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The 'Author's Corner' series shines the spotlight on promising first-time female novelists. Enjoy reading some fun facts about Judy Balan, of Two Fates fame!
In the ‘Author’s Corner’ series we shine the spotlight on promising first-time female authors. Hope you enjoy reading some fun facts about them!
Kick-starting the series is Judy Balan, author of Two Fates; the breezy story about a clashing couple always at loggerheads with each other and their journey to getting divorced.
If you had not become a writer, what would you have been?
I’m an all or nothing person and don’t believe in alternatives. Like I always say – I’m the single mom who quit her job without a Plan B, without alimony and with a 2 year old in tow because at that time, all I knew was that I had to quit my job. But then, it worked for me. So I really can’t see myself doing anything else. Who knows, maybe I would have made T-shirts with “clever” lines such as – I took the road less travelled and look what happened!
What is the best thing about being a published author?
There are a lot of things; embarrassing friends at Landmark by pointing at my book and going ‘See, see! My book is on the Bestseller list!’, googling myself every morning faithfully for new reviews (still not above these cheap thrills), getting random emails from people who really liked the book (or blog) and of course, the idea of living off my royalties! But on a more serious note, it’s good to be taken seriously.
What is the hardest thing about writing a book?
For me, it was the commitment. I’m the most disorganized person I know – so pinning myself down every day to write – whether I felt inspired or not, was really what I found most challenging. Also, I was so used to writing blog posts which took an hour – at the most – to write; after which I could get a rush out of hitting the publish button and having comments in my inbox within minutes. With a book, you reap the fruits more than a year later. But I’m going to – in grandmother-like fashion – tell you that it’s totally worth it!
If you were a man, would there be anything different about your book?
Heh, yes. I might have parodied Twilight instead.
Who was the first to read your book? What was their first reaction?
It was my friend Andaleeb (also an author). She kept texting me every few pages, cracking up over something in the book. Such a lovely feeling.
One book you would love to have written?
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. It’s one of those sweeping sagas that stay with you long after you’ve put the book down – a book you want to go back to, a book you can’t get enough of. Also, her style is something else – she truly writes like a dream.
Future literary plans?
I’m on a deadline for book #2 which should hopefully be out end of this year. Or maybe early next year. Other than that, I have a newspaper column coming out shortly and I’m very excited about that – it’s been a dream.
Thanks Judy! We hope your forthcoming novels turn out to be even more successful than your first!
*Photo credit: Avinash Peters
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People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
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