An Interview with Chitra Lele

Chitra Lele is a young management consultant, peace ambassador and a  multiple world record holding author who is conferred with the title of 'A Versatile Writer' by the India Book of Records for penning the maximum number of books on various genres including business management, poetry, personal transformation in a span of 18 months. Chitra’s publications include academic and reference books, research papers, poetry anthologies and scholarly articles.

 
Firstly, I would like to begin with the most basic question, how did your journey with the pen begin?

I began writing short stories and poems from the age of 8. Slowly and steadily, as I developed a deep reading habit, I became exposed to a wide variety of genres. And this in turn, gave me the confidence to write on a wide variety of subjects. Initially, I contributed articles to my college and university magazines, then as I received appreciation from my peers and elders, I gained confidence to try my hand at various other mediums—online blogs, print magazines, radio poetry reading sessions, international journals and anthologies. With all these contributions, I started to develop an innate desire of becoming an author.
 
When did you first consider yourself a writer, far from a blogger?

Right from a very young age, I have had exposure to a diverse range of books, right from social studies to business management and from economics to software engineering, which helped me to develop a diverse perspective towards all aspects of life. Thanks to our huge home library and my parents’ steady support that helped me to build up 
an interest in academic subjects at a very young age. These factors motivated me to contribute research papers, essays, poems and scholarly articles to various national and international anthologies and journals in various genres—spiritual, technical, social, etc. My parents always tell me, “Chitra, in order to produce quality-driven books, you need to read quality-driven books.” And I have constantly followed this golden rule, which helped me to develop a diverse perspective towards all aspects of life. This inspiring environment sort of became a permanent learning classroom for me that enriched me both as an author and as a person.

What inspired you to write your first book?

Apart from progressing in my computer management field, I want to contribute to the society; I want to mark many more beginnings and set and achieve many more milestones in the fields of literature, education and peace-making. To encourage youngsters of my age to join the bandwagon of peace-making and social transformation is one of my biggest aims. And writing is one of the most effective ways of achieving this goal.
I have always had the habit of registering new ideas and insights from various settings on my blog and in my diary, and that’s where the idea for my first book The 6 Spheres of Life: Unlocking the Door to Success and Happiness came from. For my first book, I have I received over 70 Letters of Commendation from world leaders and peace organizations, right from the Hon. President of India, Pratibha Patil to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and this feat has been registered in the Limca Book of and India Book of Records. And that’s how I took the next step in my writing journey.

What books have highly influenced your life?

The list is long as I have favorites in so many genres. For example, in the software engineering domain, books by authors like Kathy Schwalbe, Roger Pressman, etc. have mentored me. Another example would be that of the book by Peter Drucker, Management Challenges for the 21st Century, not only introduced me to challenging scenarios but also triggered the thought process within me to design solutions and strategies for the same. Similarly, books from my other favorite fields like economics, political science, etc. have always fascinated in more ways than one.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

I would like to answer this question a bit differently—there is a gamut of personalities who have inspired me, right from business leaders to management gurus and from bestselling authors to motivational speakers—and all of these personalities are great writers too. And above all this it is my parents—my mother for her creative flair and my father for his analytical skills that have inspired me during my writing process.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

In my latest book, English Language: The Gateway to Global Growth, I have focused on the when, why, where, what, and what next of the global phenomenon of the English language in detail, and touched upon the how aspect; how to learn and excel in English has one complete section for it, but I would like to expand on this how aspect and come out with a full-fledged book.
 
Can you share a little of your current work with us?

My books are based on a combination of aspects and principles from various disciplines; hence this aspect makes my books universal both in tone and application in all settings—social, personal and professional. My latest nonfiction, academic book, English Language: The Gateway to Global Growth, is doing well, both in terms of responses 
from readers around the world and literary records. This book is not a 
mere academic book, but it has personal touch to it as I have written 
it in a lively and stimulating manner. And since it is written in an 
easy-to-understand format, it offers something for each of my readers to learn from. This book focuses on the English Language and its dynamics in today’s world of globalization. It deals with not only the Indian landscape but also discusses the global scenarios of this language.
Languages open a vista for learners. The more languages one knows 
the better are the chances for progress. English provides a chance 
to develop in any field of one’s choice. It helps one to grow. It does 
not confine a citizen to his or her own nation. It opens the possibilities 
to be global in a real sense and it is a shockproof cover against 
the shockwaves of globalization. We have much to share with each other 
and having a common language is the first step along that road to engaging in commerce and scientific research and to sharing knowledge 
and friendship. This is where English steps in, and my book, English Language: The Gateway to Global Growth, reflects this very philosophy. It deals with the global aspects of English like educational equity, 
cross-cultural sensitivity, seamless cohesion, etc., in an engaging and stimulating manner.

Do you have to travel much concerning your books?

Having traveled widely right from a young age—all thanks to my parents’ penchant for traveling—naturally it helped me in my writing journey too. As most of my books have an academic flavor and international focus to them, I need to meet and interact with various experts on all points of the world compass to collate the latest trends and statistics and validate my research, theories and approaches.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

While writing my latest book, English Language: The Gateway to Global Growth, I had to do a lot of researching, surveying and collecting statistics about aspects like linguistic features of New Englishes, emerging linguistic trends, current status and future scenarios of English, etc., and this was a Herculean task as I had to manage my studies, work commitments and worldwide travel dates all at the same time.
At the end of it all, reader responses and appreciation from kind souls 
like you all washed away the fatigue and anxiety, and replaced them 
with a sense of achievement and a feeling of deep satisfaction. I assure you that you too will experience this same sense of achievement and satisfaction once you equip yourself with my book.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Well I am too young and only a few books old to give advice to my fellow writers. But I would definitely like to share a few learnings with them in order to make their literary journey a less bumpy: Believe in your own power of writing, make up your mind on what you want to derive out of your literary works, whether name, money, share a story, etc., and start with what interests you and let it evolve.

Finally, do you have anything specific that you want to say to our readers (The TeenMag)?

Writing to me is one powerful way of transforming my everyday experiences into something interesting, and then sharing it with readers like you all and sort of initiating a chain reaction of ideas and knowledge-sharing. So please come join me in my literary journey and enrich it with your insights and learnings.

The TeenMAG Team, thank you very much for encouraging my books and achievements through your popular platform!

-Akhil Ramesh