Author's Interview: In Conversation With Ruchi Singh

I had read Ruchi Singh's book Jugnu by chance. It falls under my favourite genre ---that's romance plus, some of my reader friends had cool things to say about this book. The problem {for me} was that the book was available in ebook format ---a format I found difficult to read. Then one day, I downloaded this book. Just like that. 

The moment I started reading, I was hooked. Surprisingly, I finished it in a single sitting---on my phone. Yes, it was that gripping! Now, it's one of my favourite romances. Then, naturally, I downloaded her first book, Take 2. Liked it too.

Recently, I read 'Guardian Angel', her latest book. Enjoyed it {However, Jugnu remains my favourite}. So, I've realized that Ruchi Singh's writing style works for me, always. I feel a connection with her characters {most important thing for me}. You can feel their emotions develop.

Today, I am so pleased to have Ruchi Singh on my blog. She has some interesting things to say. So, let's chat ---

Welcome to my blog. Tell me about your writing journey ---that moment when you realized that you wanted to be a writer?

RS: Thanks for having me on your blog...

It happened by chance in 2013, when friends and family suggested I should write. It was like an epiphany that yes I can, and should write. 

Since I am very fond of novels, so I began with a novel. I immensely enjoyed writing Take 2, the joy in creating something new is quite potent. And when I won the Indireads Short Story competition in Oct 2014, I knew I will become a novelist. Recently winning the TOI WriteIndia contest was an awesome experience and added motivation.

What's the most essential element of a gripping story?

RS: The characters and their evolution through the story arc.

I couldn't agree more! Would you like to tell us about your writing process? Do you follow any writing schedule?

RS: There are no hard and fast rules. I normally need a broad level plot and framework to be in place before writing. In case of a thriller, the plot is complex and I have to work out on the timeline so I do it on paper, then I begin to write. 

For a romance where the focus is on emotional conflict, I go by my instincts and the characters I have created. 

There is no fixed schedule. When I am writing the first draft I mostly write everyday, but if the writing spree is interrupted it becomes difficult to start again. But it’s a good idea to write daily. 

Please tell us about your next book?

RS: I am writing an emotional romance which is again set in Kasauli, the backdrop of my second novel Jugnu. I’m also planning and plotting the third one in 'Undercover' series. There are lots of ideas floating in my mind, but very less time.

What's more difficult ---completing a book or marketing that book? Do you think social medial plays an important role in promoting your book?

RS: Its difficult to choose between the two, both have different challenges. But if I have to pick one it will be completing a book. Writing an interesting story which appeals to the readers is the key to the next step which is marketing. Marketing is not a phase, it's an ongoing task and can be done at one's own pace.

Social media plays a very important role in marketing. It's probably most effective, fastest and lucrative way to take your book to the audiences. 

I am on Google+, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, where I post the excerpts and reviews of my books. I blog at iluvfiction.com about books and people can read my flash fiction.

Is there any particular genre you find it difficult to write in?

RS: I think I can only write Romance and crime, rest all are difficult for me.

What would be your precious advice for new/aspiring writers?

RS: This would be a cliched answer, but still:

1) Read ‘On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft’ by Stephen King and follow it.

2) Buy a good editing tool and use it

3) Write, write, write and edit, edit, edit. 

Author's Interview: In Conversation With Sudesna Ghosh

Sudesna Ghosh is a versatile writer who writes novellas, short stories and children's stories. She also writes non fiction. In fact her first two books are non fiction.

Interestingly, we got in touch on Twitter because of her first book 'What Would I Tell Her @ 13 {published by Harper Collins India}, as I needed some inputs for my article and she was so kind to share her insights.

Then I read her short story 'It Started With A Cup Of Coffee' and I can say that it was one of the best short stories I read in 2018. It's a sweet story, engaging and very well crafted. 

Recently, I read her latest novella 'My Small, Thin Indian Wedding'. As the name suggests, it's about a wedding ---Reema's wedding. Reema, unlike many other girls, wants a simple, quiet wedding but obviously it cannot be everyone's favourite idea. So, it's not going to be easy.

My Small, Thin Indian Wedding is a modern take on love and relationship. The theme of the story is nice. I liked the well placed humour and wit. Also, it conveys some thoughtful messages. 

Today, I am in conversation with the author!

Welcome to my blog, Sudesna. My first question is somehow common but important. Why do you write? Do you believe that writing has changed you as a person?

Thank you, Tarang. I’m an introvert and bookworm who grew up with her nose in a book. I also wrote little short stories since my school days, so I guess I always loved being immersed in the world of books.

As someone who struggles with anxiety and depression, writing has given me a vast space to let out my thoughts and feelings. In fact, I become deeply connected to my characters and find happiness in another world. 

And when I write nonfiction, I find myself becoming more and more articulate about matters that are important to me including mental health and writing. Writing has made me a better thinker. Writing gives me company.

What's your take on writer's block? How do you deal with it?

I believe writer’s block exists. It’s terrible when your mind is bombarded with ideas and you can visualise it all but your fingers just won’t move. I usually take long walks and allow myself a break from writing and go on a reading spree instead. Reading good books always acts as inspiration and then the motivation to get back to my own manuscript.

You prefer writing short pieces ---short stories or novella. What do you like about writing short stories?

Some authors have told me that they think novellas aren’t books. Also, most publishers ask for a certain big word count to make printing costs worthwhile. I find many novels too long as if the author has lost a sense of plot and is just going on and on for the sake of increasing page count. If it gets too boring, I can’t finish it. So yes, I can’t write just for the sake of filling pages.

Secondly, there are a group of readers who like reading short works that they can finish in one sitting. 

I love writing short stories and novellas because even when I speak, I like to be to the point and not waste words when not needed :)

You are an avid reader. What kinds of books you like reading. What's the best book you have read in recent times?

Yes, I love reading. I read both paperbacks and e-books on my Kindle these days. My favourite genre is women’s fiction, followed by sweet romance. It’s hard to name one favourite so I’ll name two I enjoyed recently - The Little Village Christmas by Sue Moorcroft, Late Summer in the Vineyard by Jo Thomas.

Adding these to my TBR list! 
What would be your advice to new/aspiring writers?

Read a lot and write a lot. Write from the heart and you’ll find readers who can connect with you, no matter how small that number of readers is.

Well said!

Author's Interview: In Conversation With Debeshi Gooptu

Debeshi Gooptu, author of Gurgaon Diaries & Dragon Aunty Returns, is a wonderful storyteller. I am yet to read her novels, but I have read her short stories recently on Juggernaut Books, and loved them!  

The Girl at the Yellow Door, A Strange Connection, Don't Stand So Close To Me, A Chance Encounter --- these are some of my favourites. I have saved her other stories on my app and looking forward to reading them. 

Her stories, writing style, her characters and their situations are so relatable. Stories are very engaging, mostly open-ended with interesting twists. And, guess what? She has published 20 short stories! 

So, if you like quick, light, well crafted, relatable and engaging stories, you can read her stories HERE. 

But, don't go now. Today, I am having a candid chat with her.

1. Tell us about your writing journey. How easy or difficult it was to be chosen by two big, traditional publishing houses?

Even though I’ve been a journalist all my life (from the time I was 21), the realisation that I wanted to be an author came to me rather late. My first pitch for a book was rejected by all the leading publishers in 2012. I was really disheartened. My husband told me not to take the rejection personally and to begin a blog instead. Blogs were becoming popular those days. So I started a blog, Gurgaon Diaries, and maintained it for nearly five years. The blog was about my experiences of living in Gurgaon.

My first book was a collection of short stories from the blog that I self published on Amazon. The book did so well that I got an offer from Rupa who wanted to publish my blogposts in print. At the same time, I had sent a proposal for a novella, Dragon Aunty Returns, to Juggernaut Books who had just launched. They loved it. Things sort of fell into place after that. Getting there was not easy, but it was worth it.


2. You have published two full-length books and twenty short stories. Where do you get your ideas from? 

My mind is constantly buzzing with ideas. Mostly, they just come to me, in the middle of something I’m busy with. I may be at the bus stop waiting for my daughter to get home from school or even at the neighbourhood supermarket buying groceries. A face, a smile or the tring of the rickshaw puller’s bell sets me off. My mind is always wandering. But that’s a good thing, in my case! There’s a little bit of me in all my stories. I guess you can say that I’m really old and have lived through a lot of things. Good and bad.


3. Can you please share some time management tips for writers. How to be more productive?

Writing is like any exercise. You need to practise every day to build up stamina. Just a little will do. I think one should set aside time every day to write. Some people write at the crack of dawn, others at night. Some work in coffee shops, some in their homes. Whatever works for you. But you must write every day or you will literally lose the plot!


4. Tell me about your writing process. Do you plan and plot before writing or just go with the flow? Do you follow any writing schedule?

I’m not a terribly disciplined person when it comes to writing. I have a noisy mind, random thoughts running parallel to one another at any given point of time. Most of them have nothing to do with writing – mundane, routine stuff such as buying groceries, planning meals, running errands or even the washing. 

But there are sparks of inspiration in between. I do have a rough plot in mind before I get started. For instance, the short stories were commissioned by Juggernaut and I wrote them during the summer vacations. So I got up really early to do my writing every day. Normally, I write during the day, between 9 am and 2 pm. But there are a lot of distractions! 


5. Your stories are intriguing and engaging. What do you keep in mind while writing a short story? How to create intrigue and keep your readers engaged?

I enjoy writing short stories. I find them really challenging as one has very little time and space (words) to grab the reader’s attention. I have to have the entire story mapped out before I write it. Plot, characters, story arc. There’s a piece ---  Writing Short Stories: The Long and the Short of it --- I wrote on the Juggernaut blog.

6. What kinds of books/stories do you like to read? Is there any book or author who inspired you as a writer?

Detective/crime fiction/regular fiction/drama/humour/short stories. 

Little Women which I read in school. Wanted to be like Jo who became a writer

6. Would you like to tell us something about your next book/short stories?

I’m excited about my next book. It’s with the publishers now. Don’t want to talk about it till it comes out. All I can say is that it’s something I’ve never done before. I’m terribly superstitious!


7. What would be your advice to new/aspiring writers?

Never take rejection personally. Just be focused, disciplined and keep writing. If you are a good story teller, someone is bound to notice you.

Author's Interview: In Conversation With Rupa Bhullar

Today, here on my blog, I am in conversation with Rupa Bhullar, author of The Indigo Sun (Published by Rupa Publications).

1. Hello. Welcome to my blog. Please tell us about yourself and your writing journey.

Thank you, Tarang. Pleasure to be a part of it.

I grew up in India and relocated to US in the year 2000. I currently live with my family in New Jersey. My field of education has extensively been business and finance and I serve as the director of finance at a technology corporation. 

Writing, for me, was a rather late discovery. At a certain stage in my life, I found myself on a similar quest to find true meaning, fulfillment and happiness as opposed to mere achievement of goals and superficial pleasures. At that point, for the very first time, I turned towards books that were insightful and sparked questions that enabled me to view the same things from a different perspective. As a result of what I read, my thinking expanded, I started to have thoughts that would come randomly drifting my way in the most bizarre situations - perfectly composed. 

As I stated to capture these, inspiration started flowing in from all directions – mundane life, ordinary people, exciting travel, vivid imagination. Pretty much everything became a medium for me to explore this story that started piecing itself together. Now the story was alive and beating in my heart so the next step - it wanted to be told. I often tried to quiet it down and even dismiss it, but it was relentless. Eventually, a trip to Jodhpur and Imtiaz Ali’s Tamasha really prompted me into action.


2. Why do you write? Was it a dream you've nurtured always? 

Writing is like quenching a thirst, sort of a compelling urge that demands its fulfillment. 

When a thought or an idea comes to me, it starts to knock louder and louder until I pay attention and hear what its trying to say. For me, it is as much a journey of exploration as it is a process of gratification. 

I did not grow up reading books, so far from a dream I nurtured, this has been the most contrary and intriguing discovery of my life. But once I made that journey and discovered my love, I knew this would be something I would spend my life in company of.


3. What inspired you write The Indigo Sun?

The Indigo Sun is inspired from life in general and to a great degree my own journey. At some point in life many of us find ourselves at the place we have been walking towards, where we are told lies the promise of happiness. In reality however, very few end up finding meaning in what they see there. Most are left feeling disillusioned and empty, questioning where to from here? 

The Indigo Sun is a journey that starts at a similar place and backtracks to the source of happiness through the means of travel, relationships, experiences and reconnecting. It is life’s philosophy captured through Maya’s journey.


4. How did you choose this beautiful title for your book? Do you think title plays an important role to make a book catchy? 

One of the defining moments for this book was a trip to Jodhpur. This place left me greatly inspired and I could feel fragments of my story alive and thriving in all that surrounded me. It was this sense of belonging for the story that led me to borrow the title from Jodhpur- known as the Sun city and the Indigo city. I decided to call it ‘The Indigo Sun’. 

I believe a title carries the responsibility of containing the entire book in a few words. It has to be catchy for sure but when it is also relevant, it opens the right doors for the story to be told. It is certainly as important as the story if not more.


5. What’s your pattern of writing? Do you plan before writing or just go with the flow? 

My writings are very spontaneous. I never plan when I will write or what I will write about. It is an absolute surrender, whenever inspiration strikes, and wherever the story leads. It is a very exciting process when I open my laptop as I have no idea who I will end up meeting today or where I will end up going. Writing becomes quite an adventure and I look forward to it. 

What is also exciting is that the writer is not always in command of the story or the characters. They seem to have a mind of their own. The story then becomes a delightful dance where you suggest, and they accept, or they lead, and you follow. It’s fascinating. With the writing of a book though, I wrote whenever I found time which was mostly Fridays through Sundays. As a writer, I do feel that my writing needs to be rooted in some level of reality, an experience I have had, a place I have visited, a life incident I’ve heard. I certainly don’t belong in the space of writers who can spin fantasy worlds out of thin air. 

6. Interesting! Would you like to talk about your upcoming projects?

Absolutely. I’m planning to start my next book which would be a complex maze of human relationships and emotions. It should be a lighter and faster paced read. Set somewhere in US, Italy, Calcutta and Lucknow, this story will have flashbacks into 50s from now. Modern day relationships, present day commitments and everything that falls within the spectrum of love, life and marriage. It will be a love story at heart but not in a stereotypical sense. I am very excited about this one.


7. Sounds intriguing! Looking forward. Okay, as a writer, what you think ruins a story? 

Attachment to your own writing. Writing a book is always a learning curve but my most important takeaway from my first book is the ability to distance ‘your’ writing from ‘the’ story. It’s not what you think that’s important but what the story demands and as an author, the discipline to hit the delete key is as critical as the writing process.


8. Is there any particular genre you find difficult to write? If yes, which one?

I find myself challenged at writing about all else but what comes most naturally to me which is life, love, relationships and everything that makes us human. Writing in that sense is just an extension of who I am. I will experiment within this space, but I don ‘t see myself writing a mystery or a thriller for the life of me.


9. Getting traditionally published is every author’s dream. How was your journey of getting published by a big publishing house like Rupa? 

Certainly, it is. The journey for me was exceptionally smooth and I feel very fortunate. During a meeting with Mr. Kapish Mehra, I earnestly brought forward that while I could delegate my work skills to anyone. What I could not delegate was my experience of life and my perspective on it. Only I could tell this story the way it needed to be told. Being a visionary that he is, he encouraged me to write and the rest as they say is history. The entire team at Rupa from the editorial to design to marketing has collaborated to make this book what it is today. I’m a very small part of it and could not have done this alone.


10. Your favourite Book – Author – Genre? 

The Alchemist. Paulo Coelho. Philosophy


11. Any words of encouragement for aspiring writers who crave and struggle to get into the ‘published author world’?
When someone asks me how I did it, I say either I was too naive, very hopeful or completely deluded to think this could ever be. But it happened. All I would say is believe in yourself and in the power of stories that want to be told. Don’t overthink, don’t second guess, just keep writing. It need not be perfect, it need not be unique, it just needs to be yours and that makes all difference. 

It's a pleasure to have you here on my blog. Thank you for your time. I wish you all the very best!

Author's Interview: In Conversation With Saiswaroopa Iyer

Today, I am in conversation with Saiswaroopa Iyer, author of two best-selling mythological fiction - Abhaya and Avishi. The most interesting thing about Saiswaroopa's writing is that she chooses lesser known protagonists for her stories - that's certainly a plus point for this genre.

So, let's talk! (And read her enriching and enlightening answers!).

Hello. Welcome to my blog. Please tell me and your readers about yourself and your writing journey.

Thank you Tarang :). I am an investment professional turned author. My first novel Abhaya started out as an exploration of Lord Krishna’s personality. He is my love since childhood (and probably in past and future lives too!). 

Growing up, I found that fascination turning into a drive to question, explore and I enjoyed the personal journey reading various interpretations about him and about Mahabharata. Same manifested in the form of a story. Abhaya explores the episode of Narakasura Vadha and that episode has a special place in my heart as it celebrates female valor and also raises a lot of relevant questions on gender parity. My book is an attempt to look at various interpretations from the perspective of a fictional character, Abhaya. 

My second novel Avishi explores the story of Queen Vishpala in Rig Veda who is one of the earliest known female warrior and the world’s first reference to prosthesis. I like my books to focus on lesser known episodes from our Vedas and Puranas. Expanding those episodes into full length novels sheds light on a lot of under explored aspects and gives us creative wings too.

Why did you choose mythological/historical fiction? Is writing in different genres on the cards? Apart from mythology, what’s your favourite genre?

Being the only child of my parents, both building their careers and doing their best to give me their best, I grew up listening to a lot of stories from our ancient history. Gods and historical personalities became my imaginary kin and kith since my toddler days (Confession: I still haven’t grown out of that habit!). I think the stories that manifest in my mind are basically their work. 

Apart from this genre, I like reading crime thrillers, romance and non-fiction. I am not sure whether I would write other genres because I love staying back in 2000 BCEs :D. But that said, I think it is important for me to challenge my own comfort zones and explore new shores as far as creativity is concerned. Let us see how things pan out. :)

Where do you get the inspiration from? Is there any book or author you find inspiring?

KM Munshi’s books and Kalki Krishna Murthi’s historical classics top the list as far as inspiration is concerned. I love their feisty female characters, the way they blend philosophical discussions, historical and social intrigues and keep the reader glued. That said, my inspiration is also highly internal. I need a character to come alive in my mind and compel me to write.

What are the challenges of writing mythology? How do balance facts and fiction in your stories?

The key to writing (or understanding) ancient literature is in understanding the macro aspects of the society and the choices our ancestors made. It is also about observing and understanding the legacy of poets and their motivations behind the varied interpretations of our Gods. Once we shed the lure of making opinionated conclusions and enjoy the process of study and enquiry, the creative liberty empowers us to explore interesting facets and aspects. An artificially motivated portion where the writer’s prejudices come in interferes with the readability. This is the reason why an involved reader would immediately feel alerted when a motivated paragraph makes its way into the writing. That said, reading, understanding, re-interpreting and writing this genre is a great journey. We grow a lot when we surrender to the characters and give them the lead to write their own stories.

What’s the importance of research in mythology?

Research is everything. But as someone who loves the genre, I don’t feel the fatigue of research and it often happens hand in hand with writing. The challenge is that some very good books which look deeply into the Vedic past are going out of print and we are left with a lot of politically motivated interpretations flooding. It is important to stick to scientific proofs and literary rigour and not to some colonial inspired invasion theories that took root in the 19th Century. 

For instance the so called scientific proof of the Aryan Invasion was just a bunch of 36 skeletons found in some excavations by some 19^th century western historian with some very racist prejudices. I don’t know how our historians fell for that. Fortunately a lot of false assumptions are now being questioned and I hope scientific basis would be given preference and we shall discover our origins with more rigor. That would help our understanding and consequently fiction writing too.

What’s your pattern of writing? Do you plan before writing or just go with the flow?

Outlining helps me stay on track as well as pursue multiple story threads. When I begin a new project, I give myself the pleasure of ‘pantstering’ outtill I forge a ‘kinship’ with one or two of my characters. But after that, I spend some quality time outlining the story. My two level plot outlining has seen me past 3 manuscripts and I hope it keeps my productivity up during my future projects too.

Would you like to talk about your upcoming projects?

I am currently wrapping up my third work of fiction, a novella which is a sort of sequel to Abhaya but can be read as a standalone too. I want to explore shorter fiction for a while, something like the length of 20K-40K words pieces that can engage the digital readers more. Apart from that I am exploring the possibility of writing a historical series on the Eleventh Century Telugu King Raja Raja Narendra. But this would be a long term project as it would involve a lot of research and travel.

You are a successful self-published author. Would you suggest aspiring authors to self publish? Please share your experience & suggestions.

Self-Publishing is a great way to tell your stories to the world while circumventing a lot of ‘gate keepers’. To be honest, the traditional publishing industry experiences and operates through a lot of constraints we can’t even imagine. So I don’t understand a lot of this angry Self Publishing vs Traditional Publishing rhetoric that happens. 

There are also some very illiterate prejudices around Self-Publishing and some people don’t consider it ‘mainstream’. But I can say with reasonable confidence that being a Self Published author has taught me a lot about the industry and market, right from setting expectations and goals to pursuing ways to achieve them. 

Going Traditional or Self is a decision one has to make after due thought. But if an aspiring author makes this decision, I have the below advice:

Hire professional editor and cover designer and be prepared for the costs involved. The output should not give a less professional feel. It is important to listen to the advice of a more experienced editor.

Spend some time trying to learn how Amazon works. It is still the biggest market place for Independent authors. Many people resort to immature ways to gaming Amazon algorithms. But it is important to understand that such ‘games’ would be easily found out and Amazon penalizes such books which show artificial spikes. I suggest the ‘boring’ route of writing more books, learning marketing techniques the conventional way and mastering Social media at our own pace. Two books I suggest the aspiring authors to read are Lets get Visible by David Gaughran and 10 Step Self Publishing Bootcamp by Susan Kaye Quin 

Don’t treat writing books as a short cut to fame. Be there for a longer haul. Learn and grow with each book.

Network with other authors, share your learning and be generous with your appreciation for their learning.

Thank you, Saiswaroopa! Pleasure having you on my blog. 

Author's Interview: In Conversation With Kanchana Banerjee

I love everything that deals with writing and books. Writing tips, writing journey (struggles), book reviews, book recommendations, and 'author's interviews' -  if I find any such posts, I'm off to read that!

Today, I am in conversation with Kanchana Banerjee, author of A Forgotten Affair (Harper Collins). Kanchana Banerjee is an experienced freelance writer (that reflects in her writing), and switched to creative writing with her debut novel, A forgotten Affair.

She believes, 'There's always a time and place for everything.'

She is one of the most disciplined and dedicated writers I have met (online, actually). So, let's talk!

Welcome to my blog. Tell your readers something about you and about your writing journey.

I always knew writing is what I would do. Nothing else was ever an option. So I worked with few newspapers before becoming a  freelance features writer. Then veered into corporate writing. I also knew that someday I would write a book. Everything else I did along the way was in preparation of that. Now I’m home, in the world of fiction.

You had been a freelance writer for 20 years. What prompted you to write fiction? And, how challenging/different you think creative writing is?

As I said above, it was a natural progression of things. I wrote features for a very long time. Topics I like to write on are – relationships, people profiles, life in general, changing landscape in society & etc. so it’s hardly surprising that I write relationship stories.

You have won the contract of A Forgotten Affair by pitching your synopsis in just 3 minutes. Sounds pretty impressive. Can you please share some pitching tips for aspiring writers?

Allow yourself to be nervous. It’s ok to be. Build on that nervous edge to do your best. Tell yourself again and again that you’ll not let go of the moment. Own the moment. Let your passion speak. Prepare well but don’t read from a script. If it’s doesn’t swing your way, don’t curse yourself. you win some, you lose some. You live to win another day.

Tell me something about A Forgotten Affair – where did you get the inspiration from?

I write on relationships so I observe people around me. I have seen some of my friends and some elderly aunts in the family in emotionally abusive relationships. It has disturbed for a very long time. The fact that women themselves don’t realize and accept that they are being minimized; it just horrifies and angers me.

As a writer, what you think ruins a story?

Over telling or over justification. Don’t tell all about the characters. Reveal bit by bit about them. Keep the reader surprised and anxious to read on and know. Don’t justify a vile character. Allow them to be bad just for the sake of being bad. And don’t let the characters be inconsistent.

Is there any particular genre you find difficult to write? If yes, which one?

I don’t think I would be able to write an erotica. It requires a certain sensibility which I don’t have. 

Would you like to share something about your future projects?

I have finished Novel 2. Novel 3 & 4 are fully etched out in separate folders in my lap top. They all deal with relationships, are reflection of the contemporary times we live in but also very different from each other. I am very superstitious about my writing and believe that if I talk about a work in progress that will never see the light of day. So my lips are sealed.

You are a very disciplined/dedicated writer. Tell us something about your writing process.

The idea of the plot and the protagonist comes to me together. I then allow it stay in my thoughts. I keep thinking, jotting down points and allow the idea to grow. Then I start writing a detailed character sketch of the protagonist and the other primary characters. This allows me to get into the skin of the characters, their life and the story I will tell through them. Then I do chapter outline of first 10 chapters, after which I begin writing. But I have seen that somewhere around 15,000 words, the story decides to take over and tells me, “To hell with the chapter outlines, follow me.” I always heed. The story tells and I follow. I’m very weird in one thing; I need to know the end of the story. So after writing few chapters, I know how I want the end to be. So I write it down. so far I haven’t changed the end. So I know the beginning and the end; then all that’s left is to reach the destination.

Writing and getting published is difficult. What is more difficult  –

Finding ideas

Finishing the first draft

Editing

Marketing?

Writing, ideating is tough but it’s the most enjoyable part of the journey. It’s a happy tough. Editing is heart breaking. I’ve had to chop and delete portions that I loved writing only to realize later that they weren’t doing anything to the story, hence had to go. Marketing is the necessary evil in the whole book journey. For me it is the toughest because marketing doesn’t come naturally to me.

Is there any book that you found overrated/underrated? Have you ever read a book that compelled you to think – I wish I had written this! Which book is that (if yes)?

Yes, I have found a few books over-rated but I don’t want to mention them. books that I wish I’d written – there are many. I wish I’d written Kane & Abel, Palace of Illusions, To kill a mockingbird, Thorn birds, Kite runner…to name a few.

You were very clear about your career since you were a teenager. How did you manage to stay so focused?Please share some insights.

It’s just the way I am. I know what I want and I know what I don’t want. Some people get clarity out confusion and I know what I want. So that’s that.

Any words of inspiration for aspiring writers?

Don’t be in a hurry to get published. Read a lot. Write a lot. Think about what you are writing. Don’t be in a race to write more. write better. That’s what I follow.

Thank you so much for your time. It was a pleasure to have you on my blog!

        

      

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In Conversation with Kavita Devgan

Recently, I read "Don't Diet: 50 Habits of Thin People by Kavita Devgan, my first diet and fitness book. I quite liked reading it. It was informative, enlightening and interesting (NOT preachy). You can read my review Here (4 Reasons Don't Diet by Kavita Devgan Will Keep You Motivated for Weight Loss)

It is so good to connect with the author! Here, I am in Conversation with Kavita Devgan. Read on as she answers your diet and fitness queries.

Welcome to my blog. Please tell us something about you.

I am a writer and nutritionist, and weight management and prevention of ill-health is where my interest lies mainly. My columns, my practice and talks and my now my book (hopefully more soon) is how I express my ideas.

What prompted you to write “Don’t Diet…”?

Well, I was itching to share the practical lessons - of what works and what doesn’t for weight loss that I had learnt during my years of practice and compulsive reading and writing about health - with a wider audience, and a book format seemed perfect for it. That’s why!

Your book “Don’t Diet” lists 50 habits of thin people. What are the top/best two habits that will help you stay thin or lose weight?

Difficult to choose as I believe all help, but if I have to then I’ll choose then I’ll pick one from each section is the book: Mind: Retrain your brain (chapter 6); Food: Moderation works (chapter 12); Lifestyle: Make fitness fun (chapter 41).

What’s the biggest diet mistake people often make in their daily lives?

Skipping breakfast as that puts you on a back foot right from the beginning of the day. Eating breakfast is and should be non negotiable.

What is the biggest challenge of being a diet consultant?

Keeping the motivation level up and interest alive in those who wish to but don’t have the patience to see a program through, specially in times of weight loss plateaus, which do happen regularly.

Having a flat tummy is the biggest concern when it comes to weight loss. Your best advice for reducing abdominal fat?

While food is an important aspect to control, but very often I see that that a person’s weight is fine but the belly still bulges. In those cases culprit may be stress fat. When we are stressed cortisol (stress hormone), a powerful appetite trigger is released in the body; this leads to excess eating and thus fat deposits that gravitate to one area of the body - the waistline. So for the sake of your waist learn to calm down. It is very important not to have excess weight around your abdomen area as that fat can be most detrimental for health.

Water is elixir of good health. But how much is too much?

Oh yes without enough water you are bound to end up with a diseased, over weight body. let your body guide you about how much water it needs, but if you want a safe, average figure target a minimum of 8 glasses a day, about 2 litres. some people might need more depending on their activity levels, season (hot, humid), body weight etc.

Any myth/myth buster regarding calories?

I’d rather we don’t get obsessed with calorie counting, instead focus our energy and attention on our nutrient intake. If we eat mindfully, and stick to the basic principal of everything in moderation the calories will just take care of themselves.

Are you planning to write your next book? Would you like to share something about it?

Still toying with a few ideas, writing minus a plan actually these days… lets see which idea takes shape first. Will keep you posted.

It’s wonderful to have you here, on my blog, Kavita. Thanks, and I wish you all the very best!

Author's Interview: In Conversation With Shuchi Kalra

She is a best-selling author, and a successful freelance writer, published in magazines like Femina, Woman's Era and Good Housekeeping. She runs a very helpful website for freelance writers. If romantic comedy, chick-lit, or well-written light fiction is your genre, you must read her debut book 'Done with Men' (a novella).

Here, I am in conversation with Shuchi Kalra, author of a successful novella 'Done with Men'

Welcome to my blog. Please tell your readers about yourself and your interesting journey of      writing.

Thank you for inviting me over!

I like to think of myself as a thinker and a dreamer. I live in my own idealistic little world and am cruelly jolted back to reality every once in a while when earthly responsibilities beckon. I am a proud military wife and mother to a beautiful daughter. I have been writing professionally for over ten years now, and I also run a small firm that goes by the name of ‘Pixie Dust Writing Studio’.

I have always found solace in writing, even as a child but my journey as a professional writer began in 2005, when I was working as an Optometrist at an eye hospital. I took up some academic writing assignments just to escape the drudgery of 9-5 (which was more like 7-9 at the hospital where I worked) and it was only when I received my first payment that I realized that I could make a full-time career out of this. I quit that job, took the plunge and kept at it.  Looking back, I feel so glad that I did. I wouldn't trade my career and lifestyle for anything else in the world.

Do you find any difference between creative writing and freelance writing?

Well, I try to approach both kinds of writing with the same systematic discipline. Creative writing is definitely more satisfying but it is the freelance projects that bring in the moolah! J

Ha! Ha! Yes. Okay, would like to ask about your writing process. Do you plot the entire story before writing or just go with the flow?

I usually have a basic premise in mind but I don’t really create detailed chapter outlines. The process is spontaneous, and for the most part even I don’t know where my characters will end up and how they will respond to a particular situation. I like to walk and grow with my characters.

How did Done With Men happen? I mean from freelance writing to writing a novella.

Done With Men was a stroke of destiny. Naheed Hassan, the founder of Indireads, had approached me sometime in late 2011 to work for them as an editor. We got talking and then she suggested that I write a book, a chick lit to be precise, because she believed I had the voice for it. Before I could make sense of things, the contract was signed and I was on my way to becoming an author. The interest part was that I had signed the book contract even before I had a synopsis of the story! So in a way, I kind of made a backdoor entry  into the world of publishing.

‘

Where do you get your ideas from? Are they inspired from real life?

I spend most of my time in an alternate universe and a lot of awesome stuff happens there.Of course, I do draw some inspiration from real life as well. I like to observe people, get to know them at a deeper level, understand their quirks, hear their life stories and learn how a human mind functions.

According to you, what ruins a story?

Bad writing. I can, for once, overlook a weak plot or flat characters but I find it impossible to go beyond a page if the writing is sub-standard.

Is there any particular genre you find difficult to write? If yes, which one? 

I don’t know if it will be difficult because I haven’t really tried it yet, but I’d really like to see if I can work my way around horror.

Would you like to share something about your future projects?

Ahh…I thought you’d never ask! My next should be out by the end of this year. It is a rom-com (more rom than com) with a spirited plus-sized protagonist. While it is primarily a romance, the story touches upon body image, fat shaming, social stereotypes and how challenging it is for anyone who doesn't fit the mould to navigate the society.

Being a mother to a toddler, how do you make time to write? In other words would you like to share some time management tips?

Surprising as it may sound, I started writing more prolifically after I had my daughter. Though she takes up most of my time, she is also a constant source of inspiration. In fact, I wrote DWM when she was barely an year old and I finished the first draft in three months flat. It is a different matter that I had to type away on the phone while feeding her or lulling her to sleep! I don’t make any conscious efforts towards time management – I just know what I have to do and I prioritize my tasks accordingly. If you are really passionate about something, you’ll make time for it no matter what.

Very well said! Writing a book is a huge task but getting a suitable publisher is the toughest nut to crack. What’s your take? 

Yes, that’s unfortunately true. Competition is stiff and everyone and their cousin is writing a book these days. It isn’t uncommon for potential literary gems to get lost in the slush pile given the number of submissions publishers are bombarded with each day. I have realized that it helps to have a literary agent back you up. My second novel was placed with Fingerprint Publishers by Kanishka Gupta of the Writer’s Side. Getting an agent to represent you is tough too but once you are signed on, you have everything sorted. And that means more time and energy to devote to your writing.

Any words of encouragement for aspiring writers who crave and struggle to get    into the ‘published author world’?

I am just one book old so I’m not sure if I am the right person to dole out advice,   but I would just say that don’t wait for the perfect moment to write that book cooking in your head.Set a routine, write a few words everyday and FINISH that first draft. Don’t waste time on fancy words and expressions when you are writing – just let the story flow. You can edit and pimp it up later.

As you are also a successful freelance writer, please share some tips for  beginners?

Whatever you do, it is only your work that will make you stand out. There are no shortcuts around that one.  The kind of jobs and the rates offered to you are going to be proportional to the quality of your services. If you want to command a premium price, learn to deliver a premium product. Treat freelance writing like any other business and do whatever you can to improve your writing skills. I have always been stressing on the importance of building a strong portfolio because that is the only way writers can project their worth in the market. Bottom line: Write prolifically and write well!

You are a travel writer. Do you believe that travelling has a special impact on writing?"

Maybe not in a direct way but it does give you a deeper perspective on life and the world. The more you travel, the more you discover and learn about yourself and things around you. For me, travelling is a necessity and a constant source of inspiration.

It's an absolute pleasure to have you here! Thanks for your precious time. I wish you all the best for your future projects!

Thank you Tarang!

Author's Interview: In conversation with Madhuri Banerjee

Hello!

Today, I'm in conversation with Madhuri Banerjee, author of Three Bestselling Novels. She is now ready with her new novel "Advantage Love" (Rupa Publications) which is going to release soon.

You can pre-order "Advantage Love" here

First of all, a very warm welcome to my blog.

Thank you

Please share something about you with your fans. 

I’m a foodie. Even though I exercise every day I love good food and surrender to my palate. I love fashion as well but I’m not a slave to it. I enjoy helping people and always respond to my fans. But I get upset when people take advantage of me. I expect people who love me to buy my books. I’m disappointed when they don’t.

Why do you write? Was it a dream you've nurtured always?

 It’s the only passion I have that fulfills me. Writing really isn’t a dream. It’s a core value I have. Without it, I would be nothing and no one.

Your books are generally based on relationships. What’s your take on a healthy relationship in real life?

 A healthy relationship commands love, respect, and honesty. There is tremendous support by both partners for each other’s dreams and they share intrinsic values that keep them together.

You are doing a project on relationship powered by Revlon. Please share something about this project? 

It’s a new campaign that Revlon has started called CHOICES. Each month for the next one year they will have different topics pertaining to women and their choices. They started with Relationships as it was extremely important to women today. I’m chosen as their Key Opinion Leader on the subject. I’ve written 3 articles for them which are on my blog and had 2 Twitter chats with the hash tag #AskRevlon to discuss relationship issues. I’m honoured to be part of this international brand and this new campaign.

What “Advantage Love” is about? It sounds different from your other books. 

Advantage Love is about a woman who comes from small town India to join a reputed university in Delhi to make something of herself. However, she falls in love with a politician and her dreams get side tracked. After a heartbreak she begins to join the pieces of her life, when love re-enters along with an ex flame. Suddenly she needs to choose whom she wants to be with and where she wants to take her career. It’s a book for the youngsters in our country who are grappling with ideas of self identity, relationships and career choices. It has a lot of fun dialogues and spicy scenes! 

This sounds interesting! Would you like to share something about your future projects?

I’m working on a book called My Clingy Girlfriend. It’s a story from a male point of view about relationships. I’ve written it from a guy’s angle of how he’s stuck in a dead end job with a clingy girlfriend and how he changes both of them around in his life.

What do you think about:

 "Too much grammatical corrections & accuracy 

 And usage of tough, decorative and unusual words in writing?"

Do they enhance the beauty of writing or take away the essence of writing?

It depends on the type of book you’re writing and which genre. Grammar is most necessary. Spelling mistakes are a strict no-no in books. But the language can be different according to your target audience and the way you write.

Where do you get your inspiration from? Do follow any strict writing schedule? 

I get my inspiration from people around me. Listening is essential in a writer’s life. The more you soak in, the more your imagination flows.

I don’t follow a strict writing schedule but I find myself able to write better at night after my daughter falls asleep.

Any words of encouragement for aspiring writers who crave and struggle to get into the ‘published author world’?

Read as much as you can. Understand grammar and spelling. Write the novel out and invest in a good editor. Take their suggestions. Re-write. Only then, submit to a publisher. Chances are if it’s a unique idea, you’ve got an offer in the mail!

Nice & helpful tips for aspiring writers! Writing a book is a huge task but getting a suitable publisher is the toughest nut to crack. What’s your take? 

So true. I’ve made pitch after pitch that has got rejected. It just makes me work harder.

Your favourite Book – Author – Genre? 

The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri. Does the genre ever matter if you love the novel?

You’re an active blogger. What’s your idea about blogging?

Blogging is my space where I can talk about things that are important to me. I can share my world with people on the internet. Money that a publisher is giving or critics who are judging my piece do not govern it. I post pictures, articles, reviews, tips and advice on relationships on my blog. It’s my direct access to people. I love blogging!

 It's an absolute pleasure to have you here! Thanks for your precious time. I wish you all the best for your future projects!