Author Durjoy Datta’s top tips for working from home & parenting in the time of Covid-19

If there were ingredients to write the perfect love story then Durjoy Datta knows them far too well. The best-selling author has written numerous romance novels, including Of Course I Love You! and The Perfect Us, which have helped many of us escape reality and in some cases acted as the perfect breakup remedy. The young novelist has only become more popular with time and perhaps this is why his stories will soon be turned into Bollywood films.

Recently, the engineer-turned-writer has been updating his Instagram account with pictures of him playing the perfect dad to his daughter Rayna. And, it makes one wonder how has he been parenting like a pro, while in quarantine. Here’s what he had to say about all those too-cute-to-be-true photos he has been posting:

ELLE: How do you start your day these days?

Durjoy Datta: I wake up earlier now and try to wrap up a major chunk of the writing before Rayna wakes up. Once she does, she doesn’t really let anyone not give her attention. So I try to cram in as much as possible from 6-8:30 am.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

So for the past few days Avantika was in isolation in a hospital for suspected Covid and we were quarantined at home. She was back yesterday. ✌️ Gave us plenty of time to realize how privileged for the kind of access we had. Anyway it was slightly less irritating to have her around again. The song we tripped on? Baatein karo by @vayurus 👨‍👩‍👦👨‍👩‍👦 P.S. – I’m also running a campaign on @kettoindia and Habitat for Humanity trying to raise funds to provide Hygiene kits for the underprivileged.The link is in their stories. if you can spare a bit, it will be absolutely awesome. ♥️

A post shared by Durjoy Datta (@durjoydatta) on Mar 24, 2020 at 8:49pm PDT

ELLE: How do you keep yourself from being distracted by social media while working?

DD: That has always been a struggle. Since I have always worked from home, I keep finding ways to pull myself away from the glowing window of distraction. Right now, I work in bursts. I switch off my phone and try to work at a stretch for 15 minutes without giving in to any distractions. That makes me more conscious of using the phone. Every time I want to pick it up I ask myself, do I really need to switch on my phone to scroll mindlessly through Instagram?

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Okay. So you have a lot of time now. You can only watch so many shows. It’s finally time to turn to books! Since shops are closed and you can’t get books delivered home, maybe try reading a few ebooks? 📚 I know, I know, there’s no smell of the paper, there’s nothing tangible, it’s just software but there are points in its’ favor too. ✌️ You save paper if it’s a bad book, and it’s cheaper! And if you’re voracious reader you won’t look like a hoarder. There’s a link in my bio from where you can get my ebooks. They are all lesser than 100 bucks. 🙂 Get them! ♥️

A post shared by Durjoy Datta (@durjoydatta) on Mar 26, 2020 at 1:39am PDT

ELLE: What kind of activities do you suggest one should keep their kids busy with while working from home?

DD: Art. For this period of time, push cleanliness out of your mind and give your child the most massive set of paints. Not only does it open up their mind, it’s a solitary activity that most children enjoy doing on their own, freeing you up for that important con-call.

ELLE: How do you deal with interruptions from kids if you are on an important call? 

DD: I’m guilty of what everyone does—chocolates or TV.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Children are made of rubber or what. I tried, came close but couldn’t manage. Will try again. . . . Stat safe. Stay boxed in. Stay at home, take all the necessary precautions, and do the little projects you had always wanted to do.

A post shared by Durjoy Datta (@durjoydatta) on Mar 19, 2020 at 8:29pm PDT