This month marks a significant milestone for me—five years since the publication of My Heart Sings Your Song, the first book in the Reena & Nikesh University series. It’s hard to believe that in January 2020, I took the first step of my journey to telling my story, the story of the birth of our profoundly disabled son. A story that changed my life in so many ways. Later in March, the second book Where Have We Come, the story of baby loss and grief followed, solidifying my place as an author and allowing me to connect with more women like me from the South Asian community and readers.
As I reflect on these five years, I find myself revisiting not only the joy and pride that came with my achievements, but also the pain and challenges that have shaped me along the way. The past year has been especially transformative, bringing a mix of heartache and happiness, both of which have left a profound impact on my mental health. Since writing emotive women’s fiction is a way to process my feelings, the lack of mental capacity has made it harder to focus on these stories. Instead, I’ve spent more time exploring standalone romances and plotting new romantic suspense series ideas.
This month, I celebrate three special birthdays—all of my sons were born within days of each other. It’s a bittersweet time, filled with the weight of loss, the joy of life, and the enduring hope for brighter days ahead. These emotions remind me why I write: to channel the complex, raw, and beautiful experiences of life into stories that resonate with others.
As I step into 2025, I am throwing my hopes and dreams into the universe, asking for the courage and strength to finish the second duets in my Sonali & Deepak University series and to publish at least two books this year. It’s a not too lofty goal, I have them ready to share with the world and I am determined to pursue my publishing goal with all my heart.
Advice for New Authors
For those just starting out on their writing journey, here are some lessons I’ve learned along the way:
Celebrate Every Milestone, whether it’s finishing your first draft, receiving feedback from your first reader, or publishing your first book, take time to acknowledge each accomplishment. Every step forward is a victory.
Write Through the Pain, writing can be cathartic, it is for me, even when it feels impossible. Don’t shy away from putting your emotions into your work—it’s often in the hardest moments that the most powerful stories are born.
Adapt to Your Creative Energy, my creativity ebbs and flows and so will yours. If you find yourself stuck, try taking a break, experimenting with a different genre, or baking cake. Whatever helps you out of your slump, sometimes a break can reignite your passion for writing.
Surround Yourself with Support, find your tribe, whether it’s a community of writers, loyal readers, or friends and family who believe in your vision. This is something that has taken me the longest. My writing course was a long time ago and I’m useless at going back to chats and forums I’ve joined. I am currently trying to be more visible, whether it's a writers group virtual meet up or in person one.
Dream Big, But Stay Consistent, goal setting is important, but consistency is what brings dreams to life. Set realistic goals and work steadily toward them, even if progress feels slow.
To my fellow writers, whether you’re seasoned or just beginning, I hope you find inspiration in your own journey this year. Writing is a path filled with twists and turns, but every word you write brings you closer to sharing your story with the world.
Here’s to a year of courage, strength, and creativity. May we all find the resolve to bring our dreams to life and if you want to find out how to publish a book from scratch on KDP come and join me on Instagram.
What are your writing goals for 2025? Share them below—I’d love to hear about your journey!