down. I always felt I was working towards a bigger cause. Our book, “Our Favourite Indian Stories” by Khushwant Singh and Neelam Kumar (JAICO) become a huge bestseller. At the World Book Fair, the then Defence Minister described it as a “Literary Missile”.
So what did I gain? Invaluable training from a litterateur of Mr Khushwant Sigh’s stature. The precious secret of writing bestsellers was finally revealed to me. My training shaped all the 10 books I have written since then. I feel blessed!

3. What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
Crazy is the best way to describe it. I steal time between my job as a Life Skills Counsellor; running my home; catering to the needs of my children; meeting social commitments as well as reading favourite books. And then there is Netflix…It is not easy.
Just when I feel a brilliant idea has struck me, the domestic help will come in wailing that the gas is leaking or that she needs to leave for a month. Also, in the midst of frantic writing, the phone will keep ringing non-stop and when I pick it up, thinking it might be an emergency, a friend asks casually, “So, how do you pass your time?”
In this chaos, writing becomes a luxury. But since I enjoy it so much, I write amidst this inevitable bedlam.

4. You’re represented by The Book Bakers literary agency. Could you tell us about the role they’ve played in your literary journey?
Before I tell you about Suhail Mathur, I would like young writers to understand the hard work we writers used to put into getting publishers to read our manuscripts.
When I started writing in early 90s, there was no Google, no social media and no Lit. agents. I had to travel all the way from Bokaro Steel Plant (where I was posted then) to to Delhi, manuscript in hand. In several of these trips, I faced humiliation from publishers who treated writing as a “bricks and mortar business” without respecting the sensitivity of a writer or having the foggiest idea about literature. The door-to-door experience used to be a very humbling one.
Cut to The Book Bakers Literary Agency. All this stopped when The Book Bakers, with its glorious history of achievements blazed through the literary firmament. Suhail Mathur is an adorable person. I now had someone knowledgeable to “pitch” my book to numerous publishers, all of whom Suhail knew personally. Suhail represented my book, “ I am Invincible- 13 Tales of Grit, Courage and Survival” to Fingerprint publishers and the book did really well. The impact it made on adversity fighters has been tremendous. He is now representing my forthcoming “Modern-Ancient Tales of Vikram- Betal” and doing a great job with it. I am deeply indebted to The Book Bakers Literary Agency.

5. Do you think women writers face greater challenges? If yes, how?
Well, in the past, many women writers were writing under male nom de plumes (like A.M. Barnard and JK Rowling). Their reason was to be able to encourage male readership and integrate into male-dominated circles.
Earlier, many topics were considered taboo for women writers. Bold subjects were considered not “feminine.”
However, with the current social media deluge and with thousands of women writers getting published, the challenge of acceptance and what is considered “feminine” has all but vanished.
I am very happy to see the rise of bold, no-holds barred, brash young women writers who are breaking all barriers to write whatever their heart feels like. I love the way they are pushing boundaries.
Having said that, I would also like to caution that good writing is good writing, regardless of the gender of the writer. And that remains the real challenge.

6. Who is your favourite woman writer and why?
Enid Blyton. Because she fired my young mind to imagine and create charming worlds through her timeless writing.

7. Are there any subjects which are particularly close to your heart, or any special causes that you would like to contribute to through your writing?
My writing mission in life was pointed out to me in 2013 when I was battling my second cancer. I began looking for hope and joy to lift my spirit. Unfortunately, I found grimness everywhere—classic movies like “Anand” in which the sacrificing hero inevitably dies.
In the three classics I read Tuesdays With Morrie he dies; in Grace and Grit she dies; in The Last Lecture he dies. This was no good, I thought. For I had made up my mind to live. I wanted a happily-ever-after story for myself.
Finding no happy book on Cancer in India, I decided to write one myself. I wrote about an alter ego- Carol, who emerges in my darkest moments to make me see life through her own lens of undiluted joy. Carol was witty, spunky and a joyous adversity fighter. All I had to do after that was to follow my own script. Somewhere during the pain of Chemotherapy, I became Carol herself– despite my bald head.
I was stunned by how much courage and hope my brave pink book, “To Cancer-With Love-My Journey of Joy” began giving adversity fighters.
I followed this up quickly with my book’s graphic novel version (funded by legends Mr Ratan Tata and Mr Amitabh Bachchan) and actor Manisha Koirala’s biography, “Healed—how cancer gave me a new life”.
While we battle one C, that of Covid, how can we ignore the other monster C? One Indian dies of Cancer every 50 seconds. The numbers are predicted to double up within the next 20 years. You see, everyone is looking for hope. I think my books provide that.
So the cause I wish to continue contributing to through my writing is providing emotional empowerment to caregivers of the fallen, the stricken, the suffering.

8. They say, ‘The pen is mightier than the sword”. What do these words mean to you?
I feel blessed that my pen has been my best companion. Physically, I cannot be with every person struggling with cancer. Yet, through my writings I can reach every human heart around the globe and light it up with hope. I wish to inspire many more people through my books. Literary success for me would mean expanding the sacred space of creating content that is meaningful and helpful for humanity.

9. If not a writer, what would you have been?
A Writing Consultant. Or a Publisher.

10. What are your future literary projects that we can look forward to?
Hay house Publishers have just released the adapted, new version of “To Cancer with Love-My Journey of Joy” which has been helping thousands of people fight adversity with a smile.
Here’s the link, which I hope readers will click on for their personal copy, in order to help Survivors continue fighting courageously:
https://www.amazon.in/dp/9391067565/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_S2A26RXESG579RR7Y9R6
I have finally ventured into YA writing. As always, my book, Ancient-Modern Tales of Vikram-Betal is being represented by The Book Bakers.
My book consists of 10 handpicked tales about this timeless duo. Each story has been given a modern day spin that will train kids in critical thinking, decision making and gear them up with the ability to face challenges ahead. Each tale ends with a pertinent Life Skills Nugget. The book is replete with space sorcery, enchantment and magical spells. I am looking forward to seeing this illustrated book published this year itself.

Rapid Five!
Your favourite holiday destination 
My planet–minus the hate, violence and illnesses
(Pandora! Please suck back everything into your box. NOW!)
Your favourite food and beverage
Am a foodie. So everything delicious.
(I feel guilty later!)
Describe yourself in one word
Sapphire
Your go-to-person at 3 am
My Buddhist Mentor, Daisaku Ikeda. The powerful chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo has helped me win three near-death experiences.
An interesting book you’ve read recently
Rrashima Verma’s A Break in Love