Author and writing coach Sudha Menon is lively, dynamic and raring to go. She is 50 plus, but in her case, the saying that age is just a number fits perfectly. Sudha’s earlier books include Legacy: Letters to their daughters from eminent Indian men and women;Gifted: inspirational stories of people with disabilities; Devi, Diva or She-Devil: The smart Career woman's survival guide and Leading Ladies: Women Who Inspire India.
Stepping away from writing books on inspirational people, this time, Sudha has written an inspirational story of her life and adventures about being a woman of 50 plus, titled Fiesty at Fifty. The book was recently launched in Bengaluru at Atta Galatta . “This is my fifth book in eight years,” says Sudha, who had an illustrious career as a journalist.
“ Fiesty at Fifty is completely different in every way from what I have written before,” she says, adding: “One part of me has been watching with great interest of women turning 50. There is this premium on being young, and that women over 40 are over the hill; that they generally disappear from mainstream society.” However, Sudha would like to break that myth.
“I have never felt so empowered as I do now.” For Sudha it is all about adopting the correct perspective. “You could either moan about the fine lines and grey hair, or choose to accept yourself as you are. Life is more worth living at 50,” she says adding: “I don’t know where my 30s and 40s went because I was so focussed on my career as a journalist. At 50, I am discovering my relationship with my family, friends and relatives anew. Whereas in my 20s and 40s I felt like I was on a treadmill to nowhere.”
Celebrities like Shobhaa De, Unilever’s global chief of human resources, Leena Nair, and Karen Anand have praised Fiesty at Fifty. However, even women in their 20s have written positive reviews on Instagram. “I wrote my first book when I was 41 or 42. Change began in me then. Being a chronicler of inspirational stories taught me that life needn’t be unidimensional, it is multifaceted.”
What made her turn to writing books from journalism? “After 23 years in a job, you pretty much sleepwalk through it. After the 500th byline, you wonder what is new? Even if it is just a job what am I doing to leave something of lasting value?”
Among the books and authors that serve as an instant pick me-up are: “ To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee, even if I read a chapter I feel hopeful again. PG Wodehouse’s books have seen me through some difficult times.”
Fiesty at Fifty is a Pan Macmillan publication.
