Author's Interview with Ankita Srivastava

First, before we move forward with our Author's Interview, I would like to start with an introduction.

1. What is your name and Could you please introduce yourself to us?

Ankita Srivastava. I am an ex-Army officer who created history by being the first girl from Allahabad to join Indian Army in 1993 and went on to serve for 14 years in uniform. While creating many footprints in the uniformed service from being the First Lady cadet to becoming the cadet editor of the OTA journal during my training time to be posted as the First Lady officer in the counter Insurgency area during Kargil War. Post hanging my boots I became the First Lady officer to win the Most Vivacious sub-award at Gladrags Mrs India 2009. I then turned into a motivational speaker and an author. Recently I debuted as a stand-up comedienne at AWWA Jaipur lit fest 2022.

2. Congratulations on your book. So what inspired you to write this book?

Thanks. I wanted to tell all the people out there that nothing is impossible if we know what we want and while retaining our flaws or shortcomings we can still make heads turn by our honesty and modesty.

3. What is the book all about?

It’s about how the post has hung my military boots, I went into a kind of depression but then I kicked myself to come out of it by choosing to walk the national beauty pageant ramp only to learn something 180 degrees opposite to what I knew till that age of 39. It’s my journey of being so out of place in the beauty world but yet I could create my footprints there only by two poses - Sadhana and  Vishraam known to me... I created a mini-history!!

4. Why did you choose this genre for your book?

Because it’s my true story and I wanted to inspire all out there ..

5. How much time did it take to complete this book?

9 years

 6. What makes your Book Special?

Oh, it’s one of its kind memoir depicting truth and my flaws without feeling the need to hide them but to flaunt them proudly not feeling ashamed of it at all. It’s a strong need of the hour when today mostly people keep worrying that if their flaws are seen by others - they will be mocked. I want to tell all my readers to take pride in what you don’t know or your flaws and work dedicatedly to win over your own shortcomings not to impress others but to pay your own back!

7. When is your second book coming?

In April 2023

8. While writing did you get any writer's block? What is the Tip that you will give others who are facing writer's block?

Yes I did. I couldn’t end the book as it was appearing plain narrative which I felt wasn’t very exciting so I gave up finishing my book. While driving to my office I would often play my story in my mind and speak Dialogues when one such day I could create a fictional ending that just matched the scenario in my book. Tip to authors - keep talking your book to yourself as if it’s speaking to you ..never abandon it once.

9. Apart from being a talented author, what are your other hobbies?

I love to dance, do stand-up comedy and motivate students or train working executives pan India.

10. Last but not least, How did you feel, while giving this interview?

I felt too good because I could speak my heart. And that’s one thing I live by - speaking the truth all the time.

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