If you think a common woman, a mother of two and a college dropout might just belong to the household, we have someone to shatter your myth.
Today, we feel proud to introduce you to Ritu Kakar, the author of Love Unexpected, a romantic fiction novel. Despite all the odds, she has proved there is nothing that could stop you from pursuing your passion.
Let us dive in straight to it and know more about Ritu Kakar, her life and her writing journey.
About the Author: Ritu Kakar
Ritu Kakar was born in Delhi then her parents shifted to Mumbai where she was bought up. She credits whatever she has achieved to his parents.
Her Mom, whom she called Mati, was her best friend and always encouraged her at every step of her life. And her Dad, whom she calls Bapu, is her hero and his love has spoilt her siblings and herself rotten.
Ritu got married at an early age due to which she did not get to finish her graduation. But, she is glad to have a supportive husband and two most loving proud teenage children.
With their support, she chose to pursue her dream and passion. Her first book ‘One Precious Moment’ came as a surprise to her family. Then there was no looking back!
The love, joy and pride she sees in her family’s eyes now make her feel awesome.
We went to ask more about her early life and her interest in reading and writing. She candidly answered all of them.
What were you like at school? Any childhood memory you would like to share.
I have always been a talkative person. Even as far as I can go back I was known for it.
If I was not telling tales, I was reading. I had collections of Enid Blyton to Moby Dick to Sidney Sheldon to a huge collection of Mills and Boons novels.
A childhood memory that my family still talks of, especially to my children, is how I used to sit in the washroom for hours with whichever book I was reading. Even in my early years of marriage, it was a habit that continued.
What are your Qualifications?
I was in my second-year college when I got married and had to leave my education.
What is the biggest achievement till today?
My family and their love. It is because of them I was able to pursue my latent dream.
Which writers inspire you?
Wow, I love a whole lot of them. Each has something unique in their work. I feel stories are the same but it’s each writer’s imagination and ideas that make it different.
Like Carole Mortimer, my very first romance writer; then Vi Keeland, Lauren Paige, or Nicholas Spark, even for that matter Danielle Steel. They all are very inspiring and have been with me always.
But my first intro to adult reading was, is and always will be Sidney Sheldon’s ‘If Tomorrow Comes’. Now that book hooked me totally and so did the writer and his style even though it was never all romance.
Writing is stressful at times. How do you relax your mind?
Well, till now I have not found it stressful; in fact, it helps me. But if I need something to relax me then it’s either a good book or music.
What is your favourite motivational phrase?
There is never an end until you say it. Live for now, because you can’t change your yesterday and tomorrow is still far.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
It is something I tell both my 21-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter – “Live life as you wish to, accept, adjust and even compromise at times but only if your heart and mind are in sync to it and of course never do anything I wouldn’t.”
What books do you like to read personally? What are you reading currently?
I love reading books on romance, drama, a touch of mystery, humor and full of fantasy. Currently, I started reading a new Author R.S. Grey’s Arrogant Devil and also Vi Keeland’s Beautiful Mistake
If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?
If tomorrow comes by Sidney Sheldon because that book had everything I love. Love, power, woman strength, sneakiness, smartness, the humor in it, every emotion I enjoy relating to.
What made you decide to sit down and actually start writing?
Now that is something I have no actual answer for. One August afternoon with nothing to do, my book finished and had no new book to read, I just opened my notebook and just started writing.
What started with 500 words became 12000 which stretched to 20000. But it was not enough to be published. So it took imagination, possibilities and a touch of reality to finally come up with 34000 words to which my editor also finally approved.
Now with my very first novella ready to be up on the racks and online for the book lovers gave me the willies.
Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?
Naaa, I don’t have any special time or a writing routine. Whenever the mood strikes or something tickles my mind I start.
What is the hardest & the easiest thing about writing?
The easiest thing about writing is to write what you think and what you feel. I can change the scene if my editor doesn’t approve or even rewrite an event but the toughest part is when I have to write and think in third person context. That is super difficult for me.
When I write, I place myself in the protagonist’s place and live every scene and emotion, so the third person writing gets very difficult. Though I am trying it with my next.
What is the reason you write for; is it for the readers or your own self or some other thing?
I write because I love creating stories. I have (been doing it) from very young. There was a time, I had pen pals whom I use to send looonnggggg letters filled with my thoughts and imaginations.
So it’s been my passion and a hobby to entertain people with my stories. And with the release of two books, I have found that there are plenty of book lovers out there crazier than me and more passionate. So now, when I write I keep them and their opinions in mind.
About the Book: Love Unexpected
Love Unexpected is Ritu Kakar’s second book. It is a romantic fiction work that stood in the top 20 New releases in the Romance category for 3 weeks.
The book is about an independent girl named Kaira who has little control over her emotions. She fells for her best friend Tasha’s brother Drew. When she finds out the truth about Drew, Kaira tries to suicide. Kaira’s brother Sam supports her through all this.
The plot revolves around how Kaira recollects herself and again falls in love with a stranger, Aveer. All the characters all relatable and writing style is quirky enough to get you hooked.
Author Ritu told us more about her book Love Unexpected and future plans. Read her interesting answers further.
What genre is your book? What draws you to this genre?
I write about romance, family, humor, family drama. Basically, I try to stick to emotions that are real and relatable with a touch of fantasy and drama.
These genres attract me because they have something everyone can relate to and experience it some time in their life.
Along with it all, there is the spice because it’s all make-believe. But, there is always a story or emotion in it which each one of us lives or dreams of once in a while.
What makes ‘Love Unexpected’ to stand out in this genre? What should a reader expect from it?
Love Unexpected has everything I believe in. It has love, friendship, family bonding, and care. I try to keep to what we all experience at some point in our lives. Fiction mixed with reality as much as possible.
How much you think your writing has changed from your previous book ‘One Precious Moment’ to this one.
Honestly, the writing or should I say the thoughts and imaginations are mine. It’s just the extras like the stress of characteristics or behaviors or different people with different aspects which I was overlooking has been bought to prospect by my editor Mayura Amarkant and Stuti.
In my first draft, every character had value but no soul nor difference in the portal of emotions, and of course, my grammar (tongue in cheek) was and is atrocious. I tend to overlook these things when I write.
Any special experience about ‘Love Unexpected’ that you would like to share.
The whole experience of writing Love Unexpected was special and exciting. The conversations with my editors, the brainstorming when something was not clicking, the word count deduction and troubling Arup, my publisher for speeding the release. Every step of it was special. Even now promoting it has been an experience.
Future Plans
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
I had never thought I would be here for the longest time because family life kept me pretty busy. But now, I just want to keep writing and creating more stories, publishing more books and reach up for that sky which is totally mine, having my books also known all around like all the authors I love and appreciate.
Are you working on your new project? What will be your next book about?
Yes, my third is already in progress, hopefully, it should release by the end of this year. It’s again about love, life, relations with unexpected twists and ideas.
What does success mean to you as an Author?
Writing is a passion for me it’s something I love. To have it loved, appreciated and accepted by the world around, by book lovers/readers means success to me. Having someone come forward asking for a copy means success to me.
In fact, I have a message from a reader who thanked me because my book helped her wake up to life. It was a beautiful, heart-touching message, now that is the success for me.
My work helping inspiring or reminding someone of who he/she is or was or wants to be is the success for me.
Where can you see yourself in 5 years?
As I mentioned, I love living in the now so I have never given much thought for tomorrow and 5 years is a long long way it can be life-changing, so don’t know. But my dream is to follow my passion and someday reach the ranks of best sellers along with all the great writers.
Your opinion about Vowelor.
I have just recently collaborated with Vowler but it has been very comfortable and friendly with everyone I have been in touch with. They have been there whenever I have needed help or have had questions.
Their member Nancy was my first contact, she was wonderfully patient with all my queries. I am hoping our relationship continues for a long long time and they help promote my books far and wide. I have great expectations and hopes with Team Vowler
Your Message for Readers & Where they can connect with You?
Love, read, enjoy and appreciate all the small things and emotions in life because these small unexpected things add spice and fun to life.
Like Her FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/kakarritu/
Follow Her on Instagram: @ritu.kakar
