Hey my dear beautiful people, welcome to this Author Interview session, I’m really happy to do this session after a long time. My guest for today is one of the coolest personalities I have ever come across, I have Kriti Tripathi with me today, she is the author of “Cause it was an arranged love”. I’m really excited to do this interview with Kriti because she is more or less like a friend to me. I hope you guys will enjoy this interview as much as Kriti and I. So let me introduce her to you all.
Kriti Tripathi lives in Indore, India. She is a full time law student and passionate a writer. She kick started a career as a writer via Wattpad, if you are regular in Wattpad you would’ve definitely come across her, she is pretty famous over there. And that’s where I found her for the first time and started following her ever since. She is very good cyber friend of mine, always ready to help people who reaches out to her, that’s something I really like about Kriti. “Cause it was an Arranged love” is Kriti’s debut novel as a published author. She writes culturally inspired works of romantic fiction. Her characters are layered and relatable and she tells stories that convey that importance of independence and personal resilience. Kriti is a self-proclaimed feminist and infuses her work with the spirit of equality and respect for all humans. She is a passionate teacher and brings that sense of community so inherent in education to her writing.
Welcome to Nerdy Bookarazzi, Kriti. It is so nice to have you here and thank you so much for agreeing to do this interview with me. So let’s get into the interview without any further ado, my first question for you is,
When did you first realize you were into writing ? And what’s the first piece you wrote, what is it about ? And is it available anywhere ?
Writing had always been a habit for me, I just used to vent out my feelings with it earlier, in my premature teenage years. Though, I didn’t ever try writing fiction, I was just an avid reader and used to live in an imaginary world of fictional characters for most of my time. I was in class 12th when I started to write short stories and poetry. There was a competition, in which I participated just out of pure instinct. I wrote a Hindi story there, the title for which was “Praathmiktaayein” (Priorities). I had no expectations if anyone would ever even read it, but, my teachers liked the story so much and they motivated me to write more. They praised me, and they even scolded me a little bit that why I never shared any of my writings earlier. The most astonishing part was that I won the competition. Then, I went for the next city level round for that event and there, my writing journey started. What I found strange was the immense amount of contentment I got after completing each of my piece. I started writing more often. I started with a lot of short stories, which are still there in a folder in my cupboard, and day by day, it started getting better. My friends and my teachers were the ones, because of whom I could realize that I was into writing. The story is there on Wattpad.com.
I actually first found you on Wattpad which you already know, so my question is how Wattpad came into your life ?
So, once I completed my class 12th and started preparing for CLAT, writing was left behind. I always think that it was a big mistake of my life, because, leaving it was like leaving a part of me somewhere. Once, I settled into the hostel, I gradually started writing again. I was scrolling the internet, searching for something new to read, and I found Wattpad. I was completely blown away with the concept, it was so good and unique, the idea of bringing up readers and writers together and it took me a few minutes, my profile was completed and I shared the initial chapters of my novel. It was all a matter of chance and as usual I didn’t expect anything out of it. I never thought that it would be a turning point for me.
How Wattpad helped you in becoming an author ? Tell us about your Wattpad family and how close are you to your readers ?
Wattpad was the first step for me as an author. I just shared those chapters and left it aside for a week. I had no idea that it was a start of a whole new family for me. So, after a week, I casually opened the wattpad account and found a few views on my story. It was overwhelming to see the response. I updated some more chapters, the comeback took time, maybe a year in total, though, when it paced up, the family grew manifold times.
I wasn’t that girl anymore who wrote for pure personal satisfaction. I became a writer with a family of thousands, my story had almost 200k views on it, there was a constant demand for updates, and my Wattpad family holds most of the credit of me being a published author today. I am not one of those responsible peoples, though, the little accountability I have in me today, is because of my wattpadians. I am what I am because of the people around me, the Wattpad family being the biggest contributor to my achievements. I could try experimenting with the plot, I started trying different POV’s in the story and also my confidence built up. I can never thank them all enough for the change they’ve brought in me as a person. I am so close to my readers that I frequently chat with them on social media and wattpad. You know it feels so great to hear all the appreciation, all those genuine suggestions and that ease with which all of them share their own personal stories with me, that’s all awe-inspiring. I had been an introvert at a point of my life, but I didn’t know I would have such a big loving family. I feel so pleased if I am able to help them all anyhow, like, some of the readers are also aspiring writers, some of them share their personal stories with me, and I try to help all of them as much as I can. Feeling that relief and smile on their faces and then seeing that their lives are being changed for good, it’s the biggest reward for me. All that love and support, I don’t even know where I would have been if not for my Wattpad family.
Tell us about your first book Cause it was an arranged love ?
My debut novel, ‘Cause it was an Arranged Love…’ is a Romantic Women’s fiction. The genre is a bit unique, and the storyline and the characters, are really very close to my heart. It is about a woman, Kriti Tripathi (yes, I used my own name as the female protagonist), in her mid-twenties, waiting to get married to a stranger. She has no idea, about who her would-be husband is as a person and like any other Indian girl, she is damn nervous and scared. Her husband, always seems too pre-occupied with his work, that he may bother building up a relationship. Well, like all other people, who are mere strangers, these two have their own band of insecurities and secrets. Though, secrets seldom stay hidden forever, and this time, they may have to fight. It is not just a story between two people who share a bond, but is also about finding meaning to what exactly this relationship between them is. It is about finding oneself, finding one’s individuality.
Can you share a bit about your literary journey in becoming a published author ?
My literary journey had been full of surprises. I wouldn’t call it a struggle because, whatever it was, I had enjoyed it. So, my friend, Mr.Vedprakash Gupta and my bestie Akansha, motivated me to publish the story in print. They wanted to see my name on a book’s cover 😀 . So, after thinking for a long time, I decided to finally publish it. The long and tedious process of submissions, approvals, rejections and negotiations started. It took almost a year. Due to certain factors, I finally decided to go indie, and Mr. Vedprakash Gupta had been a constant support in this journey. Now, I’m a self-published author, where Ved has always been at my back handling all the business related aspects.
How do you pen down your characters because they are so perfect and good ?
Thank you so much for praising my characters. My characters are always inspired from the people around me. They all contain bits and parts of me, as well as, a mixture of all the positive and negative qualities of people who are present around me. I strongly believe that no one can be really perfect, and that’s what I try to indulge in my characters. This may sound crazy, but while penning them down, I usually think them as real people existing around me, I can feel them all strongly.
I know how much you love your lead character Arnav, so tell us about this character and how much this character means to you ?
Calling Arnav merely a character would be injustice to the relationship I share with him. He’s a fictional man, though, I really wish, I get to meet him at some point of my life. I really love him and I think whoever my life partner would be, I will want him to be like Arnav. Arnav, in some manners is also the mature version of me. His ambitions, his passion and the way he has achieved his dreams is something that inspires me to work towards my life goals. Also, Arnav is really patient, which makes me swoon over him. The maturity, the whole professional aura, it is all intoxicating.
Who is your favorite fictional character ? (Apart from Arnav 😛 )
This is a difficult one. The list is too long. I really cannot pick one, but yeah, I can name some of them. Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, Hermione Granger, Noah from ‘The Notebook’, Wilson from ‘The Wedding’, Sansa and Tyrion from the Game of Thrones, Karthik from ‘Someone like you’, Nivaan from ‘Stranger Trilogy’, etc. etc.
If you wanted to make your book (Cause it was an arranged love) into a movie, who do you want to cast as Arnav, Kriti and Sameer ?
This is something which I’d always been certain at. So, I would want Ayushmaan Khurana to be casted as Arnav, Tapsi Pannu to be casted as Kriti and Shahid Kapoor in the role of Sameer. All these actors because, not just they are my favorite ones, but also they are excellent at their work.
You are a full time law student, how do you manage your time with your classes and writing ? How do you bring about this balance in your life ?
It sometimes costs me a huge price, you know when you have so much to do, all at once, and you have to sacrifice on certain things. I also have to pay for it, by cutting down my time from various activities, but since, both law and writing are a part of me, I feel as if they are something for which I’ve been born, it all seems effortless. I love to study law, though, I am not a regular at my college. I usually self-study.
Do you follow any particular schedule for writing ? Which time of the day is more comfortable for you to work on your books ?
No, there’s no particular writing schedule for me. I can work for weeks at a time, and sometimes, writer’s block may charge me days. I usually work at nights on my novels, but its not a compulsion. I can work during day time too, depending upon my mood.
So what is your writing process like ?
My writing process is purely based on instinct. It’s like, I would get a thought, I would just start thinking about it and would draft something out of it, then do the necessary changes, over and over and over, until I feel those first descents of satisfaction.
What is your writing environ is like and which mode you prefer writing ? In hand or laptop or mobile phone ?
I usually prefer writing when I’m alone. I need to be in a place of my comfort zone for it. it doesn’t necessarily has to be my house, it can even be a public transport. I am pretty adjustable with the mode, I can work according to availability of the resource. Sometimes, when I’m traveling, and I need to write something down, I even use the notepad app in my phone.
What are you currently working on ?
I’m working on two new plots currently, but I think it’s too soon to talk about them.
How supportive your family was when you first told them about your author dream?
They were supportive, but like all the other parents, they wanted me to have a stable academic career first. Law wasn’t the option with which my father was happy either, he wanted me to pursue something else. Though, my mother and my grandfather supported me in it. They still want that my studies shouldn’t be affected in any way, and I should look forward to some stable day job.
Who is your cornerstone in your writing career ? How did they support you morally?
My cornerstone in my writing career is my Editor, Olivia Derby. She is a strong and ambitious woman striking a perfect balance between her personal and professional life. I will always be obliged to her for her contributions in this debut novel of mine. Also, her personality and qualities leave me in awe for her.
Who is your first rough draft reader ? Tell us about that person and how valuable their feedbacks are to you ?
My first rough draft reader is Ved, my friend-cum-publisher. He’s the one with whom I just discuss my ideas, he rarely reads them. Then my Wattpad family, gets to read my work. The feedbacks all of them give are really very valuable. They contribute to lot for me as a writer.
Do you remember your first reader ? What did they tell you after reading your first chapter ? How did that made you feel ?
Yes, I do remember her, and she’s now a dear friend of mine. We met on wattpad but soon became real good friends, though, we haven’t ever met personally. She’s a Wattpadian, and I think if anyone loves Arnav more than me, it is her. When we first talked, it was her desperate request from me for an update on wattpad. She told me, that she was dying to read the complete book and she was also one of those people, who wanted to read it in the print form. It was one of the happiest days of my life, I mean, she called herself a fan of mine, and you know, when you get to hear these things, they boost up your confidence and they also make you responsible.
You are known for writing typical Indian romance and traditional family stuffs, so what inspired you in the first place to write about them ?
I have focused my first book on domestic front of gender equality, that’s why the book came out as a typical Indian Romance and traditional family stuff. I think, that equality has to begin from one’s house. People behave in the outer world the way they’ve seen things inside the walls of their home. Its really important that we start setting good examples for the younger generations. I had seen my home, the way women lived their lives here, with utmost level of personal sacrifice and what I saw missing was a salutation of those sacrifices, we need to acknowledge the women around us, for the sacrifice they’ve done for the society and for all of us. We need to start giving them an identity of their own.
How did you formulate the plot of your first book ?
One late night, a really long time ago, tired of practicing differential calculus, I was just thinking about a scenario, that what if, I have an arranged marriage in future. That’s how the idea came. It was just supposed to be a fun piece of writing, aiming at the funny anecdotes which a bride may encounter on her wedding night. That’s how this story started. Once I framed a chapter, I really liked the idea and next day, I showed it to my school friends. There was a constant smile on the faces of all those people who read it. I was even more intrigued, and in the following few nights, wrote down, a few more chapters. The response of my friends was really supportive. They loved the idea, and my writing style. Though, due to studies, it couldn’t continue for much longer (you know, I wasn’t good at prioritizing my goals at that time). Later, when I started sharing the story
chapter wise on wattpad, the plot also kept on changing. As I grew up, the story grew up with me, it took a really mature turn and I wanted to press some issues along with entertaining my readers.
How important is a cover and a title is to a book ?
I think, that a good cover and a good title is important for attracting a reader, but, the most important thing is your intention and your content. Cover, title, marketing, everything is secondary. The most important thing is why you want to share that story, what your contribution is and how well readers connect with your story. I think, if your readers can feel a connection with your characters, then only you have written something with which you can encourage a change.
One thing that you want to tell to the people who made your first book possible, what that would be ?
Thank you, it would never have been possible without all of you. You are the people who’ve helped in fulfillment of a girl’s dreams.
Who is your favorite author in your genre and why ?
Preeti Shenoy for her book “Life is what you make it”. I absolutely love that book and the overall story. The way Preeti Shenoy has depicted the journey of Ankita and her personal growth, is commendable. The book can inspire anyone, it can move you from the utmost depth of your heart.
Your favorite book which you can read all your life without getting bored ?
This is really difficult. Please don’t ask me to pick one, I have a huge list of favorites, which I can read over and over again and again.
Do you believe in writer’s block ? If so, what do you do to get out of it ?
Yes, I do believe in it, I have experienced it several times, it is really frustrating. I usually go to one of my favorite cafés in Indore to get out of it, with my friends, and eat whatever junk I want to eat. Good food, especially with extra cheese, calms me down. I sometimes watch some movie or series too, but food is a must, I need something good to eat at that time.
What tips you want to give for upcoming writers ?
Tips for upcoming writers: First of all, and the most important one, follow your heart. You cannot make others happy, and help them in their lives, if you’re not happy. Be positive about life, take charge of your life and start contributing towards your own success, bit by bit. Also, do remember to share your write-ups with the maximum people you can reach out to. Don’t be afraid of criticism and try to take out maximum from those negative comments. Try to get better at your own mistakes.
Apart from writing what else are you interested in ?
Apart from writing, I have a vivid range of interests. All the possible ways of expression, I love all of them. I love making DIY crafts, singing, acting and most of all, eating good food and trying out new cuisines. 😀
Feminism, what does this word means to you ?
The spirit of equality, unity and support between all the women of the world, is real feminism according to me. Accepting the women around us the way they are, supporting them as much as we can and helping them to create their own identities without any societal obstacles, is the real feminist approach. I think that, its time now, that we remove these gender based bars and simply treat each other as humans, and let others exercise their natural human rights, without any prejudice of their gender.
You are a feminist, what do you want to tell the world and what kind of an impact you want to make in the society ?
Being a feminist, I simply believe in equality between men and women in every sphere of life. Be it domestic front, professional sphere or societal aspects, I just want equality. We are living in the twenty-first century and even if now, almost half of the population of the world is not able to exercise all of their natural human rights, I think we’ll be left way behind in terms of development. And with development, I do not intend to point towards the technological or economic development, I intend to say that its time now to break the stereotypes. Societal development is the need of the hour. With my books, my stories, I just want to make a small impact in people’s perspective. Even if a fraction of my readers are touched with my work and they start incorporating more of equality in
their lives, they start working towards building a better world around them I would think that my goal as a writer is complete.
So finally, how do you like this interview session ?
I really loved this session with you, this was very exciting. I wish you all the very best for your future and I hope we stay connected.
Thank you so much Kriti for your time and lovely words. Of course we will stay in touch.
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Get in touch with the author :
Amazon | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Wattpad | Goodreads | LinkedIn
I hope you guys loved it
Until next time,
~ Meenu
