Meet writer Vidya Prabhakar, a Chartered Accountant with over 8 years of banking and financial services experience. Keen interest in human psychology and a quest for knowledge led her to pursue a master’s degree in psychology. To allow herself some time for self discovery, she has taken a break from her full time finance job and taken up writing & needle crafting to fulfill her creative interests.
Please tell us about yourself.
I’m a chartered accountant and a post graduate in Psychology married to a Chartered accountant-now turned techie and have a 2 year old child. I come from a family where books and the reading habit are revered (we are such pack rats – we still have the 1970’s issues of the Reader’s Digest magazine). A full time professional till recently, I’m presently on a sabbatical from work and have taken up writing full time from home to explore my creative side.
How long have you been writing?
I began writing when I was 12. My grandmother was my first audience. It started with writing simple poetry and progressed to articles for the school magazine.
How did you start writing?
I was and still am a voracious reader, so I think writing was a natural progression. The credit goes to my mother for introducing me and my sister to a variety of material to read during our formative years. I grew up on a diet of Enid Blyton’s , abridged classics and Amar Chitra Katha’s , not to mention copies of the Wren and Martin and a picture dictionary which my grandfather helpfully placed beside the reading table to look up new words.
The love for language and the desire to express myself led to writing.
What do you love about writing?
The fact that I can express myself freely and get a point across is something I like most about writing.
What is your favorite piece of writing? Tell us about it.
A poem of mine that was published in the Sun magazine, “The beginning of the end of innocence” is something that is close to my heart. It was my attempt at expressing, how as we grow older and presumably wiser, we lose some our more endearing qualities and the childlike innocence.
Who are your favorite writers and what are your favorite books?
I have plenty of favorite books and authors, But the following three come to mind instantly:-
Marti Leimbach’s “Daniel isn’t talking yet” – It is a deeply moving story of a family with a special needs child.
Robert Frost’s poem “The road not taken” has always remained an all time favorite and a source of inspiration at times when I have had to take major decisions.
Kathopanishad is the first step and an initiation to spiritual life and higher consciousness
What kind of writing do you hate? Any turn-offs?
Flippant language and a dismissive attitude in writing put me off.
Did you face any challenges in your writing career? Tell us how you dealt with them.
I would think of my writing career being in its infancy. The primary challenges are in terms of finding the right platform to start off and finding assignments to keep one from getting frustrated in the initial stages.
Do you ever get writer’s block? What do you do about it?
Certainly! I try to step back from what I’m writing and get on to other tasks while letting my subconscious mind work on some new ideas!
What is the best feedback you received about your work?
My article for Chillibreeze “My transition from a busy executive to a stay at home mom” got me a lot of positive reviews, particularly from moms – both working and stay-at-home-moms. Some of them even got back saying that my article has made them re-think their decision to get back to work.
Who is your biggest critic?
My father is my biggest critic. We are the quintessential dad and daughter combination and have our spats and differences in opinion, but he is sure to let me know what he thinks without mincing words. That has stood me in good stead all these years!
What do you think makes Chillibreeze writers different?
Chillibreeze taps into the talent of writers who have rich real life experience and a flair for writing without necessarily having a formal degree in writing. This lends a lot of flavor to the articles along with meaningful insights on various topics.
How do you see the internet changing the way writing works?
The internet has changed the way writing works very significantly. Almost anything today is just a few keystrokes away. The significant advantage is being able to access anything you want, anywhere and at any time. On the flip side, though, it seems to have killed the old fashioned way of picking out a book from the library, curling up and enjoying the company of a good book in a cozy corner.
What has writing taught you about life?
Writing has taught me that there is a wide world left to be explored, understood and written about. The more you seek, the more you learn.
What inspires you to write?
The fact that I can write something which people can relate to, smile or nod their head thinking, “Yeah, this has happened to me”, is what inspires me to write.
What would your autobiography/biography be called?
It is humbling to even think that I would have an autobiography/ biography – I suppose it will be several years before I think on those lines!
What is your dream as a writer? Any publications you’d like to see your work in?
My dream as a writer would be to do extensive research on Hindu beliefs and customs and publish a book on that.
What kind of mistakes do you think new writers usually make?
I’m a relatively new writer myself. Not paying attention to detail and not understanding the target audience is a mistake that all new writers should avoid.
Do you have any advice for writers who are starting out on their careers?
Clarity and brevity are the hallmarks of good writing. Sacrificing one for the other is a recipe for disaster. Also, keep a sharp eye on areas of your interest. Further your knowledge by constantly reading up. Take your assignments seriously and give it your best shot.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself? Perhaps something interesting about you, that people are always surprised to hear?
A finance professional, I later chose to take up a master’s degree in Psychology on account of interest in the subject. I enjoy the effect that this combination of degrees has on some people, who roll their eyes wondering if I can look at them and read their minds and gauge their personalities like I would read a balance sheet!
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Comments:
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
You grew up on a diet of Enid Blyton’s books. Great!!! Well, I am glad to inform you that I have just published a book on Enid Blyton, titled, The Famous Five: A Personal Anecdotage (www.bbotw.com).
Stephen Isabirye
Hi vidya madam
Eppadi Irukkeenga?
Hi Mahadevan ,
Am not sure I recognise you from this rather brief message. In any case, am doing fine
Hi…. its Great to see you purse your both passion with a Great Career Profile…….
I also Completed my CA ans CS….Plus i want to write about fiction and poets’. please Guide how to manage both the passion and How i Start up Initially.
Thanks