Welcome back to The Literary Copywriter spotlight where I feature professional writers with literary pursuits. Today I spoke with Manas Paradkar, a New York-based writer with advertising chops and a passion for storytelling and authenticity.
Let’s hear from Manas!
Literary Copywriter: Tell me about your writing journey. When did you first realize that a.) you are a writer, and b) you wanted to make a living off your writing?
MP: I never thought of myself as a natural writer. Growing up, in every class, every group, every project, every course, I saw others who were just absolutely gifted with words. So, me not seeing myself a writer was always in relation to someone else who was so much better than I was.
But I did always enjoy telling stories. Being around two grandmas, I was perpetually surrounded by stories. Fairytales, morality anecdotes, fables, life lessons, Indian mythological sagas. Stories were my opium and my haven. Somehow, magically, I started weaving stories of my own. I began to scribble movie plots, write film scripts, ponder over short stories, write plays. Somewhere in crafting all these stories, the writer in me was born.
It was late in high school when I began to fantasize about being a screenwriter or a filmmaker. In college, I majored in English and then went on to do a master’s in English literature. Somewhere in the back of head, I was hoping it would all lead me to becoming a professional writer.
L.C. Please describe your writing career. How did you get started? Who are your ideal clients? Do you freelance or work for an agency?, etc.
MP: Folks used to tell me that I had a way to hook people in with my stories. And a mentor in college once told me that advertising is all about hooks. So, I should explore that as an option. But right after undergrad, I was rejected from a reputable advertising program in Mumbai. That was absolutely devastating. But then after my master’s in English, I applied to a few agencies, and in 2015 I got my first gig as a copywriter. Within the first two weeks of being there, I knew this is exactly what I wanted to do. I absolutely loved the exhilarating pace of advertising. And it was a great creative outlet with prompt gratification.
Ideal clients would be any brand that goes beyond just conventional selling. Any brand interested in shaping culture. I love working with challenger brands. Up and coming brands. They are more balls-y and have an edge. They have a drive to de-position the leader and I love that ambition and the freedom to take creative risks. I also find working with non-profits very gratifying. Be it organizations working for women’s equity, or cannabis injustice, or environmental causes.
Currently I am an Associate Creative Director at an amazing independent creative agency called The BAM Connection in Brooklyn, New York. We’re a small shop, but we pack a punch. I do some freelance writing on the side, but being a full-time copywriter usually keeps your plate full.
LC: Any creative project(s) in the works?
MP: I’m working on a personal project called Advertising Success without the BS. I’m asking industry folks to share one piece of BS they’d love to get rid of from advertising. I’ll curate the best ones and put them in a book— A NO BS in Advertising handbook. The goal is to highlight some universally infuriating pain points, call them out collectively, and eventually eradicate them. Because for all the honest, transparent, impactful work we try to do in advertising, pesky BS drains us and chips away at our creativity.
L.C. Feel free to share how you balance work, life, and writing. It’s okay if you’re struggling with this. It’s all part of the process!
MP: I’m one of those people who genuinely enjoy working. So, I am usually “working” unhealthy hours. I balance it all out by traveling. Usually, I do two to three fun trips every year. In the last two years, I’ve been to Mauritius, South Korea, Turkey, Iceland. Those travels refuel my creativity.
Outside of advertising, I try to write about politics, culture, and travel. It’s tough to write afterhours. But this year, I’ve committed myself to writing at least a 500 word essay every week. So far, I’ve written about a few thousand words. And yes, I’m counting this interview as well. ☺
L.C. Say someone much younger than you says, “I want to be a writer, but I’m afraid I won’t succeed.” What would you tell them?
MP: I have two things to say to them:
First, no matter what you do, there is a 50-50 probability you won’t succeed. So, you might as well pursue what you genuinely like and enjoy. Because then, if failure does knock on your door, you can embrace it with fewer regrets.
Secondly, self-doubt is part of being a writer. We’ve all been in moments when imposter syndrome crawls on our skin and renders us paralyzed. So, if you’re wallowing in crippling apprehension, you, my friend are already a writer. Now swipe left on the second guessing and go write something!