AUTHOR INTERVIEW - APORV KALA

We recently interviewed published author Aporv Kala

 

Aporv has done his schooling from St.George’s College Mussoorie, followed by a Diploma in Management. It was in the year 1998, that he decided to seriously pursue his quest for knowledge and so he came to Dehra Dun from Delhi and camped at Doonga House, a sprawling litchi garden, where he still lives and undertakes teaching, learning and writing. He says "In the true sense of the word I am my own university, my own book."

 

Tell us something about the book.

Ans: As the name of the book goes…life..love..kumbh, it is all about these and no more. It is in real time and a part of our present history. The kumbh here is not just an event, but, depicts a womb, coming together of humanity and the philosophies, as well as ancient nature of our culture; in that order. It is a story of three people who cross each other’s path and live their lives.

How did this book happen and why did you choose to write about it?

As for the first part of your question, the book happened one fine day; the day my friend suggested that I write about everything that I feel for. As for the second part of your question; this book is written primarily as a celebration of life, despite its little foibles. Also, I wanted to explore how the mind transcendence the existence or is it the soul which is for real. I wanted to further examine how the country is changing with the impending capitalism and globalism. Lastly I feel that this book is all about peace…within and peace without. It is activism, too, not just writings.

When did you take up writing?

Ans: One year back.

When do you usually write? What is your favorite setting to write? 

Ans: I write after I had gone through my yoga regimen; it is around ten am in the morning. I write sitting on the roof of my house, with the hills of Mussoorie smiling far across the horizon.

Did the story come to you easily or you find yourself stuck with writer’s block?

Ans: It came naturally. As for writer’s block; what is that!

Tell us about your online and the sites you maintain.

Ans: I have my website: Mentordoon.com; under which I invite people to share their experiences as regard to knowledge. Then I am member of Skillpages. I have a page in My-yoga-vidya.org. Then of course the mandatory facebook and linkendin sites.  

What are your thoughts on life-the one thing that it takes to live it?

Ans: I have written extensively about it in my book, I think the first time someone has written so deeply about it. Life is relative; hence there can never be that one thing which makes living a possibility. It is a miasma of all; the world, soul, relations, emotions and philosophies…live to live, one has to, I suppose. 

How has been your experience in the literary world up till now? Any highs or lows?

Ans: It has been really nice; new voices are coming up, I got Mr. Bose as an encouraging publisher at Srishti and people like you, who form that necessary bridge between the reader and a writer. 

Tell us something about your hobbies and work?

Ans: I love to travel in the hills; cook and to write.. I like guiding people to lead a holistic life.    

So how did it feel when you finally finished writing the book?

Ans: A sense of relief, I suppose!!! But I am back to my writing desk, completing the flow of thoughts that had started with life..love..kumbh.

Top three all time books.

Ans: 1: Life..Love..Kumbh.- Aporva kala

      2: Geeta Bhagvad.

3: My Experiments with Truth-M.K.Gandhi.

It may look a bit narcissist but, be assured and I am not exaggerating; whenever I need to know something or I feel low, I go back to my own book!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - RATNA RAO SHEKAR

We recently interviewed author Ratna Rao Shekar

Ratna Rao Shekar has been a journalist for nearly three decades working and writing for leading publications in India and abroad. She helped to launch two magazines, Housecallsa general interest magazine for physicians, and the only one of its kind in the country, and the very successful city magazine, Wow! Hyderabad.  She is currently the editor of both these magazines.

The Purple Lotus and Other Stories is her first book of fiction.

Tell us something about your book - The Purple Lotus and Other Stories.

The book Purple Lotus and Other Stories is a collection of 13 short stories, stories of men and women who love, who dream, who look at their life and its ironies with humour, and more importantly move on with the natural ebb of life. The stories vary in length and style from one story being told in just 600 words, and another only in  the form of  a  long dialogue. A third is in fact a monologue.

How did this book happen and why did you choose to write about it?

I have always done feature writing and the long format of writing was what interested me. After writing journalistic pieces for so long I wanted to do something different, and began writing short stories as and when inspiration came upon me. At that stage, I was writing simply because I was enjoying doing the stories, and was not sure if I would ever get them published. But I did publish them eventually, as I thought it would be nice to have others read and enjoy the stories.

Where do you usually write? What is your favourite setting to write in?

Most of the stories were written during a summer when Hyderabad gets so hot that you dare not step out. So I would sit in the coolness of my room, at my desk, look out of the window at the bhel, the seethaphal and guava trees in the garden, and at the lotus pond, and retreat into a world of imagination.

Did this story  come to you easily or did you find yourself stuck with a writer’s block sometimes?

Once I was clear what the story should be about, the stories came easily. I wouldn’t say they flowed easily but things would fall into place. Some were written in one go, even if I had to edit and rework them later to make them sound better. And the ones that flowed easily were the ones people liked a lot. This is true of the universally favourite story, My name is Meenakshi which I wrote in some three or four hours and which people have said is the best story in the book!

Tell us about your life online and the sites you maintain

I don’t have an online life. I don’t think it’s a real life. I would much rather take a walk in the park. Or go people watching in a mall!

What are your thoughts on life – The one thing that it takes to live it?

I believe life has to be lived with grace no matter what surprises it throws at us. And we have to treat life and people with kindness, and we too will find the kindness in our life!

How has your experience been so far in the literary world? Any highs or lows being a part of this space that you would like to share here?

Though mine is a small space in the literary world, having read one book a week during my growing up years it is wonderful to be part of that great literary universe. I feel grateful that I am known as a “writer” rather than anything else.  And with all the literary festivals happening in the country, it’s a good time to be a writer of fiction.

Tell us something about your work & hobbies?

My work as an editor of Housecalls takes me across the country, and the world. Many of the places I write about in the book, I have actually visited them. As the editor of Wow Hyderabad, I interact with young writers, and through them like to pass on whatever I have learnt about journalism and writing.

I love reading, and listening to classical music and dance.

Top 3 All-time favourite books.

The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje, The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Ahmed and Tropical Classical by Pico Iyer. My all time favourite writers are Pico Iyer and Michael Ondaatje. I felt so grateful to my good karma to have heard and met Ondaatje at the Jaipur Fest this year!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - ASTHA SUNEJA

We recently interviewed published author Astha Suneja

She is an Engineer from BIT, Mesra and is presently working as a softskills trainer for TCS, Hyderabad. She loves to travel and is a regular blogger. She has written short stories and poetry too apart from two novels.

Tell us something about your novel – Yes, I flaunt my Diamond. Any specific reason for this title? How did this book happen and why did you choose to write about it?

This is a story very close to my heart. There were several moments when I had to make a choice – luxuries or experiences. I believe that there are many people who feel the same way. When I analyzed several such situations, lots of feelings and thoughts dawned on me. All these feelings poured out as Yes..I flaunt my diamond !

The title justifies the concept..Its a comparison of two lifestyles. On one hand, the rich and luxurious lifestyle tempts all hearts. On the other hand, the other lifestyle is adorned with talents and experiences. Even if the first kind of life revolves around flaunting of the diamonds, the second life sparkles brighter and outshines the first.

When did you take to writing?
 

I never took to writing, writing chose me ! When I say this, I mean that I never wrote with an intention of writing. Writing just happened when the gush of feelings inside me wanted a downpour . Today, if I look back to my initial days, I never feel that it has been a long way ! The only reason is that writing is never a task for me. Its a part of life and an integral part of my happiness :)   

Where do you usually write? What is your favorite setting to write in?

I would love to answer this question. I write in two situations – either when I am overwhelmed or when my heart feels very low. In either of these situations, I want my feelings to flow down. Keeping this in mind, most of the times I remember myself write is on my terrace when the rain water make ripples on the leaves, when the strong winds hit my face just before the onset of winters, when we drive on the curvy roads over the mountains, when the silence of nights is broken down by the river flowing outside, when the sky tempts me with millions of stars, when the dark clouds suddenly conquer the otherwise blue sky !  

Did this story come to you easily or did you find yourself stuck with a writer’s block sometimes?

The initial phases were easy to write. As I had a clear picture of the two lifestyles to be compared, I could write the initial phases with ease. I could leverage my creativity as well, to give the story in form of autobiography of a pen. However, I did face a clog towards the end.

This novel has a not so happy ending. Although, the story drove itself forward with lots of emotions and feelings, bringing it to a single converging point was a bit difficult.



Does this story have anything to do with your personal life? Or is it a story of someone close to you
 

 The story is a piece of fiction. It is not my story. Its a story that relates to all the lives. All of us can relate to the story. It has experiences that we would love to live. It has talent that would spread optimism in all the hearts. It has love and emotions. It hits the deepest chords of the hearts with the sharpness of feelings that hammer.

 “ When I lived those moments, I did not even realize that I was making memories” - this is my favorite line from the novel and really close to my heart. I can relate it to my ideas and ways of thinking. The meaning of life is different for all of us. We all live our lives, our ways that make us most happy. I have outlined my ways of living an ideal life in the novel.

Tell us about your life online and the sites you maintain

I am a regular blogger –  nuggetsofimagination.blogspot.com

My website                 -   asthasuneja.com

Email id                      -  suneja.astha@gmail.com

  
It is good to see how social networking and marketing has changed the industries. When it comes to publishing industry, the impacts are equally strong. As an author, it has helped me a lot ! I would also grab the chance to thanks bookreaderslounge for encouraging debut authors. The novel is available on all the online portals and reputed bookstores.

What are your thoughts on life – The one thing that it takes to live it?
 

As I said earlier, we all have our own definitions about life. We all live our lives as per that. One thing that makes life meaningful are feelings and emotions. These come from experiences. Imagine if you never got failure, would you even feel the extent of immense pleasure that comes after that ? Imagine you never had a fight with a friend, would you then ever feel what it feels to lose a friend !

 I want to live my life with all shades of emotions and experiences. I love to travel, to observe different people, get to know their ideas and perspectives. For each smile that I bring to someone, and someone bring it to me, I feel that I have done justice to life.

Tell us something about your work & hobbies?

As mentioned before, I am presently working as a softskills trainer with Tata Consultancy Services. I feel that any kind of work that makes you feel happy at the end of the day, should be given highest preference in life. My professional life has always revolved around communication(oral & written). Talking to new people, getting to know their dreams and talents, getting to analyse more of life is what makes things interesting !

I love to travel. At times, I read novels. I like writing poetry. I spend most of my time looking at the photographs of most beautiful places of the world.



So how did it feel when you finally finished writing the book?
 

Its a feeling not less than an accomplishment. When you write the first letter of the novel, you have no idea how well the journey of your thoughts will drive you into imagination ! Time passes on as each chapter reveals the dreams and desires that were dormant within your heart. When it reached the end, the entire picture of your imagination glimmers brilliantly. That is a feeling of immense satisfaction, extreme happiness !


Top 3 All-time favorite books

·        Kite Runner

·        The Undomestic goddess

·        The Secret