Author: Storieo

Exclusive Interview with Alka Dimri Saklani, Author of ‘Beyond Secrets’

Alka Dimri Saklani is the author of “45 Days in a Cancer Hospital”, “Beyond Secrets” and “A Promise That Changed Everything”. Her debut novel “45 Days in a Cancer Hospital” was longlisted for Crossword Books Award 2013. Writing is her first love, the love that seized her when she was just 8.
She holds MBA degree in HR and worked with a leading MNC before turning to a full-time writer.
Born and brought up in Vadodara, a city in Gujarat, her roots hail from “Dev Bhumi” Uttarakhand. Apart from writing, she loves music, reading, travelling, and spending time with her two naughty kids.

To know more about her you can visit her website www.alkadimrisaklani.com

About the book (Book blurb)

Available on Amazon

Noel is a counselor who risks his career for volunteering in an orphanage.
Nidhi is an engineering student on the surface, but deep down a broken girl in search of some unanswered questions.
Appu is a sweet little orphan, unaware of the cruelties of the world.
Despite being miles apart their stories interweave in Aashiyana – the orphanage. Their little journey together changes their lives in a way they never imagined.
One recurring nightmare, one unexpected phone call, one stolen diary, many lies and secrets, and a calling from the past are just the highlights. And when they depart, they are not the same anymore.
They didn’t hurt each other, it was a game of destiny. Will they ever be able to rediscover themselves and more importantly, will their paths ever cross again?
Beyond Secrets is a novel with layers of suspense and different nuances of relationships. And one question that can’t have just one answer – How long does it take for a scar to heal?

We will talk with Alka about her new book ‘Beyond Secrets’.

What is the story behind your book. Where did you get your idea for the book?

Beyond Secrets is the story of a counsellor, Noel, who visits an orphanage as a volunteer, but the moment he steps there the place sounds eerily familiar and he starts hearing odd voices. Trying to settle amid the unsettling feeling he meets Nidhi, his co-volunteer. He hates her for her brashness, but only until he discovers the soft broken girl hiding beneath the robust façade. Knowing the hurdles of their relationship they fight against the growing attraction towards each other, but to no avail.

One unexpected phone call derails Noel’s life and thrust him to a nameless life. His brother Sam’s diary is his only companion in his lonely days and going through its pages, he discovers Sam’s pain and realises that here was the real counsellor of the two. He finds redemption in the words of his brother and returns to the fold, a new man.

Weaved around different nuances of relationships, this story is, above all, a tale of resilience.

Regarding your question from where I got the idea of my book; Long back in a presentation I heard something about a counsellor who failed to counsel himself when his love life failed. I loved the concept. Though my book differs totally from the content of that presentation, idea originated from there; story of a counsellor who failed to counsel himself.

Challenges you faced while writing this book and in your life as an author?

“Beyond Secrets” is a hard-hitting book as many of my readers call it. Some of the scenes were too intense and I couldn’t help but feel it all at some point. There are scenes that involve some religious conflicts, I rewrote it many times to assure I don’t hurt anyone’s feelings.

What is your life mantra?

No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up. (Quote by Regina Brett)

What is your writing process like?

I mostly write when my kids are off to school.

Anything special about your book that you want to share?

I believe we judge a lot and maybe that’s why we fear being judged. We don’t know what battle others are fighting, so we have no right to judge them. I have written my story from different viewpoints, stressing on the point – the decisions people make aren’t always their choice, sometimes it’s the only option available.

According to you, what are the three qualities an author must have to achieve success?

Carving realistic characters is one of the most challenging part of writing a novel. Different people will react differently to the same situation. How is my character going to react? His actions and his thoughts need to be consistent with his personality type. So, a writer also needs to be a psychologist at some level.
You must be willing to learn and improve. Don’t let positive reviews get to your head and negative to your heart.
Reading is the mantra. Read as much as you can.

What are your plans for next book?

The next book I am writing is a sequel to “Beyond Secrets”. There is a sweet little orphan whose story ended on a bitter sweet note, so I was wondering what happens to him after that and when I got to know from my readers that they also wanted to learn more about him I knew I must write his story.

What advice do you have for young writers?

First and foremost, finish the manuscript, be ready for criticism and no matter how good your English is, get your book edited by a professional editor.

Share a quote or line that has been your inspiration.

Quote by Richard Bach – You are never given a dream without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however.

March 22, 2024
Exclusive Interview with Pinar Tarhan, Author of ‘Making A Difference (M.A.D.)’

Pinar Tarhan is a novelist, screenwriter, freelance writer, and blogger. She has been creating worlds and stories for as long as she can remember. She run the writing blog Addicted to Writing which aims to help writers who create both fiction and non-fiction. Her first novel, Making A Difference (M.A.D.) is a contemporary lighthearted comedy set in New York.

She loves rock music, dancing, traveling, languages, movies, compelling TV series, and sun/sea/sand vacations. All or most of these find their way into their stories and characters.

Her non-fiction has appeared on CNN, The Washington Post, WOW! Women on Writing, Horkey Handbook, and Popsugar among others.

About the book (Book blurb)

Available on Amazon

Making A Difference (M.A.D.) is a contemporary lighthearted comedy set in New York. It tells the story of two PR expert humanitarians working to make the world a better place while struggling with their strong feelings for each other. After all, they are both in loving, committed relationships with other people.

We will talk with Pinar about her new book ‘Making A Difference (M.A.D.)’.

What is the story behind your book. Where did you get your idea for the book?

I studied Business in college and double-majored in Advertising. My Public Relations professor was a very prominent person in her field, known as one of the founders of the practice in the country. She was close to 80 and the definition of cool and charismatic. In Making A Difference (M.A.D.), she inspired the character Faye Clark, Jay’s grandmother.
Her lectures were always fascinating, but one true story particularly got to me. It was about how PR was used to scare and manipulate people. Its sheer potential made it an industry I had to write about.
My imagination did the rest, though the female protagonist Zoe is pretty close to my personality.

Challenges you faced while writing this book and in your life as an author?

Writing this novel took a long, long time. At first, I didn’t know if I wanted to write it as a TV series or a screenplay. I’ve been writing fiction since my preteens, but I’m more comfortable with the screenplay format. I realized, however, that the characters and events justified the length of a novel.
I studied novel writing techniques and wrote a couple of drafts before the final version.
Now the main challenge about this book is getting the hang of marketing.
I suspect most of my other challenges are similar to many other authors’: Writer’s block, getting sick when you are your own everything (boss, employee, assistant, marketer, researcher, creative…etc.), getting rejected, depression, and earning a stable income as a freelance writer (I also write non-fiction).

What is your life mantra?

I believe in following your dreams no matter how unrealistic they may seem, being kind to everyone unless they are mean to you, and living life to the fullest. My favorite band is Bon Jovi, so I have the perfect anthems to go with my affirmations.

What is your writing process like?

It involves a lot of writing in my head. From the moment I wake up until the moment I fall asleep, there is usually a story brewing up in my head.
When I have the basic premise, I write down anything and everything that comes to me about the story: names, locations, motivations, storylines, bits of dialogue… Then I order my scenes – you could say I prepare an outline – and then I start writing.
But there is, of course, a lot of frustration, a-ha moments, writer’s block, procrastination, rewriting, and celebration involved. And coffee.
I alternate between working from home and my favorite coffee shops.

Anything special about your book that you want to share?

Even though it is a light-hearted romantic comedy, the main characters are dedicated to making the world a better place, and that is a crucial message.

According to you, what are the three qualities an author must have to achieve success?

Determination – which is the ability to write through rejection, illness, and financial hardship.
Working on craft – taking lessons, reading, and practicing.
Embracing their quirks – I haven’t yet met a writer who hasn’t been called crazy, weird or quirky by their friends and family. But what makes us different fuels our creativity.

What are your plans for next book?

I’m already 30,000 words into the first draft. I plan it to be a series, consisting of at least two books. I have the cover design in my head. It will be an edgier romantic comedy drama.

What advice do you have for young writers?

I’d like to think I’m still young myself at 33 :). But for younger writers, I recommend being tenacious. It doesn’t matter whether they have a thick skin or they are extremely sensitive. They will go through rejection, rude comments, a world oblivious to their work…
Just hang in there. If you want to share your story with the world, there is a way. Write the best story you can, improve it in any way you can, and then let it go.

Share a quote or line that has been your inspiration.

I love the titles of two books from the late creative Paul Arden.

– Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite
– It’s Not How Good You Are, It Is How Good You Want to Be

The books, and their titles, inspire creativity, hard work, and learning. But my favorite is this quote from Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite:

“You can’t afford the house of your dreams. That’s why it is the house of your dreams. You either find a way of getting it (you’ll find the means) or be satisfied with dissatisfaction.”

March 22, 2024
Exclusive Interview with Priyanka Agarwal, Author of ‘PiKu & ViRu’
Priyanka Agarwal was born in Mumbai to a businessman father and lawyer-turned-homemaker mother. A B.Com graduate, her first tryst with professional writing began in 2007 for JLT (Just Like That), a youth-focused publication by the Times of India group.

Later, she gave up her MBA dream to work for three years each in the editorial departments of Spenta Multimedia and Condé Nast India. Besides being a blogger, Priyanka is now a freelance writer and copyeditor since 2017, with bylines in Condé Nast Traveller India, Architectural Digest India, Film Companion and JetWings, among others. PiKu & ViRu is her first book.

Priyanka can be found on: Facebook: @priyankadotagarwal | Twitter: @Prigwal | Instagram: @priyankalive

Blurb: PiKu & ViRu

Available at Amazon

A traumatising theft on assignment leaves 28-year-old travel content writer Piyanjali Kumari with a crazy epiphany—that her celebrity crush, Vian Rustom, is her ‘soulmate’. Her numerous attempts to meet the dashing TV star go in vain. That’s when her guardian angel tells her the one thing she needs to do to make things happen. Desperate, she takes the plunge. But sh*t keeps going wrong. And PiKu realises her story with ViRu is destined to end in only one way—heartbreak.

Will PiKu be able to win ViRu’s love? Will she get the relationship of her dreams? Or will it become the darkest nightmare of her life?

PiKu & ViRu is an inspirational, emotional roller coaster that promises to take you places. A must-read for every heartbroken person out there.

We will talk with Priyanka about her book ‘PiKu & ViRu’.

What is the story behind your book. Where did you get your idea for the book?

PiKu & ViRu is the story of 28-year-old PiKu, a travel-content writer, who gets an epiphany that her celebrity crush, ViRu, is her ‘soulmate’. How this realisation transforms her life and turns her into an award-winning storyteller forms the plot. One of the key themes in the book is heartbreak and moving on from it.

PiKu & ViRu is inspired by a period from my life. I was going through a dark phase two years ago when a few friends encouraged me to pen down my story to heal from the incident. At first, I didn’t want to write it and kept procrastinating. But soon, I came around to conceptualising a couple of web series. I emailed them to a friend of mine for feedback, who, unknowingly and coincidentally, suggested I explore a plot similar to PiKu & ViRu. She said she hated romantic fiction but was open to consuming something like that if I wrote it. That’s when I resolved to work on my story. I penned out a synopsis and read it aloud at an open-mike event, where it received a thunderous applause. The judge, a famous stand-up comedian, encouraged me to realise it into a full-length novel. And then there was no looking back.

Challenges you faced while writing this book and in your life as an author?

The biggest challenge was my back problem. There was a time when it was difficult to sit and work for even five minutes at a stretch without screaming with pain! Thankfully, physiotherapy and yoga saved me.

What is your life mantra?

Enjoy the present moment, though it’s hard to follow all the time. Still, I try my best to adhere to this philosophy.

What is your writing process like?

I don’t have a fixed time or routine for writing. I just pen down whatever comes to my head or anything interesting I encounter.

Anything special about your book that you want to share?

I’ve lost count of the number of drafts it took me to get it right! Especially PiKu’s first visit to ViRu’s set and the climax. I worked on the former scene for forty-eight hours non-stop to nail it!

According to you, what are the three qualities an author must have to achieve success?
1. Great story
2. Strong support system from loved ones and other writers
3. Thick skin
What are your plans for next book?

Currently, there’s nothing on paper—it’s all in my head. A chick-lit novel set in Mumbai’s real-estate industry, perhaps. I’ll begin dumping my thoughts, starting January.

What advice do you have for young writers?

Live your life, travel and meet lots of people. Hidden in these experiences is something that will ignite a story within you that will force itself to come out. Note down anything interesting that goes on around you. Use your smartphone as your writing companion, not killer.

Share a quote or line that has been your inspiration.

Not a line or quote, but the canteen scene from the Bollywood film Rockstar, where Khatana Bhai (Kumud Mishra) tells J.J. (Ranbir Kapoor) about how pain has shaped the most successful artists of our time. This message is what I’ve tried to incorporate in PiKu & ViRu as well. I was especially mesmerised by Tamasha, another movie by Imtiaz Ali and my all-time favourite. One line in particular still melts my heart: you can choose your own ending.
March 20, 2024
Exclusive Interview with Shree, Author of ‘Daffodil: Blooming Beyond the Season’

Shree from Houston, TX, is an IT Pro turned author / poetess since 2015. Her works include short stories collection ‘Secret Expressions: Two Stories’, novella ‘Silent Invaders’, which has entered the quarter finals of Screencraft Cinematic Story (for Hollywood) Contest 2017, and Bengali poetry book ‘Onuronon’, released in International Kolkata Book Fair 2018. Her latest release is a novel ‘Daffodil: Blooming Beyond the Season’. Shree is a contributing author of ‘Flock-The Journey’, ‘Different Strokes’, ’50 Shades of Women’ and ‘Petals of Love’. Her upcoming anthology is ‘Muffled Moans – Unleashed’, where she has contributed two of her poems. She is a regular writer on several writing platforms, portals and magazines. She also works as a freelance writer.

About the book: ‘Daffodil: Blooming Beyond the Season’

“Daffodil: Blooming Beyond the Season” is a story of an ordinary girl who was compelled to lead an extraordinary life right from her childhood. Contrary to the meaning of her name, the flower which blooms in the spring, Daffodil had to brave squalls and struggle in retribution. Happiness came to her life only to obliterate it mercilessly. She witnessed darkness like nobody did but she persistently followed the light at the end of the tunnel. The tempest could not wither her roots ̶ she surfed through the ebb and flow of her life with robustness and proved her life to be worthwhile. Daffodil’s story is all about how she survived beyond the season of blooming amidst deaths, crimes, corruption, prison and vengeance.

Available at Amazon

We will talk with Shree about her book ‘Daffodil: Blooming Beyond the Season’.

What is the story behind your book. Where did you get your idea for the book?

First of all, thank you Storieo for giving me this opportunity.

“Daffodil: Blooming Beyond the Season” is a story of an ordinary girl who was compelled to lead an extraordinary life right from her childhood. Contrary to the meaning of her name, the flower which blooms in the spring, Daffodil had to brave squalls and struggle in retribution. Happiness came to her life only to obliterate it mercilessly. She witnessed darkness like nobody did but she persistently followed the light at the end of the tunnel. The tempest could not wither her roots ̶ she surfed through the ebb and flow of her life with robustness and proved her life to be worthwhile. Daffodil’s story is all about how she survived beyond the season of blooming amidst deaths, crimes, corruption, prison and vengeance.

The idea of this novel is a fruit of all the atrocities taking place in the society against women. The woman protagonist in my novel is tremendously strong and bold enough to stand up against all those crimes. The unfathomable support of the women writers has provided me the zeal to pen this story.

Challenges you faced while writing this book and in your life as an author?

Developing the characters of the story was the most challenging job because the story has several layers and settings. I had to make a constant effort to match the characters with the background and tried to sketch them as real as possible.

As an author, I feel that if there are no challenges, then no good work is produced. But to be honest, in the contemporary era of severe and ruthless competition, one needs to be more than just an author – “authorpreneur” is the term which is conventionally used nowadays, where an author is also expected to market and promote his/her own books. I feel a bit challenged here, as marketing is not my forte.

What is your life mantra?

Be positive and happy, and keep trying.

What is your writing process like?

I am not very methodical about my writing. But if I am handling a sensitive or factual topic, then I do a lot of research before I write. Otherwise I just pour my heart out on the papers, as that is the only way I can release the pressure of accumulated wild thoughts in my mind.

Anything special about your book that you want to share?

Every book is special to it’s author, I believe. This book touches quite a few sensitive nerves, for example, small town lives, corruptions, women in sports, animal rights, movements and revolutions, etc. Before I reveal any more secrets, my request to all of you is “Please read the book and share your reviews. I shall be immensely grateful”. 🙂

According to you, what are the three qualities an author must have to achieve success?

For me there is no guide book to success for authors, given that they are sincere about what they are writing and maintaining a standard quality. The right time and right place are the key factors which rule success. But I personally take care of a few things while writing a book:

Give my story an attention-grabbing start

Keep the story-telling gripping yet easy-to- read

End my story such that the readers yearn for more

What are your plans for next book?

Currently I am concentrating on writing for a few magazines and anthologies. The forthcoming anthology of poems ‘Muffled Moans – Unleashed’ contains two of my poems and will be launched this month.

What advice do you have for young writers?

Identify their interest, do a lot of research as resources are available in abundance nowadays, build their own tribe, and most importantly — follow their heart.

Share a quote or line that has been your inspiration.

There are actually two quotes by the “invictus” Nelson Mandela:

“It always seems impossible until it’s done” and “I never lose. I either win or learn”.

March 12, 2024
Exclusive Interview with Devika Das, Author of ‘The Mind Game’
Devika Das is an award-winning author and actor. She pursues her passion for writing and theatre in Hyderabad. Her title ‘The Mind Game’ is a national bestseller and is now available at bookstores in London. She has recently published a Hindi short story ‘Meghna’ with Blue Rose Publishers. She has won the National Award for short films Waterman and The Silent Voice directed by Anshul Sinha. She has been invited as a Speaker for many national literary festivals, TED Circles and also judged several literary competitions organized by schools and colleges. Currently, she is working as a Content Strategist for an IT Company in Hyderabad.

Book: The Mind Game

What is the story behind your book? Where did you get your idea for the book?

All of us have experienced situations involving emotional outbursts where we have hurt other people or our own SELF unknowingly. As long as our mind is under our control, everything else is. That’s what The Mind Game is all about.

In 2016, the newspapers carried articles related to increase in the suicide rates among youth. This gave me the push to research on the subject and try to understand the root cause of this issue. Through my research, I found out the highest rate of suicide is among 15-29 age group, which was worrisome.

Challenges you faced while writing this book and in your life?

Collecting authentic data insights and avoiding personal bias was challenging. Also, I wanted to maintain an objective tone throughout my book, which took time and a conscious effort. It was very overwhelming sometimes to write about difficult situations a person may have to deal with. I have fought my own battle and recollecting those incidents were troublesome.

What is your life mantra?

I have two quotes to live by.
1. Life is given once. Live it to the fullest.
2. You are your own source of happiness.
What is your writing process like?

If I feel passionate about the topic, I write down my thoughts. All my manuscripts are hand-written as I feel connected and the authenticity, consistency is maintained.

Anything special about your book that you want to share?

It is not an average self-help book that preaches life-enhancing methodologies based on complex science or long philosophical verses. The book’s genius lies in its simplicity. It offers quick, actionable and instantly applicable tips that will help readers lead a better life. Many people have been helped to think from a different perspective.

According to you, what are the three qualities an author must have to achieve success?
- Be real
- Excellent language skills
- The belief and confidence that your story must be told to the world.
What are your plans for the next book?

I am currently doing research on colour psychology which is the theme for my next book.

What advice do you have for young writers?

If the story is worth sharing, write it down. Don’t think about how many readers will your book get. Have a clear goal about why you want to write on the said topic.

Share a quote or line that has been your inspiration.

“God has a plan for my life”
February 29, 2024
Exclusive Interview with Payel Bhattacharya, Author of ‘A Warrior Dies Dancing That’s Who I am…: A Survival Story’

Payel Bhattacharya is a patient of rare diseases like VHL and trigeminal neuralgia and MDR tuberculosis and cancer survivor with one eyed vision because of multiple brain tumors. She is also an author. Her struggle in life led her to write the novel “Midnight-a thrilling novel”. Her autobiographical fictional account has been published by Sahitya Akademi, but she didn’t stop at that, she wrote her entire autobiography – “A warrior Dies Dancing That’s Who I Am.. a survival story”. She also wrote ‘The Adventures of Mum and Princess” which is a really thrilling book.

Book: A warrior Dies Dancing That’s Who I Am.. a survival story

Available on Amazon

“It is not how or where we are born that defines you, it is what you do or how you spend your life that defines you. I was born with a flawed gene in a family but when the time came and my disease struck full throttle and I needed those unfeeling relatives the most…the foxy ones conspired against me so that I die. Other relatives turned tail and fled. But I didn’t despair and kept looking for hope and I found hope amongst mankind not tied to me by any blood bond. They were the bringer of light, courage, glee, and understanding. It is their combined effort that pulled me out of death’s grip when I needed a landmark liver transplant to save my life. This is my survival story of how I became a warrior amid circumstances never known before with grim rare diseases like von Hippel-Lindau(VHL) and Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) and fought through extremely poor conditions and financial hardships” – Payel Bhattacharya

We will talk with Payel about her book ‘A warrior Dies Dancing That’s Who I Am.. a survival story’.

What is the story behind your book. Where did you get your idea for the book?

I might mention I was influenced or taken in by Dr Shamsher Dwivedee’s words. While treating my ulnar nerve palsy, looking at my funny bone, he drew his thick brows together and made a funny remark, “why don’t you write about yourself? How you have faced and have overcome so much in life…” I took his words seriously and with a dreamy tilt of my head thought “I have never been a cry-baby. Not only my wired affliction but patrician cunning has squished my future, happiness, and security and I cannot wipe those regrettable events by a blackboard eraser—-I can’t just throw up my life and quit— if I write out my story vehemently, my mind will feel lighter. I am not a literary genius neither am I a celebrity… I do not know how to begin but I started penning down my thoughts and sharing my experience and struggle. The strength of your mind can pull you through darkness and the divine love and kindness are bestowed upon you…God oversees my every act whether I have the strength of mind or I am cowardly….life is worth living for, even in its trials and tribulations, there is no doubt in it. Penning down my story provided me a sense of hope because there is an absence of it these days and telling the truth helps me to stand without the slightest slouch.

When the time came, and my disease struck full throttle and I needed those unfeeling relatives the most…the foxy ones conspired against me so that I don’t get my rightful inheritance in a time of great need and I meet my death. They jointly made secret plans with flair and imagination so that my death will be final but slow. Other relatives… the rabbits turned tail and fled fearing I might ask them to help me or stand by me. But I didn’t despair and kept looking for hope and I found hope amongst mankind not tied to me by any blood bond. They were the bringer of light, courage, glee, and understanding. It is their combined effort that pulled me out of death’s grip when I needed a landmark liver transplant to save my life.

My father stood like a pillar supporting the castle of my life. When after my father’s death my life threatened to collapse, my mother took charge. A surprisingly daring woman she certainly is! Being a housewife throughout her life Mum became firm and in a new and strange city, she went around different chemists requesting discounts for my medicines and seeking help from kind people. She sustained me. My parents taught me to live, not merely exist. My life story consists of my background and events that have made me who I am today.

It is a story of never losing hope. Hope which is like those helium balloons riding which you can get high, very high up. But those balloons can be punctured as well.

After standing on the edge of life several times, facing all those trials and tribulations and dancing with death I realize that,

“We all die, the goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.”

I wrote out my autobiography—A warrior Dies Dancing That’s Who I Am.. a survival story.

Challenges you faced while writing this book and in your life as an author?

Despite my rare diseases, brain tumours, short-term memory loss, headaches and one-eyed vision, slurred speech I wrote my books.

What is your life mantra?

No matter how much we wish to go back and relive an event or a happy moment or eradicate a sad moment that is never going to happen. So, live in this moment, don’t lose it.

What is your writing process like?

With one-eyed vision and short-term memory loss which means I forget things very easily definitely writing experience is different than others but if you ask why didn’t I choose to sing then? I am also a multi-drug resistant tuberculosis survivor whose lungs aren’t okay. So, I write as ideas pop up in my tumour -riddled brain because it gives me a sense of creation which will last even after I am gone so I write at a point of no return.

Anything special about your book that you want to share?

One might expect someone with never-ending pain & suffering with rare diseases-VHL & trigeminal neuralgia to spiral into a sea of woe, depression, & inactivity but in my case, it makes me a warrior who is fighting and suffering not just suffering. Everyone doesn’t have the money and means, and every rare disease needs that. We need to build awareness and the masses, and the government need to reach out and help all the rare disease patients without distinction, instead of showing just sympathy.

I underwent fourteen surgeries and radiation therapies. I don’t get to recover from any of my rare diseases like you do when you get cold or flu. It’s a daily fight for me where hope and the will to survive saves me always. I could have chosen to sit at home by myself. Every day, day after day, isolated from the world but I took life as a challenge and strove to write detective fiction, paranormal or supernatural and spy thrillers.

According to you, what are the three qualities an author must have to achieve success?

I am not an established author yet, thus I am not the one to judge for the qualities an author must achieve for success. I believe it depends on the reader.

What are your plans for next book?

Apart from my autobiography I have written an anthology of six detective stories known as The Adventures of Mum and Princess and A Supernatural thriller with elements paranormal and spy thrillers in it. Currently I am in the process of writing another book.

What advice do you have for young writers?

There’s a writer lurking in all of us. Whatever ideas you get take down somewhere, maybe a scrap of paper so that you can form it into a story later.

Share a quote or line that has been your inspiration.

“I realized that I can’t win my battle if I writhe in frustration”

‘I still dare to change things I can,

I wage wars with verve,

In a point of no return,

Yes, a Warrior Princess I am…’

—-From A Warrior Dies Dancing That’s Who I Am…

February 24, 2024
Exclusive Interview with Stuti Changle, Author of ‘on the open road’

A minimalist at heart, with every passing day, she finds herself moving farther from the never-ending quest of owning material possessions and a step closer to owning a vast ocean of experiences. In 2016, at twenty-three, she packed a rucksack and left Mumbai, in search of her true identity. She met people with extraordinary stories – the travelers, the entrepreneurs, the artists, the visionaries and the saints, who inspired her to the core and gave a new direction to her life. Her book – ‘on the open road’, draws inspiration from her real-life experiences.

She is a post-graduate in management from the prestigious B-school IMI, New Delhi and a graduate in Computer Science and Technology. She has worked with corporates like HSBC.

Quote from the book

“Somewhere between the right and the wrong, the past and the future, there lies a now. Don’t let it go. For ‘now’ often leads to a new road!”

Available at Amazon

We will talk with Stuti about her new book ‘on the open road’.

What is the story behind your book. Where did you get your idea for the book?

On the open road is a heart touching and inspiring journey of three souls who resolve to pursue their dreams and battle against all the odds to startup a company. Myra, Kabir and Sandy, the main characters of the story are 20-somethings who battle the societal taboos and their inner demons to live life on their terms. The story is about breaking free from the old routine lives to be able to embrace the new. The journey, the emotional journey, that one has to take to be able to live their dreams.

On the open road happened during my stint at a major corporate. I was making money, a lot of it, but somehow felt empty on the inside. My heart would tell me to pursue my long lost dream of becoming a storyteller whereas my mind would warn me about the risk and its consequences. Finally, I gave in to my heart and set out on an expedition around India and Europe. I met travellers, entrepreneurs, investors, saints and artists who inspired me to the core and gave a new direction to my life. I hope to inspire the youth with my story – to break free, to discover their true self, to pursue their dreams and to never give up!

Challenges you faced while writing this book and in your life as an author?

When I finally completed my first book, I felt victorious. I thought that the most significant hurdle had been crossed until I started writing to publishers and never really heard back from any of them. My heart shattered into pieces like a glass, literally. Then, I learned about Kindle Direct Publishing through the Pen To Publish Contest. It was a chance to be heard. It was a chance to reach out to the readers. I participated and was overwhelmed by the reviews my book garnered. Positive reviews started pouring in, and my heart was back to its original shape. Perhaps, stronger than the previous one!

What is your life mantra?

In the end, everything that does not work out sums up to the things that do. The idea is to never give up, never give up. Believe in the beauty of your dreams. Follow your heart with courage. There’s no shortcut to success. The only way to explore one’s full capacity is to keep at one’s inner calling. The journey is much more crucial than the destination. Enjoy the journey! Hustle.

What is your writing process like?

I sit down with a cup of coffee and write for at least 4 hours at a stretch, every day! I love to write while I am on the move. Cabs, metro, train or flight! I look forward to the day when I can just travel and write. Travel places to write more. I like to change the routine every few weeks to get new ideas. If you’re at the same place, all the time, you can’t expect new ideas to come in!

Anything special about your book that you want to share?

My book has crossed 2000 in sales within 137 days of its release. It’s a remarkable number for a self-published author.

According to you, what are the three qualities an author must have to achieve success?

I believe that self-belief is the most important quality that one must have when they start out on their own. Perseverance is the second most important quality as great things do not happen overnight and one must keep believing in their idea when nobody does. Maybe, the third one is to have the above-mentioned two.

What are your plans for next book?

I have started writing my next. I should be able to come up with the first draft by May 2019. In fact, I am traveling to Kashmir this weekend to get the writing activities on the right track.

What advice do you have for young writers?

A message that I would like to give to everyone is, don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can not do. A lot of us have a misconception that to pursue our ideas, to startup companies, we need to be super rich, or blessed. It’s absolute nonsense. I come from a middle-class family, and yes, it is hard to convince your parents at times, but in the end, nothing is impossible. It can all happen.

Share a quote or line that has been your inspiration.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
– Robert Frost , The Road Not Taken

March 19, 2022
Exclusive Interview with Geetika Saigal, Author of ‘Finding Your G-Spot’

Geetika Saigal is a Corporate Leader turned Entrepreneur turned Writer, by profession. A firm believer in self-created destiny, her Debut work, Finding Your G-Spot, is a raw & real approach to re-discovering your real self, re-aligning your thoughts and re-vamping your life.

It’s received accolades from leaders in different walks of life, including leading Journalist, Rajdeep Sardesai, who calls it “A self-help book like no other: soul-stirring, thought provoking, an unapologetic account of what brings you down and how to get back up.”
It’s made it to No. 1 on Amazon Bestseller List and continues to receive warm reviews from readers daily.

Geetika is now further reaching her readers via Mentoring sessions, which can be applied for by anyone, from her website and can also be Invited as a Keynote Speaker at your Corporate Events, Colleague Sessions or College/Institutes.

We will talk with Geetika about her book ‘Finding Your G-Spot’.

Available at Amazon

What is the story behind your book. Where did you get your idea for the book?

It’s only when I stopped doing everything, did I realise what I wanted to do.

I was 40 (ouch that hurt!). I had been through shutting down my business venture, something that I was emotionally locked into for years. In the process I had also lost all of my life savings (that’s the fine print at the bottom!). Family expected to me to ‘put it behind me’ and go back to the ‘successful’ corporate career I was flying high on, before that phase.

But my inner voice wouldn’t rest. It didn’t know what I wanted, but it did know what I didn’t want! And that was as good enough a starting point as any.

I decided to take time off. From where I come, and who I am known to be (an obsessively driven person!), a ‘sabbatical’ sounded strange; it was what people who are lost, do or who have too much money to know what they want, but not what ‘sensible grounded smart educated’ people do.

But l don’t like to get boxed.. And so I decided to do something new, I decided to do ‘Nothing’. And slowly, as the noises faded, and the clutter dissolved, I started trying out new things, meeting new people. Writing just came naturally then. It was almost like it had been waiting all this while, politely, in a corner, till I acknowledged the elephant in the room. And boy am I glad I did!

Challenges you faced while writing this book and in your life as an author?

Writing for me is in equal doses draining and cathartic. I write as I feel, as I perceive and as I converse, hence my work is real but raw, in-your-face, no-words-minced 🙂 It’s almost like opening up to your best friend and sharing parts of you and thoughts about life that you wouldn’t share with all. Since the book is straight from the heart and mind and truly without filters, it was akin to handing a piece of me over to the world, making me myself an open book for the world to know.

Once I did pen the book, the challenges faced were radically different! It was more related to ‘how to get my work to the world’ and that purely boils down to business decisions, marketing strategies and monetary constraints!

What is your life mantra?

I live by many.

Be You – It’s better to be your flawed self that a perfect copy of another.

Be Honest – it may not get you what you want, may not take you where you want to go, but it will make you sleep well at night, and that’s way more precious!

Be Alive – don’t just stay alive, be alive, make the most of this one life.

And most of all I believe, that:

Life is Not a Race – it’s Not about the Speed, it’s About the Direction.

What is your writing process like?

I scribble all the time. I like to keep my head free and my diary full!

If you see my Instagram handle, you’ll notice I have my diary in many pics! Sometimes I even pen corny lil’ poems on my phone and save in drafts or a thought that pops into my head and save it in SMS/Email drafts!

But now here’s the thing.

When it’s simply about writing, it’s all about spontaneity, so yeah, as and when, on the spur of the moment, I write. But those are really lil’ nothing notes here-n-there.

If it’s about a book, then I have a schedule. And I follow it daily, as much as possible. It helps keep the focus on the book over all other aspects of life, on output and word-count, on keeping the tempo of the story or narration, and not losing the plot. A schedule helps drive a book to completion!

Writing a book is not simply a creative process, but very much like a targeted project at work that requires discipline.

I know I know…even I was surprised to find this out, but you see, there is a difference between being a writer and being an author.

Creating an entire book, with each character, situation, emotion well-thought out; at the same time keeping it crisp and tight; working on the flow; the twists and turns; yet maintaining to keep that single message throughout…it requires an approach and discipline to your writing.

Anything special about your book that you want to share?

The reviews!

There would be close to 500 reviews across Amazon, Goodreads and Instagram. It’s not simply the number that makes it special, though its stupendous for a Debut book! It’s really about the words put across in the reviews.

To be able to have touched even one person’s life is an amazing feeling, unmatched by any other.

Every single day I get messages, from people I have never met. They tell me how reading Finding Your G-Spot has touched them, affected them and sometimes even changed their lives. They tell me it helped them think more clearly, face their demons, re-discover themselves, cherish the real person inside of them. They tell me how the Do-it-for-Yourself exercises, helped them internalise all that they had assimilated and hence helped put thoughts into action.

Reading all such heart-warming messages has made me launch my website where anyone (yes, anyone!) can reach out to me to Invite me over to address an event, or help mentor them in life, or even to simply talk to help figure out life issues.

According to you, what are the three qualities an author must have to achieve success?

Well, for the first one, don’t think about success!
I’ve written in the book as well, ‘Disassociate yourself from the result. Do it for the journey, not the glory’. When we are trying something new or chasing a dream or working on our passion, the journey will not be a bed of roses. Give your new purpose meaning, do it for the process, cherish the journey, do it despite its pain, despite of all adversities.

In the end too, whether you win or lose, achieve your goals or not, like the new cuisine or puke it out the next morning, master the Salsa dance or realise you prefer only the Salsa with your nachos, you will live to experience new things, learn more about yourself, live a fuller life, cherish moments and build memories, forever.

Second, Pen with Passion. A story can be of any genre – romance, mystery, horror, inspirational, motivational – but it needs to be written with a fervor that comes from an almost-obsession-like passion from the writer. When the writer eats, breathes, sleeps the story…that’s when it will have the power to grab and hold a reader’s attention and illicit the desired emotions, even when they talk about it years later!

And finally, but most importantly, Be You. Discover your own writing style, do not be bogged down by stereo-types. You may admire the work of a famour author, but yourself be a very different kind. Stay true to who you are, don’t try to hard to be good, just be your natural self.

What are your plans for next book?

It’ll come… in time 🙂

I’m a very fast writer, or rather an obsessive one. So once I start, I’ll get immersed in it and it will take shape soon enough.
For now though, I believe Finding Your G-Spot has a lot of work left as yet – to get it to more and more readers. So most of my plans are centred on that one single objective.

What advice do you have for young writers?

It’s Time!

Yeah, there’s no better time – Make this your time, your day.

Don’t just aspire. Be.

Don’t think. Just write.

Don’t edit too much. Let your aura linger on in the book.

Don’t write bestsellers. Simply write your best, and then and only then, focus on the selling part!

Share a quote or line that has been your inspiration.

The last line from Finding Your G-Spot:

“The End is Sometimes the Beginning.”

February 23, 2022
Exclusive Interview with Preethi Venugopala, Author of ‘The Princess and the Superstar’

Preethi Venugopala is a civil engineer turned writer and a popular blogger from Bangalore. She has written four Amazon bestselling novels till now including ‘Without You’, ‘A Royal Affair’, ‘His Sunshine Girl’ and ‘The Princess and the Superstar’. Her short stories have been published on Juggernaut books, Womenweb, and in various anthologies. She is also one of the co-authors of the prize-winning novella ‘The Awakening’ which won the Game of blogs competition conducted by Blogadda.

Connect with her on Twitter, Instagram : @preethivenu & Facebook

Blurb: ‘The Princess and the Superstar’

Available on Amazon

Saketh Rao aka SR, India’s latest Bollywood heartthrob, has bagged the role of a lifetime: to play Hari Varman, the doomed royal scion.
When he arrives at Sravanapura Palace with his director friend Rajeev Ratnam, little does he know that his life is about to change forever!
Princess Kritika is overjoyed that Saketh Rao will play the role of her ancestor. But when she comes face to face with the arrogant superstar she is determined to scuttle the project.
Fate, however, has different plans for them. The feisty couple is soon head over heels in love with each other.
As they uncover the secrets of Hari Varman’s life, Saketh makes a discovery that can rip them apart and their new-found love.

We will talk with Preethi about her new book ‘The Princess and the Superstar‘

What is the story behind your book. Where did you get your idea for the book?

‘The Princess and the Superstar’ is actually the second book in the ‘Sravanapura Royals’ series. When I introduced Princess Kritika in book one, many of the reviewers and readers expressed a wish to read Kritika’s story.
Kritika was writing a book about her ancestors in book one. My readers wanted to know about one particular ancestor, Hari Varman, who is a star-struck lover in book one. So I thought what if a movie was about to be made about Hari Varman, the doomed royal scion, and an actor came to study more about him, it would be interesting.
Many other plot points and mysteries came to me as I plotted the novel and that is how the book came into being.

Challenges you faced while writing this book and in your life as an author?

Writing a novel is a challenge especially if the world you have created for the characters is fictional. Sravanapura RoyaIs and Sravanapuram are purely fictional. I had to research the Indian Royals and history. Also as the hero is a movie star, I had to research about movies as well.
Life of an author depends on the hours he/she can dedicate to writing. If I can’t stick to my writing schedule, stories would remain inside my imagination and never appear on paper. So, I have to be disciplined, guard my writing time and write whenever possible.

What is your life mantra?

Choose a job that you love and you would never have to work a day in your life.

What is your writing process like?

I write whenever I get time. When I am doing my chores, I think about dialogues, scenes or thoughts that I can use in my story. It is like I am writing inside my head even before I sit down to write. I write in sprints. I can’t sit in front of the computer for more than 25 minutes at a time. Short sprints of 20-25 minutes using a timer work better for me.

Anything special about your book that you want to share?

This book is the first one among my books which followed the novel plot structure to a T. I was amazed by how easy writing a novel became when the plot was thoughtfully done. Another thing was I completed writing the first draft within a month.

According to you, what are the three qualities an author must have to achieve success?

Willpower, Imagination and Optimism are the three essential ingredients to be a happy and successful author.

What are your plans for next book?

I am in the middle of writing my fifth novel. It is a standalone novel. Part three of the ‘Sravanapura Royals’ series will be my next project after that.

What advice do you have for young writers?

Always complete what you begin. That is the most important thing to learn for any writer.

Share a quote or line that has been your inspiration.

Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.
– Jane Yolen

August 24, 2018
Exclusive Interview with Ranjit Samal, Author of ‘It’s not how, It’s why’

Ranjit is a young management Analyst specialized in the domain of operations & Supply chain, currently residing at Mumbai. His intention is to help millions to achieve their excellence. His enthusiasm and dedication simultaneously towards physics and spiritualism marks his roots to the city of temples, Bhubaneswar. Apart from his corporate assignments, Ranjit is not only enthusiastic enough to pen down the lessons learnt in life, but is also an empathetic mentor.
His debut self-published book “It’s not how, It’s why”, successfully attracted many young readers providing positive responses. This success encouraged many to collaborate & further was acquired by “Story Mirror” to reach out to many more youth across the nation. He plans to write a series of books, which revolves around self-discovery, pursuing ones passion and achieving ultimate dreams.
He often analyses the stories, incidents, and management practices that he come across in his daily life – that becomes the ingredients to his research works.

About Book: “It’s not how, It’s why”

“Be a reason for your success”
We all think to earn a lot of money, a large house to live, a luxury car, a lavish lifestyle, and to earn name and fame. So, as long as we are thinking anyway, why not think big?
With various upcoming theories, concepts and too many directions, today’s youths seems to chase “How to be successful” than realizing “Why to be successful”.
“It’s not how, It’s why” draws on simple personal experiences to stimulate and strengthen an individual’s desire to be successful and develop a greater sense of inner confidence and worth. This is a clear, down to earth book filled with 9 interesting reasons to tap the unseen potential of an individual who is longing to achieve prosperity in all aspects.

We will talk with Ranjit about his new book “It’s not how, It’s why”

What is the story behind your book. Where did you get your idea for the book?

Since my engineering I was very passionate about building a business, staring a startup, creating a new business model and identifying a revenue generation stream out of it, which is very close to my heart.
Staring from “personal selling of computer educational products” to a “Tech start up” and ending up with a youth leadership training platform was the journey during the Engineering days itself. During the business tour , interaction with different students and intense research , it was found that with various upcoming theories , concepts & too many directions , today’s youth seems to chase “How to be successful” than realizing “Why to be successful”.

The term WHY owned its significance in my mind gradually and ahead during my Management studies at Europe , I thought to pen down whatever I have learnt from my Entrepreneurial life and provide to today’s youth stating the fundamentals of life theories. This was appreciated by few of my friends in hostel, which forced me to approach publication houses. Then why not to come up with a book: It was a question?

With those feelings I converted fractions of my thoughts into a book in an intention to help youth’s to achieve their excellence. The script was self-published in to a book with only one thought that if at least 100 copies will be sold then I will assume that I have contributed something to the society. But surprisingly it got sold in multiple of 1000’s which encouraged me to go ahead. Further with Success, the title was acquired by Story Mirror for a national level distribution. Soon the title ran out of stock within 2 months and next edition is already out in the market too.

Challenges you faced while writing this book and in your life as an author?

The major challenge for me was to approach the publication house.  “I was very young to write such a book” – few executives from renowned publication house stated me. I was just a fresh management graduate and writing about success stories – It was not digestible by many of them. Most of them rejected me without understanding the plan. Convincing them was actually breaking through the thoughts. I still remember the sleepless nights and humdrum travel in the Mumbai locals to approach publication houses.
The next big challenge was to balance between the corporate hours & a space for me to write something valuable. Living your passion & managing your job for pay checks is always a big divide in mental peace.  But there’s no excuse, if I have to lead the crowd one day. My excuse shouldn’t dominate my “WHY”.

What is your life mantra?

Life is not about “How”, it’s purely about “Why”. Be very clear about what are you doing, and why are you doing it.  Rest will fall in its place automatically.

What is your writing process like?

My entire process starts with the end reader in my mind, a society in a whole. Which part of the problem am I trying to address, and what exactly the solution I’m trying to give to the millions of youths. I liked to write something original, something new.
Later defining the way these solutions to be presented in a form of concepts or stories. Gathering the details, making enough research and then plotting down the story line with the characters in build in it, becomes the crux.

Anything special about your book that you want to share?

The examples in form of stories to support the concepts used in this script, makes the book different from the rest of the self-help books. Especially the real life examples included will make one feel special.

According to you, what are the three qualities an author must have to achieve success?

An Author as a person need to be a source of inspiration & must have an intelligence to observe actively, possess a power of thinking wisely and must have a grudge to implement the lessons in personal life.

What are your plans for next book?

I am working on my next book, and this it would be a novel focusing current start up environment where the take away will be revolving around pursing one’s passion & self-discovery. The nation will have this master piece live by end of this year.

What advice do you have for young writers?

I would say that a young writer has to be very clear about why they want to write a book. It’s not that my neighbour or friend has written a book, so should i, rather one should feel deeply to express his/her views to the world , that would change the way people look at something. Your book should change the society by certain magnitude. That’s should be the objective.

Share a quote or line that has been your inspiration.

If you want to shine like a sun, then definitely you have to burn like it too.

June 20, 2018