I was born in Punjab, India. I have a B.A. (Honours) Degree in English Literature, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Film-Making. I also have a certificate that enables me to work as a fully qualified yoga teacher, which I gained at the Sivananda Ashram in Kerala, South India.
I have had a somewhat accident-prone life. I have experienced five major accidents, including a severe car crash in Delhi. The worst accident happened when I was twenty-four. At the age of 24 I was in a fire and suffered third degree burns. Extensive skin grafts left my whole body scarred, except for my face and my back. However, with the love and support of my dear parents , I recovered my well-being and mobility. I went on to work in many fields - I have even managed to work indoors occasionally as a journalist, an advertising copywriter, an arts entrepreneur, an independent theatrical producer, a videographer, a film-maker, a festival organiser, a market researcher, and a customer care representative for a brand of washing powder, during which time I gave penetrating and heartfelt advice on stain removal… until I was fired… .
I have always wanted to be a writer, and wrote my first story at the age of three. Fortunately, my command of English improved a bit as I got older…though many publishers did not agree…and actively encouraged me not to write in English…or any other language!
I didn’t listen to them. I knew I had talent, so I spent many years developing it. I learned how to write in the old-fashioned way – by living on the poverty line while spending all my time writing. I learned about life, I learned about people, I learned about myself, and I learned how to write. I wrote three novels – the first was so bad I binned it. The second wasn’t much better. The third was good. During this time I also wrote poetry - some of which was published in poetry magazines; I wrote short stories and won a short story prize along the way; I wrote and produced plays and screenplays as well.
In 2006 my fourth novel The Virgin Goddess was published by Kennedy & Boyd Ltd.
It is available on Amazon.com and in some branches of Waterstones. If you would like to read more about it or buy it, please click on this link - The Virgin Goddess.
You can also order The Virgin Goddess by Anjali Paul from your nearest bookshop.
And that is my story so far. I am currently an author, poet, videographer and entrepreneur. I also teach Creative Writing and Videography.
I set up Instant Haven Ltd. in September 2008, and launched this website in November 2008. It is my latest enterprise, and like me, it is continually evolving! I always welcome suggestions and feedback, so if you have any comments please do contact me.
There is a wealth of material here. Take your time, browse to your heart’s content, and return often!
If you need creative search engine optimised promotional videos that will help your arts project, charity or business enterprise take the internet by storm, click on the Video Production page, and find out how we can help you to step up your online presence. If you need a little spiritual counselling or tender loving care for your soul click on the Inspirational Stuff page for daily spiritual guidance, inspirational quotes, words of wisdom, and inspiring poetry. If you are struggling to cope with debt, click on the Dealing with Debt page for some useful information and links to places that will offer free and impartial advice.
And our famous quotes competition is now even better!
Firstly, it has been sponsored by the Oxford University Press in the form of a generous donation. So the lucky winner will not only receive a cash prize (one third of the money raised from competition entry ticket sales) but also a copy of the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations – hot off the press! Secondly, each competition on this website will now aim to raise money for a different charity – and the charity we want to raise money for with this competition is Kith and Kids. One third of the money raised from ticket sales – that is £1.00 from every ticket sold - will go to Kith and Kids. It is a fantastic organisation which improves the lives of children and adults with learning disabilities or autism by providing information, resources and facilities that enable them to enjoy life and be who they want to be. So if you want to exercise those mental muscles while helping to raise money for a good cause, enter the competition now. Who knows - you could be the lucky winner!
