Q. How
would you describe yourself? Tell us something about yourself, where you
are based, and how you came to be a writer.
I am Urvashi Vats from Dehradun, Uttarakhand
state in India. I am a career counselor, positive thinker, and author at Mirakee.
I have Masters in Commerce, Masters in Business Administration (Human Resources)
and Masters in Education (Educational Psychology). I had passion for writing since
my college days. My first work was a poem titled, “Sister's Relation”. It was
published as a note on Facebook. It encouraged me and made me love writing. I started
my own blog called “Momspresso” on word press and blogger. Then I joined “QWERTY
Thoughts”, “Women's Web” and “Youth ki Awaaz” so that I can develop as a writer.
On QWERTY Thoughts, I write poems and stories and I am fortunate to have all my
works published on QWERTY Thoughts platform. Now I have a book published there
too. You can find my articles on “Women's web”, “Youth Ki Awaaz” and Momspresso”.
My aim is to impact the world, especially women. I focus my writing on social
issues as it affects women. However, I have worked as an Assistant Professor in
the Faculty for Personality Development. You can find some of my quotes at “Your
Quote app” and “Mirakee”. I have written 290 Quotes. One of my articles was published at “Decent eNews”,
an Australian News and Media firm. And recently my article on “Holistic Holi” was
published in four leading newspapers in India. I have published four books. One
is a fiction titled, “I am My Papa's Princess”. Others are Non-fiction (self help)
and their titles are “Change Begins with Us” published by QWERTY Thoughts, Self
Help Guide for Business Studies class X11 th CBSE Board, Self Help Guide for
Business Studies class X1 th CSBE Board.
Q. What
genre do you really write and have you considered other genres?
I write prose. This type
of writing is broad and includes fiction and non-fiction.
Q. Tell
us something about the books/contents that you have written or created and the
story behind them.
I write books with the purpose of creating awareness about the importance
of children, especially the girl child. I believe a child should have a great
relationship with their parents. Most of my books, articles or quotes are about
social issues as it concerns the girl child and I am proud that I have touched many
lives through my published books.
It means everything to me. I am enjoying every
bit of it.
Q. What
is your writing process, or a typical writing day routine?
I write
daily whether a line, sentence or paragraph. I make sure I do something that
will enhance my writing every single day. I don’t have a specific time that I write. Once the
urge comes, I write.
Q. What
marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
Promoting
books on my own blog, sharing on social media like Facebook and Twitter, have
been effective for me. Also QWERTY Thoughts have helped me do some good promotions
on their website.
Q. What do you think makes a book or content
sell, or makes a reader buy it?
In my
view, the
content of the book and the publishing services which include proofreading,
editing, fantastic cover
image that makes it sell. Without any of these, the chances that a book will
sell are very slim. Also, the book needs to have a good layout and be adequately
promoted.
The most
moving thing a reader said to me about my book was that it is really beautiful and
heart touching story. The people who know the Indian mythology behind kanyadaan
(marriage ceremony) definitely can't stay without liking it.
Q. What
are your favorite three books, and why?
My Favorite
three books are:
1) “You Can
Win” by Shiv Khera. It tells that if we have a positive attitude
we can win no matter the circumstances.
2) “Everything
Happens For a Reason” by Kate Bowler. It tells that we should always
be ready to accept whatever happens in life. If anything good happens we should
try to do our best and if anything wrong happens learn a lesson from it and
move on.
3) “7 Habits
of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey. It tells that our values
govern our behavior while principles ultimately determine the consequences.
Q. Who
are your favorite three authors and what do you like the most about them?
My Favorite
three authors are:
1)
Munshi Premchand: In his novels, he explained the critics of social issues in
such an easy way. The message in the book resonates with everyone and I not
surprised that he is a famous Indian novelist.
2) Swami
Vivekanand: He writes quotes and books on the basis of his real experience in a
simple way that has become an inspiration to many.
3)
Harivansh Rai Bachchan: I like the way he plays with words. That is what
endeared me to him.
Q. Tell
us about the works that you are currently working on and their progress.
Currently
I am working on English and Hindi Poetry Anthology and a memoir about parenting.
Q. What
challenges do you think are faced by writers and content creators like you, and
what's the worst thing about the industry according to you?
One clear challenge is lack of funds to promote books. Sadly some publishers don’t
promote your book. Once they published your book, you are on your own. So,
writers are left to do nearly everything that will make the book sell.
Q. Apart
from writing, what goals do you want to achieve in life?
I want to help women to know their rights, have
a voice, and be free to air their opinion without any fear of intimidation,
stigmatization, and backlash and be self dependence. It is possible for women
to lead. I think more women are needed in the position of authority.
Q. Is
there anything else you would like to mention?
My book, “Change Begins with
Ourselves” was nominated for Readers Choice Awards 2018 and 2019. It was also 2018 Editor’s Choice at Qwerty Thoughts.
Q. Where can we find you or your works?
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