Friday, March 24, 2017

Meet Crime Thriller Writer Salil Desai

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Salil Desai master of crime thriller books is back with another novel "3 And A half Murders". Let's try to know Salil and his latest book.


Can you tell us about your educational background?
I am an alumnus of Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communications and Film & Television Institute of India (FTII).prior to that I did my graduation from BMCC, Pune and schooling from Loyola High School, Pune.
What were you like at school/college apart from studies?
In school, I was an average student and was part of the swimming and basket-ball teams, but did nothing remarkable. I came into my own in college (BMCC), winning several inter-college and state level awards in dramatics and theatre. I also represented my college in cricket as a wicket-keeper / batsman and played competitive club cricket in Pune.  Most importantly, I started writing for newspapers in my second year in senior college.
What are some day jobs you have held?
I was a corporate communications executive for 10 years and then became a management film-maker and entrepreneur. In my 27 year old career, I have been an author, newspaper columnist, creative writing and media trainer and lecturer, communication consultant as also executive editor of a business magazine.
Which author inspire you the most? 
I read almost continuously, both fiction and non-fiction. Many times I read two books simultaneously, at different times of the day. Many different books and authors have inspired me in many ways. 
When did you start writing?
My first article was published in 1987 in a newspaper called The Indian Post, edited by the Late Vinod Mehta. So I have been writing articles for 30 years now. I started writing fiction and short stories around the same time, or even slightly earlier.
When did you decide to become a writer? 
I decided to become a writer in college itself, but my early attempts at fiction were rejected by publishers. Then as I pursued by corporate career and entrepreneurship I continued writing short stories intermittently but not very seriously. Finally when I branched out on my own as a management film-maker, I decided to start writing fiction again. My short stories started getting published in various anthologies. So finally in 2008, I started working on my first novel, which was published in 2011 and since then there has been no looking back. As of now I have written 4 novels and one collection of short stories. I am now working on my 6th novel.
What are your ambitions for your writing career? 
My plan is to write one book a year. I have so far written murder mysteries and love the genre so will continue to write crime novels. But I also am working on a novel in a different genre. My ambition is to write as many books as I can in different genres and themes and become a path-breaking, best-selling author some day, known as someone who writes engaging, entertaining and meaningful books.
Do you have a special time to write? 
I write fiction manuscripts mostly in the morning. Afternoons are for articles and other work. But I write something every single day.
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Can you tell us about previous books you wrote?
3 and a Half Murders is my 5th book. It is the 3rd book in my Inspector Saralkar Mystery Series. The other two are Killing Ashish Karve (published earlier as The Body in the Back Seat) and The Murder of Sonia Raikkonen. Besides these three, I have written another murder mystery called Murder on a Side Street and a short story collection, Lost Libido and Other Gulp Fiction.
What genre are your books? 
As mentioned above, I have written 4 crime novels and a collection of short stories belonging to different genres.
Can you describe your current book in few lines? What’s it about? 
3 and a Half Murders in the 3rd book of my Inspector Saralkar Mystery Series. Two murders in Pune lead to a seven year old, unsolved murder in Bangalore. Senior Inspector Saralkar and PSI Motkar find themselves investigating shady secrets, bitter grudges, carnal desires, sinister obsessions. And then the killer resurfaces again. Will Saralkar and Motkar get to the bottom of the unimaginably shocking motive and stop the malevolent killer from committing the 4th murder…?
Give us an insight into your main characters.
Senior Inspector Saralkar and PSI Motkar began as two typical, contrasting Puneites – Saralkar the quirky, no-nonsense, idealistic, unconventional cop, while Motkar is the straightforward, going by the book, non-imaginative but sincere assistant. Most readers tell me that their relationship and interaction is the best part of all my books. I think I have successfully managed to create a real, equal partnership between the cops. 
Where did you get idea for this book? 
My ideas are always a complex combination of imagination, real life incidents and different kind of strange and bizarre happenings in the society around us. 
How much research did you do for this book? 
As always, plenty of research.
What was the toughest thing about writing your latest book? 
I think the most challenging part of writing my books including 3 and a Half Murders is getting into the mind of the antagonist, the criminal, the murderer. Imagining the inner life and conflict of the character of the murderer was the most fascinating part of this book too. Also, getting the plot and twists right always takes a lot of hard work and ingenuity.
Release date.  
February 2017
What are you working on at the minute? 
My 6th book, which is about rage, psychological damage and violence, can be categorised as dramatic, literary fiction but is also a poignant thriller.
What are your thoughts on writing a book series? 
I have already written 3 books of my Inspector Saralkar Mystery Series and I simply love writing it. It’s been developed as a police procedural series. I hope to write many more books in the series, because I think I have found an excellent literary vehicle to look at society and comment upon it.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers? 
Read a lot. Understand that writing is ‘crafted imagination’ and so you need to work on your craft every day. Try and develop an original style and point of view.
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Book Interview - A Sister To Honor by Lucy Ferriss

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We are back with another author for the event. This time with an international author. Lucy Ferriss writer of 10 books. Her last book "A Sister to Honor" is about to published by Finger Print Publisher this year. Let's listen to what Lucy has to tell us.


Before diving into Lucy's interview we would like to point out her impressive bio first
Lucy Ferriss has lived on both coasts, in the middle, and abroad. She is the author of ten books, mostly fiction. Her new novel, A Sister to Honor, has four main sources of inspiration: Lucy’s day job teaching at a college with the world’s #1 squash team, her research in northern Pakistan, her parenting of an elite athlete, and her history as a rebellious daughter. Lucy’s previous novel, The Lost Daughter (Berkley, 2012), was a Book-of-the-Month Club alternate pick, appeared on the Barnes & Noble bestseller list, and was translated into Polish and Chinese. Her memoir, Unveiling the Prophet: The Misadventures of a Reluctant Debutante, was called Best Book of the Year by the Riverfront Times. Her novel Nerves of the Heart was a finalist in the Peter Taylor Prize competition. Leaving the Neighborhood and Other Stories, her collection of short fiction, was the 2000 winner of the Mid-List First Series Award. Other short fiction and essays have appeared most recently in the New York Times, Missouri Review, Shenandoah, Michigan Quarterly Review, and Georgia Review, and have been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Faulkner Society, the International Society for Narrative, the Fulbright Commission, and the George Bennett Fund, among others.
Lucy received her Ph.D. from Tufts University and lives with Don Moon in the Berkshires and in Connecticut, where she is Writer-in-Residence at Trinity College. She has two strong sons and abiding passions for music, politics, travel, tennis, and wilderness. She is working on a novel set during the St. Louis World’s Fair of 1904.
As an expert in Literature, we assume you must be reading a lot. Can you tell us about your reading habit?
I read constantly. Some of my favorite authors currently are David Mitchell, Kate Atkinson, Mohsin Hamid, Michael Chabon, Edna O’Brien. I was inspired to write early in life by reading the novels of Thomas Hardy and the books for girls by Louisa May Alcott and Laura Ingalls Wilder.
When did you start writing?
I started writing in first grade. But my first published story appeared in the Southern Review when I was 29. I remember feeling over the moon with joy.
Have you decided to become a writer or did it happen eventually with you?
I didn’t know what “becoming a writer” meant until I received a fellowship to be “writer in residence” at an elite boarding school, when I was 25. Suddenly it occurred to me that people there would think of me as a writer, that I could fake it until I made it. 
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
I don’t know that I have ambitions for my career. I have ambition for my writing, for it to be at some point “the axe that shatters the frozen sea within us,” in Kafka’s words.
Do you have a special time to write?
If I am not teaching or traveling, I write in my bathrobe all morning while my coffee slowly grows cold. If I am teaching or traveling, I make odd notes or tinker with a manuscript that’s already in process.
As an acclaimed author, can you tell us how many books you have written?
This is my 10th book, my 7th novel. So I have been at this for a little while!
What genre are your books?
I suppose you would call them “literary fiction.” I prefer to think of them as “edgy,” that is, as stories that bring to life people and situations that can be uncomfortable to talk about in other venues.
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Can you describe your current book in few lines? What’s it about?
It’s about a brother and sister who comes from northern Pakistan to America, he to play squash and she to study medicine. She makes the mistake of falling in love, with a Jew no less, and given her brother’s responsibility to maintain the honor of the family, the story erupts from that dilemma.
Give us an insight into your main characters.
Afia, the sister, is serious and devoted to her family, but her sense of her own emotional self awakens in the course of the story. Shahid, her brother, loves her warmly and feels a deep conflict between his desire to support her and his obligations to his family and his own moral compass. Lissy, the American coach who becomes embroiled in the story, has her own sense of honor, which becomes compromised as the story unfolds.
Where did you get idea for this book?
Trinity College, where I teach, has an exceptional men’s squash team, and their inner dynamics interested me. I also wondered how the entry to America would be different for one of their sisters. I researched where the best squash players have traditionally grown up, and learned it was the Pashtun area of Pakistan, and the story began to come together.
How much research did you do for this book?
I read at least three dozen books—history, anthropology, religion, sociology, fiction, poetry on Pashtun and Pakistani cultures, and I traveled to northern Pakistan to stay with families and get to know people.
Who is your favorite character in your book and why?
This is like asking who is your favorite member of your family! I love them all, I feel for them all; the book in many ways is written for them.
Who is your least favorite character and why?
Something of the same answer as above. But the character that was most difficult to write was surely Khalid, Afia’s step-brother, who is in most ways the villain of the story but who is also a deeply troubled young man.
What was the toughest thing about writing your latest book?
Finding my own way in to the story and overcoming my fear of writing about people whose background is so different from mine. I wanted to thread the needle such that readers could see what emotions and values are shared across cultures while also appreciating how very different Afia’s world might be to theirs, and how valuable on its own terms.
Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book?
I did not make a trailer for this book. I do have one for the book just prior, The Lost Daughter. 

Can you tell us release date of your book?
Release in India was, I think, November 2016. Originally released in the U.S. in January 2015.
What are you working on at the minute?
I am writing a mystery set in the same locale as A Sister to Honor.
What are your thoughts on writing a book series?
I’m not much of a series writer – though perhaps that’s what I’ve begun, now, setting this forthcoming book in the same place and with some of the same characters. It’s interesting to return to a place; I don’t think I’d want to write a sequel per se to any of the stories I’ve published, though. They are complete unto themselves.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Write every day. Write even when you are uninspired, even when you write badly. And give it everything you’ve got before you launch it into the world; a bird must have its wings in their best shape in order to fly.
Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
These were good questions! The only thing I might add is that reading novels has been shown to make us all more moral, ethical, and socially aware people than we would be otherwise. No other form of reading, and no movie-watching, does that. Let’s keep the flame alive.
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Rapid Round of Q&A With Shuchi Singh Kalra

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"I am big so what!?" a title looks too interesting to go unnoticed. Such is the writing style of Shuchi Singh Kalra. She is back with another romantic comedy after Done with Men.


Educational Background
Masters in English Literature
What were you like at school/college apart from studies? 
I was a good student but a rebel. Always landed into trouble.
What are some day jobs you have held? 
I have been an Optometrist and a model
Which author inspire you the most? 
There are way too many to name. I read anything I can get my hands on
When did you start writing? 
I tried writing my first novel at the age of 10
When did you decide to become a writer? 
In 2005. I quit my full-time job and took up writing professionally 
What are your ambitions for your writing career? 
I want to be remembered as a bestselling author who wrote quality fiction 
Do you have a special time to write, or how is your day structured to accommodate your writing? 
I hold a variety of portfolios and all of them involve writing in some form or the other. I write fiction for passion.
Is this your debut work? If not so, what have you written? 
I have authored two books so far, both romantic comedies – Done With Men and I am Big. So What!?
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What genre are your books? 
Romantic comedy
Can you describe your current book in few lines? What’s it about? 
It’s about a plus sized protagonist and her journey from an awkward, underconfident teenager to a self-assured young woman. 
Give us an insight into your main characters
Roli: Bold, sassy, stylish, confident. Plus-sized and proud of it
Monika: Roli’s BFF. Hopeless romantic with emotional issues. 
Kabir: Roli’s love interest. Handsome, cool and balanced. Will go the length to woo his lady 
Where did you get idea for this book? 
I wanted to write about a character that had not been written about before in Indian mainstream fiction and Roli was the first character that came to mind.
How much research did you do for this book? 
I read quite a few blogs by plus sized people and interviewed some women to understand their experiences. Some insight came from my own experiences.
Who is your favorite character in your book and why? 
I love Roli, the protagonist. She is strong, confident and as real as one can get. She is no Miss Goodie Two Shoes but she is the friend, daughter, sister and girlfriend everyone would want to have. 
Who is your least favorite character and why? 
I obviously don’t like Ronit, Roli’s ex-boyfriend. He is the typical jerk women encounter in day to day life – pretentious, shallow and spineless.
What was the toughest thing about writing your latest book? 
Writing is never difficult, but the marketing is. It is such a challenge to make your book visible in the sea of new releases and make it tempting enough for readers to buy it.
Release date. 
Feb 2016
Can you tell us about the response you got from readers for your book?
I am Big so What has got mostly 4 and 5 star reviews from verified buyers on Amazon, which says a lot. Readers have written to me saying how the book changed their perspective and their self-image. Book bloggers have also been very generous with praise for the book.
What are you working on at the minute? 
I just finished writing my third book and I am in the process of chasing publishers for the same. It falls into the romantic intrigue genre and is a slightly dark story, albeit woman centric.  I am also working on a couple of other romantic comedies.
What are your thoughts on writing a book series? 
If the story is good and the characters are loved by readers, then why not! I am actually working on a sequel of Done With Men because there is so much the characters have to offer.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers? 
Becoming an author requires a lot of patience and perseverance. It is an unbelievably slow and painful process, at least for most of us. There will be times when you feel like giving up – just remind yourself why you write and keep going at it.
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Meet Sudhanshu Bisen Author of "A Thousand Times Over"

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Let's meet today's first author Sudhanshu Bisen writer of "A Thousand Times Over - Never Lose Hope in True Love".


So Sudhanshu, can you tell us about your educational background?
I have done my Masters in International Journalism from Cardiff University in UK.
What were you like at school/college apart from studies?
I was a nerd, quite a studious character, probably because my mother used to teach in the same school where I studied. So, I had to be extra careful with my adventures.
What are some day jobs you have held?
I have worked as a gym instructor during my under grad days.
Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors?
You hand me any book, and I would start reading it a second later. I read a lot.  Indian authors have always inspired me as I feel their stories are more relatable. But I read across all genres. Novoneel Chakraborty, Amish Tripathi, Salman Rushdie and John Green are some of my favourite authors.
When did you start writing?
Being a sports journalist by profession, my job compelled me to write on a daily basis. So, you can say that I started writing when I was 19 years old.
When did you decide to become a writer?
A have been interested in writing, because of which I chose to be a journalist in print media. However, the kind of featurish writing I was interested in, the newsy world did not provide me enough scope to explore myself. I am an avid reader too. Novels also fascinate me. I thought if I can write news on a daily basis, why not give novel writing a try.
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
I want my writing to have a positive impact on people’s life. I want to weave stories that leave an indelible mark on the mind of the readers.
Do you have a special time to write, or how is your day structured to accommodate your writing?
I am not a 4000 word per day sort of a writer. I take my time as per the story demands. Some days I end up writing only 800 words, on others I may write more than 5000 words. I do not write loose stuffs and come back to it to deck it up. I take my own sweet time in ensuring that my first draft is as good as it can get. But then, the first draft is always shabby when you do a re-read. I also do not give break while I am involved in a story. I completed ‘A Thousand Times Over’ in less than 18 days.
What genre are your books?
I mostly want to write romantic thrillers. I believe that is my forte.
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Can you describe your current book in few lines? What’s it about?
The book depicts power of love. There are many who promise to love the love of their life forever. But there are only a few who live up to that promise. Nishith Singh, a seventeen-year-old, has shared everything with the virtual world—from the pain of losing his father and being blamed for it to falling in love at first sight and being rejected. But nonetheless, he hasn’t given up on his love. When Aahana Basu, a quintessential wife and a loving mother, comes across his blog, she is drawn deeply into his world, much to her own surprise. But when she wakes up to the sudden absence of the recurring dream the next morning, a dream she sees almost every night, and which ends at the very same point, she is left nonplussed. As Aahana finds herself falling for Nishith, she realizes there’s much more to things than she sees. Overall, it is a spine-chilling tale of selfless love.
Give us an insight into your main characters.
Nishith Singh is a seventeen-year-old who is fighting the vagaries of life. He falls in love at first sight and gets rejected. But nonetheless, he hasn’t given up on his love. Aahana Basu is a quintessential wife and a loving mother, who has had her share of troubles as well. The story revolves around these two people.
Where did you get idea for this book?
I always had this sort of story of relentless love in my mind. It is purely fictional but depicts the power of hope in love. When you will read the story, you would realise how someone has never seen love in this manner. I always believe love is downplayed in this day and age and I hope this story would make you fall in love, with love.
How much research did you do for this book?
I don’t tuck away my stories in a drawer. I share it, with the world. I wear my emotions up my sleeves and have no shame in doing that. Whatever I feel is a potential story, I share it via blogs, quotes or other mediums. And I hope it remains this way.
What was the most difficult thing about writing your latest book?
There was nothing hard about writing bit except for the patience that one has to have while writing it. And even after writing, to wait for the right publisher for novel, you need to have patience.
Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book?


What are you working on at the minute?
I am in process of writing my second novel. It is again a romantic thriller.
What are your thoughts on writing a book series?
It is my dream to write a book series. I am a fan of authors who write series. It is such a trait to have!
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
I just would advise the aspiring authors to bleed, just bleed all over the laptop. Write, write the dirtiest draft of your story but do write. Everything else takes care itself. While publishing, the most important thing patience. Believe in your manuscript and wait for the right publisher. I was lucky to have been selected by Fingerprint Publishers, one of the best in the business. And I managed to do it because I had the patience. You have to be pro-active while marketing your books as well.
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Thursday, March 23, 2017

"There are no Gods in North Korea" says Anjaly Passionate Traveller

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Let's meet a lawyer by education and traveller by passion, the author of "There are no Gods in North Korea" Anjaly Thomas.


So Anjaly, can you tell us how was your childhood? Were you as energetic as you are right now as a traveller?
At school I am told I was quite a terror – in the sense, I refused to do homework and insisted on being outdoors all the time! Strangely I was good at studies despite never paying attention in class.
What are some day jobs you have held? 
I have worked with the new Indian Express in Bangalore before moving to Dubai and working with newspapers and magazines here.
With travelling and writing, were you able to dedicate time for reading? 
Oh yes, I still read, but I admit, not as much as I used to earlier. I suppose that is because I use the time to write and as you grow older a lot many things take your time and attention – My favourite authors still continue to be Agatha Christie, Hemingway, Jeffrey Archer, Alistair McLean, Fredrick Forsyth, Jane Austen – but I also read the newer books by random authors as well. But I still love the older generation of writers.
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When did you start writing? 
My first ever published article would be on my college wall magazine! You won’t believe it, but I used to be shy as a kid – so shy that I wouldn’t show my writing to anyone! I’d of course participate (and win) story writing and essay contests, but showing off poems and stories I wrote as a passion - never!
When did you decide to become a writer? 
You know, no one really decides to “become a writer.” You either have it in you or you don’t. If you have it in you then sooner or later things work around in a way that you turn your attention to writing and that becomes your priority. Because writing is not an instant decision and a book is not the result of a finger- snap – it takes patience, time, effort, focus and is a lot of investment in knowledge and self-development. To be a writer, you must first become knowledgeable – else, what are you going to write if you know nothing or have experienced nothing? It would be very silly if someone said “today I decide to become a writer” – to be one is a process and everything that happens in your life adds to it.
What are your ambitions for your writing career? 
I write because I love to. I am not the kind of writer that lets “ambition” piggy-ride my passion. I will never let my passion become my ambition because if I let that ever happen, I would have lost the freedom to write what I love.
Do you have a special time to write, or how is your day structured to accommodate your writing? 
No. no such thing. I write when I have the urge to, which fortunately is often. When I find myself experiencing the “writers block” I force myself to write, even incoherent words. Writing like I said is not easy – one has to train the mind to write.
Can you tell us about the books you have written so far?
I have written FIVE books so far, this includes two commissioned TRAVEL BOOKS. However, my first novel or travelography was ALMOST INTREPID and now THERE ARE NO GODS IN NORTH KOREA. Both these books are my experiences and stories from my solo travels around the world. There was a self published book of poems – I am not particularly proud of that, but there it is!
What genre are your books? 
Travel. I am a traveller and I have plenty of stories to tell – real life stories that one cannot dream up in an armchair.
Can you describe your current book in few lines? What’s it about? 
THERE ARE NO GODS IN NORTH KOREA is a book based on my experiences of traveling in NORTH KOREA. It does not tell you what you want to hear – it tells you my reactions and feelings to situations I encountered there. I write real stories of my travels and experiences on the road. That doesn’t require any research!
Who is your favorite character in your book and why? 
I am my favourite character!!!! I am kidding, of course – my favorite characters are those people I have met and interacted with in different parts of the world who have enriched my life and experiences.
Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book?

Release date
Book was launched on May 6, 2016.

What are you working on at the minute? 
A new book, but I am going to keep that a secret. It’s NOT travel book in the strict sense. 
What advice would you give to aspiring writers? 
This is my favourite bit – there is only one thing to say – to be a writer, you must WRITE. No matter how many advices you seek or get, you won’t get far if you don’t actually write anything. Write consistently and coherently if you intend for others to read it.
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Meeting with Shilpa Menon - Author of Scars Do Heal

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We have with us Shilpa Menon. We have already reviewed her book Scars Do Heal few months back.

So Shilpa, can you tell us about yourself?
I am from Mauritius, a tiny, beautiful island nestled off the Indian Ocean. I was born to a family of 5th Generation Indian origin.  My father is a historian and a diplomat. He served as the High Commissioner of Mauritius to India prior to his retirement. My mother is a language educationist with specialisation in Hindi. 
I did my Cambridge schooling at Mauritius at the famous Mahatma Gandhi Institute. Subsequently, I went on to pursue my graduation & post-graduation in Chemical Engineering at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. After my graduation, I got a bursary to do my masters which entailed detailed research in a sought after subject – industrial scaling water treatment. My research was specifically in the crystallisation and precipitation department of the chemical engineering faculty. My thesis was on the improvement and optimisation of the Slurry Precipitation And Recycle Reverse Osmosis process -  a process used for treating the effects of scaling from water that comes out of mining activities. South Africa was more like a home to me, a place where I lived for nearly a decade.
What were you like at school/college apart from studies? What are some day jobs you have held?
While I was doing my under graduation, I had already decided that I would earn my post graduate degree on merit and that I would not ask my parents for further funding. I worked hard to land up with a bursary from the waste water research commission of South Africa. So my collaboration with them led me expand on my research topic. 
During my masters I took up tutoring for undergraduate students as an additional source of income to meet my financial needs regarding accommodation etc. After my masters, I embarked on a PhD program, but before I could get the groove of it, I got an offer to work with Shell Petroleum. Then came a moment to choose between work and to start my own stuff. After much thought I took that plunge as an entrepreneur. I am a first generation entrepreneur from my family.
Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors? Which author inspire you the most?
I read a lot! Reading is next to religion for me. At the end of the day if I have not learnt something new I feel quite disappointed. Reading always fills that need of mine – the quest for knowledge, wisdom, and entertainment. I do not limit myself to the source - so it can be a novel, a magazine, the newspaper, any brochure etc. I also like to read about information in any field. When it comes to novels, Jojo Moyes, Sydney Sheldon and Graeme Simsion inspire me a lot. I enjoy their style of writing. The book I am currently reading is Achieving Oneness with the Higher Soul by Master Choa Kok Sui.
When did you start writing? 
I was always fascinated by writing. During my schooling days I used to enjoy writing articles for the school magazines. During my stint at engineering I had the chance to write quite a few articles which were widely published in scientific journals. So writing was something that came naturally to me. I have also been and continue to be an avid reader. When I found my purpose to write, the drive to author a novel was but automatic. 
What inspired to become an author?
The Nirbhaya Episode of December 16, 2012. How a band of evil committed such a gruesome act on an innocent girl in south Delhi on a private bus - six of them, one of whom turned out to be a juvenile. As the details of the episode came out in public, the news shook not just the conscience of this country, but it lit a fire in the hearts of many across the world. The henious manner in which she was violated was beyond comprehension. With her unfortunate death, the government was rather forced to act to then come up with a legislation covering this subject matter. 
This was, in brief, the Nirbhaya episode and many reactions and actions unfolded after her death. But a big question remained unanswered in my mind. How many Nirbhayas will it take for the conscience of this nation to wake up? How many more will be subjected to such gruesome assaults? And what about the many Nirbhayas who prefer to hide in silence, and about those who end their lives than to suffer social stigma? How many Nirbhayas are hushed and forced to suppress their untold  voice ? Will crime against women ever come to an end? These were questions that I pondered over and what transpired was a question I had for myself – What can I do to strike a chord with people on this subject?
That is how I found a reason. I began interacting with victims who had endured and survived sexual assault. It didn't take me long to understand the depth and severity of their sufferings and that became the driving force for me to write scars do heal. 
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
I personally feel writing is very therapeutic and rewarding. Also, I have been getting an overwhelming response from my first novel, Scars do heal. I have some fans who are really looking forward for my second novel. The love and feedback I receive from them combined with my passion to write is what actually fuels me to write. So, yes I am very keen to consider being a novelist. Why not? It would be in fact a blessing to add another feather in my hat.
Get a Giveaway copy of Scars Do Heal
Do you have a special time to write, or how is your day structured to accommodate your writing?
I believe that life is short and unpredictable, so I believe that it should be our genuine endeavour to work towards achieving our goals and to live out our dreams.  Like they say, ‘where there is a will, there is a way’ likewise, I am of the belief that 'where there is a passion, there can be no excuses'.
When I found my purpose to write my first novel, the drive to author a novel was automatic. It wasn’t an easy task though. Caught between running my export business and my priorities as a mother. When I started writing my son was about 3 years old, so my writing did demand a lot of discipline and I had to effectively manage my time in a manner that my writing didn’t infringe upon my work-family harmony. I used to write when my son was asleep. I made it a habit to write every day, determined to complete my book. Although I did not have any deadline to finish my novel, the purpose of my writing was so strong that it kept me going. 
Now that my son is going to school I dedicate a couple of hours for my writing daily. It requires a lot of self-discipline and focus. Also, I have to thank my husband and entire family for their support and constant encouragement. 
Can you describe your current book in few lines? What’s it about?
Scars do heal is the story of Sonal Kapoor, who is a reserved, hardworking entrepreneur running a florist boutique in London. She fights a paradoxical battle between her responsibilities at work and her only family there - her mother. And caught in between these is a story of Sonal's past - a terrible event that got her to flee India. Scars from her troubled past continues to manifest in multitude of ways, reminding her constantly about that horrific event. 
Serendipity happens when Dr. Ryan Percy enters her life and Sonal is challenged in ways she had never imagined. Ryan turns out as everything from Sonal's quintessential definition of the man of her dreams - BUT, Ryan too comes to the party with his own baggage from the past. A pivotal piece in the jigsaw of their lives appears to be missing. The novel revolves around their puzzling lives and towards the end, readers find an answer to an intriguing question - Do they complete or destroy each other?
How much research did you do for this book?
Initial research into the topic of Rape Trauma Syndrome lasted for around a year. In that period I interacted, on a confidentiality basis, with victims who had endured and survived sexual assault to understand their day to day challenges and the main areas of insecurities. The second part of the research was an in depth learning about the psychological aspect of Rape Trauma Syndrome in depth - how it impacts the general quality of life, its various stages and the different mechanisms by which survivors cope.
It took me around six months to formulate the plot and write the story. Once the manuscript was ready, it took around eight months to get through the editing, design of the novel and publishing. 
What was the most difficult thing about writing your latest book?
Writing fiction was a first for me. I could have written an article on the subject that Scars do Heal covers, but I felt when people read a story they would be able to relate better with the protagonists, hence I made this attempt to convey my views to a reader through this novel. 
The entire journey of writing has been a very enriching experience for me. I think i have surmounted  a huge learning curve starting with the concept, the story flow, the research, the actual writing right through to the eventual book design, publishing, release & distribution.
I always had a flair for reading and before i wrote my book, I would usually have flipped through pages in a novel so casually without really thinking about the efforts that would have gone into writing even one snippet - that from an author’s viewpoint.! 
Writing made me view a piece of writing from an author's perspective and that taught me a great deal. Besides that, coming up with a gripping story line, maintaining a particular style of writing was a challenging task - especially to bring out expressions and emotions through words. 
It also taught me to be patient and to value the sources of inspiration around. Whenever I would run into a writer's block, I would take a break and resume with a new beginning. 
And since I was writing from my heart, I actually found writing very therapeutic and enjoyed it thoroughly. 
On the whole, the journey as an author has given me a sense of great satisfaction that I was able to use the power of words to express myself and write a social message at the same time. 
Can you share your book trailer with your readers?


When did your book released? 
19th December 2015
What are you working on at the minute?
I am busy with my second novel. The main characters from Scars do heal feature as side characters, so there is a kind of continuity. But I am writing it in a way which makes my second novel a stand-alone book. 
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Don’t let pressure affect your writing; believe in your style of writing no matter how different it may be; be disciplined; and always write from the heart. 
Links for your book readers
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Be True to your Craft - Discussion with Shobha Nihalani

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"Currently I am working on a non-fiction book" Shobha told us, when we asked which thriller genre book she is planning now. We had a rapid-fire round of question and answers with Shobha. Let check out what she has to say.


Your educational background?
Bachelor’s in Business Administration
What were you like at school/college apart from studies?
Quiet, introverted, book worm
What are some day jobs you have held?
Mostly a housewife, but at the same time was interested in selling Indian products. I did some copywriting jobs and other freelance writing. Also, I work in our family-owned business.
Do you read much? Which author inspires you the most?
I read a lot, some non-fiction and mostly fiction. All writers inspire me. I just don’t have enough time to read all the books I have collected.
When did you start writing?
Ages ago. Can’t recall. I think I was drawn to the written word when I was a teenager.
When did you decide to become a writer?
It has always been a dormant dream since my youth. Whenever I would read something inspiring or well-written, I would copy it out in my notebook. I cherished phrases, quotes, and even paragraphs from books. It was soothing to read them over the years. I have still kept those worn out little notebooks.
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
Continue to improve my writing skills. I don’t want to limit myself to writing novels, I like to explore other facets and currently co-writing some film scripts.
Do you have a special time to write, or how is your day structured to accommodate your writing?
I usually write in the afternoons. But mostly whenever I have an idea, I would jot it down and use it later.
Is this your debut work? If not so, what have you written?
Over the years I have worked as a freelance writer, and later have written many business articles, blog posts, humour column, short stories and then books.
Get a giveaway copy of Nine Book One

What genre are your books?
Thriller genre – which covers the range of adventure, fantasy and psychological stories
Can you describe your current book in few lines? What’s it about?
Currently I am writing something totally different. It is a non-fiction book about an iconic spiritual figure
Give us an insight into your main character(s)
He is a well-known spiritual leader – Rev. Dada J.P. Vaswani
Where did you get idea for this book?
Through friends, I was requested to write about this great humanitarian
How much research did you do for this book?
I have read numerous books about his teachings and his work. Also, I have read his other published biographies and spiritual guides, and watched many of his discourses and talks
What was the most difficult thing about writing your latest book?
It is a challenge to switch from fiction to non-fiction. Especially when it is a biopic of a very senior and revered person. There are many elements that have to be carefully thought about and structured. And to write about a great iconic spiritual figure requires a certain amount of skill. I was quite nervous initially, but once I had the support of his disciples, I went with the flow.
Release date.
July/ August 2017
What are you working on at the minute?
Ironically, besides working with a Mumbai-based producer on co-writing scripts, I am also working on my first book – Karmic Blues – it was never published in English, only released in Danish. I am rewriting it completely.
What are your thoughts on writing a book series?
I love the idea of a book series, many of my readers have asked me to write sequels of the NINE trilogy and the psychological thriller ‘Unresolved.’  But I have a few script-writing projects to complete before I can write a novel series.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Write because you are seriously passionate about the writing process and love books – if you write for an end-goal like fame, profit, or simply to raise your public profile than your enthusiasm will fizzle out very soon. This journey is full of ups and downs, and you need to be totally committed to the craft of writing.
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