Gautami Shankar is a 19-year-old student of KC College pursuing her Bachelors in History. She has written a variety of things ranging from micro fiction to academic papers. A member of FWA (Film Writers Association), she likes to write screenplays. A regular wattpad writer, she started writing this book at the age of 15. Apart from writing, Gautami loves to read classics and is also a trained Bharatnatyam dancer. She lives in Mumbai with her parents and her dog Akira.
Tell us about yourself, your background and what you do currently.
I’d consider myself to be a typical teenager who tries to juggle between her studies, hobbies and social life. I’m 19 and currently in my second year, pursuing Bachelors in History. Since childhood, I’ve always been a loner who would prefer her books to anyone else. I felt comfortable to write about my feelings rather than talk about it, so it was natural that someday I’d end up writing a romance story. I love art, music and dance and I’m a trained bharatnatyam dancer. I like spending time in nature and I’m a huge animal lover. I love horror movies, old books and good food. And, Chick Lit movies are my supposedly guilty pleasure.
Tell us about any current projects or initiatives you wish to promote
My book Love in the Pink City
What has been your biggest challenge in achieving your success?
Romance and Chick Lit as genres have always been looked down upon as shallow and stereotypical. I think my biggest challenge is probably to change the notion that a Chick Lit cannot have depth or literary merit or ‘substance’ as popularly termed. Women love these stories and some of them are really empowering too. So when I wrote my book, I had to pay close attention to avoid all those hated elements of a chick lit but at the same time not drift too away from my genre.
Secondly, another big challenge I think I’d face is to be taken seriously as young author.
What has been your greatest achievement personally?
Writing this book has been a very pleasant journey and it has taught me many things. I believe that my biggest achievement is that feeling of personal satisfaction that comes when you successfully create something.
If you weren’t doing what you do now, what would you be doing?
I’d probably be studying for my Bachelors, or preparing for University entrance exams and planning to become a museum curator or an archaeologist. Or maybe, I’d spend time with my dog as I re-read my old favourite book.
Who has been your biggest inspiration?
My close ones- family and friends have supported me very much. The important women in my life, my mother and my best friends have been an inspiration behind my strong women characters.
What does the future hold for you?
Hopefully, Lot of happy surprises. It’d take the fun away if I knew what my future had in store for me, so I’ll let life surprise me.
Twitter- @GautamiShankar
