Hello besties!
If you’re getting this in your email box, it’s because at one point or another you had subscribed to my newsletter. After years of using different platforms, I’ve transitioned to SubStack thanks to the guidance of a lot of wonderful authors who have also made the switch.
So why is it called “Nisha’s Notes App?”
I’ve been writing for most of my life, but the older I got, the harder it was to set aside time to focus on my craft. When I was finishing my first YA (My So-Called Bollywood Life), I was at my first job after law school, spending hours in an office working on corporate contracts. I had to get creative, and started to use the notes app on my phone to jot down scenes, dialog, and ideas.
So much of my work starts on my notes app even to this day, and I like to think that this newsletter is a place where I can share those early insights into my process, my life, and the chaotic mess that I have to sift through for my career.
What will you find in this newsletter version of Nisha’s Notes App?
I want to share things that I love, insights that I’ve learned, pieces of my writing and things that are coming up next for me in terms of publication.
In this newsletter, I want to talk about some advice that I’m still thinking about now that I’m back from the LA TIMES FESTIVAL OF BOOKS (you can see some pictures of the festival on my Instagram account @nishawrites).
I’ll also talk about Dating Dr. Dil, and my next project. Here we go!
First, some advice: (take with water and a grain of salt) -First appeared on Instagram on April 10
I’ve gotten a shocking number of emails/DMs from South Asian women in their late teens and early twenties asking for career advice. Some want to know how to be writers and others are just looking for general guidance. I’m honored that you’ve reached out, and I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to share something. But I really wanted to think it through. And since so much of my ideation starts on my phone, it’s only appropriate i use the notes app to deliver my thoughts.
Without further ado, here are Nisha’s 5 career rules I try to live by every day.
You are your own best advocate. Whether in corporate or in publishing, no one is going to fight for what you want as much as you. That means learning about the business, reading every contract/agreement, asking questions, and listening to subject matter experts. It also means speaking up, even if you’re afraid of what the response might be. Sometimes there will be repercussions, but your wins will outweigh your regrets.
Every business needs sustainability solutions. I am the type of person who has one year, five year and ten year career plans. I am constantly thinking about the way career advancements progress towards an end goal. However, this is a long game. If you start running out or fumes, or you no longer find joy in what you’re doing, you’re going to burn out. Trust me, I know. That’s why it’s important to develop a process where you refill your creative well, celebrate each and every step of the way, and remember how far you’ve come. Put processes in place so that you can pause and reflect, as well as feel rejuvenated as a creative and a professional. (I struggle with this one HARD)
Citizenship is vital. Even if no one says anything to you, people notice the way you behave. As a professional, remember to think about what good citizenship means in your industry and act accordingly. Supporting peers, mentoring, sponsoring and engaging is important. (With exceptions) judging someone else’s job/work/ethics/behavior in public may not cultivate the trust you need from other industry members. Basically, don’t be an asshole.
Develop a personal mantra to use in times of stress. Ask yourself questions or repeat a statement that will help bring into focus what truly matters. For me, if something is upsetting me, I stop and ask myself, does this effect my health or the health of my family? Does this effect my career in the long term? Do I have any control over the outcome or what is happening here? And often times the answers are all no’s and it reminds me to redirect my attention onto what I can control.
Quitting is not an option until it’s an option. If you want something, truly wants something with everything inside you, then go get it. I won’t lie and say that you’re the only one holding yourself back, because we know that’s not true. There will always be people or systems or finances standing in the way. But don’t be another reason. Accept the limitations that are in front of you, and do everything in your power or capacity to try to achieve your goals anyway. Just remember that trying doesn’t mean winning, and quitting doesn’t mean failing. If your goal is no longer filling your heart and soul with joy, then find something that does. Just don’t prematurely stop if the journey gets difficult.
Now: Dating Dr. Dil
I’m so glad that Dating Dr. Dil has gotten an overwhelmingly positive reception, but there has been a very vocal group of individuals who have tagged me and who have asked openly about ‘Charlie.’
I’ve explained this so many times already that I’m tired about it, but I’m still seeing the questions and a few of you have requested that I bring it up again in this newsletter. Quick recap: there was a longer scene where it actually originates, and it was cut in edits, but the eight references were not. I think it’s important when writing rom-coms steeped in the reality of dating, toxic masculinity be a part of the hero’s journey as he grows. And lastly, I think it’s also important for BIPOC authors to be able to enjoy the jokes and hilarity that readers enjoy in non-BIPOC books.
Heroes naming body parts is not an original thing in romance. There are literally lists out there. Gilmore Girls has ‘Little Dean,’ ACOTAR has ‘velvet wrapped steel’, Jessa Kane has a hero refer to his ding a ling as ‘Big Johnson’. So why is it that when a South Asian author wants to do something that is codified in romance, the backlash includes readers who DNF because it’s ‘cringe’ and urging others to do the same? No explanation as to why they find it cringe, either. Zero acknowledgement that they liked other books that include this same feature.
Funny enough, I had other BIPOC authors who saw some of the discourse online come to me and said that when they did the same thing in their books, they also received tons of backlash.
So I stand by my decision as the author. I’m tired of defending it. If it’s not for you, it’s totally okay. Not every book is going to be for every person. But I just urge you to think about how you view marginalized characters and they way they view their bodies. Are you applying a different standard?
Food for thought.
And for those of you who asked to read the extended scene, I’m linking it here. Remember this is unedited, and ranty, so it got cut. But I hope it helps a little bit.
What’s next?
I’m working hard on my next few books, including THE KARMA MAP which is a YA road trip mean girl redemption story with sunshine hero that comes out next year. I will also be reissuing my first YA rom-com, MY SO-CALLED BOLLYWOOD LIFE which needs a face lift because some of the concepts are now outdated due to the way the Bollywood movie industry has evolved.
And lastly, I’m starting to draft the second book in the Shakespeare trilogy which features Bunty and Bobbi, who were in DATING DR. DIL!
If you stick around, I’ll share snippets from my projects in future SubStack newsletters which come out once a month.
Until then, you can find me on my website, or on any of my social media pages @nishawrites.
If you want me to share anything in particular like skincare routines, favorite travel bags, writing advice, etc., you can always DM or email me!
Sending you all good vibes and love,
I'm so excited and I hope Substack works for you. I just finished Dating Dr. Dil and I absolutely loved it!!!!! I remember reading your thoughts about Charlie and to be honest, I was surprised that it was a big deal for people. Who cares?!?! I love reading because I get to spend some time in the author's world. Is an open-door romance better than a fade to black? To me they are just different ways of telling a story. And to be honest, there are plenty of males that name their penises. So really who cares. I loved Dating Dr. Dil and it is on my read again list!