Story Artisan Press

Personal writing empowers a person to establish a dialogue with one’s own self. I started writing about two decades ago as a way to record my experiences as a mother. Over time, writing became my passion because it allowed me to better understand myself. Writing became a personal record of my attempts to live an examined life.

My love of writing has recently opened new vistas for me. And this has only strengthened my faith in the power of writing to empower a person to better know himself or herself, and even to feel more whole. In this post, I describe the many good things that have come my way as a result of offering (free) writing workshops.

Continue reading “Writing Workshops” →

1. There are almost two dozen 4- and 5-star reviews/ratings on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51071687-radical-spirits).

2. There are more than a dozen 4- and 5-star reviews/ratings on Amazon (http://tinyurl.com/anandiprint).

3. A Q&A was published in the Hindu Business Line (https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blink/read/the-story-of-the-first-woman-doctor-in-india/article31180517.ece) A pdf of the Q&A is here.

4. Janet Perry of the Nonfiction4Life podcast (http://nonfiction4life.com) interviewed me. Even though it is an audio dialogue, using Skype made it a more satisfying experience. Thanks to Janet’s excellent active listening skills, I was getting continuous feedback, and this helped assure a smooth flow of conversation. One of Janet’s interesting questions was about the practice of quarantining passengers arriving by ship during the 1880s. Because of the current Covid-19 pandemic, what is a small aspect of the book has garnered new relevance. To hear my take on this, click on the podcast link: https://www.nonfiction4life.com/131-radical-spirits-nandini-parwardhan/

Have you read Radical Spirits? If so, I would love to know your unique take and reactions, what stood out, what was surprising.

And if you haven’t yet read it, please do! There is nothing better to take your mind off the worries and social distancing imposed by Covid-19. Get immersed in a story of hope, courage, and supportive friendships.

A launch party for Radical Spirits was held on March 8, 2020 at the home of my friend Sarah in Raleigh, NC. It was a great honor that 25 people attended the event.

Sarah and her friend created a lovely display for the book.  She also gave a thoughtful speech about the book. Besides highlighting the main themes, she drove home the importance of the story of women’s empowerment because the work is still unfinished in so many parts of the world.

I made laminated copies of two of the hand-written letters and highlighted the most heartwarming text. A couple of the excerpts:

1. Letter from Anandi to Theodocia Carpenter
   

   I really wish and feel that I should call you my aunt. There is a saying among us, “it does not matter much if a mother dies but not let an aunt die.” This expression will show you in what respect & estimation a maternal aunt is held among us. If you allow me, I wish to look upon you as such.

2. Letter from Theodocia to Anandi
   

   If in your heart you would save humanity, your true work shall find you, even though it be at the ends of the earth. God knows his willing servants and will appoint their tasks and sustain them in their work… Any information that I can give you, that will help you along in your studies, will be given gladly.

In my presentation, I covered these topics:

1. How I came to write the story
2. What a difference a century makes – the differences between Anandi’s life and mine
3. Read an excerpt from the book
4. Shared some experiences about the power of the story to inspire people and transform lives.

A good time was had by all!

As 2019 draws to a close, it is time to reflect on the year and look forward to the next one.

Here is a quick summary of the highlights: Continue reading “Happy New Year!” →