Originally published in March 2024
Senior copywriter and content strategist Anjana Vasan may not have always wanted to become a writer, but we’re sure glad she did. When she’s not working to rid the world of injustices big and small—including unnecessary em dashes—she’s wowing clients with her deep knowledge of all things marketing.
In this edition of 37 Questions, the Block Club version of Vogue’s 73, Anjana tells us about her favorite books, the causes she’s most passionate about, and the (in)famous street she’s always wanted to visit.
-
How do you like to start your day?
Giving my dogs their Greenies. They get very excited when I wake up, and that makes me happy.
-
What are your dogs’ names, and do they have any special meaning?
They’re called Loki and Hulk! If you didn’t figure it out already, we’re an MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) family.
-
Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?
Not really. I’ve just always been drawn to how words could stir deep emotions within me.
-
Do you remember the first story that inspired you?
I absolutely loved Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine as a child. I couldn’t stop raving about the book to my friends.
-
If you could write like any famous author (and not get called out as a copycat), who would it be?
Although I wish I had the lyrical writing style of Patrick Rothfuss, I’d go with Brandon Sanderson. He has an unwavering dedication to his craft. Plus, he balances creativity and productivity really well, which I respect.
-
What do you do when you’re not writing?
If I’m not spending time with my family, I immerse myself in fictional worlds through books or movies.
-
What non-written project are you most proud of?
This one’s tough, since writing is so closely connected to my profession. If I could go with something unrelated to work, I’d say decorating my house. I aimed for a cozy, reader’s haven vibe.
-
What furniture or decor did you pick to achieve that?
I have things all over my house that tell you I’m a reader. Other than my books, my favorite items are the huge print of Desiderata by Max Ehrmann on my wall and another print, which is a Lord of the Rings quote from Samwise Gamgee.
-
What’s one skill you’re working on mastering?
Patience
-
What tests your patience?
Mansplaining. Is that okay to say out loud?
-
Yes, it is! Is there a topic (other than content marketing) that you could hold your own on in any conversation?
Definitely minority and disability rights—those topics are close to my heart, so I can get pretty passionate.
-
What class did you do best in at school?
Unsurprisingly, English. But, in high school and college, it was marketing.
-
How do you define success?
A peaceful life with comfort, love, integrity, and joy
-
What couldn’t you live without?
Stories. Also, my family and my dogs
-
Is there anything you’re scared of?
Emergency rooms
-
What helps you wind down after a long day?
Crawling into bed with a good book or a TV show to binge
-
Fill in the blank: Spinach is to Popeye as ___ is to Anjana.
Hope. Hmm, and logic
-
What would be your ideal superpower?
Teleportation, so I could travel anywhere and back whenever I wanted
-
If you stumbled on a time machine, where/when would you go?
2011, right out of college in India, so I could make slightly different career choices
-
What career choice would you replace, and what would you do instead?
If I had known I’d end up working tech-adjacent anyway, I wouldn’t have turned down some job opportunities that came my way in my twenties. I was too idealistic back then, haha. If I could go way back to 2006, I’d probably be a software engineer or a lawyer.
-
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
22 books from my wishlist for my 22nd birthday
-
What’s the best gift you’ve ever given?
A last-minute weekend trip to Banff, because I know what it meant to my husband
-
What was the most memorable part of that trip?
For me, it was grabbing hot chocolate at the Fairmont Banff Springs at 7:30 a.m. on a snowy day.
-
What’s the boldest choice you’ve ever made?
Deciding to leave New York and move to Vancouver, considering I didn’t know a single person in Canada and didn’t have a job yet either
-
If you had to make a documentary about your life, what would it be about?
I hope my story would be about a woman who saw the world for what it was, in all its glory and darkness, and still found brightness wherever she could. It would be Little Miss Sunshine and Matilda meet An Unquiet Mind.
-
What was the last movie you really enjoyed?
Dumb Money. I root for underdogs.
-
Any specific underdogs you like to root for?
BIPOC and individuals with disabilities. However, I consider those to be strengths, not disadvantages. 🤷🏽♀️
-
Is there a TV or movie character you especially identify with?
Deep down, Kara Thrace—a.k.a. Starbuck from the Battlestar Galactica remake
-
What’s your favorite holiday?
Christmas always feels magical. 🙂🎄
-
Do you have any favorite games?
If you’re asking about board games, then Catan. I like the strategic aspect of the game. I find it hard to pick a favorite video game, but maybe Super Mario Brothers? It’s a classic.
-
What makes you laugh
Curb Your Enthusiasm—or, more specifically, Larry David
-
What makes you cry?
Injustice
-
If you had to pick up and move anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would it be?
New York City
-
What’s on your bucket list?
I don’t drink, but I’ve always wanted to visit Temple Bar in Dublin, Ireland.
-
What topic will always send you down a research rabbit hole?
Mental health and social justice
-
If you could impose one universal writing rule, what would it be?
If the sentence works with a comma instead of an em dash, just go with the comma.
-
How would you describe yourself in a string of emoji?
✌❤️🔥 ❤️🩹 💖 🧠 🤷🏻♀️ 🦄 🍀 ✨