author spotlight with Winnie Tataw

Hello everyone! We are spotlighting another amazing female author. Today’s posts are an author interview with the amazing author, Shashi. So, without further ado, let’s get on with the spotlight!

About the Author:

Author headshot Shashi

Shashi is an experienced architect and a seasoned project manager who has led iconic developments in Singapore to successful completion. Prior to embarking on the journey of becoming an author, she was the Senior Vice President of a reputed hospitality group in charge of construction projects across South East Asia and Australasia. She was retrenched in Dec 2020 during the peak of Covid-19. She decided to use her time meaningfully and write a self-help book that will take a positive
message to the world during the pandemic. The book is titled — IN THE RING WITH LIFE: taking the punches and winning the game! As the title suggests, the book is about taking life’s punches, learning the lessons and standing back stronger. The book has already won “Emerging Author of the year award” from Ukiyoto publishing house.

What and when started your love for writing?

Throughout my life, I have always been a fan of self-help books. They have guided, strengthened, and transformed me into the happy-peaceful-independent-strong woman I am today. My first love has always been reading. However, every time life punched me hard and I learnt important lessons, I always wanted to share it with the world, so that other people can benefit from my experience and muster the strength to face similar life situations.

My hectic work life, however, kept me busy for years until the arrival of Covid-19. I was retrenched during the peak of Covid-19 and my busy life suddenly came to a grinding halt. It was time for the writer in me to surface. I decided to take this painful experience of retrenchment and transform it into something positive. Many people had lost their jobs during covid.

I could share the lessons I learned from this experience, with the world. Not just lessons about retrenchment, I could share all the lessons I had learnt throughout my life on how to be resilient. The very thought of taking a positive message to the world made me feel good and found the motivation and inspiration to make it work. I decided to channel all my energy to write and self-publish my book — IN THE RING WITH LIFE, taking the punches and winning the game! That’s how the writer in me emerged. Thanks to Covid-19!

Of all of the book genres, what drew you to write about yours?

Shashi Author Spotlight

My book is a self-help book and it has been created with the sole purpose of inspiring someone somewhere, who has been knocked down hard by life, to stand up again and face life head-on!

What’s your favourite story or character(s) to read about?

It is hard to pick a favourite chapter or topic as each chapter deals with an important aspect of life. The book covers a wide spectrum of life topics —health, happiness, continuous learning, success, goals, parenting, adoption, living for a cause, retrenchment and the struggles associated with them. I have also touched upon challenges which women face during pregnancy, childbirth, and climbing the corporate ladder in male-dominated settings. I do believe insight into these topics will be beneficial to many people.

What makes your book(s) special?

IN THE RING WITH LIFE:
taking the punches and winning the game!

About the book— Most self-help books cover one topic in hundreds of pages. In contrast, my book covers 10 different topics in just 160 pages. One small book packs the punch of 10 books. The topics covered are diverse and will appeal to anyone and everyone who wants to play the game of life well —young, old, men and women. I do believe that this book has something of value for everyone.

About my writing style— Many readers can’t relate to self-help books. They find the topics heavy, and difficult to implement. An overload of advice also puts off many readers. I have kept that in mind while writing the book. I have deliberately kept my writing style simple —like a casual conversation with a friend, so more people can relate to it.

I have also made sure that any advice or suggestion comes from my own experience of dealing with the real situation. So, it is genuine, tried and tested. I have received feedback from many people that they found reading the book a breeze. Some people even finished the book in one sitting. That’s actually a tall order for a self-help book.

So… what are you working on now?

I am glad that my simple writing style has appealed to people. I have received multiple requests asking me to write another book. This and the fact that a book has the power to inspire people around the world; motivates me to continue writing. At this moment in life, I am only reading and watching the world regain its footing after the onslaught of Covid-19. Some ideas are brewing in my mind for my next book. Hopefully, I will find the inspiration soon to put pen to paper and continue on this journey.


Wow! It was great getting to know Shashi! I can tell from her answers that she is a wonderful writer! I’m rooting for your continuous book journey! You can connect with Shashi on the following social media platforms:

Check out my twitter feed!

Live. Love. Laugh.

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