Kiran Manral – Named Among the Womennovator 1000 Women of Asia (Award Winning Author)

"Sometimes my characters do things that even surprise me—and I have no choice but to follow their lead."

1. What first drew you to writing, and when did you realize it was your true calling?

I think reading has always been my true calling—writing just happened along the way. I was constantly scribbling as a child, and it naturally continued into adulthood. So, while I might say writing is incidental, it has always been a part of me.

2. Which of your books challenged you the most, and why?

Each book presents its own set of challenges, but All Those Who Wander was particularly complex due to its multiverse theme and shifting timelines. The Rising series also posed a different kind of challenge—it required deep research and a strong sense of responsibility to portray the stories of the women featured with accuracy and respect.

3. What core message do you hope readers take away from your stories?

With my non-fiction, like Rising and Rising 2.0, I hope readers leave feeling inspired. As for my fiction, I want readers to recognize that women are not one-dimensional—they are layered, complex, and complete. And above all, I hope my stories encourage them to live fully, with no regrets.

4. Do you write with a specific reader in mind, or let the narrative guide you?

I don't write for a particular reader, nor do I strictly follow the narrative—it's always the character who leads the way. Sometimes, the character does something unexpected, and I just have to follow along, even if it surprises me.

5. How much of your real life and observations shape your characters?

Quite a lot, actually. I think most writers start with reality—real people, real observations—as the skeleton for their characters. Then we flesh them out with imagination and creative embellishment.

6. How have you seen the Indian publishing space evolve over the years?

It's become incredibly competitive—which, I believe, is a very positive shift. It pushes everyone to bring their best work forward.

7. What helps you push through creative blocks or tough writing days?

Simply sitting down at the desk and writing. There’s no magic formula—you just have to show up and do the work.

8. And finally—if your writing desk could talk, what funny or surprising quirks would it reveal?

It would probably tell you that I keep three diaries on it, and often forget what I’ve written in which one. Then I end up flipping through all of them just to find what I’m looking for!

Bio:

Kiran Manral published her debut novel, The Reluctant Detective, in 2011 and has since authored 17 books across diverse genres. A TEDx speaker and mentor with the Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk, she was awarded the International Women’s Day Award 2018 by the Indian Council of UN Relations (ICUNR), supported by the Ministry for Women and Child Development. Her novella Saving Maya was longlisted for the 2018 Saboteur Awards, UK. In 2021, she was named among the Womennovator 1000 Women of Asia. In 2022, she was recognized as one of the 75 Iconic Indian Women in STEAM by Red Dot Foundation and Beyond Black, in collaboration with the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India, and the British High Commission, New Delhi.

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Interviewed by: Niyati Gupta 

Edited by: Shantanu Singh