Tell us about yourself, your background and what you do currently
For the most part I am a thinker and a dreamer who spends her time poring over books. I live in my own idealistic little world and am cruelly jolted back to reality every once in a while when earthly responsibilities beckon. I have been writing all my life but took to it professionally only in 2005 and have since been freelancing with publications and corporate clients.
I hold a degree in Optometry from the Bausch & Lomb School of Optometry. Realizing that I wasn’t really cut out for the profession, I went on to pursue a Masters in English Literature just for the sheer love of it.
I spent my years growing up between Libya, Lucknow and Hyderabad, and now I roam the length and breadth of the country with myfauji husband. When someone asks me “Where are you from?” I really have no answer because I feel that I belong everywhere and yet nowhere.
I love traveling, books and food, not necessarily in that order. Oh, and Bollywood!
Tell us about any current projects or initiatives you wish to promote
At the moment, I am busy marketing and promoting my second book, ‘I am Big. So What!?’, which came out earlier this year. It is a romantic comedy involving a plus-sized protagonist, and the first of its kind in India. Through Roli, the reader gets to explore the social and emotional hurdles that a plus-sized person goes through on a day-to-day basis – some of these can be humorous, while some can be downright heartbreaking.
What has been your biggest challenge in achieving your success?
Success is still a long way ahead and there’s a lot of growing and learning to do. I think the biggest challenge was to leave the security of a well-paying career and take the plunge into professional writing, without having a clue what it had in store for me. It was like jumping off the plane without a parachute but I’m glad I not only survived, but also thrived.
Who has been your biggest inspiration?
Life. I draw my inspiration from the everyday things that go around me, my experiences and the experiences of people I know. I believe that if you look closely enough, even the most mundane thing can turn into a source of inspiration.
What does the future hold for you?
Something nice I hope! I am not much of a deliberate planner and I mostly tend to go where my heart takes me. I don’t know where exactly I’ll be a few years from now but I know that I’ll definitely be writing more books.
About Shuchi Singh Kalra
Shuchi is the author of two romantic comedies – Done With Men (Feb 2014), and I’m Big. So What?! (Feb 2016). She freelances as a writer, editor and blogger, and runs a writing firm called the Pixie Dust Writing Studio. When she’s not writing, Shuchi likes to travel, read and bake awesome cakes. Find out more at http://www.shuchikalra.com
Contacting Shuchi Singh Kalra
