We were lucky to catch up with Dr Romila Chitturi recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dr Romila, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I started writing when I was 13, way back 28 years ago when people of my age had boring interests in life and fast forward to 2024 I am an award winning published author ( 24 books since 2016) and for me it’s one of the most rewarding and meaningful roles of my life. As an author, I have been able to contribute great content that can outlive me – stories, poems and nonfiction pieces that people can return to for generations. The sense of permanence and legacy is powerful. Writing has allowed me to communicate thoughts, emotions, and perspectives that have influenced and inspired. It’s my way of giving voice to ideas that often otherwise go unheard. I love the fact that there is a deep sense of satisfaction in knowing that my words have made someone feel understood, helped them through tough times, or simply entertained them. Through my work, I have given my readers a chance to see the world from new perspectives. Writing is an isolated job. It is not easy, it needs vulnerability, creativity, and resilience. Success to me has come from conquering my fears, doubts, and obstacles to bring my ideas into the world.
I learnt writing and I am happy that I have excelled at writing through reading extensively and analytically, which made me understand structure, pacing, character development, and different narrative voices. Over time I identified what works and what doesn’t in writing different kinds of content. Experimenting with writing daily developed discipline and skills in me. The more I did it, the more I improved. When I became a writer I had no seasoned mentor, if I had one my learning process could have been quicker than what I experienced. Further there were no communities for writers so I could not be with other writers where I could have fast-tracked my growth by sharing insights, learning from others’ mistakes, and motivating me to keep improving.
Some important skills that are required to be a good writer is that one should develop mastery in the art of conveying – let it be compelling stories, whether through narrative, structure, or emotional resonance or with accurate data/information. If you are into fiction, you need to understand human emotions, motivations, and relationships is key to creating believable, relatable characters and if you write non fiction you have to be a great researcher with sharp observation skills. You should be always on the ground as writing is a marathon not a race – writing needs hours – as finishing, rejecting, revising are part of the journey. In today’s time you should be able to market/sell yourself and your work, it is very critical. You should make strategies to engage with your readers and build your brand around them.
Initially the fear of rejection came on my way to learn and write more. The fear of being judged for voicing myself dramatically slowed my progress, but this was a small temporary period for me. I could not balance between getting everything right and also sound logical and practical. I had and I still have limited access to resources, I never had the financial means or access to good mentorship, writing programs or university courses, this definitely created an obstacle for me.
When I look back on my 28-year journey as a writer, from starting as a curious teenager to becoming an award-winning author, I realize how deeply satisfying the journey has been for me. My interest and ability to create stories and share ideas allowed me to connect with others on a profound level. Though I had challenges—such as the lack of mentorship and resources—I found my way through determination, experimentation, and discipline. The art of writing is more than just putting words to paper. Honestly seeing my work impact others has made every step of the way worth it. Writing has shaped who I am, and I couldn’t be prouder of the stories I’ve shared and the lives they’ve touched.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I took up writing at the age of 13, became a Blogger at 20, an Author at 32, a small time Entrepreneur at 36 for the first time and a professor at 40. I published a considerable number of non-fiction pieces, articles, essays and reviews in print and on the internet. I wear many hats : Writer-Blogger- Reader -Poetess -Author- Book reviewer – Editor- Columnist – Entrepreneur- Masterclass Guru- Guest Speaker – Voice Over Artist – Creative Artist – Professor. I am an award winning author of 24 books and co-author of 50+ anthologies. I edited, conceptualized and compiled 15 books. I never thought I would write books of my own, but I did and call it purely destiny. I own, edit and publish a magazine (digital and print) on literature and art titled “Unicorn” launched in July 2020.
UNICORN – Brand established by me is (MSME registered Enterprise, Government of India), a quarterly digital and print magazine endeavours to bring endless opportunities to avid artists of all kinds across the globe. The notion behind Unicorn is to upraise the talent in the world and to reflect the same with in-depth insights. It is a literary magazine that creates a platform for everyone to showcase their potential and witness their publishing experience with a common love towards everything creative. UNICORN is an all women-run brand with editorial, design and intern with writers based in India and elsewhere in the world.
Through Unicorn I focus to bring to you the essence of traditional as well as modern writing, art, photography, food and music. The distribution of the magazine is worldwide, and the readership profiles include students, working professionals, business officials, home-makers, and teachers amongst others.
Since 2020, Unicorn has been awarded with “The pride of India” and “Rabindranath Tagore International Prize of Art and Literature”. Unicorn has marked its presence in the international market with writers and readership based in Australia, The Republic of Indonesia, Japan, Germany, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Denmark, Islamic Republic of Iran, The United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Republic of Congo, Republic of the Philippines, and The Arab Republic of Egypt. It is a matter of pride and honor as the Unicorn’s writer family stands strong with 400+ writers in 4 years.
In 2021, Unicorn ventured into short film production. Their debut short movie “Drushtant” won them Best Movie and Best Screenplay awards at Raya Online International Shortfilm festival 2022.
Our readers and writers are different and diverse (between 8 years to 65 years of many nationalities) and they write/pick up to read Unicorn as we all share the same love towards literature and art. Owing to its dynamic nature, the magazine has established as a recognisable and reliable name amongst the readers. The circulation of the magazine is wide-ranging and our readership profiles include students, working professionals, business officials, housewives and teachers amongst others. Unicorn focuses on original fiction/poetry works, reviews, non fiction essays, interviews, portfolio featuring, columns, feature articles and more .
I hold a PhD, triple post graduate degrees and a bachelor’s degree in Journalism supported by certification courses and diplomas in various subjects. I worked as an intern – features writer with The Viewspaper (Delhi), The Roar (Chandigarh) and Centre for Public Policy Research (Kochi) as a researcher. I hosted and taught masterclasses and seminars on creative writing. I work as a literary editor and enjoy reading, editing and evaluating manuscripts – fiction or non-fiction for publishing.
Pantene, Godrej, Xiomi, Punchit, Epigamia, Indian Gifts Portal, Nihar Naturals, Pepsi, Dabur, Baggout, Jabong, Garnier, Micromax, Kinley, Borosil, Australia Tourism, Singapore Tourism, Racold, ITC Kitchens of India, Tresemme, Apollo Hospitals, Airtel are some of the brands I worked with.
I wrote for Deccan Chronicle, Times of India, Femina, Elle, Eternal Solutions, Insite, Pratiyogita Darpan, Competition Success Review, Competition Refresher, Civil Service Chronicle, Careers360, Outlook. Civil Service India, DesiMusings, WomensWeb, Blogchatter, Blogadda, Blogmint, Paycheck India, The Viewspaper, Roar, Merinews, Gandhi Serve, Youth 24×7, ShepeopleTv, Penmancy, SpeakingTree to name a few.
I have been an achiever since my primary school level from poetry, to athletics, to essay writing, to blogging, to debates, to quizzes. I was Head prefect, Head sports girl, Deputy Head girl and finally graduated to Head Girl of the school.
In my caliber as an author and storyteller , I won – Best Author of all Time, Author of the year, Best Author (poetry), Best Power packed Characterisation Award, Horror Micro Fiction Top 40 (India), Sahitya Ratna Award- Top 30 Literary Icons Award, Best Overall Work award, Sylvia Plath Memorial Women’s Literary Prize, Literary Fairy Tales Award, 21st Century Jane Austen Reader’s Award, The Literary Champ Award, Best Author, 21st Century Emily Dickinson Award 2022, Modern Literary Stars Of India, and Popular choice storytellers Award.
I have an active online presence on instagram, linkedin and about me. I regularly write in my blog. I speak English, Hindi and Telugu fluently. Politics and theology apart from world history are my favorite topics of discussion.
When I’m not writing or teaching, I enjoy watching Netflix, creating art pieces, exercising, socialising and reading which directly and sometimes indirectly fuels my creativity and inspire new ideas for future projects. I am just a message/email away to be contacted, if you share a passion for literature, storytelling, or are interested in discussing collaborative opportunities with me.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Being an author has offered me a range of rewards, many of which are deeply personal and fulfilling. One of the most significant aspects is the ability to connect with others through storytelling. Stories have an unparalleled power to resonate with people, to make them feel understood, and to open their minds to new perspectives. Knowing that my work has reached readers in meaningful ways has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The feedback from readers who share how my words impacted their lives is the highest form of recognition. Writing allows me for an intimate connection, often transcending time and space, where my thoughts, emotions, and experiences meet the readers’ own. Another profound reward of being an author is the creative process itself. There’s an unmatched joy in crafting a story from scratch, shaping characters, worlds, and ideas that once only existed in my imagination. This is inherently empowering, bringing something into the world that is uniquely my own. Whether it’s fiction, non-fiction, or poetry, the process of weaving words together, exploring themes, and navigating the complexities of plot or research is immensely satisfying. Each completed project represents a tangible manifestation of my creativity, intellect, and dedication.
Writing has been a mirror, helping me make sense of my own experiences and, in turn, share that understanding with others. There’s an undeniable sense of accomplishment in finishing a book, article, or a short story. The reward of seeing a manuscript turn into a book, or words into a blog or an article, despite the inevitable challenges, are testaments to my dedication and hard work. The moment every time I hold my published book in my hands or see my name in print is a moment of pure pride, a validation of my effort and a physical embodiment of my achievement as a successful writer/author.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Building my reputation as an author within my market has been both an art and a strategy. It involved a balance of authenticity, consistency, and connection with my readers, while simultaneously developing a voice that resonates uniquely with my audience. For me, these elements contributed in shaping my reputation as an author and continue to be the foundation of my growth in the literary world.
I always delivered high quality work consistently. Whether it has been feature writing, news pieces, poems, fiction, or non-fiction, maintaining a standard my readers can rely on has been my essential point. In my case, staying true to my writing style—one that balances thoughtfulness with a deeper message—has been key. I always stood committed to a disciplined writing schedule, which helped me to maintain visibility and relevance within my market, keeping readers interested in what’s next. Today readers are so smart that they can easily tell if the author is being genuine, and authenticity fosters trust. I incorporated my intellectual side and my humorous personality into my work which created a more authentic connection with my readers. Blending both sides today is a part of my personal brand, and it’s what makes my voice exclusive in a crowded market. I am not that kind of a writer/author who writes just for the sake of content filling pages without any meaning or essence, instead I prefer writing with a purpose that builds a legacy of good and inspiring content.
I engage directly with my readers. Today’s technologically advanced world has made connecting with readers easier than before. Let it be through social media, or virtual events, I do have community around my work. Answering questions, participating in discussions, and even sharing personal experiences related to my work has helped me to make a loyal readership.
Gaining recognition through awards, reviews, and recommendations helped me to a great extent in establishing credibility. When my readers saw that my work got recognized by peers or celebrated within the industry and market, it added an extra layer of trust. The recognition my books received through awards validated my efforts and encouraged readers to explore my work. With consistency, authenticity, engagement, and validation I built my reputation as a writer/author over decades of hard work. Apart from writing/creating amazing content, a relationship with readers evolved with time with each book, article, or essay written by me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://abowlofsoulcurry.blogspot.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenovemberschild/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romilachitturi/
Image Credits
No image credits.
The pictures are my own.