Q.1 Tell us a little about yourself?
A. I am a banker, a writer, and a
sketch artist. I love penning down all the memories, and any heard stories from
strangers or friends in my journal. I believe life is too short to wait for the
right opportunity, hence, follow your passion and knock the door of opportunity
rather than waiting for it to arrive at your doorstep. And yes, you can don
multiple hats at the same time, so shut the mouths who say be good at one
thing.
Q.2 Are we going
to read more from you soon? Any new project you’re working on?
A. So, I have two projects in my
mind. You would think I am mad, as both the ideas are totally contradictory.
One is a love story, and the other a mystery novel. I am yet to start.
But I hope it will see the light of the day sometime next year.
Q.3 Where do you
get your ideas?
A. It depends. Mostly, by observing
my surroundings - people, environment, situations, behavior in particular
circumstances, etc. Movies and books also inspire me a lot when it comes to
plowing some ideas, as I am a book worm.
Q.4 What advice do
you have for writers?
A. I am just two books old, what can
I say. The only thing I would say is that never give up on your dreams and
passion. Follow your heart and write down everything that comes to your mind.
When you read them later and can instantly relate to them, then do not ignore
the sign. Your inner voice and the universe has a message for you to write and
publish. Do exactly that and let go of the inhibitions.
Q.5 How do you
come up with the name of this book?
A. It was just a very silly incident.
I was thinking about the book’s name and couldn’t come to terms with any
suitable title. As they are all human memories, it was clear to me that the
title should speak about something ‘precious’ - any good or bad memory, is
still unforgettable to us - since they teach something. My husband bought me a
marigold plant for the house garden, and voila, the flower just screamed its
name to me so loudly that I could only think of golden memories, hence the
title.
Q.6 If you could
tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
A. Believe in yourself.
Q.7 What are the
most important magazines or websites for writers to subscribe to?
A. An author learning center is a good
website to subscribe. Digital versions of The Post India, TOI, etc.
provides good articles from different writers, that is rich in learning for
writers to understand writing styles and anatomy of a write-up.
Q.8 What is the
most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
A. The feelings, and exactly those. Many times we misjudge the opposite gender’s decisions, by what we have
perceived at that moment, rather than what actually was going on in their
minds. That’s why when you are developing strong characters of the opposite sex, it
will be most advisable to understand the opposite gender completely, without
any judgment from your side. For me, it becomes slightly easy, because I have
more male friends than females.
Q.9 How do you
select the names of your characters?
A. It is a memory recall most of the
times and sometimes it is a just a fit to the character that plays in my mind
when I write.
Q.10 Do
you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
A. I most definitely read my book
reviews, as they help me understand if I was able to put across my thinking to
the readers. Good or bad, they always teach me more than I could imagine.
Criticism means that I have definitely done something and I am someone to be
talked about. As said by Aristotle 'There is only one way to avoid criticism:
do nothing, say nothing and be nothing.'
Q.11 Does
your family supports your career as a writer?
A. Yes, they have always been
supportive of my choices.
Q.12 Do
you believe in writer’s block?
A. Oh! Yes yes! Who doesn’t? If a
writer tells me he or she never had a writer’s block, then I doubt what exactly
are they writing. Naturally, a writer has a block of thoughts - daily shenanigans, just a bad day with brains completely numb, lazy day,
articulation issue, not happy with the turn of the story for the character (s),
etc. And a writer’s block actually means that there is a lot of thinking and a lot of imaginations involved while drafting a novel or storybook.
Q.13 Does
writing energize you or exhaust you?
A. Let’s say it brings me peace and
happiness. When I write, I feel like home. Like, this is the thing I was meant
to do always.
Q.14 Do
you have any unique and quirky writing habits?
A. Not really. Just one that, I want
absolute solitude. I lock myself in a room and write. Any kind of disturbance
and human interference just jerks me off the storyline.
Q.15 What
do you consider to be your best accomplishment?
A. Nothing as of yet. But I hope to
write a passionate, yet unique romantic novel. I feel writing romance is more
difficult than any genre. Not just the skin and mind, but the real essence of a
romance between two souls. It is very difficult to just put those feelings on
paper, but I hope to accomplish that one day.
Q.16 What
is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?
A. Copying work without giving the
writer any credit. People steal ideas very easily, and I feel they just not
harm intellectual property, but also disrespect fellow writers and the whole
writing profession as a whole.
Q.17 Who
edited your book and how did you select him/her?
A. My publisher, Partridge helped me
in editing. Since they are a Penguin company, I did put my trust and faith in
them.
Q.18 Which
famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
A. Oh, most definitely Jane Austen.
Emma and Pride & Prejudice are classics for me.
Q.19 What
is your favorite book and why?
A. Emma. The way a woman is described
there with all the potentials of right and wrong that she can do, is so much
commendable and real.
Q.20 Share
the experience of your journey so far?
A. I can say that my journey has just
started, and I am looking forward to all the twists and turns, that would lead
me to destiny. As I say, never give up, and I will never give up on my love 'writing’.
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