Amit Shankar's Blog, page 5
February 23, 2014
It’s Personal
What makes a good CEO? Why some of them be the stalwarts where as the others just fail to deliver?
CEO is not a person with degrees, an impressive resume, track record or more. He/she is a phenomenon which holds the potential to transcend all the barriers ever faced by an organization.
Read the ten commandments which can turn an ordinary CEO to a 'superman CEO'
Work, targets, achievements, failures, hiring, firing, everything is personal. Till the time you exist in the medieval mind frame of ‘never to mix personal and professional” success will always elude you. Make everything personal; especially quality, timeline and promises made to the clients. The day you will start believing in it, the organization would change, so would your balance sheet.Give everything your personal touch. From making calls to your clients, reaching out to the management, your team members, even to the last man; maybe the janitor… get everyone on your side. How? Well, by showing small personal gestures. Maybe remembering birthdays, wishing someone out of the blue, remembering names of their spouses, siblings, girl friends, gifting them a chocolate, rose or a cute tee. It makes people look up to you.You are a hero, act like one. A CEO is not a leader alone, he is also a hero. The maker or the breaker. To turn around any enterprise, you need to be the ‘superstar’ of it. People need to emulate you, idolize and worship you. Act like a superstar; let it reflect in your gait, walk, clothes and speech. Last but not the least, in the way you work. Always lead from the front, be there to help your team during any crisis, standing up for them, fighting for what is right and just and lastly, having trust in your team. Be the non-conformist. Don’t go by precedence, sheets, last year’s figures or SOPs. Break them; make your own for the new financial year. Be ready to fine tune or change if detect any chink. Acceptance will never kill you, turning a blind eyes could.Lead by example and not rhetoric. Set high level and parameters for everything, every department and every single employee. Lead this initiative and reward team members who go that extra mile in achieving these standards. Don’t forget to punish the ones who show no sign of improvement.Boss is dead. You heard it right. Just because you were born some 5, 10 or 15 years earlier does not give you any right to rubbish, chide or humiliate people. Drop that façade and be a friend, mentor and guide to your teams. Let them confide in you rather than hide things away from you. With trust, transparency and conviction, it is easier to get the desired results.Open your heart. Be the generous king, the large hearted leader. Do things for your team, which will make them, feel special, loved and safe. Drop a female colleague home if working late, cook something special for a team which has been slogging real hard, buy a Hendrix poster for that rock fan, a small puzzle game for the brain teaser enthusiast. These small gestures create humungous goodwill, which no financial reward can match.King Arthur had a round table for his knights. Practice the same. Develop a culture of sharing and speaking without any fear. Encourage your team members to criticize you on your face rather than bitch about you. Be open to suggestions, criticisms and don’t let your ego come in between if you have to apologize.Be responsible. During your tenure, make it your personal agenda to be responsible for the lives, careers and well-being of every single employee in your team. Convey the same to your clients too. Every business won or lost, every pitch made, every delivery, every hiring, every firing, every appraisal, every tear, every fear is your responsibility. Think is terms of real people, not head counts.And be honest to your self, believe in what you say and preach. Live by the example you set for others.
CEO is not a person with degrees, an impressive resume, track record or more. He/she is a phenomenon which holds the potential to transcend all the barriers ever faced by an organization.
Read the ten commandments which can turn an ordinary CEO to a 'superman CEO'
Work, targets, achievements, failures, hiring, firing, everything is personal. Till the time you exist in the medieval mind frame of ‘never to mix personal and professional” success will always elude you. Make everything personal; especially quality, timeline and promises made to the clients. The day you will start believing in it, the organization would change, so would your balance sheet.Give everything your personal touch. From making calls to your clients, reaching out to the management, your team members, even to the last man; maybe the janitor… get everyone on your side. How? Well, by showing small personal gestures. Maybe remembering birthdays, wishing someone out of the blue, remembering names of their spouses, siblings, girl friends, gifting them a chocolate, rose or a cute tee. It makes people look up to you.You are a hero, act like one. A CEO is not a leader alone, he is also a hero. The maker or the breaker. To turn around any enterprise, you need to be the ‘superstar’ of it. People need to emulate you, idolize and worship you. Act like a superstar; let it reflect in your gait, walk, clothes and speech. Last but not the least, in the way you work. Always lead from the front, be there to help your team during any crisis, standing up for them, fighting for what is right and just and lastly, having trust in your team. Be the non-conformist. Don’t go by precedence, sheets, last year’s figures or SOPs. Break them; make your own for the new financial year. Be ready to fine tune or change if detect any chink. Acceptance will never kill you, turning a blind eyes could.Lead by example and not rhetoric. Set high level and parameters for everything, every department and every single employee. Lead this initiative and reward team members who go that extra mile in achieving these standards. Don’t forget to punish the ones who show no sign of improvement.Boss is dead. You heard it right. Just because you were born some 5, 10 or 15 years earlier does not give you any right to rubbish, chide or humiliate people. Drop that façade and be a friend, mentor and guide to your teams. Let them confide in you rather than hide things away from you. With trust, transparency and conviction, it is easier to get the desired results.Open your heart. Be the generous king, the large hearted leader. Do things for your team, which will make them, feel special, loved and safe. Drop a female colleague home if working late, cook something special for a team which has been slogging real hard, buy a Hendrix poster for that rock fan, a small puzzle game for the brain teaser enthusiast. These small gestures create humungous goodwill, which no financial reward can match.King Arthur had a round table for his knights. Practice the same. Develop a culture of sharing and speaking without any fear. Encourage your team members to criticize you on your face rather than bitch about you. Be open to suggestions, criticisms and don’t let your ego come in between if you have to apologize.Be responsible. During your tenure, make it your personal agenda to be responsible for the lives, careers and well-being of every single employee in your team. Convey the same to your clients too. Every business won or lost, every pitch made, every delivery, every hiring, every firing, every appraisal, every tear, every fear is your responsibility. Think is terms of real people, not head counts.And be honest to your self, believe in what you say and preach. Live by the example you set for others.
December 30, 2013
Resolution 2014
I will be what I am, not what you want to see. (So oval shape will be in instead of 2 parallel lines.)
I will do what my heart likes, not what the society demands. (Yes, I will eat, sleep, fart and snore and not grind my bones to dust, being a slave.)
I will eat more of home grown foods and fruits and not get swayed by ‘California apple’ and ‘Chinese bell pepper.’ (No wonder, my eat, sleep, fart syndrome will only support the tag of local fruits and veggies.)
I will workout as an animal and eat like one too.(For sure, I will do atleast one part of this. And I am sure you know which one.)
Won’t criticize Sonia, Manmohan or even Arvind for that matter.(This year, I wll be spewing venom against global celebs. Yeah, Amrica, here I come.)
I will try getting over my fetish for war movies and watch comedies and romance movies. (My aging heart can't stand all the boom-boom, bang-bang and need gentle lullabies.)
I will express more freely. (Will ask for money, booze, food, a favor, a smoke, a lift sans any guilt.)
I will meet more people, travel more. (Yeah, I will be a part of more mindless parties and get together, and kill more time gossiping.)
I won’t start consuming alcohol. (Even fish doesn’t consume any water. And please, I’m bored of ‘Absolut or scotch on the rocks’ route. Please suggest something new.)
Will buy a Thar and do it up tastefully.(At least a dozen searchlights, swords, hammer, tongs, spears, jerry cans, winch, and will add every single thing that I may find.)
Will do at least 3 road trips. (Driving to pubs are also road trips. Arent they?)
Will not be a part of any mediocre work, thought or people. (That is why I will stay away from my boss, in-laws, friends, neighbors. Too bad there aren’t many like me.)
Will hate and love both, with all honesty and conviction. (Boss, I hate you, landlord I hate you, government I hate you. Katrina I love you, Sonam I love you so much, Sunny (Leonne not Deol) I cant live with out you.)
Will read more and write more. (Reading posts of colleagues, ex, celbes and posting LOLs would be counted as reading and writing.)
Will complete my fourth title before April. (This time I will it more sleazy-weezie. Maybe it wil sell more.)
Will change my phone number again and drop all ‘useless’ mindless’ and worthless’ morons. (So if you don’t find my phone ringing, you know what you are.)
Will not judge people basis their family, school, college, watch, accent or even the pedigree of their dogs. (Only the color of money will be used as a parameter)
Will add 100 new words to my vocabulary.(ROFL, BTW and 98 more)
Will learn a new language. (And yes, learning Punjabi would be counted as one.)
Will have more time for friends. (Yes, invite me over for dinner, daroo, brunches at the best of the restaurants and see how I have time for you.)
December 24, 2013
An Interview
An interview with Amit Shankar (BestSelling Author of Flight of Hilsa, Chapter Eleven and Love is Vodka)
Q. Hi, apart from the boring questions, I would ask something else! What makes you think that you have what it takes to be author?
A. Thank God for small mercies and thank you for getting me beyond the realm of ‘so predictable’ and moronic questions. As far as the answer to your question goes, well we all are destined to follow a certain path. I guess by being a writer, I am just following mine. Apart from the same, my traits--being a loner, non-conformist and a keen observer, also helps me. The ‘writer streak’ further gets fortified and accentuated by my restless nature.
Q. In my personal experience there is a lot of negativity in this author business. Have you ever faced this sort of situation?
A. Well, not really. I firmly believe in the ‘karma theory’ of Bhagwad Geeta. I focus on my work less any desire of result or number. I am a writer not a sales person who is supposed to do everything to sell—from book readings to interviews. Maybe that is the reason why you will never find me at book launches, author’s meet, book readings or any such social event, which really are the breeding ground for, cut throat competition and negativity.
Q. If given a choice would you act in a movie based on your book and which character would you choose to be?
A. I’m more of a director than an actor. If I ever play a role, for sure it would be Batman or Superman. Too bad, I could not write these. Also, I would love to play the Dracula.
Q. I read in your website or in a newspaper that Chapter Eleven is being made into a movie. Can you tell us a little more about that?
A. There is always a slip between the cup and the lip. Also, Bollywood requires a very straight jacketed and stereo typed narration, catering to a genre. But I guess Chapter 11 was far more over arching to be compartmentalized. Also, my shortcoming of not letting anyone edit my work hampered the process. But I am sure there is always a next time.
Q. Have you encountered a person or a reader who has come to you and said “I love your books” or it has been only in the virtual world? If it did happen, what was your reaction?
A. More than once. At bookstores, airports, malls even in the lift lobby of my apartment. Readers, especially women have been very kind to my work and me. I feel so overwhelmed when they call me, write to me & thank me for helping them solve a riddle. Flight of the Hilsa was a very powerful plot with deep insights that helped a lot of women. So was Love is Vodka which did impact teens. No wonder, most of the likes on my page are from women. And yes, on my birthday, I do get numerous cakes and bouquets from kind readers.
Q. If you were nominated for Man Booker Award or won it, what would be your winning speech?
A. The Devil is here… and for good.
Q. If you became a rock star, what name would you choose to your band’s name?
A. ‘AamAadmi Band’. It seems that today to get sticky eyeballs or for that matter ears, it is imperative to brand oneself as an ‘aamaadmi’. On second thoughts, as it would be a rock band, I would name it ‘The Mango People Band’.
Q. What should young authors aspire to do and I am very curious to know what is the premise of the next book?
A. Firstly, aspiring writers should try getting their writing act in place. From sentence structure to semantics, plot to the craft, every area needs work. In present context, there is a great hurry to get published to flaunt the ‘published author’ tag. But what good is writing if it can’t touch lives and hearts? What good is a best-seller if it can’t stand the test of time? What good is any author who lacks the craft of writing? Secondly, they should also read and when I say ‘read’ I don’t mean the Rs.95 category. Classics would be a good starting point. Like all my previous efforts, my fourth title will also demystify some pertinent issue. This time, it will try looking at more than one—religion, faith, sex, rape, parenthood and freedom.
Posted by Amandeep Kaur at 03:27
Q. Hi, apart from the boring questions, I would ask something else! What makes you think that you have what it takes to be author?
A. Thank God for small mercies and thank you for getting me beyond the realm of ‘so predictable’ and moronic questions. As far as the answer to your question goes, well we all are destined to follow a certain path. I guess by being a writer, I am just following mine. Apart from the same, my traits--being a loner, non-conformist and a keen observer, also helps me. The ‘writer streak’ further gets fortified and accentuated by my restless nature.
Q. In my personal experience there is a lot of negativity in this author business. Have you ever faced this sort of situation?
A. Well, not really. I firmly believe in the ‘karma theory’ of Bhagwad Geeta. I focus on my work less any desire of result or number. I am a writer not a sales person who is supposed to do everything to sell—from book readings to interviews. Maybe that is the reason why you will never find me at book launches, author’s meet, book readings or any such social event, which really are the breeding ground for, cut throat competition and negativity.
Q. If given a choice would you act in a movie based on your book and which character would you choose to be?
A. I’m more of a director than an actor. If I ever play a role, for sure it would be Batman or Superman. Too bad, I could not write these. Also, I would love to play the Dracula.
Q. I read in your website or in a newspaper that Chapter Eleven is being made into a movie. Can you tell us a little more about that?
A. There is always a slip between the cup and the lip. Also, Bollywood requires a very straight jacketed and stereo typed narration, catering to a genre. But I guess Chapter 11 was far more over arching to be compartmentalized. Also, my shortcoming of not letting anyone edit my work hampered the process. But I am sure there is always a next time.
Q. Have you encountered a person or a reader who has come to you and said “I love your books” or it has been only in the virtual world? If it did happen, what was your reaction?
A. More than once. At bookstores, airports, malls even in the lift lobby of my apartment. Readers, especially women have been very kind to my work and me. I feel so overwhelmed when they call me, write to me & thank me for helping them solve a riddle. Flight of the Hilsa was a very powerful plot with deep insights that helped a lot of women. So was Love is Vodka which did impact teens. No wonder, most of the likes on my page are from women. And yes, on my birthday, I do get numerous cakes and bouquets from kind readers.
Q. If you were nominated for Man Booker Award or won it, what would be your winning speech?
A. The Devil is here… and for good.
Q. If you became a rock star, what name would you choose to your band’s name?
A. ‘AamAadmi Band’. It seems that today to get sticky eyeballs or for that matter ears, it is imperative to brand oneself as an ‘aamaadmi’. On second thoughts, as it would be a rock band, I would name it ‘The Mango People Band’.
Q. What should young authors aspire to do and I am very curious to know what is the premise of the next book?
A. Firstly, aspiring writers should try getting their writing act in place. From sentence structure to semantics, plot to the craft, every area needs work. In present context, there is a great hurry to get published to flaunt the ‘published author’ tag. But what good is writing if it can’t touch lives and hearts? What good is a best-seller if it can’t stand the test of time? What good is any author who lacks the craft of writing? Secondly, they should also read and when I say ‘read’ I don’t mean the Rs.95 category. Classics would be a good starting point. Like all my previous efforts, my fourth title will also demystify some pertinent issue. This time, it will try looking at more than one—religion, faith, sex, rape, parenthood and freedom.
Posted by Amandeep Kaur at 03:27
December 3, 2013
An Interview
An Interview with Amit Shankar – Author of Love is Vodka, Flight to Hilsa and Chapter Eleven
Dec 3rd, 2013 · 0 Comment
Amit Shankar is a firebrand author. He has written three books till date, which are Flight to Hilsa, Chapter Eleven and Love is Vodka. He chooses bold female protagonists who both inspire and give you a sense of awe. In conversation with Amit Shankar, to know more about him and what he thinks of his books and what made him choose a female protagonist to male ones.
Q.Hello Sir, Love is Vodka is your third book. You have been widely appreciated for your first two books. Tell us about how an advertising Guru became a write?
A. Guru is a mighty word. I was just a keen learner who loved the craft of advertising. But then over the years writing for brands, telling their bit of story and selling cars to milk powder, laptops to dog food thorough my words, I got trifle suffocated. I wanted to tell my story. Something meaningful that could impact lives, thoughts and touch hearts. Also, I wanted to tell it on a large format. Writing a novel was the most logical way ahead.
Be it Flight of Hilsa or Love is Vodka, you have strong female protagonist. Why you choose woman to tell a story?
Coming from a feudal setup, I always saw women as an epitome of sacrifice and patience. This made me respect them more and side up with them. Also, women in my life have been a driving force. From my grand mother to mother, English teacher to few of my bosses, all of them have inspired me. Also, it is the role of women in our society which makes me tilt towards them. I believe that even after all the talks of liberation, our society is still biased towards them. They are so much more than a man. They deserve so much more. Dedicating my books to them is just a small way of showing my respect towards them.
Q.How different it is to advertise or market a product and write a book?
A.Good advertising and writing a good book are the same. Both require immense discipline, talent and acumen. Both try to sell a concept, a story a central thought. Both are powerful and emotive. Both are born out of necessity to reach out to people.
Q.Your first two books are on serious subjects, why you decided to write about teenage issues?
A.This generation bred on Google and Youtube fascinates me. They are so different; in the way they think, articulate or even respond to a situation. I always wondered if someday I could write for them in a lingo they would understand, comprehend and relate to. Love is Vodka was a challenge. It intensified as I was writing from a girl’s perspective. Being a keen observer helped me. But then nevertheless I had to get under her skin. But once I was able to, the expressions were easy. It is heartening to know that a lot of readers and reviewers could not believe that LIV was written by a man.
Q.If you had to relate to one of the three protagonists of your books who that would be?
A.None. I just move on to the next.
Q.In an interview with the newspaper you said that you never edit your book. I find that fascinating. Can you tell why you decided not to read any of your books once it is written?
A.I’m too restless and get bored very fast. A plot excites me but by the time I would wrap it up, I would start drifting. No wonder, I can never read my own work as I know I would never approve of what I had written. Also, the urge to edit and rewrite it would take the edge out of it. So neither do I edit it nor do I let anyone else do it.
Q.Lastly, any message for our readers and your fans?
A.Live like a rock star, with no regrets.
Dec 3rd, 2013 · 0 Comment
Amit Shankar is a firebrand author. He has written three books till date, which are Flight to Hilsa, Chapter Eleven and Love is Vodka. He chooses bold female protagonists who both inspire and give you a sense of awe. In conversation with Amit Shankar, to know more about him and what he thinks of his books and what made him choose a female protagonist to male ones.
Q.Hello Sir, Love is Vodka is your third book. You have been widely appreciated for your first two books. Tell us about how an advertising Guru became a write?
A. Guru is a mighty word. I was just a keen learner who loved the craft of advertising. But then over the years writing for brands, telling their bit of story and selling cars to milk powder, laptops to dog food thorough my words, I got trifle suffocated. I wanted to tell my story. Something meaningful that could impact lives, thoughts and touch hearts. Also, I wanted to tell it on a large format. Writing a novel was the most logical way ahead.
Be it Flight of Hilsa or Love is Vodka, you have strong female protagonist. Why you choose woman to tell a story?
Coming from a feudal setup, I always saw women as an epitome of sacrifice and patience. This made me respect them more and side up with them. Also, women in my life have been a driving force. From my grand mother to mother, English teacher to few of my bosses, all of them have inspired me. Also, it is the role of women in our society which makes me tilt towards them. I believe that even after all the talks of liberation, our society is still biased towards them. They are so much more than a man. They deserve so much more. Dedicating my books to them is just a small way of showing my respect towards them.
Q.How different it is to advertise or market a product and write a book?
A.Good advertising and writing a good book are the same. Both require immense discipline, talent and acumen. Both try to sell a concept, a story a central thought. Both are powerful and emotive. Both are born out of necessity to reach out to people.
Q.Your first two books are on serious subjects, why you decided to write about teenage issues?
A.This generation bred on Google and Youtube fascinates me. They are so different; in the way they think, articulate or even respond to a situation. I always wondered if someday I could write for them in a lingo they would understand, comprehend and relate to. Love is Vodka was a challenge. It intensified as I was writing from a girl’s perspective. Being a keen observer helped me. But then nevertheless I had to get under her skin. But once I was able to, the expressions were easy. It is heartening to know that a lot of readers and reviewers could not believe that LIV was written by a man.
Q.If you had to relate to one of the three protagonists of your books who that would be?
A.None. I just move on to the next.
Q.In an interview with the newspaper you said that you never edit your book. I find that fascinating. Can you tell why you decided not to read any of your books once it is written?
A.I’m too restless and get bored very fast. A plot excites me but by the time I would wrap it up, I would start drifting. No wonder, I can never read my own work as I know I would never approve of what I had written. Also, the urge to edit and rewrite it would take the edge out of it. So neither do I edit it nor do I let anyone else do it.
Q.Lastly, any message for our readers and your fans?
A.Live like a rock star, with no regrets.
November 30, 2013
An Interview
Interview with author- Amit Shankar!!!
An Interview with author- Amit Shankar who has written Chapter Eleven recently.
1. Hello Mr. Amit, what is your feeling after being an author now? What’s your perspective about life now after achieving a rare flagship in your life?Ans: Well, I guess it is another milestone, albeit a much cherished and treasured one.I believe it was my perspective that made me choose writing rather than the other way around. I feel so empowered impacting lives and minds of people, making them delve deeper and helping them in deciphering life. 2. When you saw your first novel for sale on E-commerce websites and placed at a bookstore for the first time, what kind of thoughts dominated your mind?Ans:- I remember walking into the Landmark bookstore, Gurgaon and seeing my first title, Flight of the Hilsa, stacked on the shelves. I was too numb to react or even to comprehend the emotion. It was overwhelmed being in the company of other authors and sharing the space with them. 3. Before we head towards discussing your book, we would like to know in spite of being an author, what do you exactly do? And do you wish to continue with the job or come into full-time writing?Ans:- I am the CEO of South East Asia’s largest animation company. Being a creative guy, it gives me immense satisfaction in leading a creative organization, mentoring young creative minds and chartering the course of animation in this country.I was on a sabbatical for 2 years to complete my first two titles, Flight of the Hilsa and Chapter 11. But then I realized being away from people was drying me up from within. Work place as vibrant and diverse as mine gives me immense opportunity to observe and understand. Numerous reviewers have pointed out the fact that they could not believe that a man could write so well from a young girl’s point of view. Well, I owe it to my work place.On a different tangent, writing requires immense dedication and focus. So yes, at the right opportunity and the moment, for sure, I could consider being a full time writer.
4. What is your latest book all about? And from where did this idea occur to you? Ans:- Stories happen to me. I sleep over them, with them, let them engulf me, consume me. Post that, the process is fairly simple…to pen it down. Currently I am toying with two plots. Both are women centric. One, from the POV of a young girl, while the other the turbulent story of a young mom.
5. How much long did it take to write this book from the moment you started developing the story to start writing it till completing it finally with editing and all?Ans:- I write in blocks. So I am not too sure about the precise time frame. Also, I write pretty fast. So the actual time taken to write, would have not been more than 30 days. For sure, you would be knowing that I don’t re-read or edit my work. Also, I don’t let anyone else edit it.
6. Indian Publishing is too hard to deal with, was it easy for you to get a Publisher or did u wait for a long time to get your work published?Ans:- Cakewalk is the word I would use. And I am eternally thankful to Renu, the Managing Director of Vitasta; my publisher. She is such a sweetheart, always there for me. I owe a great deal to her.
7. What are the Promotional strategies that you and your publisher have applied to promote/market your book?Ans:- Every story comes with its own destiny. And every story finds destined hearts and minds. I let my words do their own promotion. For sure, we do have a basic online presence with some banners on my page etc., some reviews here and there but apart from that I don’t have any strategy.
8. What exactly is your target from your Books- 1. Getting most copies sold out, 2. Getting the love of readers or 3. You just wrote it because you wanted to write a book once in your life, hence you have no targets?Ans:- Love is what I seek, minds and hearts is what I explore.
9. By when are you coming up with your next novel? And if possible, do give us an idea about what it would be.Ans:- Two stories, two plots and two ways. I would choose one. As soon as I finalize on the road, for sure, will let you know.
10. In the end, tell us in 5-7 lines, what speech will you give if you win a Major Award for the Best Indian Author for your books?Ans:- I would like to quote this Black Sabbath song “The lover of life's not a sinner The ending is just a beginner The closer you get to the meaning The sooner you'll know that you're dreaming So it's on and on and on Oh it's on and on and on It goes on and on and on, Heaven and Hell”
November 28, 2013
THE AUTHOR WITH DASHING PERSONALITY- AMIT SHANKARNOVEMBER...
THE AUTHOR WITH DASHING PERSONALITY- AMIT SHANKARNOVEMBER 27, 2013 SAMATADEYBOSE LEAVE A COMMENT Amit Shankar so far has penned down 3 super hit novels namely Flight of the Hilsa, Chapter Eleven, and Love is Vodka. Amit is not only a good author but also an awesome Guitarist, who loves enjoying Rock, Jazz and Blues. He won several awards in the field of advertising as creative director and copywriter. Here comes my session with Amit Shankar.
1) Well we all know Amit Shankar, as an excellent author, but tell us something about you, which we don’t know, as we are keen to know the other facets of life and talents?A loner and drifter, a whimsical man with massive mood swings. An exceptional guitarist with a penchant for Jazz, Blues and Rock. A cook, counselor and a leader rolled into one. Also, a big time coffee addict.
2) The profile of an author is not at all a common one, so what exactly attracted you to be a part of the writing world?During my advertising days, being on the creative side; as a copywriter, words came naturally to me. Also, during my college days, I was the one who wrote love letters for my friends. So, writing was something I loved. But then writing for brands in an advertising format; print ads, radio jingles, TV ads, was getting too repetitive and monotonous. I wanted to tell meaningful stories which impacted lives and touched hearts. No wonder, turning an author was the logical progression.3) If I ask you to name your idol in life, who are the ones who will get the chance to be on the list?Well, too many and they keep changing. More than the winners who bend and play as per the demand of success, it is sheer talent which does not cringe down to suit the need of the hour is something that I idolize.4) So far you have penned down 3 novels Flight of the Hilsa, Chapter Eleven, and Love is Vodka, which is the one which is closest to your heart and why?
Buy here:
Love is Vodka
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Chapter 11
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Flight of the Hilsa
None. I am sure you would know that I never read my work, not even for proofreading and editing. Stories happen, which I sit down and write. Period. If you ask me about chapters and names from my first title, I would not be able to recall them.5) What is next in pipeline for us to read and when we can expect that?Toying with a couple of them. One of them is ‘Two apples and drinking prana’ while the other one has a working title of ‘740 gms’ Let us see which one compels me more.6) How does it feel when your readers appreciate your work?It makes the effort look so much worthwhile7) Which is the biggest complement received by you so far?A young woman telling me how my first title inspired her to walk out of a bad marriage and reclaim her life.8) What are your other passions in life?Big time war movie buff. Have an enviable collection. Also, vintage rock is an all time high. 9) If I ask you to point out 2 characteristics in present day authors which you don’t like, what will u say?They are in a great hurry to make a quick buck, name and fame. No wonder they play to the gallery and most of the stories revolve around colleges, teens and mushy romance. Also, the craft of writing has gone for a toss. 99 percent of the new age Indian writers can’t write to save their lives.10) How will you rate yourself as an author?Rating, likes on Facebook etc. is just a number game, temporary state, mostly farce. I am happy being a story-teller who has managed to impact lives.11) What are your plans 5 years down the line?Not the one to plan. I take life as it comes and relish the same.12) Describe Amit Shankar in one line…………The DevilNovember 23, 2013
It feels good
REVIEW: CHAPTER 11
"After reading his ‘love is vodka’ which was more about a modern girl, this book “Chapter 11” with the tag line Kissa Corporate Bankruptcy Ka is completely different from that. Only very few books come out with an undeniable fact and this book is one among them. Though the corporate world has become the major part for income nowadays, the clumsy realities of that world that probably no one talks much about is what the author has very boldly written with a good narration. The book starts with how the protagonist VVS enters into the corporate world with his own dreams of going to live a classy life. The day he starts a new life in a very big firm brings a bad news when the company fails for Chapter 11 in which they might have to throw few employees out of the organization. The whole book travels with his fear of being thrown out of the firm. Knowing the readers well, the author has well managed to bring in humor into the story without which the book would have dragged the readers into boredom. His wife’s complicated character is addressed nicely. His family and religious belief is well described. The entry of Ambica changes everything and his relation with her is also narrated beautifully because I thought it would be too sensuous to handle but author kept it very light and real. The author has honestly portrayed a common man’s life who works in corporate world.
Reading two of his novels, I would surely say that he is one among the very few authors who are talented to bring up honest facts of the society into an excellent book. The cover page is well designed which clearly relates with the corporate world. The 353-pages story is published by his home publisher- Vitasta. Though the whole book is all about a serious topic, I found no portion to drag with the narration. The protagonist VVS is neatly portrayed where one can easily imagine him accurately. The only disappointing part was when something related to Ambica became quite obvious at a point of time hence the story became predictable for me since then.
To conclude my review, I would say Mr. Amit Shankar has again done a fabulous job with this book. This is with no doubt a bold and honest portrayal of corporate sleaze. For his brilliant narration and plot I would rate this book with 3.5 stars out of 5. Strongly recommended book for those who work and who are likely to work in corporate world."
-Abhinand
"After reading his ‘love is vodka’ which was more about a modern girl, this book “Chapter 11” with the tag line Kissa Corporate Bankruptcy Ka is completely different from that. Only very few books come out with an undeniable fact and this book is one among them. Though the corporate world has become the major part for income nowadays, the clumsy realities of that world that probably no one talks much about is what the author has very boldly written with a good narration. The book starts with how the protagonist VVS enters into the corporate world with his own dreams of going to live a classy life. The day he starts a new life in a very big firm brings a bad news when the company fails for Chapter 11 in which they might have to throw few employees out of the organization. The whole book travels with his fear of being thrown out of the firm. Knowing the readers well, the author has well managed to bring in humor into the story without which the book would have dragged the readers into boredom. His wife’s complicated character is addressed nicely. His family and religious belief is well described. The entry of Ambica changes everything and his relation with her is also narrated beautifully because I thought it would be too sensuous to handle but author kept it very light and real. The author has honestly portrayed a common man’s life who works in corporate world.
Reading two of his novels, I would surely say that he is one among the very few authors who are talented to bring up honest facts of the society into an excellent book. The cover page is well designed which clearly relates with the corporate world. The 353-pages story is published by his home publisher- Vitasta. Though the whole book is all about a serious topic, I found no portion to drag with the narration. The protagonist VVS is neatly portrayed where one can easily imagine him accurately. The only disappointing part was when something related to Ambica became quite obvious at a point of time hence the story became predictable for me since then.
To conclude my review, I would say Mr. Amit Shankar has again done a fabulous job with this book. This is with no doubt a bold and honest portrayal of corporate sleaze. For his brilliant narration and plot I would rate this book with 3.5 stars out of 5. Strongly recommended book for those who work and who are likely to work in corporate world."
-Abhinand
November 20, 2013
LIV REVIEW
3.0 out of 5 stars One Is Not Enough To Find True Love Of Life, August 18, 2013By jaideep khanduja (gurgaon, india) - See all my reviewsThis review is from: Love Is Vodka (Kindle Edition)http://pebbleinthestillwaters.blogspo...
Book Review: Love Is Vodka By Amit Shankar: One Is Not Enough To Find True Love Of Life
Love Is Vodka A Shot Ain't Enough by Amit Shankar revolves around a lanky, tall, sexy teenager Moon. Moon is indulged into all kind of digital media and social networks as the most of her age would be. It is about the challenges faced during teenage creating a tussle between mind and heart and making lot of wrong things to happen. Overall Amit Shankar seems to have a full command over writing and understanding the mindset of readers thereby building strong characterization in his novel.
At two instances I found the corners of my eyelids wet because of the emotional touch created in the story and that too so naturally and excellently. At few places it appeared as if it was a part of porno the way love making happens so intensely and deeply. But then it is to be understood that the story is about a teen girl belonging to a high class society and having all kind of liberties in her life to play on. Moon is a single girl child of a single mother who is a big shot in the digital media world having a good hold of top mediapersons, bureaucrats, politicians, administrative agencies and corporate world. Moon's father was a French Diplomat with whom her mother had intimate relationship due to which Moon got birth.
At 19, Moon is quite explorant, arrogant and a revolutionary in her society. She does not mind jumping into the darker side of heart and inviting her mother's boyfriend who is 25 years older than her, to become her boyfriend. She does not mind going unethical with her 2 years old relationship boyfriend whom she doesn't feel matches her whims and fancies. She doesn't mind chatting to different guys at the same time. For the sake of finding true love she also doesn't mind sleeping with her mother's boyfriend and having a live-in with him for a couple of years. And that gave her one of the biggest breaks of her career - a modelling assignment for a world class company.
Ultimately she breaks up with her mother's boyfriend after having a good amount of relationship when she starts missing her periods and fears that she has become pregnant despite all precautions taken. But gradually it was negative as far as pregnancy was concerned. She had developed a hormonal and psychological problem due to which she starts developing hair at unwanted places along with extreme swings of mood at any moment of time.
Still the search for true love goes on and another search starts in her life - about finding out the real meaning and motive. Overall an interesting read to go for. Love is Vodka, A Shot Ain't Enough is the third novel written by Amit Shankar. Before this book he has written Flight of the Hilsa and Chapter 11 that has created a large fan following already.
