Let's meet Mr. Mayank Sharma, author of "The Princess of a Whorehouse" novella.
Can you brief our readers about you?
I am a computer science engineering graduate with post-graduation in business management. I am working with a leading technology multinational based in the Delhi national capital region.
What were you like at school/college apart from studies?
Apart from studies, I was quite fascinated by science fiction books, encyclopaedias, and movies. I am also passionate about sketching portraits, painting and making sculptures since childhood.
Your favorite authors?
I am a big fan of Paulo Coelho and Amartya Sen!
When did you start writing?
While working as a software professional, I began writing white papers and articles on technology and processes for various journals, tech forums, and conferences.
When did you decide to become a writer?
My journey as a writer expedited in 2014, when one of my articles was featured in Better Software magazine published in Florida, USA. I always felt that something was missing in the excursion until I discovered the immense passion to write on matters that often make my heart sink. In due course, writing became my greatest passion when I observed how it can trigger the winds of change. It was a turning point when a left-brained professional with over twenty years of global experience from leading multinational companies began to transform into a right-brained writer with empathy.
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
My ambition is to write stories that my audience enjoy reading without stumbling upon the dilemma of putting them down.
How is your day structured to accommodate your writing?
After hectic working week days, I desperately look forward to a rejuvenating weekend, when I spend time in my writing corner.
What genre are your books?
My debut novella, The Princess of a Whorehouse is based on a coming-of-age genre. It is the tale of a young girl's life journey from childhood to adulthood, through one of the most ruthless realms of society. I believe India, being a young nation, is home to one of the largest populations of youngsters. There are several riddles with regard to advancement versus cultural taboos that often baffle the youth. That’s why, I identified this genre to narrate the journey of a young girl, who grows up as a strong and independent girl despite being trapped in a milieu that society considers as a swamp.
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Can you describe your current book in few lines? What’s it about?
The Princess of a Whorehouse is a poignant tale of a young girl’s coming of age in one of the most ruthless realms of society in which several naïve women and their blameless children are deprived of liberty and freedom to make life choices.
Give us an insight into your main character(s)
The story is about out of the ordinary choices of an ordinary girl and her widowed mother, who battle against all the odds. Aparajita, the protagonist, who can be compared to a princess in an abstract sense due to the sanctity of her inner strengths and perseverance. She is as tenacious as a princess in achieving her ambitions by challenging the status quo of society despite being raised in a milieu that is looked upon as a swamp. On the other hand, Ramya is an uneducated mother, who accepts her fate when she is left with no choice. However, she emerges as a strong mother as she wants a good future for her daughter. With Raj’s support, she leaves no stone unturned to escape the swamp in order to give a better life to her daughter. Not all men who visit a whorehouse have the same purpose of visiting that place. Raj is one of those responsible social workers, who respects women’s dignity, beyond corporeal aspects. He is a concerned citizen, who teaches underprivileged children as he believes that education is the best weapon to battle against the inequality. He is an ideal father, who supports the fact that daughters should grow up as independent individuals by chasing their ambitions.
Where did you get idea for this book?
“Irrational social inequalities make economic growth an undeveloped agenda and literacy an unfinished mission.”One’s heart sinks on hearing the heinous incidents of crimes against women. The wrongdoing of blaming women when they become victims of grim circumstances exists primarily due to gender inequality. The millions of naïve women and girls, like the protagonists in my story are agonized when they become victims of forced prostitution, especially in a nation where adultery is illegal. A million-year-old social stigma further glooms their future. I came across a heart-breaking experience of the daughter of a former sex worker. When she was young, her mother was trafficked to Mumbai’s red light district. In a Facebook post, she shared her journey of becoming a theatre artist in Mumbai. She candidly talked about discrimination and hardships she faced throughout her journey. Her determination and courage inspired me to pen down this story.
What was the most difficult thing about writing your latest book?
Encountering a writer's block was inevitable for an aspiring writer like me, especially when I wrote my debut novel with female protagonists. Indeed, it was a mammoth challenge for me. There were several occasions when I could not visualize feelings of a woman in a very hostile situation. I wore hats of similar individuals, who resembled closely to my characters. Subsequently, I empathized with their circumstances besides capturing their distinct characteristics, expressions of ages, dialects, and so on.
Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book?
When was your book released?
23 October 2016
What are you working on at the minute?
Here is an excerpt from the prologue of my upcoming novel - “I thought the depths of ocean and the outer reaches of space were only two uncharted territories until I discovered the furthest depths of my soul.” I hope you got some idea! Stay tuned for more...
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Success gives a moment to cherish, whilst non-success gives a reason to gauge. Success often follows perseverant efforts taken after non-success. Keep writing from your heart!
Links for your book readers
- Website: http://authormayanksharma.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mayanks.author
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mayanks5572
- Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2nd2RsR
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32849517-the-princess-of-a-whorehouse
Get a chance to win a copy of this book
https://goo.gl/A61ltS
Posts
while reading this book my respect for those people who help the people like Aparajita and Ramya have increased a lot as it takes much braveness to communicate with the people who are resisted and seen reluctantly . of course the story is inspirational and lesson to all those who remain spectator when some evil is happening in front of them.
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