Meet Sunny (@romance_lover16), a vibrant 17 year old writer on a journey to share her unique perspective. Diagnosed with Emery-Dreyfuss Muscular Dystrophy, she aims to create proper representation for the condition in her writing. With aspirations of becoming an editor, she proudly wears the badge of an anime weeb, immersing herself in the fun worlds of Spy x Family, Buddy Daddies, Fruits Basket, and many more. Sunny's heart is always open to new friendships, making her a welcoming presence in the Wattpad community.

Her novel 'Us Against The World' won the grand winner prize in The 2023 NanoWatt Awards, in the Contemporary Romance Category and follows the swoon worthy romance of family girl Meera Rajput and billionaire bachelor Ezra Agent.

Meera Rajput knows what she needs in life, and a boyfriend isn't one of them. Between struggling to pay rent and reining her sex-crazed little sister, Meera doesn't need any more complications in her life. So when her visiting cousin, Riya, suggests that a chance interview with billionaire Ezra Agent can lead to something more, Meera pays no heed to her teasing, knowing that her
relationship with Ezra will never pass professional lines. She can blush and dream about it all she wants, but there's no way that her dream will ever be a reality... Or so she thinks.

When a chance interaction at her graduation brings Meera to the realization that Ezra is undoubtedly interested in her, she's not sure what to think. He's rich, handsome, and the kindest man that she's ever met, but falling in love with Ezra brings back Meera's physical insecurities, as well as other issues. Without Riya's support, Meera finds herself getting strangled with the daily tasks of a new graduate. Add in a new family member, a lawsuit, and a death, can Meera lift her head and face the new challenges?

Or will she hide from them, just as she's always had, and lose the one good thing that's ever happened to her?

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How does it feel to be a grand winner of the 2023 Nano Watt Awards? Were you confident that you would make it this far in the competition?

It feels amazing to be a grand winner of the 2023 Nano Watt Awards! To be completely honest, I wasn't very confident that I would make it far into the competition, because there were so many amazing authors and novels competing beside me!

In your own words what is your winning entry about?

"Us Against the World" is a romance novel set in a contemporary background. The story is told from the point of view of Meera, a college student with Emery-Dreyfuss Muscular Dystrophy, a physical disability that weakens her muscles. She is a workaholic who struggles with independence issues, and she also balances paying her hospital bills, looking after her promiscuous younger sister, and worrying about her comatose mother. Through the drama in Meera's life, she meets Ezra Agent, the billionaire of a well-known tech Company who is immediately smitten by her. Despite this, Meera, who struggles with image issues, is determined to live life on her own without having to rely on anyone else, and the story follows her as she balances a blossoming romantic relationship and the ups and downs of family and every-day life as a disabled person.

Could you share with us the inspiration behind your story?

"Us Against the World" was inspired by my dream to have more representation for disabled characters. As a disabled person, it's difficult to see myself in the shoes of literary heroines because we have a large ability gap. Writing "Us Against the World" is my way of introducing readers to different types of heroines, who tend to have to rely on other skills than physical ones.

And, in short, what was the process like in taking this book from novel idea to finished product? Were there any challenges or pleasant surprises along the way?

This book took me around six-ten months to complete, and that's without editing. I began writing this novel after an intense year of writer's block, so I would say that the words came very smoothly to me. Many of the challenges I faced came not from writing the story, rather from my personal life, which kept interfering with my time and ability to write my novel. I also struggled to gain recognition for my work, as many were more interested in a fast-paced romance with immediate mature scenes, which is not a common theme in my novels.

Having completed a full novel what encouragement would you give to writers struggling with self doubt and creative blocks?

Having completed a full novel, I encourage all writers to just keep writing! Gaining recognition is difficult, but it'll come one day, all we have to do is be patient. Never doubt yourself, because your story is your own, and you conceived it for a reason. Every word you write is important, and you as an author are important as well. Whether you have one follower or a thousand, one read or a million reads, all books have potential. As for creative blocks, take some fresh air! Play games, read books, watch TV; do anything other than write! It helps a lot. I find that listening to music helps me a lot when I struggle with a creative block.

In terms of its genre, How would you say your book defy or compliment the expectations/tropes?

In terms of genre, I classify my story as both romance and chick-lit, and while there isn't a lot of sex or extreme romantic scenes, which is common in a romance novel, my story focuses on deep bonds and comforting endearments. My main themes revolve around family, which aren't very common in a romance novel, and my protagonist is disabled, which is also uncommon.

If there was one character that potential readers had to read your book just to meet, who would it be and why?

I think, out of all my characters, the one character that potential readers have to read my book just to meet would be Aceline. As an introverted and normally reserved person, many of my protagonists consist of introverted, workaholics who oscillate between shy and sweet or cynical and short-tempered. Aceline is in the middle. She's an extrovert who's not shy about being different, and as Ezra's only sister, she's quite spoiled, but she's kind and dutiful and hardworking. She supports Meera through her body issues and even though Aceline is disabled herself, she doesn't let it stop her from accomplishing her goals.

In terms of your writing style and storytelling what authors and/or creative media have influenced you throughout the years?

Authors such as John Green and Rick Riordan have influenced my writing a lot, though many people in my personal life such as teachers and friends have said that my writing style mirrors that of Margaret Atwood. I tend to take a lax approach with my writing style and let the words flow by themself. I love repetition and using rhetoric devices such as anaphora and polysyndeton and repetition.

If you could have a crossover between your book and one of the books of a favourite published/ Wattpad author, who would it be and why?

I would absolutely have a crossover with John Green's "The Fault in Our Stars" because of the similarities between our main characters. While Hazel and Meera are two different people, the emotions that they've gone through in their lives are very similar and I think that they'd be able to relate to each other very well.

What other works or stories in the works can readers look forward to from you?

I have a lot of works planned, many of them in a contemporary setting! As usual, they will almost always feature disabled characters, and I'm thinking of delving into teen fiction with my next novels. Either that, or I'll take my characters on a trip to India and write a romantic thriller about a girl searching for her past and the grumpy cop that tags along. I'm not sure yet. Sequels are my jam too, so perhaps I'll write a sequel to my spy novel with my protagonists' daughter taking over!

Now that the award season has ended, what can you say on your Nano Watt 2023 experience? Can we expect to see you in 2024? 😄

I can say that out of all the awards I've taken part in, Nano Watt has been my favorite by far. I've thoroughly enjoyed my experience and I will definitely join again in 2024! I especially liked how prompt the contest was.

And before you go we must know....ketchup on your fries or ketchup to the side?🍅🍟

Oh, ketchup on the side, LOL

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Thanks again Sunny for chatting with us and congrats on your win!

You may find her winning entry Us Against The World in our TNW GRANDWINNERS 2023 reading list or visit her profile at romance_lover16