Ask the Author: Shabnam Aggarwal
Answered Questions (3)
Shabnam Aggarwal
I read my own pieces from years past, pieces that I forgot about, but were good and inspiring. I also read comments and feedback from readers. Those readers are the reason I write- to inspire someone to take risks and embrace failure- seeing their comments and feedback helps me get past the block and reminds me that I have something valuable and unique to say after all.
Shabnam Aggarwal
The best thing that worked for me as an otherwise-employed person who was writing her book "on the side" for 2 years was to take 1-2 weeks of time off from work every few months (ideally paid time off, but if that's not available, see if your employer is willing to do extra unpaid time off), and turn everything that accesses the internet completely off. So my phone was off for those weeks, my computer's wifi was permanently off for that time, and I would go to the public library in Cambridge everyday for 8-10 hours with nothing else to do but write or read words on paper. Sometimes I read other authors, sometimes my own work, sometimes I sat there staring at the ceiling contemplating if I was ever going to get this book done. I did. I attribute the completion of my book primarily to the focus I was able to get by a) not having any other commitments other than my family in the evening and b) being able to turn off the noise of the internet. I highly recommend it!
Shabnam Aggarwal
My venture-capital-funded startup colossally, publicly, and embarrassingly failed. I felt a deep sense of fear for my future, regret for hurting my team's careers, and anxiety about what this said about me. My solution to overcoming these emotions this was to write this book.
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