My interview at latestbookreviews.net
http://latestbookreviews.net/in-conve...
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Q. Hi Siddharth, firstly Congratulations on the release of your debut book. For the benefit of our readers, please elaborate a bit about The Virgins?
Thank you Amandeep!
The Virgins is about three friends living in mid-nineties Banaras. The story describes their transition from adolescence to adulthood. Banaras, the city often referred to as the spiritual center of the world, provides a unique backdrop to this coming-of-age story.
Q. What inspired you to write your 1st book? Did you always want to become a writer?
Yes. I always wanted to become a writer. And, I always wanted to write this particular story – about teenagers and their struggles, about Banaras and its people. The story kept pestering me till I finally dug up my old diaries and bought a notepad and a pencil to jot down character sketches, chapter outlines etc.
Q. How did you come up with this title? Any particular reason for this?
The title refers to the characters in the book – there is an undefiled, innocent side to these characters which is tested by their experiences and the events they witness.
Q. What according to you is the USP of your book?
The story traverses through a maze of colorful characters and funny, often bizarre situations. As one book blogger mentioned in his review – ‘The book grips you so well that you just can’t put it down.’ Banaras, in most novels I have come across, is depicted as an exotic, spiritual city. A few others would look at it as decrepit and rotting from the inside. The Virgins has attempted to look at the city differently – like a weird, funny, eccentric old man with a split personality.
Q. Since this is your 1st book, do tell us a little bit more about the steps you took to get published? How did you go about the whole process?
I finished the first part of the book (around 80 pages) and sent it to a literary agent along with a brief synopsis. He found me a publisher who believed in this book. However, I don’t think getting an agent is necessary. Indian Publishers are more than happy to consider manuscripts sent by email and/or hard copy.
Q. We’re now seeing a spate of MBA grads turned Indian authors take center-stage. What do you think is the reason for this recent spurt?
I’m not sure. A lot of people belonging to a diverse set of professions are writing. The MBA turned author category has received more attention because some of them like Sanghi, Amish and Bhagat have become household names.
Q. Did you have any “mentors” in the industry who’ve helped you and motivated you?
Not really. I was an outsider and will remain one I guess. But I have a very supportive family and wonderful friends who would encourage me wholeheartedly even if I wanted to jump off a cliff!
Q. What book are you currently reading now?
Journey to the End of the Night by Louis-Ferdinand Celine
Q. Name your 3 favorite books that have left a lasting impact on your life?
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
The Sun also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Timequake by Kurt Vonnegut
Q. If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in The Virgins?
Yes. There is nothing like a FINAL draft. There is this 23rd draft that needs to go to the printer because you want to see it as a book with a cover, blurb and an ISBN.
Q. What was the hardest part of writing The Virgins?
The novel has multiple characters and giving a logical end to all the stories and sub-plots was difficult. I think I managed to ensure that there are no loose ends.
Q. Have you ever had to face “Writer’s Block”? If yes, how do you deal with it?
I thought of writing The Virgins seventeen years ago –that means I had a writer’s block that lasted nearly two decades! I think Robin Sharma put it very well when he said – ‘Creativity comes in seasons. There’s a time to harvest your ideas. And there’s a time to let the field sit fallow’. So if you have a writer’s block, don’t worry, be patient and keep jotting down notes or thinking of what else can go into the book – the writing bit will happen sooner or later.
Q. What advice would you like to give for other budding writers?
Hemingway said ‘Write drunk, edit sober’. I think that says it all. Don’t be too cruel on yourself while attempting the first draft. Just write. When you’re done, edit like you’re out to destroy what you’ve written.
Q. Are there any future projects or books in the pipeline?
Yes. I’m working on a novel.
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Q. Hi Siddharth, firstly Congratulations on the release of your debut book. For the benefit of our readers, please elaborate a bit about The Virgins?
Thank you Amandeep!
The Virgins is about three friends living in mid-nineties Banaras. The story describes their transition from adolescence to adulthood. Banaras, the city often referred to as the spiritual center of the world, provides a unique backdrop to this coming-of-age story.
Q. What inspired you to write your 1st book? Did you always want to become a writer?
Yes. I always wanted to become a writer. And, I always wanted to write this particular story – about teenagers and their struggles, about Banaras and its people. The story kept pestering me till I finally dug up my old diaries and bought a notepad and a pencil to jot down character sketches, chapter outlines etc.
Q. How did you come up with this title? Any particular reason for this?
The title refers to the characters in the book – there is an undefiled, innocent side to these characters which is tested by their experiences and the events they witness.
Q. What according to you is the USP of your book?
The story traverses through a maze of colorful characters and funny, often bizarre situations. As one book blogger mentioned in his review – ‘The book grips you so well that you just can’t put it down.’ Banaras, in most novels I have come across, is depicted as an exotic, spiritual city. A few others would look at it as decrepit and rotting from the inside. The Virgins has attempted to look at the city differently – like a weird, funny, eccentric old man with a split personality.
Q. Since this is your 1st book, do tell us a little bit more about the steps you took to get published? How did you go about the whole process?
I finished the first part of the book (around 80 pages) and sent it to a literary agent along with a brief synopsis. He found me a publisher who believed in this book. However, I don’t think getting an agent is necessary. Indian Publishers are more than happy to consider manuscripts sent by email and/or hard copy.
Q. We’re now seeing a spate of MBA grads turned Indian authors take center-stage. What do you think is the reason for this recent spurt?
I’m not sure. A lot of people belonging to a diverse set of professions are writing. The MBA turned author category has received more attention because some of them like Sanghi, Amish and Bhagat have become household names.
Q. Did you have any “mentors” in the industry who’ve helped you and motivated you?
Not really. I was an outsider and will remain one I guess. But I have a very supportive family and wonderful friends who would encourage me wholeheartedly even if I wanted to jump off a cliff!
Q. What book are you currently reading now?
Journey to the End of the Night by Louis-Ferdinand Celine
Q. Name your 3 favorite books that have left a lasting impact on your life?
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
The Sun also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Timequake by Kurt Vonnegut
Q. If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in The Virgins?
Yes. There is nothing like a FINAL draft. There is this 23rd draft that needs to go to the printer because you want to see it as a book with a cover, blurb and an ISBN.
Q. What was the hardest part of writing The Virgins?
The novel has multiple characters and giving a logical end to all the stories and sub-plots was difficult. I think I managed to ensure that there are no loose ends.
Q. Have you ever had to face “Writer’s Block”? If yes, how do you deal with it?
I thought of writing The Virgins seventeen years ago –that means I had a writer’s block that lasted nearly two decades! I think Robin Sharma put it very well when he said – ‘Creativity comes in seasons. There’s a time to harvest your ideas. And there’s a time to let the field sit fallow’. So if you have a writer’s block, don’t worry, be patient and keep jotting down notes or thinking of what else can go into the book – the writing bit will happen sooner or later.
Q. What advice would you like to give for other budding writers?
Hemingway said ‘Write drunk, edit sober’. I think that says it all. Don’t be too cruel on yourself while attempting the first draft. Just write. When you’re done, edit like you’re out to destroy what you’ve written.
Q. Are there any future projects or books in the pipeline?
Yes. I’m working on a novel.
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