Wattpad, the global multi-platform entertainment company for original stories, and Shunali Khullar Shroff are teaming up to host a Master Class in writing. Hosted on Wattpad India’s Instagram page and on the Wattpad Platform on April 29, the Master Class session will help demystify the writing process, including developing characters, writing dialogue, and giving the Wattpad community a professional’s perspective on the craft of storytelling.

Shunali Khullar Shroff is a Mumbai-based writer who has worked as a journalist, a corporate communication professional and been the owner of a successful PR firm. Author of the bestselling book ‘Battle Hymn of a Bewildered Mother’ and “Love in the time of Affluenza” and a regular writer for publications such as Conde Nast Traveller and HT Brunch on modern Indian life and feminism, Shunali says, “This is an interesting collaboration and I look forward to taking this master class and discussing the craft of writing. I look forward to speaking with the Wattpad audience through this initiative.”

The master class will involve a primer on how to go about writing. Shunali will share insights on three broad topics:

• The Blank Slate: How to move from an idea to getting the first words on a page
• Technique: Researching and planning a story, and how to create a consistent voice
• Reaching the finish line: Writing as rewriting, the editing process and how to land on the best version of a finished story

The session will culminate in a contest encouraging aspiring authors to share their short stories on Wattpad. Three winners will receive personalized feedback from Shunali.

Devashish Sharma, Country Manager, Wattpad India, said, “Community and connection are cornerstones of the Wattpad experience. Writers around the world know that Wattpad is a place where they can hone their craft, find a community of other writers, and build a global audience. We’re thrilled to introduce Shunali Khullar Shroff to the Wattpad community and offer this unique opportunity to learn together in a Master Class setting.”

Previous editions of the Master Class had the likes of Anand Neelakantan, author of the ‘Bahubali’ trilogy, and Durjoy Datta, author and screenwriter.

Known around the world for its engaged community of readers and writers, Wattpad has a growing pan-India community of 2.6 million users who have shared more than 4 million story uploads. The global Wattpad community is made up of 80 million people, including 4 million writers. 

Readers and writers all over India have participated in the company’s ‘Wattpad Campus Talks’ and the ‘Wattpad India Awards.’ In India, Wattpad has also partnered with publishing giants such as Penguin Random House, Harper Collins and Aleph, as well as with leading music labels and entertainment companies. 

Wattpad is backed by Times Bridge, a leading investment firm that seeks to bring the world’s best ideas to India and India’s best ideas to the world. Viral Jani, Senior Vice-President, Investment Operations at Times Bridge adds,  “Wattpad is democratizing storytelling and we are constantly finding ways to create value for our users.  Through the association with an author as well-known as Shunali Khullar Shroff, we want to encourage users to write and expand their horizons by helping them understand the writing process better.”