Women don’t have to break the glass ceiling now; they are building their own structures: Twinkle Khanna

Today, things are changing from what they used to be. Instead of breaking glass ceilings, women are now building their own structures, where they don’t have to break anything. And that’s a great thing to see,” said Twinkle Khanna, during a recent discussion in the city. The actress-author was responding to a question on how women writers can shape narratives that would impact future generations.“I believe we must work collectively to make any difference that will impact future generations. We have to make an impact through not just writing, but through policy as well,” she added. Excerpts from the discussion.
‘If you’re not connecting with your readers, you might as well be writing a diary’
As a writer, it’s like having a conversation with your audience. You need to grab their attention with a strong opening and keep them engaged with a compelling idea. If you’re not connecting with your readers, you might as well be writing a diary.
‘When you’re a writer, you never run out of firsts’
I think that’s the beauty of being a writer. At this point in our lives, we’ve run out of firsts. You know the first kiss, the first dream, the first everything. But through writing, we can relive all that as if it’s our first, and I think that is wonderful.
‘As a woman, you have to be selfish about your time’
It gets difficult when you are a mother or when you are a wife. For example, I try to carve out time to myself in the morning. If I wake up at 5 am, I can have that time to myself. Post 7 am, I have to ensure my kids get to school. It’s all about discipline, finding what works for you, and being selfish about your time. Even if someone asks you to find their socks at 6 am, you should be able to tell them, ‘I’m sorry, this is my time’. Being a writer, therefore, can be a lonely process.
‘Boredom & curiosity drive me as a writer’
As a writer, I believe two constants remain as I evolve: I am perpetually bored and incredibly curious. These qualities drive me to observe people, wonder about their lives. Whether I’m on a train or simply walking, I find myself watching others instead of looking at my device. That’s my form of discipline. I have the discipline to be bored in today’s world. It’s boredom and curiosity that keep me going.