We recently interviewed published author Mayank Jain
Short Bio :
-How did this book happen and why did you choose to write about it?
-When did you take to writing?
-Where do you usually write? What is your favourite setting to write in?
-Did this story come to you easily or did you find yourself stuck with a writer’s block sometimes?
-Tell us about your life online and the sites you maintain
-What are your thoughts on life – The one thing that it takes to live it?
-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?
-Tell us something about your work & hobbies?
-So how did it feel when you finally finished writing the book?
-Top 3 All-time favourite books.
Short Bio :
Mayank Jain is an IIM
Calcutta alumnus (2010 batch). He is currently working with a top FMCG company,
directly associated with the world of sales.
“Stop Me If You Can!!” is his debut novel, a kind of satire
on the world of sales. He is also a talented mimicry artist and has done live
audio cricket commentary in the past. More recently, he has been on the lookout
for a real life Rohit Salaria (the chutzpanik, eccentric over-the-top
protagonist of his book) to whom he promises to give away all his land and
property the day he meets him.
So here goes,
-Tell us something about your novel
The book “Stop Me If You Can!!” is a
humorous take on the world of sales. The protagonist, Rohit Salaria is a fresh
graduate from one of the famed IIMs, and has just picked up a sales job with an
MNC called ABC. For his first assignment he is posted in Hyderabad as a
territory manager. He discovers the ever dynamic world of sales; the
uncertainties and the complexities related to it. And then of course, there is
that single most important corporate entity - boss.
But Salaria is different. Very different. Riding high on IIM credentials, the maverick in Salaria takes over as he devises his own methods to deal with situations around him. Somewhere in between he also starts wooing a very attractive girl called Priya who happens to be from the marketing department of ABC. Again Salaria’s pursuit is anything but usual.
But Salaria is different. Very different. Riding high on IIM credentials, the maverick in Salaria takes over as he devises his own methods to deal with situations around him. Somewhere in between he also starts wooing a very attractive girl called Priya who happens to be from the marketing department of ABC. Again Salaria’s pursuit is anything but usual.
It is Salaria’s attitude and
outlandish thinking that lend humour to the story – a very distinctive humour
that runs through the book. To say the least – he is impossible. He dwells in
his imaginary world and descends on mother earth once in a while to leave us
mortals baffled with his unique thought process.
It’s my honest attempt to spread
some mirth and make you smile with every section of the book. Laugh with Salaria
or laugh at him. Laugh you will.
-How did this book happen and why did you choose to write about it?
Okay, so I would generally make a
note of funny ideas or situations that I saw around me/imagined. So there were
ideas galore. Then I joined a top-notch FMCG company post my MBA from IIM C and
entered the world of sales. That’s where I saw an opportunity to bring together
all my old ideas and the new ones in the form of a book. I was very confident
that I had enough matter, and that publishers would like the content because it
was going to be different, not the run-of-the-mill stuff. Plus, I received
encouraging feedback on a few of the initial chapters which I put on a blog
(now closed). And of course, I was enjoying the writing bit all along. That’s
precisely how the book took shape.
-When did you take to writing?
I suddenly became interested in
writing after I cracked CAT. That was way back in 2007. CAT to me was the
ultimate test of one’s competitiveness. And then suddenly there was this
irresistible urge to tell the world how I managed to bell the CAT. Thus began
the first leg of my writing journey. I trudged and slogged and somehow managed
to complete my first manuscript just after I graduated from IIM C. Then I went
about the business of submitting my work to publishers etc. There were a few
offers, but by the time they came I had already started working on a second
manuscript. And this one I knew was going to be very different. I was just
loving it. That is when I decided to put my first manuscript on the backburner
and totally focus on the second one. Thus was born Rohit Salaria.
In between, at IIM C, I was the
chief editor of a few magazines for the literary and marketing clubs.
-Where do you usually write? What is your favourite setting to write in?
I usually (make that always) write
in a table-chair setup. I generally think very hard and deliberate over each
and every statement that I write. Hence I require a very, very peaceful
environment. If I can get food at regular intervals and a calm place then I
just keep going. However, I never stay up late at night or strain myself.
-Did this story come to you easily or did you find yourself stuck with a writer’s block sometimes?
(Laughs) You should read the story to know what this guy Salaria is
capable of. And he really made me think hard. So, yes, initially there were
definitely these times when I was stuck. But then I kind of kept my habit of jotting
down ideas on the run going. And then the character Salaria also took some kind
of shape in my head, and I could very well envisage his reactions under
different circumstances. So, gradually I got accustomed to this free flowing
style where I would have the next part of the story mentally prepared even
before I sat down to write it. Thereafter, it was quite a smooth run. And that
is why I think the book is decently fast paced.
-Tell us about your life online and the sites you maintain
I really haven’t had a very active
life online. There was this blog that I started writing (which is defunct now)
and which was the genesis of “Stop Me If You Can!!”. But having said that, I
have a facebook page for the book which has close to 400 fans. And I am
decently active on the page:
-What are your thoughts on life – The one thing that it takes to live it?
One should take it a little less
seriously, feel elated and roll along. There is no need to put pressure on
ourselves and others, because each of us is different. The day we realize that
and look within rather than looking outwards, the world would be a much happier
place.
Having said that, I would also like
to say that I love to work hard towards the goals that I set for myself. And I
think it brings back a lot of satisfaction and contentment.
-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?
Oh, it’s a tough world out there in
the literary space, especially for a first time author. You need to be really
good as well as lucky to get a look in at your work.
The highs were getting multiple
offers for my book within the space of a few days. The lows were definitely the
times when I was waiting to hear some good news from publishers. There were
times when I doubted whether my work would ever see the light of day. But then the
day I held the first printed copy in my hands, all those times were wiped away
in one go.
-Tell us something about your work & hobbies?
I work for a top FMCG company and am
in sales currently. I love my work and my workplace both.
My hobbies include physical fitness
– I regularly jog/swim. I am quite a cricket buff too. I am generally very up
to date in cricket stats and fall in the category of people who start reading
the newspaper from the last page onwards (and leave it by the time they reach
the center page). And then of course, I love reading and writing.
-So how did it feel when you finally finished writing the book?
Oh, it was a wonderful feeling. Knowing
that the book was over gave an extraordinary sense of achievement. But I also
knew that I had to toil a lot to get a good publisher. And I was quite prepared
for it. Also, completion of the book meant that I would have a few weekends
where I could just relax and socialize more – for which I was getting less time
while writing the book.
-Top 3 All-time favourite books.
·
Jeeves collection by
PG Wodehouse
·
My Journey Back To
Life, It’s Not About The Bike by Lance Armstrong
·
Catch 22 by Joseph
Heller
We would like to thank Author Mayank Jain for a Tete-e-tete
with Team Book Readers Lounge.
