About Dr. Romila Chitturi
Dr. Romila Chitturi a corporate editor by day, literary editor by night, and a storyteller in every other hour. Blogger, writer, Instagram aficionado and a mentor who makes creativity look effortless. She lives in Hyderabad, India.
LiFT: Tell us about your book, the journey of writing it, and its content.
Dr. Romila Chitturi: My book, Zero to Infinity, is an attempt to map the soul of a changing India. Over the course of six months, I traveled through my writing from the old Parsi cafes of Mumbai to the high-tech corridors of Bengaluru. I wanted to capture the “Great Friction” of a land where people watch rocket launches on smartphones while sitting in thousand-year-old temples. We are living through a massive migration of the mind, moving from the organic world to a digital one. This book explores whether we can become modern without becoming machines. The content consists of twenty-four stories, representing the twenty-four hours in a full day of the Indian experience. You will meet weavers protecting ancient secrets, engineers trying to control the monsoon with code, and even a tiger testifying in a modern courtroom. I chose settings from every corner of the map—from the salt flats of Kutch to the walnut trees of Kashmir—because our truth is regional and diverse. These stories prove that the “unfiltered” heart of India is still very much alive in our messy, beautiful reality.
My journey in writing this was to find where the data ends and the human soul begins. I wanted to show that the most important parts of life, like our grief or the smell of rain, cannot be solved by an algorithm. I hope these stories act as a sanctuary, forcing you to slow down and find “The Pause” in a fast-paced world. Ultimately, this book is a dialogue between us, celebrating the fact that we are a nation of both “Zero” and “Infinity.” It is a celebration of the “Uncoded Pulse” that makes us human in the twenty-first century.
LiFT: Why did you choose this title?
Dr. Romila Chitturi: I chose the title Zero to Infinity because it captures the unique spirit of India, where the ancient void and the vast modern world sit at the same table. In my journey through these twenty-four stories, I realized that we are a nation of “And” rather than “Or,” existing as both traditional and digital. The “Zero” represents our deep roots, our silences, and the “slow time” found in places like old Parsi cafes. “Infinity” reflects our rapid leap into the future, from satellite launches to the endless data of the digital migration. I wanted to show that while we use high-tech algorithms, we still carry the infinite, un-optimizable soul of our ancestors. The title reflects the full cycle of the Indian experience, much like the twenty-four hours in a day. It highlights the friction between our “Forest Laws” and our modern skyscrapers. By moving from Zero to Infinity, I am mapping the entire psyche of a people trying to stay human in a world of machines. Ultimately, it celebrates the messy, glorious struggle of being a country that is both a thousand years old and seconds away from the future.
LiFT: When did you realize that you wanted to be a writer, and what was your inspiration behind it?
Dr. Romila Chitturi: I realized I wanted to be a writer back in 1996, when I first saw my words in print within my school magazine and local newspapers. However, my inspiration began much earlier as a child, lost in the pages of every book I could find. I was always deeply curious about the “how” behind the magic—wondering how authors could build entire worlds out of simple ink and paper. I spent years observing the world around me, fascinated by the “unfiltered” heart of people and the friction of changing times. Even though I was writing for decades, my transition into becoming a published author in 2016 was actually totally unplanned. It felt as though the stories I had been gathering finally demanded to be told to a larger audience. I wanted to capture the “slow time” and the sensory magic that technology often overlooks. Writing became my way of mapping the human psyche and finding where the data ends and the soul begins. Today, I write to prove that our most beautiful parts, like our intuition and our grief, are things that can never be optimized. For me, being a writer is about staying still in the storm and listening to the stories that the world is whispering.
LiFT: Where do you see yourself ten years down the line in the world of literature?
Dr. Romila Chitturi: In ten years, I see myself still deeply rooted in the world of stories, both as a creator and a guide. I hope to have more collections of published works that resonate with readers, but my journey won’t stop at the keyboard. I envision myself spending a significant amount of time mentoring emerging voices, helping them find the courage to tell their own unique truths. Teaching writing is where I find a different kind of fulfillment, so I expect to be leading workshops or classes that turn technical skills into art. For me, success isn’t just about my own name on a book cover; it’s about being part of a thriving literary community. I want to look back and know that I didn’t just write books, but I also helped build the next generation of storytellers.
LiFT: How important do you think marketing and the quality of a book are in promoting it and increasing its readership?
Dr. Romila Chitturi: I believe that marketing and quality are like the two wings of a bird; you need both to make a book fly. Quality is the foundation because if a story isn’t well-written, readers won’t finish it or recommend it to others. For me, a “good” book is what builds a writer’s reputation and creates long-term fans through word of mouth.However, marketing is the spark that helps a book get noticed in a crowded world. Without it, even the most beautiful story might stay hidden on a shelf where no one can find it. I see marketing as a way to introduce my work to the right people, while the quality is what makes them stay. To grow a real readership, I must focus on writing something great and then work just as hard to make sure people know it exists.
LiFT: What message do you want to convey to people through your writing?
Dr. Romila Chitturi: Through my writing, I want to remind people that they are never truly alone in their experiences. I hope to show that even in our darkest moments, there is always a thread of hope or a lesson to be found. My goal is to encourage readers to embrace their own unique stories and to see the world with more empathy and kindness. I want my words to act as a bridge, connecting different people through shared feelings and human struggles. Life can be complicated, but I believe that storytelling can make it feel a little more manageable and meaningful. Ultimately, I want my readers to close a book feeling a bit more understood and inspired to follow their own dreams.
LiFT: What do you do apart from writing?
Dr. Romila Chitturi: Apart from my own writing, I stay very busy within the literary and educational worlds. I currently serve as the Chief Editor at an educational consultancy company, where I ensure the applications sent to global universities are clear and impactful. I also run a literary magazine, which allows me to discover and promote fresh talent from all over. Because I enjoy sharing what I know, I work as a subject matter expert and a mentor to aspiring writers. Helping others refine their voice and grow their skills is just as rewarding to me as finishing a chapter of my own. My days are a mix of professional editing and personal guidance, all centered around the power of words. It is a busy life, but it keeps me constantly inspired and connected to the community.
LiFT: What activities do you resort to when you face writer’s block?
Dr. Romila Chitturi: When I face writer’s block, I find that the best cure is to step away from the desk and change my surroundings. I often take a long walk to clear my head and let my thoughts breathe in the fresh air. If I need a creative spark, I love to watch movies, as seeing another person’s storytelling can often trigger a new idea for my own work. I also enjoy going shopping, which helps me relax and stay connected to the world outside my head. One of my favorite escapes is visiting bookstores; just being around so many books reminds me why I love writing in the first place. Browsing the shelves and reading blurbs usually gives me the boost I need to get back to my keyboard. These small breaks are essential for keeping my creativity alive and flowing.
LiFT: Are you working on your next book? If so, could you tell us something about it?
Dr. Romila Chitturi: Yes, I am currently working on a new book that is very close to my heart. It is a semi-autobiographical story, blending real-life experiences from my own journey with a bit of fictional flair. I’m focusing on the themes of growth and the lessons learned through various stages of life. If everything goes according to plan, I am hoping for a release in the second half of 2026. It has been an exciting process so far, and I can’t wait to share more details with you as the date gets closer.
LiFT: What are your suggestions for budding writers and poets to help them improve their writing skills?
Dr. Romila Chitturi: My first piece of advice for budding writers is to read as much as possible and in many different genres. Reading helps you understand how stories are built and how language can be used in unique ways. I also suggest that you write every day, even if it is just for ten minutes, to keep your creative muscles strong. Don’t be afraid of “bad” first drafts; the magic of writing usually happens during the editing process. It is also very helpful to share your work with a small group of trusted friends or a mentor to get honest feedback. Listening to others can help you see your story from a new perspective and improve your weak spots. Lastly, stay curious about the world around you and take notes on small details you notice.
Click here to order Dr. Romila Chitturi’s Book – Zero to Infinity
