Interview with Tanisha Tiwari – Author of I will win the war
Interview with Tanisha Tiwari – Author of I will win the war
Tanisha Tiwari is an author, journalist, and content manager hailing from the spiritual capital of India, Varanasi. She graduated in Journalism and Mass Communication and holds certifications from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Illinois.
Tanisha is known for her prowess towards building impactful stories. Her debut book, ‘I Will Win Without War,’ was recommended by Anurag Kashyap for its valiant storyline. She has worked with the Government of India and was the content lead for the global G20 campaign. Profoundly working on the writing front, she has written for various national publications, including TOI, India Saga, and international brands such as Lakme, Maybelline, and ONLY. When she is not working, you will find her toiling around with books; coffee is her safe space
Read the review here: Book Review: I Will Win Without War by Tanisha Tiwari – A Deeply Moving Journey from Silence to Survival
Interview
Q) “I Will Win Without War” is such a powerful title. What does it personally mean to you?
To me, the title is about perseverance and winning at every cost. Life often throws us into circumstances we never asked for– in our careers, relationships. “I Will Win Without War” is a reminder that victory doesn’t always require conflict; sometimes, it requires resilience, inner strength, and the refusal to give up.
Q) What inspired Sarah’s story? Was it based on real-life experiences or shaped by stories you’ve encountered?
If you’ve read the book, you probably know a Sarah–somebody who has gone through similar pain. As a society with brains, books, and social media, we are still failing every day. We know child abuse is real, it’s happening around us, and we choose to ignore it. Sarah’s story is based on instances I know about children being abused, the unattended mishap that’s lurking around us.
When I started this book, I wrote around 10 pages and could not gather enough courage to write ahead. It’s abuse, trauma, pain, but what kept me motivated was “it is all real”. It happens with children, and they go through it. Least I could do was: Write about it.
Q) Sarah’s relationship with her family, especially her brother and mother, plays a key role. How did you approach writing those complex dynamics?
Many of the relationships in the book are drawn from my own life. The bond Sarah shares with her brother and the strength she derives from her mother echo my personal experiences. I’ve always believed that fiction, at its best, is grounded in emotional truths we’ve lived or witnessed.
Q) The storyline is gripping and emotional. Did you know how it would end when you began writing, or did Sarah’s journey evolve over time?
I knew what I was writing from the very beginning of the story. Sarah’s journey was etched into my brain and came out exactly as I envisioned it.
Q) What was your writing process like for this book? Did you follow a structure or let the story flow naturally?
The book was a labour of tremendous drafts, edits, and, to speak of, giveups. Although I knew what I wanted to write, I didn’t decide on a structure first. I wrote the book, kept it in a cupboard for almost a year and then rewrote it.
Q) How long did it take to complete this novel from first draft to final manuscript?
It took around 2 years– from the first draft to the final version of the book.
Q) Were there any scenes that were particularly difficult to write or that you rewrote multiple times?
Honestly, the entire book was difficult to write. The themes are intense and emotionally draining. At one point, I even considered not publishing it. But the truth of the story needed to be told — and that’s what kept me going.
The most surprising — and disheartening — lesson was realising that writing a good book is just one part of the journey. Publishing is a different battle altogether. It’s a space driven largely by influence, visibility, and often, superficial metrics. A good manuscript isn’t always enough. It made me reflect deeply on the kind of publishing ecosystem we’ve built.
Arundhati Roy and Virginia Woolf have been the women I was raised reading.
Q) What does healing mean to you, personally and creatively?
For me, healing is a process of knowing the pain, understanding the reason behind it, letting it run its course, and then getting over it, gradually and slowly. But the most important part is reminding yourself that no matter how fantastical the pain looks, it shall never be brought back again in your life. Some of us start enjoying the pain, believing we deserve it, and eventually living with it. Healing is knowing the pain exists, but also knowing I am nobody to shelter that.
Nobody is writing the stories that matter, so if you think you can go ahead. Don’t chase best-sellers, you write your own story, and if your story can change a few lives or bring even a minute change in society, it is worth more than every romance novel out there. Also, always have an extra income to pay your bills.
Q) How do you protect your mental and emotional well-being while writing intense Material?
Honestly, I don’t like to avoid the intensity. I think I am a person who likes an intense and emotional form of Art. When I am sitting and writing. I automatically find myself writing intense scenes. It’s just my thing!
Q) What’s next for you? Are you working on a new book or exploring other genres?
Yes, I am currently working on two books. One is in the process of being published. I have halfway written the other one.
Q) What message do you hope readers take away from I Will Win Without War?
I want readers to understand why this book was written — to start conversations about child abuse and not shy away from it. The message is simple yet urgent: it’s happening around you, and you can’t afford to stay silent.
Interview by: Vidhya Thakkar