Book Title: WOMEN & THEIR WORLD
ISBN: 9789354468360
Publisher: Evincepub Publishing (2022)
Authors’ Background: Varunika Rajput is the author of the e-book The Road to Redemption, published in 2022. She has also co-authored an anthology, Purrfect Surprise, published in 2021 by the literary platform Writefluence. She loves to blog and frequently pens her thoughts on her personal blogging site by the name of The Lotus Flower Dairy. She is also a popular blogger on the renowned platform Momspresso.
Questionnaire
The Literature Times ‒ Firstly, congratulations on your book, Women & Their World: Tales of Love, Loss, & Survival. Can you please shed some light on your pen-to-publish journey considering this is your Debut book?
Varunika Rajput: Thank you for your wishes. It took me almost an entire year to reach this stage. And it has been remarkable in every way. When it’s your first, you are more vulnerable to err. But when we address and resolve those issues, it also leaves us a tad bit wiser. I think today, I stand more confident as a writer. This journey has given my writing a direction and a purpose in life.
The Literature Times‒What inspired you to write this book? What was your motivation behind this work of yours?
Varunika Rajput: I think all the ordinary women I have come across, their life, struggles, and achievements despite the odds, inspired me to write this book. When I began blogging in 2020, and my blog posts were received with a lot of love and appreciation, I got the opportunity to connect and interact with several women. Their stories forced me to reflect and write for them. The book is dedicated to them. My book should bring a smile to their faces and offer a perspective on society in general. That is my only motivation.
The Literature Times‒The book title, ‘Women & Their World: Tales of Love, Loss & Survival’, makes for an interesting title! Could you please elaborate to the readers why you chose this title?
Varunika Rajput: The book attempts to shed light on several unspoken aspects of a woman’s life through the myriad roles she essays. The good, the bad, and the ugly. There are several situations women face today. And unfortunately, such instances are brushed under the carpet. I just wanted to bring to the fore such stories. And considering that, this title felt apt. It clicked almost immediately after I finished writing the stories.
The Literature Times‒While writing the book, did your personal experiences influence your stories or style of writing?
Varunika Rajput: Yes. Sometimes. But the stories are not based on any assumption or an, opinion or any sort of bias. These stories have been inspired by ordinary and everyday women who have fought hard to survive a particular situation. I am just the vehicle. A medium.
The Literature Times‒I have read the stories in this book, and I must compliment you. I’m greatly impressed by the issues it addressed. Do you think this book is relevant in the present-day scenario?
Varunika Rajput: The way I see it, the book will be relevant even decades later. If things change for the better, then it will serve as a reference point, a reflection of the times we are living in.
The Literature Times‒What appealed to me most about your writing style is the use of simple language and a natural flow of thoughts. I am curious if this has anything to do with the books you read. Any authors that have influenced your writing?
Varunika Rajput‒Thank you for your kind words of appreciation. Reading and writing go hand in hand. I am not aware of any writer who isn’t well-read. Most definitely, the books I have read so far have influenced the way I write.
I grew up reading Charles Dickens, Jane Austin, Ayn Rand, Ruskin Bond, Mitch Albom, and Malcolm Gladwell. Currently, I have developed a strong fascination for the works of Sudha Murthy, Anita Nair and Asha Iyer Kumar.
The Literature Times: Is there any message you would like to convey to your readers? Or any piece of advice which you would like to give to the readers out there.
Varunika Rajput: I don’t think I have the authority or the expertise to advise anyone, but I do hope and pray that people read more and read good books. Reading is crucial to not just our mental well-being. It is crucial to the well-being of society in general.
The Literature Times‒ Can we expect more books from you in the future? Please let us know about your future projects.
Varunika Rajput: I am living in the moment! Having said that, I do think I still have a few more books up my sleeves. Time will tell.
The Literature Times‒Thank you so much for answering the questions. All the very best to you for the future and your book too!
Varunika Rajput: Thank you! My best wishes for all your future endeavours too.
