Inspiration is a fascinating phenomenon. It strikes at unexpected moments, often when I least expect it, (sometimes even in the shower) and transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.

1. The Power of Stories

Every story holds a universe within it. From classic literature to contemporary novels, the power of storytelling has always captivated me. I remember being enchanted by the stories written by Enid Blyton and Nancy Drew I read as a child in New Delhi, India. These stories sparked my imagination and planted the seeds for my own writing journey. Whether it’s a book, a movie, or a personal anecdote, stories inspire me to create narratives that resonate with others.

2. Cooking

This might be an odd one, but hear me out. Cooking a dish or a meal has serious similarities to writing. You need to have a plan. If you don’t, you need to figure one out, either through experience (like burned curries) or through a template or a recipe. You’ve got to prep your ingredients. Sometimes making other side dishes, sauces, or seasonings. Then you have to put it in the oven and cook it just right. That same creative space that allows you to cook also bakes your creative ideas. Yum. “What’s for dinner?” “How about a little drama with a side of cliffhanger sauce?”

3. The World Around Me

Nature, with its boundless beauty and unpredictability, is a constant muse. A walk in the park, the sound of the ocean, or the changing seasons can ignite a spark of creativity. Similarly, urban landscapes, with their vibrant energy and diverse cultures, offer endless inspiration.

4. Art and Music

Art and music are powerful sources of inspiration. A painting can evoke a multitude of emotions, while a song can transport me to a different time and place. They provide a sensory experience that often translates into my writing. The works of great artists and musicians remind me of the limitless possibilities of creative expression. The old cliché that a picture is worth a thousand words is amplified tenfold. Imagine the wraparound stories of some of the greatest paintings and sculptures. Imagining these can be a great exercise. On the flip side? Drawing, painting, and sculpting again access a creative part of the brain that also can contain our writing thoughts. If you think of your mind like a muscle, it’s good to flex this area in other disciplines, as well, because they’re all ultimately connected

5. Teaching and Mentorship

Teaching creative writing has been incredibly inspiring. Whether at The Writers Grotto in San Francisco, Stanford University, or at Book Passage, interacting with students and seeing their growth and passion for writing has been a profound source of motivation. Mentorship programs, like The Write Team Mentorship, have also reinforced my belief in the power of guidance and community in fostering creativity.

6. My Cultural Heritage

My cultural heritage is a cornerstone of my inspiration. The rich traditions, languages, and history of India provide a deep well of material for my writing. My novels, such as ‘The Awakening of Meena Rawat’ and ‘Mercy and Grace,’ often draw from my cultural roots, blending them with contemporary themes to create stories that are both unique and universal.

Inspiration is everywhere if we choose to see it. It’s in the stories we hear, the experiences we live, and the people we meet. For me, it’s a continuous journey of discovery, one that I cherish deeply as I navigate the world of writing.

Book Summary

Lena Sharma is a successful San Francisco restaurateur. An immigrant, she’s cultivated an image of
conservatism and tradition in her close-knit Indian community. But when Lena’s carefully constructed
world begins to crumble, her ties to her daughter, Maya, and son, Sameer—raised in thoroughly modern
California—slip further away.

Maya, divorced once, becomes engaged to a man twelve years her junior: Veer Kapoor, the son of
Lena’s longtime friend. Immediately, Maya feels her mother’s disgrace and the judgment of an insular
society she was born into but never chose, while Lena’s cherished friendship frays. Meanwhile, Maya’s
younger brother, Sameer, struggles with an addiction that reaches a devastating and very public turning
point, upending his already tenuous future.

As the mother, daughter, and son are compromised by tragedy, secrets, and misconceptions, they each
must determine what it will take to rebuild their bonds and salvage what’s left of their family.

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Print length: 335 pages

Purchase a copy of No Ordinary Thursday on
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/No-Ordinary-Thursday-Anoop-Judge/dp/1542037751/
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/no-ordinary-thursday-anoop-judge/1140485124.
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/no-ordinary-thursday-anoop-judge/17746161

You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61214404-no-ordinary-thursday

About the Author

Born and raised in New Delhi, Anoop is the author of four novels, The Rummy Club which won the
2015 Beverly Hills Book Award, The Awakening of Meena Rawat, an excerpt of which was nominated for
the 2019 Pushcart Prize, No Ordinary Thursday, and Mercy and Grace.

Her essays and short stories have appeared in Green Hills Literary Lantern, Rigorous Journal, Lumiere
Review, DoubleBack Review, and the Ornament anthology, among others.

Anoop calls herself a “recovering litigator”—she worked in state and federal courts for many years
before she replaced legal briefs with fictional tales. She holds an MFA from St. Mary’s College of
California and was the recipient of the 2021 Advisory Board Award and the 2023 Alumni Scholarship.
She lives in Pleasanton, California, with her husband, and is the mother of two admirable young adults.

You can follow the author at:
Website: https://anoopjudge.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judgeanoop/?hl=en
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anoop-ahuja-judge-94396743/

Blog Tour Calendar

June 17th @ The Muffin
Join us as we celebrate the launch of Anoop Judge’s book No Ordinary Thursday. Read an interview with
the author and enter to win a copy of her book.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

June 19th @ Writer Advice
Novelist Anoop Judge stops by with a guest post about Ways To Begin a Story.
https://www.writeradvice.com

June 21st @ A Wonderful World of Words
Let’s have some fun with a book giveaway and a guest post from Anoop Judge tracing her journey
through four novels.
https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/

June 22nd @ A Storybook World

Make an addition to your TBR pile with this spotlight on No Ordinary Thursday.
https://www.astorybookworld.com/

June 24th @ My Beauty My Books
Author Anoop Judge visits with advice to her twenty year old self and a chance to win a copy of her
novel No Ordinary Thursday.
mybeautymybooks.com

June 25th @ Words by Webb
Read a review of No Ordinary Thursday at Words by Webb/
https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog

June 28th @ What Is this Book About
Stop by for a spotlight on a new book for a new month: No Ordinary Thursday by Anoop
Judge.
http://www.whatisthatbookabout.com

June 30th @ Choices
Anoop Judges gives readers a peek at her writing life with today’s guest post.
http://madelinesharples.com

July 2nd @ Boys’ Mom Reads
Karen shares her review of No Ordinary Thursday, a novel of love, friendship and family.
karensiddall.wordpress.com

July 3rd @ The Faerie Review
Want to enjoy the July 4th holiday with a great book? The Faerie Review is spotlighting No Ordinary
Thursday by Anoop Judge.
https://www.thefaeriereview.com/

July 5th @ StoreyBook Reviews
Anoop Judge shares her thoughts on Crafting Dialogue: How Can You Best Give Voice to Your
Characters?
https://www.storeybookreviews.com

July 9th @ Word Magic
Fiona welcomes novelist Anoop Judge sharing a few things you didn’t know about her.
https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/

July 11th @ Knotty Needle
Read a review of No Ordinary Thursday, a novel about family and friendship.
http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/

July 12th @ Author Anthony Avina
Pop by the blog of Author Anthony Avina for a guest post about what inspires Anoop Judge.
https://authoranthonyavinablog.wordpress.com/

July 17th @ Chapter Break
Ready to head for the hammock (or your favorite reading spot) with an engrossing summer read? Learn
more about No Ordinary Thursday and author Anoop Judge.
https://chapterbreak.net/

July 20th @ Seaside Book Nook
Jilleen shares her thoughts on No Ordinary Thursday and a guest post on first memories from the author
Anoop Judge.
http://www.seasidebooknook.com/