Rupanjali Baruah:always inspired by reading about classic authors

Editor in Chief at WordSmith Publishers 

What are you most passionate about and what drives you?

I have been a creative person for more than two decades. I love to write poetry, short fictions , abstract art, art writing, translation and undertaking creative workshops for young children to pass on my own creative endeavors to them. I enjoy working as an editor and publisher under my own publising house WordSmith Publishers based at Guwahati,Assam. I have published books by eminent authors, poets, dramatists, children writting since 2005. Currently I edit an international journal of art and literature Shabd with contributions from India and abroad. I have my own website to promote my crwative work, I have 6 books to my credit and currently as an art critic I am publishing a book on 20 artists and sculptors of Assam under Lalit Kala Akademi New Delhi, India. I am an art columnist at The Assam Tribune and write on art and artists. I am also preparing the first Directory of writers, artists and sculptors of Assam this year. 

What have been your challenges and how have they defined you?

I love to face challenges in my work area infact when I find challenges they drived me more to fulfill them. I always keep a positive attitude towards my vocation and since I work in multiple areas,  so my challenges are many and I keep an open mind to overcome them with good energies and approaches. Never say die is my motto. 

How have professional networks empowered you?

In this age of excellent connectivity with global media, I have taken full advantage of these opportunities and I connect with more likeminded authors, artists, sculptors, editors, digital experts across the globe and especially my current website has helped me connect with a huge netowrk of wellwishers and opened new areas of business opportunities that have made positive impacts in my field of work. 

Who are your role models and why?

I started my career as a writer and artist on my own. Though I have excelled as an academic student in College and University, yet I never had any formal role model to guide me in my career. I am self taught writer and artist.  However I am always inspired by reading about classic authors and artists to discover their lifestories as a way to excel my own work.

What does Work-Life Balance mean to you?

As a woman entrepreneur, I see it as a challenge to balance my work and daily life in a comfortable way.  I keep my work separate and unique in the sense that when I am writing or painting or editing books for publishing under my publishing house, I reserve my time and energy for that exclusively. And when my working hours are over, I devote my attention and care to my social and family life. I find it enriching to have my own space to work and also relax when needed.

How would you like the community at SHEconomy to help you?

I am yet to be fully aware of the potential to benefit myself from Sheconomy since this is a new experience for me.  I understand that you provide opportunities for women entrepreneurs to empower them and provide guidance and support to help them grow economically and become role models for other women but I hope you shall enlighten me on these processes in due time. I look forward to meaningful and positive responses from your end to give me opportunities to excel and shine as a woman entrepreneur and connect with a global community of women with similar aims and objectives.

What would you like to share with the SHEconomy community?

I wish that my life journey as a writer, artist, art critic,  translator, editor and publisher at WordSmith Publishers Assam is made known to other global, women audiences and let me share my stories of growth and challenges that have shaped me and thereby I too shall gain to learn from others’ lessons.