A spirit on the hunt for experiences and growth, Kritika began writing from lucid passion. Kritika is a Chartered Accountant by education. She quit her corporate life in 2016, runs a garment and jewellery business and writes every day. She has also been providing financial mentorship to start ups and women entrepreneurs. She survives on cocoa and green tea. She is progressive and reformative. Spiritual, animal loving, humanitarian at heart, she hopes that she can grow to be worthy of creating an impact. We caught up with her about her new book.
Readomania: Hi Kritika, congratulations on the launch of Vanilla Loves, Dusky Lives, a collection of 5 heartwarming and 5 gut-wrenching stories. How did you conceptualize this book?
Kritika: VLDL is based on the simple concept of substance over form – to look at the intent of a person and to place our discriminatory and warrior energies against the battles that need fighting.
People are slandered for following their hearts, for trying to pursue happiness, for trying to make the best of their circumstances, and some people are excused for the most gruesome acts only because they are in a position of power.
Readomania: The love stories that you’ve written under Vanilla Loves are not your typical boy-meets-girl or happily-ever-after tales. Your love stories are mature in their themes and treatment. Was that how you intended them to be?
Kritika: Yes, actually my intention was to convey normalcy in eccentric relationships because the intent is all the same – affection and happiness. This is why I’ve called it ‘vanilla’ loves.
I’ve observed extreme judgement for relationships who tip-toe around the edges of acceptable social norms. People judge others for their outside form, not for their intent. Any relationship that challenges societies’ heteronormality is frowned upon.
If we do not question what normal is or redefine with changing times, how do we grow as a society?
We as humans are different from animals in the sense that we have the choice of creating our own culture. We have willingly walked out on our natural habitats, created houses of brick and mortar. But we also have the choice of changing or evolving the material of the house again.
In the same manner, heteronormative ways of lives were made to serve mankind. If it does not work as well for some lot of people, then should it be imposed to the extent that they feel deprived of life and happiness? People are living their lives in shabby conditions only to conform.
You know, marital rape, domestic violence, infidelity, mental health issues, suicides are often outcomes of our social need to conform.
Readomania: Vanilla Loves celebrate outlandish relationships and urge appreciation for non-conformism. How did you think about these wonderful stories?
Kritika: They are manifestations of simple stories I have seen around me. Age-gap relationships, different definitions of forever, the desire for emotional intimacy and the complex divorce cases, deja-vu moments. You won’t believe how easily all these they came to me. I felt like I was writing just based on interaction with some friend or the other.
Over time, people are losing compassion for one another. We need to understand that the purpose of life is not to abide by some rules. But it can only be more if we dream it to be.
To be honest, these stories also came from a point of wonder – who does one confide into if they are in unconventional relationships? Are there enough ears to listen without judgment, or enough people around to celebrate non-conformism with?
If not, we have to create them. It’s no wonder mental health has taken such a hit in the past few years.
Readomania: The stories under Dusky Lives make one cringe and angry. They force you to look under the glitter carpet. How did you feel when you were writing them?
Kritika: I’m a very sensitive person and I have found it extremely difficult to write these dark stories. I felt overwhelmed while writing these and went ahead because I felt it is my manner of bringing justice to the many lives that go through such things.
Readomania: Are any of these immoral stories true? How did you get inspired?
Kritika: 'Married into Immorality' was a story I heard of when I was 18. Imagine hearing of someone get separated from their spouse because the family was into human trafficking. The story has stayed with me for over a decade. I don’t recall who it was but the hurtful fact is that there would be so many people that probably knew of the family involved in this business, and they spoke of it like it was gossip, rather than doing something more substantial about it.
All the other immoral stories, are also inspired by true events. All of them. I have fictionalized them. But they were things I heard from acquaintances.
The least I can do as a mother of a girlchild is to raise awareness in the world, she is going to be a part of.
Also, you know, looking around, people are so driven on expanding the size of their lives, but nobody is ready to question the quality of that size. Is that network you want to build, filled with good people or just plain privileged? Can you put your hand to your heart and say that you’re hanging out with people you respect because of their value system? This is what inspires me.
Readomania: You are a Chartered Accountant turned entrepreneur. How did you start writing fiction and poetry?
Kritika: It is one thing to explore one’s aptitude and another to explore one’s attitude (heart). While being in finance and thereafter a small-time businessperson was a choice made from aptitude, writing came to me to pursue my purpose in life.
I have long stories here, but during the COVID years, when I was boggled beyond measure, I found life in my laptop. Writing was a divine plan. It has helped me heal, it has given me a voice, and I promise the universe to use it well.
Readomania: You also offer financial mentorship to start-ups and women entrepreneurs. How did that start?
Kritika: I grew up watching my mother, a designer, design brilliantly. But I also saw my father, a Chartered Accountant, help her with the business aspects of it. I know that they created a powerful business together. I know that talented individuals do need some assistance in the financial and practical side of things.
Right after my education, I said that I want to help artisans and designers make their businesses profitable and this was much before the startup revolution was this big. A couple of years later, I was providing mentorship. I have been associated with government-based incubation centres for years and women-based lifestyle businesses is something I want to continue with since I’ve gained some more experience there. Though very honestly, going ahead, with my need to write all the time, I’m not sure how many hours I’m going to be able to give into this actively. I intend to use the pen to transfer the knowledge I have now.
Readomania: Your first book, Mirror Soul, was a romance novel. You have now written a collection of short stories. Which format is more challenging to write according to you and why?
Kritika: They’ve come very naturally to me. I have a dreamy imaginative mind. I think I can day dreams for hours in a go, it is a part of me. And then I just have to write the same story that’s going on in my Pisces head. So much so, that even when I’m exhausted, I only want to write. It relaxes me beyond measure. I feel heard. So, I cannot thank you enough for this opportunity.
I am trying my hand at some non-fiction now and structuring that is what I’m finding hard.
Readomania: You have presented homosexuality in a beautiful way in VLDL. There is still a lot of taboo regarding this topic in the people’s minds. Do you think we need to sensitize people on this absolutely normal thing through good writing?
Kritika: Oh absolutely. I’m surprised it has taken us so long to begin or rather restart our journey of inclusion. We humans are majoritarian. It is easier to administer when people fit in one box. But again, administration has become such a big deal that it is shunning the growth and beauty of our civilization.
With such a complex human mind, such diverse individualities, why are we continuously forcing one another to be ‘bricks in the wall’? Why can’t we celebrate and accept diversity?
Can you imagine what if there was only one color of flower in the world? We wouldn’t have red roses for love and white for peace. There is a reason why the LGBTQ+ are represented as a rainbow. They make our world beautiful. It is sad that we want to keep our colors hidden in the closet.
Also, religion, love, sexuality, are such personal things. Why can’t we simply accept a person’s right to choose, their right to privacy in it, their right to celebrating love?
Lastly, love is love, and love is always vanilla.
I was a scarcely aware teenager, introduced to the community through my read of Devdutt Pattnaik’s book Shikhandi when I was 22, and thereafter a short stint with the Global Shapers’ Community (UN for Youth), Jaipur deeply moved and motivated me. I will definitely to continue working on this.
The more the content, the more the awareness and the more the acceptance.
Readomania: Not every case of child molestation or domestic violence is reported. Most victims do not have the financial independence or family support to fight such demons. What do you think we can do about it? Do you plan to create support groups and raise your voice through discussions on your book?
Kritika: Our present-day systems – capitalism, patriarchy, ageism, sexism – give power to a few and people who are generally handicapped of power tend to become instruments for those in power. This power is given by our systems and frameworks – and so isn’t it our responsibility to aid and empower those that are stripped off the same?
The thing is you know, financial independence and family support are the greatest pillars and yet I know of well educated, independent women suffering at the hands of these evils. Because even fighting or challenging the difficulties that one faces in life requires a beating heart. And when life hurls stones constantly, one becomes immune to their own pain. It’s not a sign of cowardice that people don’t speak up, rather one of grief, exhaustion and submission to fate. People find comfort in the devil known.
And what can change that is inspiration from others. When we see fellow women doing well or breaking out of their toxic environments, others feel supported.
Domestic violence is something that is prevalent behind every other door.
While talking about it is a great way to change things, I think we women need to start taking charge of the change we wish to see. Financial independence is the first step but after that there is a dire need for unity and coherence, we’ve been divided for the success of patriarchy for very long.
I believe it will take a few years more for the strengthening of the feminine (Shakti), and I will definitely work a lot in that space, but once that happens, our world will look like a well kempt garden. People in privileged spaces have the ability to catalyze change and most of them can do much more.
Readomania: Which story in VLDL was the toughest for you to pen?
Kritika: 'Chain of Trauma' was the hardest for me to pen. I had to take breaks after every few sentences because of the depth of pain in the lives of the characters I was trying to highlight within a short story.
You didn’t ask, but 'Intimacy' was the loveliest. In fact, all of Vanilla Loves brought out a happy Kritika.
Readomania: Kritika, what are you writing next and when can we expect to read it?
Kritika: Thank you for this question. I completed my third fiction manuscript last year and I’m sitting on it like a hen for now. Meanwhile, I am working on some more projects.
As for the timeline, I have no idea. I have a lot to learn as a person. I’ve been Maa Saraswati’s child for as long as I can remember. My plan is to write with the right intentions, to bring it out into the world is the divine’s timing and plan.
Readomania: Thank you for the lovely conversation Kritika.
Her book is available on Amazon, please click on the link below to buy it.
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