Author Gayatri Bhadran‘s journey is one that’s steeped in catharsis and creativity. A single parent who has channelled the grief of loss and the resilience that follows into heartfelt writing, Gayatri’s ability to evoke shimmering hope and quiet vulnerability shines bright in every word she pens down.
Her latest book ‘The Story of One Single Mom and her Backup Squad’ which grapples with the realities of single motherhood while celebrating the support systems that rallied around her is only one alluring glimpse of a writing journey that’s been carved across a lifetime.
From sweet notes to her grandmother and the blog she started as a young adult – which she continues to write till this day – to two published books around loss, love and healing, Gayatri’s craft has been polished yet remains grounded in authenticity.
Gayatri is June’s Monthly Muse and we spoke to her about her newest book, her writing style, balancing single motherhood with her love for writing and advice on getting started with writing.
Read our Q&A below!
Tell me a bit about your latest book ‘The Story of One Single Mom and her Backup Squad’? What inspired you to delve into this theme and was the writing process for it?
‘The Story of One Single Mom and her Backup Squad’ is a heartfelt tribute to resilience, family, and the people who become our pillars when life doesn’t unfold according to plan. While it explores the realities of single motherhood, it is equally a celebration of the “backup squad” consisting of my family, friends, neighbours, teachers, and well-wishers who stepped in to make my journey of parenting a little lighter.
The inspiration came from my own experiences of raising my son Riaan and from countless conversations with parents who silently carry enormous responsibilities every day. I wanted to write something honest, relatable, and hopeful. The writing process was deeply emotional because I wasn’t just creating characters—I was revisiting memories, reflecting on challenges, and finding gratitude in moments that once felt overwhelming.
As a writer how would you describe your style? Is it very personal or drawn from the world around you?
I would describe my writing as emotionally honest and deeply rooted in real life. While many stories begin with personal experiences, they grow through observations of people, relationships, and society around me. I enjoy writing about ordinary lives because I believe that’s where the most extraordinary stories exist. My aim is always to create an emotional connection with readers rather than simply tell a story.
“Single parenthood has taught me resilience, patience, empathy, and perspective, qualities that naturally find their way into my writing.“
You’ve written another book ‘Death, An End or Beginning?‘ as well, tell me a bit about that one?
My first book is a deeply personal memoir titled “Death, An End or Beginning?”. The book is born out of a profound personal tragedy. It serves as a collection of heartfelt essays, poetries, and life experiences that detail my emotional and spiritual journey after losing my young 35 year old husband to brain aneurysm. The key themes of the book include A) Navigating Grief: The book explores the raw, physical, and emotional truth of sudden bereavement, mapping out how grief alters a person’s life and mindset. B) Resilience and Rebirth: Rather than focusing solely on the tragedy, the core narrative emphasizes rising up, restarting, and finding the strength to keep living. C) Healing Through Writing: This book bridged my internal journey with external coping mechanisms, where I used storytelling as a way to process immense loss.
Touching upon single parenthood, it has also shaped your writing and creativity. Take me through your writing and your experiences with parenthood have shaped each other?
Single parenthood has taught me resilience, patience, empathy, and perspective, qualities that naturally find their way into my writing. Parenthood has made me more observant and emotionally aware. At the same time, writing has been therapeutic. It has helped me process difficult moments, celebrate small victories, and transform personal experiences into stories that others can relate to. The two journeys have evolved together, constantly influencing one another.
You also have a blog, when did that come into existence, what inspired it? What sort of topics and content do you cover there?
My blog bonappetite.blogspot.com began 20 years ago as a creative outlet where I could write freely about life as a young adult, later about parenting, then moved on to relationships, personal reflections, and everyday experiences. Over time, it became a space where readers found comfort, encouragement, and relatability. I enjoy writing about topics that spark conversations and remind people that they’re not alone in what they’re experiencing.
Where did your love for writing begin? What first sparked your inspiration?
My late grandmother. I wrote love letters and notes to her as a child and those notes are still safely preserved in her pooja books in Trivandrum. I’ve loved writing and storytelling for as long as I can remember. I’ve been born into a family of really humorous men and women who’ve always taken life with a pinch of salt, finding the light side to everything – so half my material honestly comes from just sitting down with them for a drink or chomping down a gluttonous meal. Over time, I realised that stories have the power to heal, inspire, and connect people. That realization continues to inspire me every time I sit down to write.
What are some other topics or themes you’d love to delve into in the future?
I’m interested in exploring horror comedy, funny anecdotes of surviving and thriving in the corporate world, women’s resilience, family dynamics, children’s emotional development, and stories of everyday courage. I’d also love to write more inspirational non-fiction that encourages people to embrace life’s unexpected journeys with hope and confidence.
What’s been the most precious feedback, review or support you’ve received in your writing journey that you hold close to your heart?
The feedback I treasure most comes from readers who tell me they saw themselves in my stories or felt less alone after reading my work or just had a good laugh because they found my writing funny. Knowing that my words have offered someone comfort or encouragement or laughter is far more rewarding than any sales figure or award. Those messages remind me why I write.
“Every accomplished writer started with a blank page. The only way to become a writer is to keep writing, every single day.”
What are some challenges you’ve faced as an author and how have you overcome them?
Balancing writing with parenting, professional commitments, and everyday responsibilities has probably been my biggest challenge. Finding uninterrupted time to write isn’t always easy. I’ve learnt to embrace consistency over perfection, writing whenever I can and trusting that every small step eventually builds into a completed manuscript or blogpost.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone wanting to begin their own writing journey but don’t know where to start?
Start before you feel ready. Don’t wait for the perfect idea or perfect writing conditions. Write consistently, watch enough and more content that inspires you (for me it has always been superhero movies, horror comedy movies and funny sitcoms) , observe the world around you, and don’t be afraid to write imperfect first drafts. Every accomplished writer started with a blank page. The only way to become a writer is to keep writing, every single day. That’s the only way to improve your craft. Just write.
(Images courtesy of Gayatri Bhadran)
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