Meet The Author- Ritu Lalit

She is polite, poised, and seasoned. With her newest work – ‘Wrong, for the right reason’ making a buzz in town, Ritu Lalit, author of five fiction books, is all geared up for the success she has deserved. A trailblazer, that she is, for you and me. Marriage, relationship, empowerment, and successful writing – know it all in this soul-enriching TheWOOMag’s tete-e-tete with Ritu.

With her newest work – ‘Wrong for the right reason’ making news in town, Ritu Lalit, author of five fiction books, is all geared up for the success she has deserved. Marriage, relationship, empowerment, successful writing – know it all in this enriching TheWOOMag’s tete-e-tete with Ritu. All yours!

TheWOOMag- You always wanted to write, but your first book came in 2011. Was it corporate life that got you busy all this while?

Ritu Lalit- Yes, always. There's a very funny story behind it. I wrote my first novel when I was 14. It was long-hand and was based on family secrets. My father made me burn it. (Laughs). My father said, "Pahle jeele, phir likhna (First live your life, then write)." So, I studied, got married had children. I started writing after my older son's marriage.

TheWOOMag- Do your research for your books? And the characters are they live characters or all imagination?

Ritu Lalit - I have written two fantasies, one intrigue and two very close to real life. I find reading the Vedas and mythology a lot of fun. So, somewhere my fantasies are inspired there. And for real life, you don't have to do much research. I insist on one thing that characters have to be lifelike. So, even if you put them in real life or fantasies, they behave naturally. And, the story works.

TheWOOMag-T here is an element of the supernatural in Chakra. Isn't it?

Ritu Lalit -  Oh! Chakra is supernatural.

TheWOOMag- So, have you ever had any supernatural experiences?

Ritu Lalit - I meditate a lot. So, being in touch with your sixth and seventh senses, it's not much of a stretch of the imagination for me.

TheWOOMag- Do you understand the spiritual realm?

Ritu Lalit - I hope so! (Laughs). But, then even if I am writing fantasy, the characters can't afford to be unreal. In Chakra, the story revolved around the kundalini. The concept is, if you master the Kundalini, you can master the elements.

TheWOOMag-Then you wrote Hilawi. What it is all about?

Ritu Lalit - It was a crazy concept. Suppose the Samudramanthan happened very long 10000 -15000 years ago, where devas (Gods) and danvas (demons) churned the ocean and got a whole lot of magical stuff. Imagine what would happen if a human ran away it. The adventure starts after centuries later when a girl and her brother try to unravel the mystery of this magical inheritance.

TheWOOMag- Your brand new novel is about a woman who has her own mind and decides to separate from her husband. Why did you call it ? Wrong for the Right reason??

Ritu Lalit - If the relationship isn't working out, she has the right to call it off. Calling it "Wrong" is sarcasm towards society because society decides it is wrong. Also, it refers to certain errors of judgment the woman Milly makes in the book while trying to live life on her terms.

TheWOOMag - What option a woman who has given her career up and is completely economically dependent has? And, of course, the social stigma. This issue is close to many women's hearts.

Ritu Lalit- You know, I can just speak for myself. I think, if the relationship is not working out, life is too short. I lived through this issue. I am a divorcee and I walked out of my marriage with two children, much to my parents? shock. The older kid was nine and the younger was one. I started and built my corporate career after that.

TheWOOMag - Would you restrict yourself to a particular genre? especially if the publisher asked you.

Ritu Lalit - I want my creative freedom. My first book was for young adults, then I wrote Hilawi, a Fantasy. Then I wrote Chakra as the publisher pressurized me to write fantasy again. Then came "His Father's Mistress", a murder mystery. I decided to write what I please and wrote Wrong for the right reasons, the story of a woman with two kids and no career, and decided to self-publish it on Amazon.com.

TheWOOMag - Would you like to share about your new projects?

Ritu Lalit - My new project is a crime thriller. Set in Delhi's underbelly where there are very rich, politically well-connected people. There are bullets and the mafia. So, what would happen if some young clueless boy visiting there got into trouble?

TheWOOMag - That sounds pretty interesting. Talking about publishing, what are your experiences with Indian publishers? We haven't had great feedback about them.

Ritu Lalit - Oh! I have had terrible experiences. There is no accountability of how many books have sold, no honesty in paying your royalty, and the copyright of the book that you authored. One of my publishers has absconded with my money. Another has not given my copyright back. And, there is another publisher with whom the contract is over, but the e-book is still out.

TheWOOMag - So, do you think self-publishing is the answer for many new writers?

Ritu Lalit - At least I know I can keep my creativity alive. I have a job, so I don't have to worry about publishing and payment. This time I went self-publishing with Amazon. I got an email last week from Amazon that my royalty is due. I can go online anytime and download the report.

TheWOOMa -  Do you think online bookstores? Flipkart, and Amazon, have helped authors increase their reach to the target readers. Have they helped you sell?

Ritu Lalit - Yes. They are helping authors reach the audience.

TheWOOMag - Which Indian authors do you think are doing a great job in terms of content?

Ritu - Among women I liked Preeti Shenoy, Aabha Iyengar, and Nandita Bose. I am also impressed by Kulpreet Yadav's and Rohit Gore's work.

TheWOOMag - What is your advice to upcoming authors?

Ritu Lalit - Read..read.and read. I read around 8-10 books a month. Once you write a book you send it for editing. Don't do your editing yourself. Pay for it. I pay for a beta reader and an editor. Wrong for the right reasons has been through 4 rounds of editing and beta readings before I published it.

TheWOOMag - What is your idea of women empowerment? Do you think the only key to women's empowerment is economic empowerment?

Ritu Lalit - There was a time I thought so. But, from my experience, I learned that economic independence is not the answer. Empowerment has to come from within. I have come across women who are educated, are earning, but don't know how to manage their finances and lives. So, one thing I learned is to be what you call an empowered woman, it's not how much you are earning, but it is to bloody believe that you are an empowered woman!

TheWOOMag- Media stresses a lot about women looking like models, sexy, breaking the glass ceiling, etc. And, many women buy the thought that they are not good enough causing insecurity.

Ritu Lalit - Why women should be bought into thinking that they need to be a particular size while men can flaunt their paunches? Why? Because women are insecure and need to win that approval. And, magazines, television ads, by kitty party pals contribute to this insecurity to quite an extent. Let's face it. Everyone is not going to remain sixteen. If you have a body that has produced a couple of kids, if you have gone through the stress of life, wear and tear will be there. So, let's stop being obsessed with our bodies.

TheWOOMag - Thank you, Ritu. Our readers will get this message of what TheWOOMag envisions to inculcate in our women readers. the true spirit of empowerment. And, that's what WOO stands for. It is not about just looking sexy, power dressing, and reigning in board rooms. It is far beyond that.

(In this section, She - Buzz, TheWOOMag will showcase Women across professions, societies, and nationalities who are creating buzz due to their good work. If you want to feature here or contribute someone's name, please drop in an email at info@thewoomag.com)