Preethi Venugopala's Blog, page 13

On Writing: Interview with T F Carthick

Today on 'On writing' we have T F Carthick,  a Bangalore based author, armed with Engineering  and MBA degress from India’s premier institutes IIT Madras and IIM Ahmedabad. He currently works as an Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Consultant at one of the world’s leading Consulting Firms. 
Welcome to 'On Writing' Carthick!

Follow T. F Carthick:  Facebook Page  || Twitter @TF_Carthick || WebsiteWas becoming an author always your dream or was it a particular event or incident that gave birth to the author in you?
I was always creating stories within my mind since childhood. But I always thought they were day dreams about my future. I guess around the time I realized my future is going to be nothing of that sort, I decided to at least write them as stories.
What is your writing process like? Do you write every day? Is there a favorite place to write?I am not very systematic in this. I tried to be. But once office work gets stressful, it is not possible to set a time for writing and stick to it. I just write when I get time and am in the creative mood.
What is different about ‘Carthick’s Unfairy Tales’?
The fairy tales we know are very superficial and just graze the surface. We never get to know the inside story, the people, their thoughts, the minor characters. So I tried to take each story and see from an unique point of view and bring out a different perspective to the same old stories. All the seven stories in one way or the other talk of the unfairness of life. What is unique as against other retellings are I have tried to twist them without really changing the events in the story as such.
Which is your favorite story in the book and why?
My favorite story is “The Hunger Diaries”. I have done something different here. In Book Thief, the author tries to write a story as written by death as the narrator. Here I have attempted a similar idea which is something new and I am very excited about it.
Which do you prefer as a reader? EBook or Paperback?
Paperback of course. But e-books are convenient for travel, commutes and social occasions.
How long did it take to finish writing ‘Carthick’s Unfairy Tales’?
The idea came back in 2013. But these specific stories I started work in March this year and completed by October. From then, editing and book production have been going on.
Who are the target readers of your book?
This is a bit difficult. Fairy tales are something that hold inherent appeal to children. But my story does have some philosophical and satirical elements that I am not sure children can fully grasp and may appeal more to an older audience. But it is possible children may enjoy them even without grasping those elements and adults may enjoy for those subtler elements as well as for nostalgia of revisiting the stories they heard during the childhood.
How important do you think is marketing in today’s world for any book?
I read an interesting tag line of a company. Forgot which. Creating a great product and not marketing it is like winking at a pretty girl in a dark room. A book is a work of art as long as you are writing it but after that it is a product to be sold. If one doesn’t want to think of it as a product, one may as well keep it to oneself. Which is something quite admirable if one can really do it. But doing this requires a different state of mindset.
Please share a passage or quote from ‘Carthick’s Unfairy Tales’ for our readers.
There was one rare case where one of the newly “enlightened” mice decided that some of our kind were actually cats who had been enchanted and enslaved by mice. So he exhorted his followers to strive to break through the illusion and discover their true nature. The cult had a strong following and it looked as if it would take the entire mouse society by storm. But then one day, the leader of the cult, who called himself “The Prophet”, happened to encounter one of his supposed kin. The rendezvous had proven not-too-fortuitous and he managed to get himself assimilated into his supposedly true tribe…or one of them at least. Not exactly in the way he had imagined, of course. With his attaining martyrdom, the cult had just fizzled out.

What are the three tips you have for readers of this interview who are aspiring writers?Think clearly what motivates you to write. Some may call it their muse. Once you find the muse, hold that it dear and stay true to that. You will face numerous distractions and might be tempted to adopt motivations of other authors. Every time you are beset by uncertainties and doubts, seek guidance from your muse.Before you learn the various writing skills, discover the one thing that is special and unique about your own writing. Then build all your skills around that. Keep learning new things and innovating. But always retain the core.Every time you are writing a new story, try to write in one or two lines what the story is about. Maybe a paragraph if it is novel. Does it feel fresh and exciting? Will it bring the readers new perspectives? If so, go on full steam ahead. If not, maybe time to go back to the drawing board and rethink.Thank you, Carthick!  Wishing the very best for your book.

About Carthick's Unfairy Tales:

Blurb: 

An evil dragon. A damsel in distress. A concerned father seeking a savior. A hero galloping off to the rescue – a knight in shining armor. Now THAT is stuff of fairy tales.

But what if the father’s real concern is for the dragon’s hoard; What if the damsel’s reason of distress is the marriage proposal by her pompous savior; and what if the story is told by the horse who bears not only the overweight knight but also his heavy, shining armor all the way to the dragon’s lair and back, facing certain death in the process?

What if there was more – much more – to all your favourite fairy tales than meets the eye?


This book chronicles not one but seven such unfairy tales – tales told by undead horsemen and living cities. Tales of mistreated hobgoblins and misunderstood magicians. Tales of disagreeable frogs and distressed mice. And bears baring their souls. Once you read these stories, you will never be able to look at a fairy tale the same way ever again.

On Writing: Interview with Mythology author Utkarsh Patel

Today on 'On Writing', we have Utkarsh Patel, who is a corporate professional turned mythology author. 

Utkarsh Patel is a corporate-professional-turned-mythologist and now the author of “Shakuntala – The Woman Wronged”, published by Rupa Publications, and "Satyavati", a mobile-book published by Hungry Ogre Publications and "Kannaki's Anklet", published by Indus Source. He is a professor of Comparative Mythology at the Mumbai University and has qualifications in Mythology, both Indian and World from Mumbai University.
 Utkarsh is also a regular speaker and lecturer on varying subjects of mythology and other topics, at various forums, litfests, organisations and colleges.
Welcome to 'On Writing', Utkarsh Patel!

Website || Blog || Twitter @utkarshmp || Instagram @utkarshmp || Facebook 

You are a corporate professional turned mythology author. How did this transition happen?
I would think it began with my teaching at the Mumbai University, where I was teaching Comparative Mythology. I was beginning to enjoy teaching, reading and researching on the subject and around the same time, I was beginning to lose interest in my profession which included the routine – travel, meetings, targets, etc. When my first novel found a publisher and it was in process, I was commissioned for another book. That is when I decided to take the plunge to a full-time author, speaker, and teacher.
How much important is research while writing a mythological novel?
In my opinion, that is the most important part of mythological writing. Mythological stories exist and many of us are retelling or interpreting the story. If one has to do so successfully and honestly, then one has to study them and know what one is retelling or interpreting. With fragments of knowledge, or without a proper research, one ends up writing just a fiction, which uses characters from mythology. That is not a mythological novel.
What is your writing process like? Do you write every day? Is there a favorite place to write?
Well, I do write every day, but some days are busier than others, so there isn’t quite a fixed time. However, I do try to ensure that there is continuity with both the story and the thought. I for one do have a favourite place, but that is more out of design – my study table!
What is different about ‘Kannaki’s Anklet’?
Kannaki’s Anklet is an effort to bring the Tamil epic Shilappadikaram, to a larger audience and in a relatively easy prose format. While the epic has been translated by academic scholars, Kannaki’s Anklet is an effort to make it easy reading for the modern reader who is exploring the hidden gems of regional literature, without getting into the academics of it. This book is an easy translation, and enables a smooth flow. Shilappadikaram, though an epic, doesn’t follow the rules of an epic. It was written in Tamil and not Sanskrit. The protagonist is a female, who is not a divine or a semi-divine character, the action is not around palaces and there is no war. All this is a far cry from what makes an epic. Besides, this could be the only epic which rests on the shoulders of a woman and not a male. In my opinion, this is a unique epic in that sense and brings out the human aspects from out day to day life, at the same time, sending a very strong message to the leadership of our times. Kannaki’s Anklet keeps all these differences in mind and brings it for all those who might not have been exposed to this gem which is a part of the Sangam literature.
Did you face any difficulties while writing this book?
My lack of Tamil language was an issue, so at times understanding the cultural nuances was something that bothered me. Also, the available English translations were very authentic. I didn’t want my book, to be just another translation or as just another academic work, to be relegated in the shelves of libraries. I wanted more people to be aware of these regional gems, so to make it both true to the original, at the same time make it more interesting than an academic translation, was in my opinion quite a difficult thing. I sincerely hope I have managed to do that!
How long did it take to finish writing Kannaki’s Anklet?
I took me about 8-9 months of writing and the first draft and I guess another month or so, for some more.
How important do you think is marketing in today’s world for any book?
It is as important as writing! You could be a good writer with a good book, but if it doesn’t reach people, then the effort is completely wasted. While I do agree that a good book will speak for itself, but in these modern times, when the market is full of books of different genres and people moving away from books, a good amount of marketing takes the book closer to its readers. Also, we live in times of push-mechanism, where something gets accepted much easier, if it is known to them, than something that one has to seek out.
Please share a passage or quote from ‘Kannaki’s Anklet’ for our readers.
The following is an extract, wherein the male character in the story gives into the lures of life. The extract is an example of how men often end up justifying errors as a bit of manly extravagance and how giving into such lures is just being a man –


“ Curiosity was working her seductive skills on Kovalan. Could she be an apt counterpart to his music? Could her dancing skills be the perfect complement to his skills of singing? Oh, what a thought? But the thought had moved further from a simple exploration of complementary skills. Kovalan couldn’t help imagine, what it would be to sleep with a woman, who has been trained in all forms of art for the bed. It sounded a bit odd, to think that someone could be adept in such an art form in the first place if there was such a form. He had never imagined this before, not because he was not capable of such things, it’s just that it had never occurred to him before. But now things were different, he had learnt quite a few things himself and was willing to learn more and needless to say, enjoy more too. A woman, who has enthralled the king on her very first performance and has got the entire kingdom speaking about it, must be some expert in such art forms too. This was unbelievable and quite enticing a proposition, to say the least. What is a man, whose adrenaline doesn’t egg him for something different? What is a man, whose masculinity doesn’t engage in acts beyond the ordinary and mundane? What is a man, who has not gone a bit wayward for the sheer fun and adventure of it? What is a man, who doesn’t take advantage of the simple fact, that he was a man?”
What other works are you currently working on?
Currently, I am working on a few projects which are again based on mythological characters and events from mythology. I am trying to work on a concept which is prevalent in mythologies of the world and see if it can be brought out in the form of a fiction; however, it is still at a nascent stage.
What are the three tips you have for readers of this interview who are aspiring writers?Start writing – there is no better day than today. Do not wait for a certain time, when you think you will write. Start today.Be ready to accept a rejection. Your writing could get rejected for many reasons, but let that not end your writing career before it begins. That’s a part of the writing. Understand why it has been rejected and see what changes it requires. There are many options for publishing, explore another, if one has been closed.Your writing doesn’t end with the publication. Be ready to promote it, because only you know the merits of the work. Times have changed and in this clutter of writing, you have to move it. It’s your baby and you will have to walk it all the way, till it can run by itself!Thank you, Utkarsh! Wishing you the very best for your books.
About Kannaki's Anklet:

Blurb:Kannaki's Anklet is a near-adaptation of the Shilappadikaram, a masterpiece of the Sangam literature that showcased Tamil life and culture in its full splendour. The epic highlights the trials and tribulations of Kannaki, an ordinary woman, who endures personal adversities but chastises the king for his single act of misdemeanour and injustice. Her anger burns down a city, forcing the goddess of the city to come down to appease her-such was the wrath of a woman wronged! An ordinary woman, with mortal desires, goes on to be revered as Goddess Kannaki in Tamil Nadu, as Kodungallur Bhagvathy and Attukal Bhagvathi in Kerala, and as Goddess Pattini amongst the Sri Lankan Buddhists, while the Sri Lankan Tamil Hindus worship her as Kannaki Amman.
Buy the book from:


Or directly from the Publisher 

On Writing: Interview with Editor Kunal Nachane

Today on 'On Writing' I am bringing to you an editor, Kunal Nachane, who manages a very popular Online magazine  Telegram which aims at bringing out quality fiction and non-fiction writing.
Welcome to 'On Writing', Kunal!


When did the first issue of Telegram come out? What was the thought behind the creation of this digital magazine?
Telegram has been around since mid-2016. Our first issue came out in July of that year. The thought process behind Telegram was a desire to bring forth, or one might say, bring back the culture of the literary magazine which has for some time been missing from the Indian scene, at least in English, though we believe there are some very admirable regional-language publications in this space. We wanted to showcase voices that are otherwise lacking an audience and bring out quality fiction and non-fiction writing in the process; to inculcate a culture of reading and writing both from the classics and from modern fiction. But most of all we aim to put out a magazine that a reader should both enjoy and find mentally stimulating.
You have described Telegram as ‘a literary magazine which aims to rekindle the flames of quality Indian fiction’. Do you stick to a theme every month?
We do have a theme for each month’s issue, which we mention as a part of our call-out for submissions. It is not so much a definitive theme as it is a ‘guidance’, the idea being more to stimulate potential contributors to write a new work.
What makes Telegram stand out amongst other digital magazines?
Our unflinching focus on quality over quantity is something that we feel gives us an edge over some of the other digital magazines in the English language. We have, from the beginning, been very clear that we would rather not publish a particular issue than publish whatever comes our way. The quest for quality is why we haven’t diluted our magazine with paid advertisements till date. If and when we do run ads, we want to ensure that they represent offerings that we, as a magazine, actually endorse to our readers. We also believe in providing our writers with constructive feedback. Rejection letters are a part of the game for any emerging writer, but to have someone tell exactly why an entry was rejected and what is missing or can be improved on can really help those serious about it in refining their craft and becoming better storytellers. Some pretty good writers that routinely submit to us have had their first stories rejected, but they still persevered because they trusted as editors, took our feedback on board, and worked on writing better stories.
What do you not need when it comes to article/story submissions?
We like an article to be coherent if it is non-fiction and both coherent and entertaining if it is fiction. By ‘entertaining’ we do no mean the content needs to be ‘light’. In fact, a lot of the pieces we carry deal with serious, socially-relevant subjects. What we mean is that there should be something that makes the story worth reading. Someone is spending five minutes reading that story; you have to make it good enough to justify their time.Or to put it in a single sentence: Don’t be boring!
What's your day like as an editor?
We try to keep engaged on social media with our audience. Our first newsletter should be going out shortly, and we are always trying to share interesting articles related to the world of literature through our Facebook page. Aside from this we read and respond to the submissions we receive, as well as work on editorial content. As the content comes close to finalization, the designer works on creating her magic to make the final outcome clean, aesthetically pleasing, and easy-to-read.
What happens to the rejected articles or stories? Do you give reasons as to why the story/article cannot be published?
We try to provide a reason for not accepting a story, sometimes going into pretty specific details. However, that is not always possible when there are a lot of submissions and we may not have the time to provide individual feedback on them. We still try to give as helpful a feedback as possible, instead of sending a run-of-the-mill rejection letter.
Who are the target readers of Telegram?
Anyone who likes reading quality short-form literature and content about the literary world should be able to enjoy Telegram.
Do you write some of the content for the magazine yourself?
Yes, each issue has an editorial and often a cover story written by one of the editors. In fact, the cover story for our latest issue – November 2017 – has been written by me!
Do you run any writing contest at the magazine?
As of now, we have not run any contests, but it is something we are considering for the future.
What are the three tips you have for readers of this interview who are aspiring writers?
Keep writing. It is like exercising a muscle – the more you write, the better you will get at it.Take feedback in the right spirit. Listening to and learning from rejections and criticism is an essential part of the writing process.There is no substitute for reading. Read to challenge yourself, question your assumptions and beliefs, and your writing will blossom, along with your worldview.

Thank you, Kunal for agreeing to be a part of 'On Writing.' 
Aspiring writers, do submit your works to Telegram and become a published writer.Readers, subscribe to Telegram to read quality fiction and non-fiction on various interesting themes every month.
SUBSCRIBE to Telegram

On Writing: Interview with Romance Author Reshma Ranjan

 Today on 'On Writing', we have romance author Reshma Ranjan, a former Public Speaking and English teacher, who worked at Brookfield High ICSE School in Bangalore before moving to Denver, Colorado. Now she is settled in Miami, Florida.
She is a passionate romantic who loves literature and has been driven by the romance around her. She has made up her own happy endings in her imagination for every movie and for every book with a sad ending. 
Welcome to 'On Writing' Reshma!

Follow Reshma on Facebook  Twitter  Website  Google Plus   Amazon Author Page Email her: authorreshmaranjan at gmail dot comWas becoming an author always your dream or was it a particular event or incident that gave birth to the author in you?
I believe it was always in me, though I was not conscious of it. I remember watching Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and becoming completely depressed for weeks. Then, in my mind, I changed its ending. In my version, the characters fall off the cliff and manage to reach a hospital and finally get their happy ending. Similarly, after watching Mr. India I was heartbroken when the little girl died. I made my own version where she returns, my reasoning being her death was staged to provoke Mr. India. So, I believe a penchant to produce happy endings was there in me. I started making stories when travelling, doing chores, watering plants, in fact always. It took me to be twenty-five years old to finally put these stories on the paper. I had journalism as a subject in my graduation, but I guess writing was my calling.
How important are names of the characters in your books to you? Do you spend agonizing hours deciding on their names?
Not really. I do ponder over names, but I usually end up picking them up soon. I have picked names from the TV serials my mother watches. I guess for me, any name is fine. I build the character and a name is to identify that character. And soon, the name becomes the character for me.
What is your writing process like? Do you write every day? Is there a favorite place to write?
No, I wouldn’t say every day. There are times when I can sit and write for days to finish what I started. But I do have days where I can’t or don’t. I do have a favorite place and I’m a habit-forming person. This November, for NaNoWriMo, I was finding it difficult to as I was spending about three to four hours in a car, picking up and dropping my kids and my husband. And one day, just out of the blue, I started writing on my phone at the parking space in my kid’s school. Now I am continuing that. If at one place I can manage to write, I try to stick to it until the flow is broken and I’m forced to find another spot.
It is special because it is the first of the series, a grand saga of a big family with royal connections. The Verma Clan is how the family is known in the story. I delved in-depth into other members of the story through Salim and Anita’s story. The concept is having people with completely diverse backgrounds, from different parts of the world as one family. A family that stands together without the need for any blood ties. It is absolute fun to be in that space, right in the middle of The Verma Clan.
Who is your favorite character in the book and why?
Milind. He is not the protagonist of this book, but just like for the readers, Milind is a character taking time to reveal himself to me. 'In Yours to Love, Yours to Take', Milind is the only one who could tell Salim about the darkness lurking in him. He was the calming and soothing presence in the book for the characters. I would soon complete Milind and Sia’s story—another book in the series. As of now, two other books of the same series are to be released soon. 'A Promise, Togetherness Forever' and 'Cherished as My Queen'. The cover of A Promise has been revealed on my social networking sites.
How long did it take to finish writing ‘Yours To Love And Yours to Take’?
I wrote it in November 2016 in about 17 days. I had sprained my ankle during a Taekwondo class and was literally bedridden. So, with nothing but a laptop at my disposal in my bedroom, I finished writing the novel in 17 days.
Please share a passage or quote from ‘Yours To Love And Yours to Take’ for our readers.
A painful sob broke from Anita’s lips but she tried to stifle it with her other hand. The man came forward and placed his hand on Salim’s shoulder. “She is not Ananya. She is Anita, Ananya’s twin.”Salim looked at Anita without any reaction. He stood still as a stone and with a sudden movement his hands clutched the back of her neck and pulled her to him.“Stop playing games with me! What are you trying to achieve, Ananya?”Her eyes widened, her hand went around him and the other clutched his shirt. There was pain in her eyes but she didn’t make a sound.“Leave her alone.” The man’s voice boomed through the hospital room.The nurse stood frozen by the bed, fear written all over her face. The man held Salim’s arm in a tight grip. When the woman in his arms turned ever so slightly to the man he let go of Salim’s arm. The reality slowly started seeping in.“No!” His painful denial was audible to all. “Why couldn’t you be dead instead of Ananya?”Anita moved back as if he had slapped her but she didn’t make a sound. His voice was barely audible but his words had seared through her like he had engraved them on her being.
Which do you prefer as a reader? EBook or Paperback?
I would pick both. For the last couple of years, I’m reading more e-books than paperbacks. But paperbacks are always a weakness and I love to collect them. It was heartbreaking for me to leave my collection of two thousand books in India while moving to the US.  I have kept them in a storage facility in Bangalore. I miss them, especially my Barbara Cartland collection.
How important do you think is marketing in today’s world for any book?
It’s the major deal-breaker. With so many books releasing every day, I must pitch in completely for my book to stand out. I know that first hand. Since my second novel “Blind, Certainly Is Love,” I have taken it on myself to market my books, shamelessly.
What are the three tips you have for readers of this interview who are aspiring writers?
Read, Read and Read some more. Unless you read, you can never write.Write, write and write some more. Unless you break that barrier and write, it won’t materialize. Never compromise on the quality and packaging.Whether you opt for traditional publishing or you-self publish your novel, without marketing the chances of your book reaching the targeted readers is bleak. So shameless self-promotion is a must.Thank you for having me over at your site, Preethi!
It was a pleasure chatting with you Reshma! Wishing the very best for your books.



Featured book: Yours To Love, Yours To Take 



Blurb: 
As if losing her parents and her voice in a childhood accident wasn’t cruel enough, Anita Batra now has to come to terms with her twin’s death and help her sister’s partner get a new lease of life.
Adopted by the Verma Clan after his parents died in an accident, Dr. Salim Verma finally finds love and a chance to be happy only to lose it in an accident he himself survives.
When fate strikes a final blow and brings two strangers together, Salim can’t help but punish Anita and make her tread through the hell he himself was in, while all Anita wants is to help her sister’s partner start afresh, no matter what the cost.
Will Salim ever be able to ignore Anita’s resemblance to his dead girlfriend and fall in love with her instead? Will Anita be able to reveal the real Salim hiding behind the monster? Will they be able to embrace their tumultuous attraction for each other despite their terrible start?
Yours To Love Yours To Take is a heartwarming saga of love and sacrifice that will reinstate your belief that love conquers all.

Purchase link:




Check out other books by Reshma:Love Sees No Reason   BlinD, Certainly Is Love  


Upcoming release: A Promise - Togetherness forever

On Writing: Interview with Sudesna Ghosh

Today on 'On Writing' we have the beautiful and talented Indian author Sudesna Ghosh, who is also a strong body positive and mental health advocate. 


Follow SUDESNA:  TWITTER     FACEBOOK   WEBSITE

Was becoming an author always your dream or was it a particular event or incident that gave birth to the author in you?
My love for writing and books started early when my mother took me to the huge public library where we lived in the United States. I remember spending the day with books and bring back a pile to read. And then, I wondered if I could see my name on a book cover someday. Also, I was lucky to be encouraged by elementary school teachers who asked us to write our own short stories and read them out to the class.
How important are the names of the characters in your books to you? Do you spend agonizing hours deciding on their names?
I think names are just as important as any other character traits. I have a habit of naming my protagonists after people I know – usually the person who inspired that specific character’s creation.
What is your writing process like? Do you write every day? Is there a favorite place to write?
I do something related to writing every day, be it marketing or adding word count. That said, I take a couple of weeks to a month off between writing each book to mull over the next one’s plot in my head. I love writing in the night when everyone else is sleeping. But my favourite place to write is in a coffee shop during the quiet weekday afternoons.
What is special about ‘My Singapore Fling’?
First of all, it is my first attempt at the romance genre. I was used to writing fiction for children and teens. Secondly, I never had so much fun writing a book before because the protagonist was doing what I wanted to do but am not brave enough to try.
Who is your favorite character in the book and why?
I love Dipa. As I said, writing her character and experiences enabled me to live out a little fantasy of my own J  Plus, I love how she’s 30+ just like me and still not ‘settled down’ or dying to be settled down, as society puts it.
How long did it take to finish writing ‘My Singapore Fling’?
I wrote the first draft during NaNoWriMo 2016 and then let it sit there for a while. Then I spent a couple of months editing.
Please share a passage or quote from ‘My Singapore Fling’ for our readers.


He was shocked. “Dipa, never give up on anything. Not love and not chocolate,” he said. Love? I have no idea how love had come into this conversation. Somehow it felt right.
Which do you prefer as a reader? eBook or Paperback?
I started reading ebooks this year after I published five of them myself. I am enjoying reading books on my iPad without worrying about shelf space. But I still enjoy browsing for new reads at the physical bookstore, running my hands over the spines and reading the back cover blurbs. Both formats have different advantages.
How important do you think is marketing in today’s world for any book?
It is VERY important. More than ever before. This is because anybody can publish a book and that means that readers have a lot more to choose from. Every author has to do something to build his or her personal brand. Standing out is difficult and being online is a must to get readers to know you and your work.
What are the three tips you have for readers of this interview who are aspiring writers?
Read a lot from both inside and outside your preferred genre.Write regularly at the time that suits you-you don’t have to wake up early to write just because someone else does.Writing is just a part of the whole publishing process. Keep your eyes and ears open to see what successful authors are doing in terms of marketing and promotion.
Thank you, Sudesna! It was great chatting with you!
Readers, go grab 'My Singapore Fling' from Amazon!




Book Blurb:
Meet Dipa Basu. She’s a 30 something modern Bengali woman living in Kolkata and a successful writer. After many relationships and breakups, she’s decided that love is a waste of time. She’s always had these phases where she’s been obsessed with different things; like one where old men in dhotis appealed to her. But this time she’s crazy about men with British and Australian accents. She travels to Singapore for a few days, on a quest to have a fun, meaningless fling. Her trip is full of surprises. Will Dipa have her Singapore Fling?

On Writing: Interview with Praveena Bhaduri

Today on 'On Writing', we have author Praveena Bhaduri, a very successful entrepreneur, mentor, dancer, a strong and inspirational woman who believes in the power of her dreams. 
Praveena wrote her first book a memoir "On the Kenyan Trail” in 2016 which was internationally published. Her passion for travelling, her reading, her mentoring, love of music and dance, love of languages coupled with years of experience and wisdom has fashioned her into an amazing person with a lot of Joie-de-vivre and reflects on every page she writes. 
Let us read what Praveena has in store for us. 
Welcome to 'On Writing', Praveena!
Praveena Bhaduri
Was becoming an author always your dream or was it a particular event or incident that gave birth to the author in you?
There were several factors, events that lead to the genesis of my writing. The first – my love of English Language and my mom is responsible for this. Though a  high school graduate, she spoke impeccable  QUEEN`S  English dotted with goodness gracious me `s and Oh My `s and so on. She inculcated the love of English language in me and in turn I, in my daughter.

 Two-- I am a voracious reader and cannot sleep until I have read some pages. I must have read at least about nine thousand Books. I read very fast but I  go back and savour something exquisite as well. I have an enormous collection of books lying around here and in my farmhouse. I used to shop for bestsellers every month without fail, not clothes and stuff. When I came back from Kenya, I carted all my books in a container beside other stuff. 

Three- Everyone used to tell me to write a book perhaps because I speak well and am a great storyteller both when I was I  in school and later to my daughter in Airport s to keep her from running around.  So I used to tell her stories  replete with  animal  sounds etc and soon found  from the ensuing silence my daughter had fallen asleep, but I had a huge crowd of adults listening to my story and they used to urge me to make a CD  for children  for precisely this  reason . and again, when I came back from Kenya I missed  It so much  that I penned a few lines as catharsis and soon found that I had written pages  and this gave birth to my First Book … ON THE  KENYAN  TRAIL.

 And, Finally, when I  discovered  That I had LUNG   FIBROSIS, my world fell apart when my doctor announced I had six months to live, in 2009.  I went into total depression, was blindsided, felt whiplashed,  always  WHY ME…….? I was alone, nobody to confide, a small teenager, my husband overseas, no point telling him far away.   Strangely in a  few days,  was my birthday and this man, My Husband sent me one hundred red roses wishing me a happy Birthday not knowing I was at death`s door. This man had rarely given me a rose before. He is of sterling silver character but not a romantic bone in his body. Anyway,  that turned me around and I said I will live the remaining days in the best positive manner I can, reinvented myself and threw myself into writing and so……

How important are the names of the characters in your books to you? Do you spend agonizing hours deciding on their names?

Not really, somehow these names in my book seemed to come on their own. My first book was a memoir so all the names were factual.
In Uchallambi  Icons, it seemed a natural progression as I had preconceived notions of even an ensemble film with Priyanka, Deepika, and Anushka so the names became Pia, Deepti, and Anushka…
What is your writing process like? Do you write every day? Is there a favorite place to write?Mostly at night when it is very quiet.  Also, there is no other place for me to go as I am tied to the OXYGEN leash 24 x7 in my room in a wheelchair. I live in front of my PC. It's my world. My Only world.
4.What is different about ‘Uchallambi Icons’?
The fact that there was a true incident in my village in Kerala intrigued me, -- about the Devi statue etc as told in the book, and then my flights of fancy took over. I remembered reading stories of how these icons had magical powers etc and so wove them into a tale of suspense, intrigue, a   heavy dose of romance,  exotic locales of places I had been too and Viola  !!!!!!!!!!So it is a new age fiction,  a rom-com thriller with a lot of excitement and a heavy texture of description which will make the reader feel they are actually experiencing it and a powerful climax!!!
5.Who is your favorite character in the book and why?
DEEPTI, perhaps because she is all warm and toasty, full of spunk, not so in the face but stands up for herself, not unnaturally aggressive but very much in control and yet fragile enough to succumb to emotions when they overwhelm her.
Which do you prefer as a reader? eBook or Paperback?
Though the ebook is convenient, nothing like the feel of a paperback. Somehow it is very tangible, and relish-able if you know what I  mean..

7.How long did it take to finish writing ‘Uchallambi Icons’?
Six months.

8.How important do you think is marketing in today’s world for any book?
Very important. I think writing the book is the easy part, marketing is the necessary evil  part of it. I am not a so in the face person and cannot handle this area of functionality to sell my own book. I have been the Group  General  Manager of Finance and Operations of  Scania ( a major stakeholder of VOLVO) for three countries, but I feel awful to advertise my own book. But it is an extremely important function these days.  Also, the market is very crowded these days with a lot more competition.
9.Please share a passage or quote from ‘Uchallambi Icons’ for our readers.
...THE ONE who called himself ‘MAndravad’ pressed the tip ofthe needle against his shaved head, sighing with pleasure as thesharp tool plunged in and out of his flesh. The soft hum of thetool was addictive, as was the singeing of the flesh, the bite of theneedle and the sharp odour of the singed flesh, with the dye castingits hues in the tattoo grooves. A macabre sight. The role of thetattoo was never for beauty but as a part of the ancient ritual. Ahideous creature, his head shaved, and the crown covered withsymbols and tattoos. He had a feral look in his eyes. A clockstruck six thirty pm. He put down his tools, and looked in thehuge gilt-framed mirror as he wrapped a silk robe around hisnude six feet, three-inch frame and strode down the hall. Thewhole ambient air smelt of skin dyes, the fragrance of incense and thewax of candles as they melted. It was time…

10.What are the three tips you have for readers of this interview who are aspiring writers? Follow your heart.Capture your dreams.Writing is a catharsis. It is self-healing. You will be amazed.           


Thank you, Praveena. This interview is undeniably the most inspiring one on my blog. More power to you!
Check out Praveena's book:
UCHALLAMBI ICONS




            Uchallambi Icons: Facebook Page          Uchallambi Icons: Web Page 
Buy the book from
Book Blurb:
Mumbai, maximum city, three very close friends Pia, Deepti and Anushka find themselves in possession of the legendary Icons and targeted for the same by this huge, tattooed Monster. Fragile Pia with a million rupees cash, a gun and an icon statue on her but no memory. Will  Rehan provide some answers?Leggy gorgeous Deepti, whose chance collision with Amit Rajyavansh blows her peace of mind to smithereens as her life careens and spins out of control. But was it a chance collision. the timing seemed awfully suspicious.Life coasted fine for Chief Inspector Sarin Malhotra until the beauteous  Anushka invaded his peace of mind. A face that haunted his dreams. In the scenic Nice, he is totally flummoxed when he finds himself staring down twin bores of a double-barreled gun held by the seemingly dead Anushka appearing very much alive …………
They have no place to hide and the relentless chase begins through the dusty Nairobi, the rain washed streets of Thailand and the cobbled streets of Nice and loops back to Mumbai where the huge tattooed creature awaits them and draws them insidiously into his web.Are they mere marionettes whose strings are held by the  Monster?. will they be able to cut loose in time?           Mumbai, maximum city, three very close friends Pia, Deepti and Anushka find themselves targeted by this huge monstrous tattooed creature for the legendary icons which came into their possession inadvertently.  The relentless chase is on and the girls have no place to hide.   A terrifying journey begins through the sun-dappled streets of Nairobi, through the rain-lashed pavements of Bangkok and through the cobbled quaint boulevards of Nice until it loops back to Mumbai where it all began. Will the men in their life be of any help? Are they mere marionettes whose strings are held by the  Monster?. will they be able to cut loose in time? desperate answers are needed and time is running out as the tattooed Monster draws them insidiously into his web.

On Writing: Suresh Chandrasekaran

Today on 'On Writing', we have author Suresh Chandrasekaran, an alumnus of IIM Bangalore, who is also a popular blogger. His blog has been rated among the Top 5 humour blogs in India, twice in succession - in 2014 and 2015 - by BlogAdda, and has also been listed third among the Top Humour Blogs by Baggout.





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Was becoming an author always your dream or was it a particular event or incident that gave birth to the author in you? 
Since school, I have always wanted to write but it was also driven into me that it was either giving up on writing as a primary possession and eating OR choosing writing as a profession and starving. This was, of course, the eighties and the nineties, so there was no real overstatement in those options for a person who had no inherited wealth to fall back upon.
Understandably, I was not too keen on starving or, maybe, not passionate enough about writing to consider starvation as a minor inconvenience in the process of following my passion. I was passionate enough, however, to decide when I passed out of IIM-Bangalore (AND, please, Chetan Bhagat was not even a blip on the horizon in 1988, so HE had nothing to do with my decision) that I would save enough to live upon by 40 and quit to write. I duly quit when I was about 41 and here I am.
What is your writing process like? Do you write every day? Is there a favorite place to write?
I am what writers call a plotter. I have to have the entire story mapped out in my mind, chapter by chapter, scene by scene before I start writing. You can understand that the creative urge and the excitement is mostly in seeing the story grow. It is at that time that the way a story progresses excites and surprises you as much as you want the reader to be excited and surprised.
By the time I get to the actual writing, all that remains of the fun of writing is seeing the sentences shape up. It is more fun, say, in writing like “A dog eat dog-food World” for humor is as much in the writing as in the concept.  In my other writing, the actual typing in of the words seems like a chore – so I am very disorganized in my writing, sometimes not putting down a word for months on end. So, at the moment, I have more stories in my head than on my computer.
What is special about ‘A dog eat dog-food world’?
This book is, for more reasons than one, close to my heart. Not merely because it is my first solo book (I have an anthology – Sirens Spell Danger – of crime stories, with Karthik and Radha).
Normally, I have a fair idea of how good my own writing will turn out to be by the time I START on the writing. Generally, it turns out to be the way I thought of it. This one, though, ended up being by far superior to my own idea of how it would turn out.
I had taken on an ambitious idea. I wanted to write a breezy tale that would read like a corporate humor story. Within that, I wanted to write in a spoofy way of using real-life marketing concepts and writing it in as a sort of history of the development of marketing management. I also wanted to put in how social attitudes, needs, and wants get influenced by companies trying to push their products. The overarching idea, though, was to indicate the possible consequences of assuming that the ‘Invisible Hand’ would lead to social good even if people pursued their own selfish motives.
It was a tall order, even more so if it was not to get preachy or offensive. A sort of ‘Animal Farm’ for Capitalism but, where Orwell had written a dark satire, I aimed to write a light satire with minimal or no use of sarcasm. A satire without sarcasm is an oxymoron of sorts and, to my knowledge, there is practically none written, yet, unless one is to view PG Wodehouse’s books as a satire on the British Society. (The reason why I do not see it as such is that the STORIES of PGW were Romantic Comedies.)
By the time I finished, I realized that I had managed to do all that I set out to do – to a great extent. That, though, would have been only the self-congratulation of the author, were it not for the fact that a lot of readers, in their reviews, have shown me that they have seen the various layers in the book.
How long did it take to finish writing ‘A dog eat dog-food world’?
Fablery had asked me for a novella and I had promised it to them. That year, though, we were all working on the anthology – Siren Spell Danger – so I told Fablery that I would write only the next year for them. The point, though, is that the idea of this book was germinating through that year and by the time I started the actual writing, the entire thing was fleshed out in my mind.
Without counting the nine months that it was germinating in the background, the book took six months to complete.
Please share a passage from ‘A dog eat dog-food world’ for our readers.
This passage comes at a stage where social classes are decided based on the breed of dog or cat that they own:

“We NEED to get another Persian, James! How long can I keep saying that we are still missing Queenie and cannot think of another cat in her place? People already snigger when I say it.”“If only Queenie had not died. Why did it have to happen just now?”“Oh! What’s the point bewailing misfortune? We need another Persian.”“You know how things are going at office, Dolly! We just cannot afford a Persian, now.”“We MUST! We have to maintain appearances. Why don’t you get a loan from the bank? You know they are always after you and they are offering loans for buying cats.”“If it were only the installments, Dolly, I would do it like a shot. Persians are so expensive to maintain.”“We absolutely have to, James! We will have to manage somehow. Economize on something less important – like our food, maybe.”

Which do you prefer as a reader? EBook or Paperback?
I generally am more interested in what I read rather than the form I read it in. I was originally reluctant to buying a Kindle because I was not sure about how my eyes would handle it since they do have a tendency to water with prolonged exposure to monitors. So, I never did buy a Kindle…and, then, my co-authors in the anthology decided to gift me one for my birthday three years back (Yes! There are some times when your prejudices work in your favor!) NOW, I am indifferent to either form of reading though, yes, when it comes to traveling a Kindle is most certainly an advantage since you need to carry along much less weight.
You are a very popular blogger. How has blogging helped you as a writer?
The whole idea of blogging was because I wanted to write. When I first went looking up Submission Guidelines, I found quite a few of the major publishers had a section where the author had to indicate what he would contribute to marketing a book. ‘Nothing’ would have been my answer but, somehow, it did not seem that the Publisher would embrace me as an author if he saw that.
So, I decided to blog with the idea that, perhaps, there would be a readership for my writing which I could then mention to a potential publisher. It would also help me get into the habit of writing and allow me to practice the craft.
What I did not anticipate was that I would make good friends along the way. As also the fact that feedback on the blog would serve as a boost to my self-belief. It helped, of course, that I was also listed among the Top Humor Bloggers by multiple sites, despite the fact that I was too intent on seeing the blog AS a marketing tool rather than as a product to BE marketed and, thus, had taken minimal efforts to popularize it.
How important do you think is marketing in today’s world for any book?
Marketing, I think, has always been important for books. The problem, NOW, is that the marketing effort is supposed to be contributed by the AUTHOR. Not merely as in being present in book launches and book signings but the whole rigmarole.
That is unfortunate. An author now has to be presentable, market-savvy, capable of spending on the marketing effort and also of writing. It is the overall package that sells, which means that a brilliant book could fall by the wayside because the author falls short on other parameters. How ideal is it to want an author to be at least half a Superman before you will read his book?
But, yes, that IS the way the world is now. As I said in my reply to the earlier question, you may not even get published unless you indicate how you are going to market your book. The fact that I acknowledge the reality by no means indicates that I think it is good. But, yes, it IS the reality.
Who are your favourite authors?
That’s a difficult question to answer. I am an eclectic reader and read almost ALL genres. I probably have read more authors than the average reader has read books, so to pick favorites is near-impossible. If I were to choose based on who I would read over and over again, then I would have to say, P.G. Wodehouse and William Shakespeare.
What are the three tips you have for readers of this interview who are aspiring writers?
I need to clarify that I do not speak of writers of non-fiction or Literary Fiction or poetry. I speak mainly to what it pleases people to call ‘genre fiction’ writers.
You are primarily a STORY-teller, so know if you have a story worth telling that you want to tell. It is worth telling if you are not merely rehashing what has been told a million times before. And you are telling it because THAT is what you want to tell and not because that is what you think will sell.You are a story-TELLER. That means you have to tell it well. Even if you do have a great story to tell, unless you can tell it well, you are not a writer. So, please do not disdain learning the language well and learning how to tell a story effectively. READ! I am always surprised that this needs to be told to writers. I mean, ever heard of someone who does not like to hear music wanting to become a composer? So, how can someone want to be a writer if he does not enjoy reading? But it does seem to need telling. READ and enjoy your reading for that is what will give you a command over the language (There IS a difference between grammatically correct sentences and sentences that SING); will let you know IF the story you have in mind has been told a million times before – the ‘Come on! Not another pair of lovers from warring families” feeling is the last thing you want from the reader; will also teach you what great story-TELLING is all about.

Thank you, Suresh, for this interesting chat. Looking forward to reading more from your pen.

Check out Suresh's book :







Print Book (FlipKart)      Goodreads  Facebook Page


Book BlurbA hilarious pseudo-history of marketing management, which explicitly denies resemblance to any actual history, and which will be horrified if some semblance be found. The story of a man who discovered that the path of life is strewn with treadmills and, if you get on one by mistake, you could keep running all your life to stay in the same place. The story of how a businessman may just be minding his…err…business and the ‘Invisible Hand’ can cause unexpected consequences to arise out of his innocent actions. There is no point blaming the tale for being exaggerated because that is precisely what it seeks to be – an ‘exaggeratio ad absurdum’ of some facets of the world. Anything you learn from the book – be it the basics of marketing management or a satirical view of Society – you do at your own risk.The tale only dogs the doings ofSpike Fortune who only sought to feed dogs and, later, sought more dogs to feed.Jerry Fortune who, being fortuneless, gets dragged helter-skelter behind his uncle Spike in the latter’s careening pursuit of commercial success and gets sandwiched between Spike andTyke who was Spike’s resident genius on enticing dogs with their wares. He also has to help Spike in his rivalry withTom Rich, who is unwillingly dragged into upstaging Spike and tries to do it by teasing the palates of cats, helped by the bumbling efforts of

Jasper Rich who would rather be partying than chasing cats with cat-foods.

On Writing: Dr. Amrita Basu Misra

Today on 'On Writing' we have Dr. Amrita Basu Misra, who is an ENT surgeon, a medical teacher, a top blogger, and a mompreneur. Let us find out from the lady herself how she wears all these caps efficiently.

Welcome to 'On Writing', Amrita!



Follow her on Twitter Facebook  Website

How did writing happen? Was it your passion from the beginning?

Writing surprised me too.It was almost like I fell into it. Around 3 years back I was bored with how things were unfolding.The job was fine family was great, but boredom can be life-threatening.I was stuck in a small town with the reading being my only entertainment for mental stimulus.
I started balcony gardening and it was almost like my plants spoke to me.I started writing. 
All other factors being same I think being around plants helped me write.
I have a serious problem writing anywhere with no green view.

You are a busy doctor, an ENT surgeon, yet you find time to blog, read and even publish books. What is your secret?

Haa Haa.The secret I think is wanting to do something.
When you really want something the universe helps in the most astonishing ways.
I don't waste time.I write in bits and pieces when I travel and I try making up mental bookmarks 
to access when I have assignments due.Being a doctor and a medical teacher is a blessing.
That helps me write better I think.My day job has helped me have clarity about a lot of things.

Who is your biggest inspiration?

My biggest inspiration is my daughter.I love how she draws, tells stories about her pictures, and her understanding and kindness towards me.Plus she is five.Her self-assurance and confidence in her creative expression are inspiring. I want her to know that life always guides.If you are stuck in a box you can still find ways to explore the world. If you look hard enough there are always ways.

What made you write ‘Fruits for Life’?




Fruits for Life had a lot to do with Blogchatters A to Z ebook carnival.I signed up for blogging a book just to learn the process and I loved it. I am passionate about preventive healthcare and lifestyle changes for a better life.Fruits are a favorite treat at home.
I think my mom instilled this love of fruits with all meals from childhood.Since both my husband and daughter enjoy fruits too it helps us keep healthy.That's why I thought of writing about nature's multivitamins as my first sojourn into writing a book.

How important do you think reading is to grow as a writer?

Reading is the only way to learn the science and art of writing.Reading teaches us the art of storytelling and even nonfiction needs some amount of storytelling capacity to make it fun!
Until you read I feel its wrong to expect other people will read your work.It's impossible arrogance to assume you have a magical writing brain which needs no learning.

We can all learn all the time. I read for fun, entertainment.for relaxation and to educate myself. My reading habit is a part of my daily life.I almost read as much as I breathe if you take away the time I am sleeping or treating patients. Even then I am reading prescriptions, Investigations and writing notes about possible causes for their condition. Both my current professions need me to read a lot and write a lot.

As a doctor, I have read continuously for the last 17 years.Books in my specialty and broader aspect of medicine.The only way to treat and help people better is to update my skills constantly.
Reading is an excellent way of doing that.I am a passionate reader, a voracious bookworm.
There's no shortcut to this habit.

How long did it take to finish writing ‘Fruits for life’?

The writing part for Fruits of Life took approximately 25 days.Another 7 days for editing and proofreading, designing the book cover.It was published after 40 days of the day when I started to write it first.

Is there a particular book that you have read which influenced you the most?

My favorite book which has helped me and influenced me is On Writing by Stephen King.
This is a book which has inspired me a lot.It's nonfiction by the Great King and it's a marvelous read.
Plus it's helpful for all writers fiction and nonfiction.But my all-time favorite author still is Enid Blyton.

What other works are you currently working on?

My book on Childhood obesity is getting edited and I am writing a book on Blogging in India :  Secrets tools and hacks which will help you make an income online.
If you want the first part of the Blogging in India: Secrets Tools and Hacks free and a special price for the next 3 parts sign up through this form and you will get it in your inbox.

You are an active blogger. What is the best thing about being a blogger?

I love blogging.It's like your own way to make a digital library of your work.I have 400+ blog posts in my blog library.They are my letter to my daughter, the people who I want to help, letters to the universe, my hopes fears and dreams.Blogging is also my voice in a world where common sense, kindness, gratitude and hard work seems to be replaced by an irrational need to focussing on things which don't matter.Blogging is mental exercise and meditation at the same time.Since it keeps me on my toes challenging me to learn new technology (I love that part ) blogging is a new adventure every day.Blogging is also a place where I have made some very good friends online who understand the purpose of my journey.

What are the three tips you have for readers of this interview who are aspiring writers?

That is a topic I can go on about.But since its 3 I will need to focus.
1) Read, write, edit repeat.
2) Have a group of friends to support you.Unlikely you will get many. But try for three.That I think is the magical number.Too many who don't hear the song you hear and self-doubt will creep in.
3) Avoid negative people and negative atmosphere online or offline.It saps and drains creativity.Even if you are great at stress management It takes its toll.Writing happens when your soul speaks to you.When your brain chatters incessantly you cant hear your soul talk.
A bonus tip: Write somewhere where you can watch a green plant.I have seen even a picture of a forest helps me write!


Thank you, Amrita. Hope you achieve all your dreams as a doctor, writer, and mompreneur.

Get Amrita's Book from Amazon by clicking the link below:

On Writing: Varsha Bhardwaj Gaur

Today on 'On Writing', we have a dental surgeon, Varsha Bhardwaj Gaur who has an undying love and passion for creating stories. She completed her bachelor in dental surgery (BDS) in 2013. She has published three books, one being a novella and two are short story collections, all of which are available on Amazon and pothi.com. She has also released a compilation of her blog posts named Fond Illusion, available on Amazon as an e-book. Currently, she resides in Greater Noida with her husband and a daughter. 
Welcome to On-Writing, Varsha!

Was becoming an author always your dream or was it a particular event or incident that gave birth to the author in you? Yes, I had always wanted to have a book published in my name. I am a very shy individual keeping my feelings to myself. But sometimes these feelings affect my daily life to an extent that I had to put them to paper. And this gave birth to the writer inside me. I love writing as it gives me a peace of mind and it takes me into another world which I had created and I find it far better than the reality. It is a kind of escape from the reality and I find it peaceful.
How important are the names of the characters in your books to you? Do you spend agonizing hours deciding on their names?Basically, my focus is on my character's attitude and thought process. Though I do ponder over their names, but my major concern is on their being as an individual.
What is your writing process like? Do you write every day? Is there a favorite place to write? I cannot write forcefully and writing daily makes me bound like a 9 to 5 job which somewhere kills the creativity. I only write when I feel overburdened with my own thoughts and I feel an urge to relieve myself.
What is different about Which is your favorite story in the book and why? My favorite story is ‘The Pink Doll' because I feel a painful end which provokes my thought process that how we as an adult can sometimes be careless regarding ours and our loved one’s lives.
Which do you prefer as a reader? EBook or Paperback? Though I had published my books as ebooks as well, I myself prefer reading the paperback versions because the feel of a book is achieved only when it is present physically in your hands, which, according to me, is the best feeling.
How long did it take to finish writing ‘Nest An Abode of Short Stories’?I am a dental surgeon, a mother of a three-year-old daughter and being a part of an Indian joint family, it was difficult for me to take the time out for my writing. Yet I tried and whenever I got the time, I wrote. It took almost six to seven months to complete this book.
How important do you think is marketing in today’s world for any book?Marketing is extremely important for the book's success. With the advent of e-books, the number of books available has increased tremendously and standing out among these is difficult without marketing. Spreading the word about the book raise interest among the readers for the upcoming book.
Please share a passage or quote from ‘Nest An Abode of Short Stories’ for our readers.    “What’s your problem? Are you a fool? I think they are right. You are a total nerd. They are mocking at you and you barely cared to protest?”He stared him innocently for a second or two and said respectfully, “I don't care what others say or do, and you shouldn't do that as well. They might be having extra time to spend on such silly jokes. But I have only twenty-four hours to fulfill my dreams. You too, don't squander your time. This time won't return. Do you know how long would you live?”
What are the three tips you have for readers of this interview who are aspiring writers?Follow your heart. Your dreams are solely yours and no one except you can visualize them.Keep writing. Don’t stop even if you couldn't make enough sales with your first book. Writing isn't a business, it's an exercise to keep you healthy mentally.Be patient because success doesn't come in a single day. Hard work is always paid.Thank you, Varsha! Wishing you the very best!

Buying links for Nest An Abode of Short Stories:

Nest An Abode of Short Stories:
https://pothi.com/pothi/book/varsha-bhardwaj-gaur-nest-abode-short-stories
https://www.amazon.in/dp/B06XZZRZT1

Visit Varsha's Amazon author profile:www.amazon.com/author/varshabhardwajgaur
Follow her on Facebook at:https://www.facebook.com/varshabhardwajgaur/

Newbie Corner: Author Interview with Sai Daksh Shetty

Today on 'Newbie Corner', we have a smart and talented young author who has decided to become the CEO of Google once he grows up because according to him nothing is impossible. He is just 13 and has already published a full-length mystery-adventure book for kids!
I am happy to say, I am proud to introduce Sai Daksh Shetty to you all.
Come, let us know more about him...
Hi Sai Daksh, welcome to Newbie Corner.
If you wish to contact him, find him on FACEBOOK: Daksh the Champion 
Or contact his mother KAVITA RAJESH
Tell us a little about yourself. How did you begin writing?
I am Sai Daksh Shetty. I am currently in Grade 8 and very soon going to ninth. I am good in academics, love gaming on my PS4, play football well, I have a YouTube channel and also write. I started writing when I was in 1st Grade. I used to create small comic books with drawings and a storyline and share it with my friends. Later, I started writing short stories and when I was in Grade 7, I published my first book.
What is your favorite genre of writing?
My favorite genres of writing are Fantasy, Sci-fi, Thriller, and Mystery but I also include comedy in my stories. Lately, I have been experimenting with Horror.
Who inspires you most and to whom would you dedicate your creative growth?
Although it might seem rude, I do not have any inspiration or role model.
What kind of a writer are you? Do you plot the entire novel/story or make it up as you write?
I always go with the flow. I let the story make its own path which means that I make it up as I write. Mostly, I prepare the start and the end of the story first and then fill in the gaps in the middle later.
Do you have a favorite place to write or a scheduled time to write every day?
I have no favourite place to write but yes, I do have a scheduled time to write. I write from 9:30 pm to 10:30 pm.
Who are your favorite authors and what is the genre that you like reading most?
 I don’t know what genre it falls in but The Diary Of A Wimpy Kid series is my favourite. Except that, I like to read thrillers, mysteries, fantasies, and comedies. My favourite authors are Jeff Kinney, Rick Riordan, and J.K Rowling.
Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
 Although I love writing, I have a bigger dream of working in Google or becoming its CEO! Except that, I want to be an established YouTuber and also a bestseller writer.
Is there one subject you would never write about as an author? What is it?
The one subject which I would never even think of writing about is Romance. Maybe I am not at an age that I understand it.
How much important do you think marketing is to the success of a book?
I personally feel that a book sells only by good marketing in this time and age. There are so many books in the world and every day, some hundred books are published. People will only read your book if they are told about it. That is the purpose of marketing, to spread a word about your product.
What is the message that you want to convey to the readers through your writing?

I would just want to convey one message to the readers and that is; Keep imagining, nothing is impossible! 
Check out Sai's debut book here:


Blurb: 
Life was all fun and play, with a few small adventures and mishaps, for Daksh, Arsh, Garv, Om, Swarit, Aditi, and Simran till... 
They are recruited by the Indian Detective Agency. 

They are summoned to the headquarters and given a mission - to recover a lost diamond. 

With all the plans and props in place, they set forth to hunt down the diamond. 

By chance, they stumble upon a conspiracy that is connected to the theft. 

Do they succeed in foiling the conspiracy? What happened to the lost diamond?Start reading The Diamond Heist: A Seven Agent Adventure on your Kindle in under a minute. 

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