Interview of 'Amrita Suresh' author of 'When a lawyer walks down the aisle...'

Timid Fingers: What is writing to you?

Amrita Suresh: Writing to me, is like yoga! One should practice it everyday

Timid Fingers: Your first book ‘When a lawyer falls in love…’ was written nine years back. Any particular reason for the huge gap or your searching for the write plot?

Amrita Suresh: It might seem like a long gap between my books, yet in the interim period I had begun work on 7 different novels, so that alone shows that I wasn't particularly wasting time. Actually I believe with all my heart that the creative process is something that comes from a higher realm and many a time one has very little control over it. I used to be very scared of failure yet these 9 years have taught me that it's the different shades that go onto making the beautiful painting called life. At 21, I saw the world as only black and white, now I recognize the grey. It is this maturity, hopefully that will get translated in my writing.

TF: How tough it is to match up to the readers expectations after the success of your previous book?

Amrita: Like I said, I used to be terrified of failure, yet now I have come to accept it as a very important learning tool. Raj Kumar Hirani took 5 years after his last release to give us PK and one can only imagine the pressure he was under! This whole pressure and fear of failure can be quite crippling. It took me 9 years to get over this fear! Did you know that after 'To kill a mocking bird' Harper Lee's second novel lay in the draft stage for 53 years?!! It's only recently I heard, her second book is set for release. In these 9 years, I experienced love, failed job interviews, heartbreak, marriage, difficult pregnancy, childbirth, motherhood, losing a parent....and then in the midst of all this you gain a perspective that is far deeper than narrow definitions of success or failure. Life is indeed, the finest teacher there can be, even when it comes to improving your writing skills which are essentially a reflection of the way one thinks.

TF: Your title of the two books and the presence of penguin on the cover is hugely loved by the readers, any particular intention behind this?

Amrita: Did you know, that a male penguin searches an entire beach to find the perfect pebble to gift to his lady love?! I think that's one of the cutest things I have ever read! Actually, since both my books deal with lawyers and since these cute penguins have been blessed with such a cute dress code, I felt I ought to include them! Penguins look like cute lawyers, all dressed up with nowhere to go!

TF: Any interesting incident you want to share with your readers which you have witnessed while making this book, because behind the scenes are always interesting for the audience.

Amrita: I have been told that the end of the book is abrupt, yet as funny as this sounds, yet a bulk of the book was written in the final month of my pregnancy and I was determined to wrap up my novel before my son arrived on Sept 14! Ask any lady who has given birth and she will tell you that the final month just before the baby arrives is when one feels the most physically uncomfortable. Most women suffer from insomnia at this time and I for one, didn't sleep a wink at night during my final month and instead I spent those dark cold nights penning this paranormal novel.

TF: In your view, which were the toughest part to write in ‘When a lawyer walks down the aisle…’?

Amrita: Y'know Enid Blyton the largest selling children's writer said in one interview that when she sits down to write, she hardly ever has a definite plot in her mind. She just begins writing and lets her characters take on a life of their own. I follow pretty much the same approach! Sometimes it's like my characters and me approach a problem at the very same time so in that sense, I'm in the very same boat as the reader not knowing what will happen next! Like I said, I truly feel story telling is an art that comes from a higher realm, so I sometimes feel I have just been chosen as a medium to tell a story that perhaps the universe wants to convey. It sounds profound, I know, yet it's true....

TF: I have read somewhere that you prefer shelf publishing houses than traditional ones. All most all big names in the publishing industry are traditional publishers. Do you really thing a debut author should choose a shelf publishing house over a traditional one?

Amrita: Now this is certainly my favorite question! See ya, it's brilliant if a traditional publishing house takes on the full onus of promoting one's book at least in the monetary sense, yet this is something that rarely happens. So from the writing to the book publicity, it's all left for the author to do but when it comes to a share in the profits, well now that's a different story! I guess for someone who has never got a book published, the fascination to go through the traditional route is immense and I can completely understand since even I was once a victim to this. Truly getting a traditional publisher is like going through the pain of pregnancy and childbirth and then simply giving away your baby for adoption.

TF: What kind of critic reviews you are getting for your second book, any favorite one till date?

Amrita: I'm extremely fortunate to get some very positive reviews for the book so perhaps the nine year wait has finally paid off! I particularly liked the reviews by Sharanya/Vanya and this other review posted by Shruti Ringe on this website called Indian nerve.com. I also quite liked the review put up by timid fingers. That review was written from the heart and that's truly the hallmark of good writing!

TF: ‘When a lawyer walks down the aisle…’ doesn’t have an acknowledgement page, don’t you have anyone to thank?

Amrita: I chose not to have an acknowledgement page since I felt it would be unfair to thank only a select few. Yet if there are two people I would like to thank for being an inspiration, they would be Dr. Sr. Alphonsa, the prinicipal at St. Francis College and Mrs. Karuna Gopal, who was the guest of honour in the very first book launch I had for my book. I was a light headed 20 year old then and it was Karuna ma'am who conducted the book launch with such enthusiasm that I remember it even a decade later!

TF: The author bio is also missing so, I would request you tell us something about yourself for your readers.

Amrita: A Hatha Yoga teacher, A once faculty member handling business presentations at IIIT, a professional tarot card reader, a Reiki healer and a busy mom to a still more busy toddler! That's my author bio!!

TF: When can your readers expect another Lawyer story from you, I hope you are not going take another nine years?

Amrita: I have already begun work on my next novel and it's my dream to write a 100 titles before I kick the bucket! Quite a tall order, isn't it?!!

TF: Now coming to an end, I want to wish you all the best. I would request you to say a few words for your readers and for the Timid Finger’s blog too.

Amrita: Timid fingers! That holds true for all of us I guess! As a writer, one is prone to having timid fingers every now and then so I guess my message to every aspiring writer out there is to just keep at your craft! Reading is as important as writing so timid fingers is a blog that one ought to visit and read since blogs like this help one become a better writer! Honest! Keep up the good work, timid fingers!

Interview of 'Prashant Pinge' author of 'Sceadu'

“I firmly believe that if a story has an intriguing plot and is well told, it will find readers regardless of anything” says the author Prashant Pinge in a candid chat with Timid Fingers. When his next book Secadu, is scheduled to release in next two days the author opens up on his new book, on the Indian readership of fantasy fiction and on his inspiration behind writing in this genre.

Timid Fingers: Having so much published write-ups and seven books already, it is very well understood that you are not new to this literary industry. I would like to request you to brief us on your experience here.

Prashant Pinge: My literary journey started more than a decade ago. It has certainly been a rewarding one thus far, with several publishing credits along with award nominations. However, at the very core, it has always been about pursuing my passion. So I am really grateful to be on this wonderful journey that provides me with the opportunity to express my imagination through words.

TF: Children’s fiction is always your forte, any particular reason behind that or you always wants to write children’s fiction?

Prashant: I have found the children’s fiction genre to be very endearing. It is a paradigm where animals can talk, where toys come alive, where fairies live across the street, and where magical creatures play with you. It gives me a chance to let my imagination flow without any constraints. So yes, I do enjoy writing children’s fiction but also plan to experiment with other genres.

TF: Your new book Sceadu, which is going to hit the stands soon, is a fantasy fiction. I would like to request you to say few words about the book.

Prashant: Sceadu was born out of my fascination for shadows. The adventure starts when a century old book transports four children to a land inside their shadows. The reluctant visitors search for a way back but find themselves chased by the Hefigans, creatures of Sceadu. The stakes are suddenly raised when an ancient prophecy foretells the doom of the world they left behind. The children have no choice but to try and unlock the secrets of the shadow or suffer the destruction of their own kind.

Sceadu is a fast-paced adventure which blurs the boundary between the physical and the psychological, the real and the mythical.

TF: How tough it is to pen down such a story which can exist in imagination only?

Prashant: The biggest challenge when penning down a story like Sceadu was coming up with a logical basis for the land. I did not want to have the protagonists travel to another land without giving the readers a reason to believe that such a place could actually exist. I had to do a lot of research in psychology and mythology to add that layer which makes this entire adventure so plausible.

TF: There is loads of new author coming but fantasy fictions by Indian authors are very few. What do you think the reason behind this, is this because writing love story is always a safe genre or something else?

Prashant: There is obviously no doubt that popular fiction is a hit with the masses in India. However, the concept of fantasy is also strongly rooted in our culture if you consider how deeply connected it is to mythology. So I would say that fantasy, in that sense, has been there for a long time in our psyche. I cannot pinpoint a specific reason though for the dearth of Indian authors writing fantasy fiction, but I do believe the trend is changing.

TF: Do you think there is enough readers in India for this kind of book, which will force them to go beyond their imagination?

Prashant: I firmly believe that if a story has an intriguing plot and is well told, it will find readers regardless of anything. And besides, we have a very sophisticated reading class in India, and I have absolutely no doubt they will enjoy reading Sceadu immensely. In fact, a lot of fantasy fiction from the west has garnered significant fan following in India. So I would expect nothing less for my book.

TF: Any incident you want to tell us which you have experience while framing the plot of Sceadu?

Prashant: I got up one night for a drink of water. I switched on the lamp and reached for the glass. At the same moment, my shadow mirrored my movements on the wall behind. That was when I asked myself the question. What if my shadow held a land with dangerous creatures waiting to find a way into our world? That was how the plot for Sceadu was basically conceived.

TF: Why have you chosen to publish your new book Sceadu on your own? Why not a establish publisher or a self-publishing one?

Prashant: The decision to take the self-publishing route with Sceadu came after a lengthy period of deliberation. The primary drivers were complete creative control and the ability to reach a global audience. However, I do plan to work with publishers, with my next work of children’s fiction already picked up for a 2015 release.

TF: So, are you going to try some new genre in your upcoming endevaours or the plan is sticking to these, children’s fiction or fantasy fiction?

Prashant: While I will always continue to work in the genres of children’s fiction and fantasy fiction, the basis for my writing has always been the need to tell a great story. So I do not plan to restrict myself to these genres only. In fact, I am working on a romantic comedy right now. And I also plan to write a historical fiction novel in the near future.

TF: Which is your favorite book in these genre you write, or I would say which book you used to keep under the pillow while sleeping as a kid?

Prashant: It would be very difficult to identify one book, but I am really enjoying the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer. As a child though, I was completely enthralled by Enid Blyton.

TF: I hope everyone liked the book as much I did. All the best for the book. Now few words for your readers who might have already got bored and few words for the Timid Fingers blog.

Prashant: Thank you for the wishes. For the patrons of this blog, just pick up a copy of Sceadu. I guarantee you will never take your shadow for granted again. For the Timid Fingers blog (and especially the force behind it), a very big thanks for reading and reviewing the book. And all the very best!

Website - http://prashantpinge.com

Twitter - http://twitter.com/prashantpinge

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SceaduTheBook

Interview of 'Reenita Malhotra Hora' writer of 'Operation Mom'

Timid Fingers: First of all, Loads of congratulations for your book Operation Mom. How does it feel to hold the book in your hands? I know, you are not new to the feeling but still, I am sure it feels new every time.

Reenita Malhotra: It always feel fabulous! It was my birthday recently and for a birthday greeting, my daughter who is in the US, posted a picture of me holding her when she was a brand new baby. Needless to say, when you look at a photo like that it brings on a rush of emotions, memory and pride. That's exactly what it feels like to hold your book in your hands. After all , it's also your baby.

TF: Operation Mom! Quite a unique name to the book. So, how did this idea come into your mind?

Reenita: RTHK (Radio Television Hong Kong) where I work, runs a charity called 'Operation Santa Claus' each year in Nov/Dec. I guess that's where I (partially)got the idea for the name of the book. In my household, no project comes easy. Everything  requires major consensus and work because every family member's agenda is always foremost. Kind of like what happens during Operation Santa Claus with my colleagues. Hence, 'operation' is a more utilized word in my life than 'project.' It worked perfectly for this story – Operation Mom – a Mumbai teen's mission to get her single mother dating again.

TF: And how is the response you are getting from the book?

Reenita: The response is great. This is the first Young Adult book of its kind both in terms of writing style and genre. The story is definitely a little out of the box for Indian readers but that's what I wanted to do – shake things up a bit, make people laugh. There was one review by Shubham Kumar on Flipkart that really delighted me. He called it “top-notch intellect” and said “Albeit it’s a female oriented book but it holds good entertainment value for both the genders.” I was particularly happy about this because even though it is female-centric, I know that a lot of male readers will enjoy it because they will identify these characters with females from their life.

            Shubham also said “I feel that Operation Mom is a top rated season of a famous TV show. It’s finely divided into different episodes, with each one taking the story further. It never felt like I was reading a book. It was more of watching a TV program that would be telecasted on weekends.” Once you’re into the story, you feel like you’ve known the characters for quite some time. Whatever they say, whatever they do, is completely justified.”

            More and more, people reject reading in favor of TV. I know how I love binge-watching my favorite TV shows. How great is it then to bring people a book that make them feel like they are watching their favorite TV show instead!

            This full review is here: http://www.flipkart.com/operation-mom-got-my-mother-life-man-english/p/itmdrraakgchctgg?pid=9789350297278&ref=7db2410f-0231-4b9c-b776-70520dde8fb9&srno=t_1&otracker=from-search&query=operation+mom

TF: What about you’re previous works? Could you please give us an insight about what your previous works were about?

Reenita: Previous to this I have written three books about Ayurveda – Inner Beauty, Ayurveda – the Ancient Medicine of India and Forever Young - Unleashing the Magic of Ayurveda. There is also The Chronicles of Arya, another Young Adult book which I wrote before Operation Mom but is yet to be published.

TF: I have seen that the way you have penned your ‘acknowledgement’ section was really very new and interesting. Was it the way you write? Or was it to maintain the flow of the whole story?

Reenita: No that's definitely the way I write. To be honest, much as I love reading, there is a lot of material out there that is boring and in this age of ADHD, it is really hard to grab someone's attention and entice them into reading your book. I find most acknowledgement sections boring in the way they are written so I like to spice up mine with something much more interesting. And this might sound crazy but I also find many author presentations boring. So if I am invited to speak as an author, I make mine as lively as possibly – it's more of a standup comedy show than a classical book reading.

TF: Any of it related to your real life? I mean, setting up your mom etc?

Reenita: Goodness no! In fact my own mom made it a point to stand up at my book readings in Mumbai and make this known to the crowd. She's anything but divorced – a good old Punju lady who's been married 62 years.

The story premise is completely fictional but there are real life anecdotes that I have cut and paste into the book. The story about stalking George Michael for instance, which is something I did as a teen. Or the description of the scenes in the spinning class or flamenco dance class for example – those are lifted from my own experiences.

TF: You really are in love with the people you are always with and it is evident from the way you have used real names in your book. Was it intentional or you just wanted to dedicate it?

Reenita: Wow – you picked up on that!

You know one of the oldest truths that comes out of Vedic philosophy is that whatever is topmost on your agenda today will eventually be reduced to dust and swept away by the winds of time. I think the fear of being forgotten might be one of our greatest and most basic fears. John Green highlighted this so well in his book 'Fault in our Stars' through his character, Augustus who feared inevitable oblivion.

I don't fear oblivion but I do think that through the writing process, an author gets to participate in creating a lasting memory with a timestamp through his/her work. So why not immortalize some of your most cherished relationships and moments through your fiction?

My characters and settings are heavily inspired by my own life scenes so people who know me are always looking to relate a particular character to one of my family members or friends. And while there is plenty overlap with things that have been, as a fiction writer you have the luxury of twisting situations and characters into what you want them to be. It's a great way to immortalize those you walks you always wanted to take down the wild side or seek revenge on those who left you in the lurch somehow.

I'd say, none of my characters are truly one person but more an amalgamation of different people I have come across at different times of my life. In many ways I myself identify with the plight of Ila and her mom, Veena, but the wild and wanton Aunty Maleeka is heavily inspired by a crazy classmate of the same name. She and Deepali, her younger reincarnation, buck the trends of the traditional Punjabi 'isms' that I have dealt with throughout my life and in many ways they are who Veena and Ila live vicariously through. Truth is, I think we all need a bit of Aunty Maleeka or Deepali in our lives!

TF: You are a prolific journalist and you have written so many books. Which profession do you idealize? Being a journalist or being an author?

Reenita: It's not necessarily so different because I look at both as story-telling. So in fact what I am is a story-teller. I use fiction and non-fiction to do that. I use print, radio and multimedia to do both.

 I think that no matter who you are,  the greatest thing you have to offer to the world is your stories. Everyone has terrific stories submerged within the depths of their subconsciousness but sometimes, it can be hard to dig in discover those stories, much less bring them to conscious realms and then disburse them to the rest of the world.

This is probably why I take my role as a story-teller very seriously. Whether it is through my books – both fiction and non-fiction, or radio shows or public appearances, I filter those untold stories, not just the ones that originate from me but the ones that come from you too...the readers, the listeners, the players.

TF: I am sure fame doesn’t touch much of you cause you must be accustomed to it. But still, did being an authoress help your fame of being a journalist or being a journalist played catalyst in bringing fame to your books?

Reenita: To be honest I am not sure what fame is. The nature of my work in journalism requires me to meet a lot of people, talk to them, interview them. They recognize my voice from radio or tweet me when they read one of my articles. Does that make me famous? Perhaps if I did that on TV.  I love the medium of radio because I am the most casual person on earth – my life is a pair of sweats physically and metaphorically. I get to live that life to full capacity on radio and still have people identify with my voice and stories. Is that fame or is it just a matter of running away from TV?!

I certainly have not enjoyed the JK Rowling experience of having throngs of  people line up outside the bookstore to buy my book the day of release. That might bring me to true fame. Something I would absolutely love...not so much for the fame but for the thrill of knowing that people so badly want to read my story. What author doesn't want to write a best-seller?

TF: Really sorry to have bored you so much but for the parting words, I would like to request you to say a few words for my blog and for your readers.

Reenita: As storyteller is always looking for stories so suffice it to say that the world is my inspiration. That means you folks...my readers.  So please do stay in touch and bring me your stories too in any way that you can. 

My website: www.reenita.com or email me at reenita@reenita.com. Or social media – Facebok.com/ReenitaMalhotraHora and Twitter - @reenymal

Interview of 'Saurbh Katyal' author of 'Seduced By Murder'

" I am not the kind to write standard love stories, if I write one I may title it,' I too had many love stories" says the debut author of the wonderful detective thriller Seduced By Murder. In a candid chat with Timid Fingers, the author discloses why he decides to write in this particular genre, the secret behind his witty one liners and about his upcoming novel. Here yet again we present one emerging talent. Lets start...

Timid Fingers: Congratulations on your book! How does it feel to hold your very first book physically in your hand?

Saurbh Katyal: It feels good to see months of creativity finally manifest as a book.

TF: When every second author is penning down a love story why have you chosen such a less traveled path of a detective novel?

Saurbh: Haha…no, I am not the kind to write standard love stories.  On a lighter note, if I write one, I may title it, “I too had many loves stories”.

On a serious note, I believe that at the end of the novel both the reader and writer should gain in perspective. And this can only be done through the protagonist.  So with this guiding principle, there is in fact a love story in the background of the plot- the resurgence of buried emotions of Vishal for his ex-flame Aditi who is married now, and how he deals with those emotions while he races against time to catch the murderer.

TF: Any inspiration behind writing a detective novel because you have mentioned the name of Sherlock Holmes quite a few times in your book?

Saurbh: The inspiration to write a detective novel comes from a challenge I made to myself. One of my friends stated that there are no good murder mysteries by Indian authors, and that got me thinking how would I write a taut murder mystery in which I could lay clues leading to the identity of the murderer and still keep his identity camouflaged till the last few pages. I am happy to see that by the response so far, I may have been successful in it.

TF: What kind of reaction are you getting from the readers, are they liking private detective Vishal Bajaj?

Saurbh: Yes they are. In fact, Padma Shri Keki N Daruwalla called it an unputdownable thriller and the book has got some good reviews in a couple of national newspapers. The most enjoyable interaction has been with readers who have connected with me on social platforms or have mailed me saying that they enjoyed reading the book. Most of the readers have found the detective incisive and endearing, and a lot of people have advised me to write a series on him.

TF: I really liked the humor in the conversing style of the Vishal, your main protagonist. So are you a witty author or it’s just that Vishal needed to be a witty detective?

Saurbh: I wanted to write a noir, crime novel where the protagonist is a fatalist; so while the detective Vishal has superb detection skills and is not afraid of getting his hands dirty to get the work done, he is also emotional enough to get affected by buried emotions when his ex-flame is near. However as every fatalist, he has a witty, slightly sarcastic sense of humor and that also becomes evident in his dialog.

In fact, most of the readers who were kind enough to connect with me after reading the book were unanimous in liking the sense of humor that Vishal displays in addressing situations. I am glad that you like his sense of humor as well.

TF: So, is it possible for this detective of yours returns with another case in form of another book or you will try your hand at some different genre next time?

Saurbh: I have got some encouraging reviews, so I have already started working on the next book with Vishal as the protagonist. This will be a locked room, murder mystery.

TF: How was your experience working with Blue Jay?

Saurbh: I had a great time working with Bluejay. They have thorough professionals in their team and carry rich experience in distribution, so that helps a lot.

TF: So now, when you are a published author any tips for the unpublished or aspiring authors?

Saurbh: Although it sounds clichéd, from personal experience, I would say just persevere. 

For aspiring authors, COMPLETE THE NOVEL FIRST. I have interacted with some aspiring authors and I have realized that the biggest thing that is impeding them from completing the novel is this obsession with finding a publisher. Understand that even if the book is good, you may still struggle to find a publisher.  That is how publishing works now-a-days.  Do not get affected by it, but just focus on writing.

Once the novel is completed, the next step is to approach all traditional publishers and send them the script as per their submission guidelines. If that doesn’t work, instead of losing confidence in your writing ability or belittling your own work, take advantage of the technological advances and go for self-publishing.

TF: One clichéd question, what is writing for you?

Saurbh: Writing is a form of meditation- you can take refuge in your imagination, express yourself and come back refreshed to the real world. I think everyone should write- it can be a blog, a diary or even just doodling on Microsoft word.

TF: I am done with boring you, no more questions. All the best for your book. Just few words for your readers and Timid Fingers blog.

Saurbh: On the contrary, I found the interaction quite scintillating. Thanks for your wishes.
For the readers, Keep calm and stay positive while you follow your dreams. In the immortal words of Johnny Walker, “Keep Walking.”

The book is available at - 

Flipkart - http://www.flipkart.com/seduced-murder-english/p/itmdyzdfqggr8auq?pid=9789382891192&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=seduced+by+murder&ref=c9ac19dc-b14a-4a54-ac9f-b25396ba8e84

Homeshop18 - http://www.homeshop18.com/seduced-murder/author:saurbh-katyal/isbn:9789382891192/books/fiction/product:32519637/cid:10916/?pos=1

Amazon - http://www.amazon.in/Seduced-Murder-Saurbh-Katyal/dp/9382891196/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411132080&sr=8-1&keywords=Seduced+by+murder

"My works are not just love stories but a source of inspiration to keep moving ahead in life." says Arpit Dugar in an chat with Timid Fingers

Timid Fingers: First I would like to congratulate on your new book. Tell me something about yourself which your readers can’t find from the printed author bio.

Arpit Dugar: Publishers have done a decent job in writing about the most of me. The few things left are that I am fond of eating and reading, I love riding bike and I am making my own videos on making mathematics simpler.

TF: As your new book has already hit the stands, what made you write about the Déjà vu concept?
AD: Déjà vu is something that surrounds me once or twice a day, so there is a personal attachment to the theme. Also that it happens with everyone, it becomes a generic theme to write upon.

TF: As your first book ‘Nothing For You My Dear’ was a national bestseller, what expectation do you have for this book?

AD: I am pretty confident about the reader’s feedback on this work, they will love the thrilling and romantic ride of this book. I am in conversations with production houses to get it converted into a Bollywood script.

TF: What do you think, are you able to fulfill the expectation of your readers by this book? What kind of response you are getting from your readers?

AD: Till date around 3000 copies have been sold and the feedbacks are good. Readers are loving the plot and the characters.

TF: In the huge crowd of love story writers, where do you place yourself?

AD: My works are not just love stories but a source of inspiration to keep moving ahead in life. Setbacks are there in everyone’s life but that must not stop you moving ahead for larger goals. 

TF: Your first book was published in 2009 and second book is in 2014, can you share this journey with your readers?

AD: The journey had been highly interesting and difficult at the same time. Interesting because of the immense response of the debut work and the expectations to read the next from me. And was difficult as to I am a person who can never write under some pressure or timelines.  So I took my time to complete the script and which took almost 5 years.

But the love of readers and friends was ecstatic and that served as a source of energy for me to give more time to writing.

TF: When you look back in time, do you have any regret or anything you want to change if you are given one chance?

AD: I love challenges in life as without which life becomes meaningless. There is nothing in the past that I regret about, I would rather observe the present more and work for a better future.

TF: Can you enlighten about the ‘www.practiceguru.in’?

AD: Practiceguru.in is my child. Started with this venture way back in 2006 with a niche idea of providing test series and study material at very minimal costs to the students in the remotest corners of the country.

 Today the idea has turned into a company of 30 employees, 800 corporate clients, 1million+ users, delivering them 400+ products in different languages for competitive and entrance exams.

TF: First it was Srishti, and now it is Flying Pen, any specific reason for changing the publisher?

AD: The lack of trust and no communication with the previous publishers set me off completely. I had no option but to switch. But I will always be thankful to them for giving me the initial start in my literary career.

TF: If you are asked to write anything except love story, what genre will you choose?

AD: The Idea of India

TF: Hope your this book hit the chords among your readers and became a bestseller as well. Few words for your readers and for Timid Finger’s blog…

AD: I love you all and would keep writing for you. Keep reading and do share feedbacks as they help me a lot to mould my ways while arranging the plot of the story.

 Timid Fingers is doing a great job, keep the good work going.

Author can be reached at-

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/arpitdugar

Book Page- https://www.facebook.com/groups/465984863538638/

"Writing is the best way to give vent to your feeling" says bestselling author Vikrant Khanna in a chat with Timid Fingers

Here we present a candid chat with the bestselling author Vikrant Khanna. After writing three successful novels, he has come up with his new title 'Love Lasts Forever'. A sailor by profession and a writer by passion Vikrant Khanna opened up how he formed stories while sailing, what inspire him to write his fourth book and a lot more.

Timid Fingers: At first I would like to congratulate you on your new book! Looks like readers are loving it?

Vikrant Khanna: Thank you. I get a lot of mails and messages from my readers and there is a common thread running in all of it – “You’ve given love and relationships a new meaning.” That sort of a response is very overwhelming.

TF: Tell us something about yourself, because your printed author bio is too short for your readers.
VK: I’m a Captain in merchant navy, been sailing for the past decade. I love a great story be it in the form of a book, a movie, or theatre.

TF: It is pretty unusual to see a sailor writing a love story, how come you find your hand in writing?

VK: Being a sailor, I have all the time in the world, both literally and metaphorically. Once during a long voyage crossing the Pacific, I thought of giving a shot at writing, since I have always admired the art of good storytelling. The first draft of my first book was completed in that one month voyage.

TF: First a debut author then a national bestselling author and now author of three successive novels, can you brief us about your journey?

VK: It was a very simple one. Since I loved writing and stories, writing novels came naturally to me. It wasn’t about getting published or belting out bestsellers, rather doing what I loved.

TF: Let’s talk about your new book now, what made you write about the bitter side of marriage?

VK: A friend of mine got married to his girlfriend of seven years. They were the ideal couple for marriage. “This is exactly how a couple should be,” we all would say before their marriage. And a month after the marriage, we’d say, “This is exactly how a couple shouldn’t be.” And then I knew I 

got my idea!

TF: Being a known face in the writing industry, what is your advice to those struggling authors who are yet to publish their work?

VK: My advice would be to not get into this field if you do not completely love writing and if you cannot dedicate 3-4 hours every day to reading and writing. But if you love writing, then read a lot, write a lot, and just don’t quit.

TF: As your previous book was a national bestseller, what expectation do you have for your new title?

VK: My readers should enjoy the book. If that happens it will automatically become a bestseller by word of mouth publicity.

TF: How is experience working with Srishti for the third consecutive time?

VK: Srishti is a very old and established publishing house. They have a good reach and a wide distribution network. It’s always good to work with them.

TF: When we are going to have your forth coming title?

VK: I’m in no hurry for the fourth one. Sometime next year.

TF: According to you writing is?

VK: The best way to give vent to your feelings.

TF: Let’s not bore you more, few words for your readers and obviously few words for Timid Fingers blog...

VK: Please read the book and Timid Fingers is doing a great job in promoting good books. J  

“I always knew that if I ever wrote a book, it will be a thriller.” says bestselling author Satyarth Nayak in a chat with Timid Fingers.

“A fantastic blend of myth, imagination and mystery. A great read” Says Amish Tripathi about his book. As his book hit the stand, it became an instant bestseller. I am talking about the author of the national bestseller The Emperor’s Riddles, Satyarth Nayak. In a candid chat with Timid Fingers this journalist turned author talks about what made him drop journalism, about his agent Red Ink, publishing process in India, about his debut book and a lot more…

Timid Fingers: First I would like to congratulate you. How does it feel to see your debut book climb the best-selling list so fast?

Satyarth Nayak: It feels fantastic. Today when I walk into a bookstore and see the book on the Bestseller shelf or see it topping the Bestseller chart on Amazon or Asian Age, it’s a big high. The fact that the book has gone into reprint gives me a huge sense of relief that all the hard work has paid off and people have accepted me as a writer.

                             

Timid Fingers: Is journalism that boring or writing thriller more interesting than journalism that you left journalism to put all your time in creative writing?

Satyarth Nayak: Journalism can never be boring. I had great fun for five years as a CNN-IBN Correspondent. I quit my job to actually get into film direction which was a natural extension of my work as a television reporter. I had absolutely no inkling that this story idea will ambush me out of nowhere. That’s why I call this book a random act of nature.

TF: Why such a genre for your debut book? I mean is it for the platform created by Amish or Ashwin or you always wanted to write about it?

Satyarth: I have always been fascinated with thrillers and mysteries. I have grown up devouring Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, and Edgar Allan Poe etc. So I always knew that if I ever wrote a book, it will be a thriller. This idea of History meets Mystery is more a result of reading Dan Brown and Irving Wallace and perhaps a secret desire to emulate them. It’s really surprising that only a few Indian writers are exploring the thriller genre. We need a lot more good mystery writing to come out from India.

TF: Tell us something about your book. How much amount of research did you need to complete a 398 pages book full of surprise elements?

Satyarth: The book as I said is a History meets Mystery. The main track is a murder mystery while the background story traces the evolution of a celebrated Emperor of ancient India and his secret that affects the present. The book takes you on a trail of riddles that must be solved one by one to reach the final stunning enigma. Besides elements of sci-fi, history, forensics and myths, the book also deals with Buddhist philosophy and iconography. With so much history in the book, it needed a fair bit of research so that I could recreate the bygone era and characters faithfully. 

                              

TF: All of your characters are unique in their own way, which character is more close to your heart or while creating which character you enjoyed the most?

Satyarth: I enjoyed creating them all. As you said, they all are unique in their own way, so they are all my favourites. Someone told me she enjoyed Alia, the journalist the most and that maybe because I was a Correspondent myself. Perhaps art imitated life in this case.

TF: Is there anything that inspired you to write a murder mystery with a mythological character in the center?

Satyarth: I would not call the character mythological. It’s more historical. What inspired me is the Emperor’s fascinating legend and his powerful secret. An enigma that is believed to have remained alive for thousands of years. An enigma even Gods would kill for. The moment I discovered the legend, I knew I had to weave a story around it and share it with everyone. That’s how the journey began. Also I love riddles and the chance to create cryptic riddles to tickle the brains of my readers absolutely drew me in.

TF: Maximum publishing houses now a day, accepting manuscripts direct from authors and you have hired Red Ink as your agent, so can you explain the role of an agent in Indian Publishing Industry?

                  

Satyarth Nayak & Amish with their common agent

Satyarth: It’s true that unlike the West where publishers will not touch your manuscript unless you are represented by a literary agent, the situation in India is much more informal and an author can deal directly with publishing houses. A literary agent however makes the sailing smoother especially for debut authors like me who have no idea about the publishing industry. They know the pulse of the market and pitch your book to those publishers where they feel it has the best chances of getting accepted. Many have editorial teams who will also go through your manuscript and improve it further. Agents also help you decode publisher offers and contracts making sure you get the best deal possible. Finally in case you don’t get a publisher, many agents also self publish the book. However make sure you approach only the genuine literary agents like Red Ink.

TF: How was your experience working with Amaryllis?

Satyarth: It was awesome. They have a close knit team and interacting with them was extremely informal and rewarding. I am highly grateful to my editor Rashmi Menon for showing such maternal love for my book throughout. Also grateful to Manoj for being the looming presence. I love how they have created the final product. Best thing about Amaryllis has been their outstanding distribution process making sure that the book is available at maximum stores and online sites across India. That has been a big factor in the success of the book.

TF: For those aspiring or debut authors who are about to submit their manuscript, can you brief them how important is it to get a good publisher for your debut work?

Satyarth: It goes without saying that a good publisher is extremely crucial. Especially if you are a debut author, the right publisher can do wonders for your magnum opus. They will get it edited properly and proof read impeccably. They will create a fabulous cover design and make sure the book is well distributed across channels. They will also help you promote your book well. Most debut authors go for big publishers and while that has advantages, a smaller publisher can actually be more focussed and give you greater attention.  Make sure you take an informed decision before putting your years of hard work into a publisher’s hands. See how excited they are about your book and then go ahead.

TF: So, as you have dropped journalism and have already written a best-seller, when is the second one coming?

Satyarth: Research is on for the next one. It will be a thriller again but this time I am trying to explore fantasy and the paranormal. Let’s see how far I succeed. Would definitely not want to disappoint my readers.

TF: A successful journalist or a best-selling author, which Satyarth you like more and why?

                                      

Satyarth: Have quit journalism for now so definitely a best-selling author. And would like to remain that for a few years to come. Essentially both entail the same virtues - good writing, honest research and great presentation.

TF: Wish you all the best for your future endeavours. Few words for your readers and for Timid Fingers blog...

Satyarth: I want to thank all my readers for taking the plunge and picking up the book of a debut author like me. Thank you for loving and supporting my book. And a big thank you to Timid Fingers and Purnendu Chatterjee for not only giving the book a splendid and positive review but also giving me this wonderful opportunity to share my journey. Timid Fingers has featured some of the best books and authors and it’s quite a privilege to be one of them.  

Author Priyanka Baranwal in a chat with Timid Fingers

“In our first interview we have got the author, who chose to write about women safety over regular chick lit, an author whose writing motivated women all over the country, an author who wants to stand apart from the crowd by her writing abilities. Yes we are talking about PRIYANKA BARANWAL, the author of IT’S NEVER TOO LATE.  Here we present a chat with the author Priyanka Baranwal, where she opens up on how she maintains her work with her life, why she had chosen such a subject for her debut book, her view on the ‘name controversy’ and a lot more…”

Q: From  staring  at  your  blog  to  holding  your  own book,  how  it  feels?

PB: It feels fantastic; first of its kind experience. I had always spared myself from imagining the moment during the journey but when it happened, I was speechless. It was a dreamlike sensation to feel my own book in hands. I have also mentioned the same ecstasy in From the Author’s Heart section in the book.

Q: How  important  is  writing  to  you  when  you  are loaded  with  household  chores  in  your  everyday life?

PB: It’s all about managing time. Actually I try to manage my other chores as per my writing schedule not my writing according to the other chores.

   Q: Let’s  talk  about  your  book, what  made  you  write            about  this?  I mean  is  it  the  result  of  humiliation a        woman  has  to  face  now  a  days  or  you  always                   wanted  to  write  about  this?

PB: I had never thought of becoming an author, if truth to be spoken. I have been a writer but authorship came completely out of the blue. On August 26^th 2012, Sumit, my husband, encouraged me to write a novel. He has seen my articles online (that I have written being as a freelancer) and he believed that I could also do well in literature world. I was tentative at the moment but nonetheless I started the journey and here I am…an author today.

However my book is a work of fiction yet I tried my best to echo out an issue that’s much in the need of attention i.e. women safety concerns. Given the Delhi Moving Bus Rape Case and other horrible incidents, I was deeply shaken though they happened much later after submitting my manuscript. I just hope my book to reach out to the masses to sensitize people towards women and how important it is to pay respect they deserve.

Q: What  is  the  reaction  you  are  getting  for  this brave  attempt  of  yours?

PB: Very prompt and highly positive. The Hindu has mentioned like this –

"I believe the plot has been written with the intention of making a difference — not just in the lives of women, but everyone, the central theme being to face our fears, emerge victorious over them by never giving up, to keep trying no matter how desolate the future may seem.

Readers have been messaging and mailing me about how much they are in love with the book. In fact, every one of them has said that my book is very inspirational and speaks loads about the issue. I am glad every time I hear such motivational comments.

Because of the plot and readers’ love, It’s Never Too Late has got covered in The Hindu with a realistic and positive review. The book has risen up to Amazon’s bestsellers rank in overall category as well as in Top 100 books in Literature and Fiction. It has also been covered in The New Indian Express Bangalore under Bestsellers. All in all, It’s Never Too Late is getting huge response from people that I had never anticipated.

Q: For  a  debut  writer,  how  tough  it  is  to  get published?

PB: It’s certainly not a child’s task to find a publisher for sure. I myself had faced 2-3 rejections before getting finalized by Srishti Publications. I can’t speak on behalf of others but as I have heard from other sources and on the basis of till date experience, getting published has become rather easier as there are now emergence of good numbers of publication houses who are willing to give generous opportunities to good stories and hence, new authors but still, one has to write good and face the struggle to get published.

Q: How  is  your  experience  to  work  with  such  a  big name  like  Srishti?

PB: A very satisfactory one. I am privileged to be associated with such a big publication house. It needed time for me to understand how publishing industry works. With all the procedures and queries, Mr. Arup Bose and my editor from Srishti Publishers have helped me a lot. I am extremely thankful for the entire team of Srishti for giving me the chance to get published and making my journey easier.

Q: For  your  readers  who  exactly  is  Priyanka Baranwal?

PB: Priyanka Baranwal is a person who believes in giving out her best in whatever she pitches in. She religiously believes in the concept of family and finds eternal peace being with them. Priyanka loves reading, writing, travelling, music and is keen to learn Guitar someday. Coming from a small town Mirzapur, located in Uttar Pradesh, she is a graduate in Science and have pursued Diploma in Pre & Primary Teacher’s Training with Specialization in Teaching English from ATI (American TESOL Institute) and, in Textile designing as well. Versatile in achievements, she is also a Freelancer and blogger.

On the regular basis, I am a normal person who loves little perks of life and the challenges. It’s the writing ability that makes me stand apart in the crowd.

Q: Didn't  you  think  of  changing  your  book's  name after  the  so  called  'name  controversy'  just  before the  release  of  your  book?

PB: No. I never had any second thought about changing the name of my book. I gradually came to know that two books can be of similar names if they are generic in use. I also searched on the internet and interestingly found several books listed with the name of It’s Never Too Late. Thus, I never gave a second thought on the title of my book. I had always been sure since then.

Q: Did  the  controversy  help  your  book  to  create  hype?

PB: I was surprised when you asked the above question as I had never talked about the controversy anywhere or in any of my interviews. I only mentioned it once on my facebook author page but I expressed only my shock, grief and uncertainty about such people on why they do it. As for the hype, I did not create anything as such. People who did this, I think, are cheap minded, craved to create hype about their work and surely do not have any faith in their work. May be that is why they wanted to create a hype to publicize their own work. I did not even post anything related to this controversy on any of my official pages. I have always believed in my work and thus, I chose to stay mum and let this horrible experience pass, however, I was very hurt thinking how others can go this much insensitive taking someone’s advantage yet I did not speak ill of them. I just went silent. In the process, my editor helped me to cope with the issue. At last, the culprits had to take back seat as they failed to scare me.

Q: At  the  end  of  your  book  you  have  mentioned a  NGO  named  NWLO (National Women Liberating Organization) and  you  have  also  worked  with  a NGO,  so  is  the  s tory-line  somehow related  to your real life?

PB: No. The NGO that I have mentioned in my book is a complete work of fiction and do not resemble to any other organization/committee in realty or the one I have worked with. The NGO, that I have worked for, promotes disabled children in particular.

Q: So, when  are  we  getting  to  see  more  of Priyanka  Baranwal?

PB: As I am reading Robin Sharma’s The Leader Who Had No Title, it says, uncertainty is a good thing as it sends you out on an adventure. I am also on one such adventure while working on my second project. Unless I am sure of anything, it wouldn’t be wise to speak. So please wait for the right time.

Q:  At  last, congratulations  for  your book!  Hope your  book  gets  its desired  success.

Thank you very much for these wonderful questions and taking out your precious time talking to me. It was great to answer the questions.

Q: Now I would  like  to request  you  to  say  something for our blog  and  to                            

        your readers  too!

The first time I visited Timid Fingers was then when Purnendu had reviewed my book, It’s Never Too Late. Though the blog is simple yet it is always the content that actually connects a reader to the portal. Overall, the blog seems good and (I guess) majorly deals with the reviews of books. Best wishes!

As for the readers, always believe in your dreams and take actions for them. Stay in touch with your loved ones as they are the only people who will never ever walk away from you. And yes…read my book It’s Never Too Late and let me know your views on it.

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