Welcome back to the Literary Copywriter spotlight where I feature professional writers with creative pursuits. Today I interviewed Palak Kapadia, an award-winning copywriter/storyteller with literary ambitions. Palak’s love of language has led her to learning 6 languages and creating content for over 50 brands. She even taught ESL in France and is now taking a deeper dive into advertising. Let’s hear from Palak!
Literary Copywriter: Tell me about your writing journey. When did you first realize that a.) you are a writer, and b.) you want to make a living off of your writing?
Palak Kapadia:I think I always knew I wanted to be a writer. As far back as I can remember, I've had a voice in my head that talks constantly. One day, I decided to humor it and start writing everything down. As it would turn out, people enjoyed reading it. I then went on to become the kid whose essays were read out in class by the English teacher and there was no turning back. When I was 16, I found out about a short story writing content that Harper Collins had organized. I wrote an epistolary short story about love in the times of technology. It was picked as a winner from among 500 entries and was published in an anthology of short stories by Harper Collins.
When it came to picking what I wanted to do for a living, writing was a natural first choice. I often am awestruck by the fact that everyday I wake up and think, "All I have to do today is write". And that I can get paid to do something I would do regardless. How lucky am I?
L.C. Please describe your copywriting career. How did you get started? Who are your ideal clients.? Do you freelance or work for an agency?, etc.
P.K. When I figured I wanted to make a career in writing, I joined an undergraduate programme in Mass Media hoping to do journalism. Copywriting wasn't even on my radar. But one day, there was an inter-college Copywriting competition. Our teammate who was supposed to participate fell sick and couldn't show up. My team figured I should go instead because I write (even if I didn't know the first thing about Copywriting!). I went without knowing what to expect but actually ended up winning. My prize was a summer internship with MullenLowe. The next fall, I changed my major to advertising :)
Right after graduating, I got a job doing branded content with Terribly Tiny Tales - an Indian storytelling platform. I got the opportunity to create content and tell stories for over 50 brands. It was there that I discovered and honed my voice as a writer. I worked there for a little over a year and then I took a year off to teach English abroad in France. Then, I went to Miami Ad School to get more hardcore copywriting training. After doing my first year in Mumbai, I travelled to New York City where I interned at Ogilvy, VMLY&R and Droga5. Currently, I'm freelancing at Wieden+Kennedy.
When it came to picking what I wanted to do for a living, writing was a natural first choice. I often am awestruck by the fact that everyday I wake up and think, "All I have to do today is write". And that I can get paid to do something I would do regardless. How lucky am I?
L.C. I love supporting copywriters who are also hard at work on a creative, personal project. This could be a novel, memoir, poetry collection etc. Tell me more about what you’re working on and what you hope to gain from the experience (book deal, more publications, career change, personal growth, etc.). 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!
P.K. When I worked at Terribly Tiny Tales, in addition to creating content for brands, I also wrote a lot of the editorial content which included poems, musings, open letters and short stories. Some of my work there has also been published in 3 books by Penguin. I also created an Instagram account dedicated to my words where I publish all the writing I do for myself. I hope to turn it into a book of poetry someday.
To be very honest, ever since I started working in advertising I am struggling with finding time and energy to write outside of it. After spending all day writing for brands, I'd much rather read than write more. But I'm making a more conscious effort to find a balance and do more writing for the soul.
Some of my work there has also been published in 3 books by Penguin. I also created an Instagram account dedicated to my words where I publish all the writing I do for myself. I hope to turn it into a book of poetry someday.
L.C. Writers are needed but often undermined/underappreciated. Especially those of us with literary goals in mind! If applicable, could you speak to how you’ve faced/overcome challenges in your career? It’s okay if these challenges are ongoing (they often are). Feel free to share any words of wisdom you may have from mentors, literary heroes, etc.
P.K. I think as artists, it's very hard to learn how not to take criticism personally. What you do is such a huge part of who you are, it becomes hard to separate the two sometimes. That has been a challenge for me but I'm learning how to overcome it. In advertising, something you write may not work for myriad reasons - none of them being your talent. I'm slowly learning that often negative feedback means "This is not a good piece of writing" and not "You're not a good writer". I've been lucky to always have mentors who are very invested in my creative growth so it helps to know the criticism is always constructive.
And when all else fails, I find myself going back to a moment from the Gerwig's version of Little Women where Beth tells Jo, "You were a writer before anyone knew or paid you for it." Those are wise words that really help when I'm placing all my self-worth in finding a creative way to sell tampons :)
I think as artists, it's very hard to learn how not to take criticism personally. What you do is such a huge part of who you are, it becomes hard to separate the two sometimes. That has been a challenge for me but I'm learning how to overcome it.
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?
Ask yourself - if I win the lottery, will I still do what I do? If the answer is yes, then you aren't writing for the money, fame or success. You're writing for yourself. It is its own reward. Then what is there to be afraid of? Failure is a part of the process. But you have a lot more to lose if you never try!
Connect with Palak Kapadia!
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More from The Literary Copywriter
L.C. Spotlight: An Interview with Alicia Jones
A Guide to Publishing in Literary Magazines
L.C. Spotlight: An Interview with Evan Brown
If you’re a professional writer with literary ambitions, I’d love to hear from you
Your Friend in Craft,
Emily