"Any Writer Must Also Be A Re-Writer"

Kiran Khalap is an Indian writer and author. He co-founded Chlorophyll Brand Consulting. His travel writing is publishing in Man’s World. Kiran Khalap won the Indo-UK Asian Age short story competition in the year 1995. He has also authored the book Two Pronouns and a Verb.

'Halfway Up The Mountain' is the story of Maya, who hails from a village and belongs to a traditional family. Although she comes across as a simple girl, Maya fights adversities and many-a-heartbreak with conviction and an unassuming courage. The men in her life that she gets the closest to abandon her but she lives through all these trying times as an independent, free and successful human being. What strikes the most about her is the humane side and how she manages to live in a society which doesn't appreciate the integrity of single independent women. While unraveling the story of Maya, the author subtly brings out other elements like homosexuality, sexual politics, painting, poetry and music, and all this in an Indian context. Although we like the idea of a modern India, certain insensitive practices and mind-set still seem to prevail in our society and the book deals with them all in a brilliant story-telling elegance.

To read the full review of 'Halfway Up The Mountain', click here.

Congratulations Kiran for your novel ‘Halfway Up The Mountain’. It was a pleasure reading it, and as mentioned in my review, has all the ingredients to be labeled as a modern day classic. Knowing more about you, and the book would be an added bonus. In case you find any question offensive, you can skip it. I apologize in advance for such instances.

Tell us about yourself – your childhood and your family. 

When I was born (my father told me this story) my parents lived in one half of a 10 feet x10 feet room in Girgaon Mumbai: it was sunless, so he named me Kiran.

I had an enviably happy childhood. Even today, my school friends refer to my home as the Sanctuary of Happiness: my dad had a great sense of humour; my mom was great at cooking coastal food and homemade sweets.

My father was an auto-didact: he became one of the top commercial artists in India without the benefit of school, college or art school. He was my biggest influence, my closest friend.

I studied in a school Chembur, a suburb of Mumbai, then graduated in chemistry from SIES College Sion and then became a teacher in a J Krishnamurti school in Benaras: I was just 20 when I made this decision. 

J Krishnamurti was the second biggest influence in my life.

I taught in Rajghat Besant School, as it was known, for four years.  

As a housemaster, I also looked after students, who were barely five or six years younger to me:-) I taught everything I knew: calligraphy, judo, gymnastics, swimming, rock climbing, English grammar, science, quizzing...

Why and when did you decide to become a writer?

I did not decide to become a writer. 

Writing came as naturally to me as breathing. I think of this ability as ‘not mine’, I am a vehicle for this gift.

My non-fiction articles were published in newspapers and magazines even while I was in college.

But when I won the Indo-UK Asian Age Short Story competition in 1995, I realised that my fiction writing could also connect with readers (at least some of them!).

When I started my own consultancy, chlorophyll, in 1999, there was a sense of entrepreneurship and release...and along with that a need to do things I had left behind. I got back to rock climbing, one of my three passions, and started on Halfway Up the Mountain. 

Today I see the act of writing is an act of sharing.

‘Here is what I have experienced, here is what I have discovered as valuable for human beings, do you want to experience that same sense of liberation?’ 

That is what I want I want my books to say. 

I want to write about light, not about darkness. 

I want to write about the unchanging aspects of man, not about the changing.

How was the entire journey of ‘Halfway Up The Mountain’, right from the inception of the idea to the publication of the paperback?

It began with confusion, as would be the case for any first time writer. 

In 1999 the web wasn’t as rich as it is today, so my attempts to find a literary agent online were fruitless. 

Then my friend N Chandar referred me to Jayapriya Vasudevan, India’s first literary agent. 

She changed my life as an author. I call her ‘the most skilled literary obstetrician’! and joke that she has no other organs in her body except a giant heart! She is passionate about everything she does. 

She liked the book so much she said, “Kiran I want to publish it myself.”

That’s how her firm, Jacaranda, published it first in 2003 in India. I was glad that the launch was done by one of India’s finest writers, the late Arun Kolatkar, who was my father’s hero.

Then in 2005, Marion Boyars, publishers of the famous Ken Kesey book ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’, published it in UK and US.

I visited those countries and read from my book: it was a different experience, being interviewed on BBC and ITV New York; explaining concepts of advaita; answering extremely knowledgeable audiences.

Later I also read from the book in Beijing and Singapore, encouraged (and hosted) as usual by Jayapriya Vasudevan.

‘Halfway Up The Mountain’ narrates the life of a woman in the society. What influenced you to take up this topic as the plot of your novel?

My mother used to fall ill intermittently in Mumbai, so our family worked out an arrangement: my female cousins, whose families were in villages, would stay with us to help her with the housework and in the bargain get educated in good schools. 

I used to wonder what happened to them when they returned to the village.

And conversely, what would happen to them if they stayed on? 

Then I learnt the concept of ecological refugees: human beings who had to leave because their own villages and cities could not sustain them. That is how the character of Maya was born.

Since the novel is set between 1936 and 1979, it had to reflect the big shifts in the life of the nation along with Maya’s: India being born; Maharashtra being born; Indian artists going abroad to learn the Western narratives of art and so on. 

So Maya has to bear the brunt of casteist and patriarchal attitudes from those years; though I assume some women even today suffer the ignominy of being treated as chattel.

In Benaras, I had learnt the Atmashatakam by Adi Shankaracharya, and I thought, the very idea of a shloka flowering within a girl as she turns into a woman was unique.

What are your other published works, and what projects are you currently working upon?

My second novel ‘Two Pronouns and a Verb’ (which translates as ‘I love you’ ‘She hates him’ or ‘Who am I?”) was published by Amaryllis in 2012. 

Here I have used ayurveda as a leit motif. Ayurveda says there are three key psychosomatic constitutions, and these affect the way each individual perceives reality. So I thought of three friends, representing three constitutions, interpreting the same reality differently.

I got some heart-warming responses to the book: they are all on www.kirankhalap.com

My third book is ‘Black River Run’: I haven’t finished it yet. Black River refers to the tar road; so the protagonist is a taxi driver, who is influenced by Swami Samarth Ramdas, probably the only human being representing evolution at all three levels: body, mind and spirit.

So Buva, the protagonist, attempts to live like him, but his passengers and his neighbours create circumstances that trap him.

When you are not writing, how do you spend your time?

My day job is a brand consultant; my night job is writing; my weekend job is hiking or rock climbing:-) 

Who are your role models in life?

My only role model is my father: he created his life with what he had; he never complained about circumstances. He was cracking jokes with me even when he lay on death bed, paralysed by Parkinson’s. 

I also have great respect for Babasaheb Ambedkar, whose achievements transcended his life circumstances. 

Had you not been a writer, what would you have been?

Travel writer-cum-photographer-cum-rock climber. Take one large van to live in, two dogs, two cats (one wife if she wants to join in:-)), go to exotic rock climbing destinations, shoot photographs, write about them. (I have written quite a few travel articles of Man’s World magazine).

What would be your message to the aspiring writers?

My identity is not linked to what I do, so inside my head, I am just a human being attempting to reach the next level of evolution, not a writer. 

But the one lesson I know is true for reaching excellence in any activity is practice. 

I had the privilege of having the great painter FN Souza in my home during his last Christmas, and he said, “Kiran, I can no longer draw badly, because drawing is part of my metabolism”. 

My dad filled sketch book after sketch book till he achieved his excellence.

Any writer must also be re-writer. 

Rewrite till the words have the exact sharpness and economy of meaning you want. 

What would you like to say to your readers?

My love and gratitude to you for joining me in this pilgrimage.

Thanks a lot Kiran for your valuable time. Wishing you all the best for your current and future endeavours.

Write, Take A Pit Stop, Look Back, Retrospect, Improve, Write, Take A Pit Stop ...

A born singer and an IIT-ian, Kuhoo Gupta writes when her imagination runs wild in pursuit of creative and spiritual satisfaction. Inspired by Gulzar, she states that writing is cathartic for her. 

'Zindagi Ke Martbaan Se' is a poetry collection written in conversational language - Hindi mixed with Urdu and English. The poems are inspired by a plethora of topics like love, nostalgia, remembrance, random human emotions, natural beauty and spirituality. It is something everybody will be able to relate to because it is inspired from the jar called LIFE that everyone goes through. It is something that will make you cry, smile or just appreciate in your leisure moments.

To read the full review of 'Zindagi Ke Martbaan Se', click here.

It’s always a pleasure reading good poetry, especially when the simplicity of the words and the context tugs right at your heartstrings. Ask me about one such poet I have read recently, and the first name that comes to my mind is Kuhoo Gupta.


Kuhoo, congratulations on your published collection. It was a pleasure reading it, and I am glad to be having this conversation with you. In case you find any question offensive, you can skip it. I apologize in advance for such instances.


An IITian, a singer and a poetess, you surely are one multi-talented personality. How did the transition from technology to poetry happen?

Thank you. There was no transition so to say. Logic/analytics is for the left brain & art is for the right brain. I had both of them working for me quite well since my childhood. I was a good student in school & started to sing at the age of five. While good left brain helped me become an engineer, good right brain helped me become a singer & a poetess. I enjoy other art forms as well like dance, painting, crafts etc.


We all know you are a big Gulzar fan. Which of his works inspire you the most?

It is impossible to point one single work that inspires me the most, for almost all his works leave me in awe of them, be it lyrics or poems or short stories.  If I can recall few of them that overwhelmed me, they would be -

Ek baar waqt se
lamha gira kahin 
Wahan daastan mili
lamha kahin nahin

Raat Christmas ki thi
naa tere bas ki thi
Naa mere bas ki thi
Khoobsurat thi wo
Umr-e-jazbaat ki
Zindagi de gayi
Raat Khairaat ki
Kya Ghalat kya sahi
Marzi Jesus ki thi

Tujhse naraaz nahi zindagi
Hairaan hoon main
Tere mason sawaalon se
Pareshaan hoon main
jeene ke liye socha hi nahi..dard sambhalne honge..
muskuraayein to muskuraane ke karz utaarne honge..
muskuraaon kabhi to lagta hai, jaise honthon pe karz rakha hai


Tell us about ‘Zindagi Ke Martbaan Se’. How did the book happen, right from the conception to the initialization and holding a copy in your hands?

I used to write poems for cathartic purpose but never posted them in public. One day I realized I have lot of them that I can publish & put out in the public. I researched how to publish a book & zeroed upon self publishing option. So, I myself did the entire formatting, editing and polishing of the manuscript. I designed the cover myself. And under the guidance of one of my friends, I self published the book & it is now available on major online stores! When I got the author copies, it was an overwhelming feeling to hold them in my hands! I was choked with emotions. Indeed all authors feel the same way holding the first copy in their hands.


What were the hurdles you faced while working on this book? What have you learnt from them?

As I mentioned above, I never wrote the poems with the intention of getting them published. Whenever I felt like, I penned down stuff. But there are few things that I learnt during the actual editing & publishing process. Most of it relates to the logistics of it & I hope to write a blog post for the same sometime soon.


Which poems are your favorite in the book? I know for a writer all his/her works tend to be special, but if I request you to pick up three poems that you would love to read aloud to your friends, which would you select?

Hmm, they would be ATM, Ulkaapind & Technology.


Tell us about your childhood and your family background.

I come from a middle class family. My childhood was beautiful. My father is a banker and I do not know anything about banking! My brain just refuses to understand money matters! My mother, because she does not do a day job, is technically a housewife but she is actually much more than that. I got singing & other artistic skills from my father, he is a bathroom singer because he never cared to develop the skill, otherwise he would have been a good singer by now. I got a good part of left brain from my mother; she is a post graduate in Economics & had always been a bright student.


What are your views on ‘Writer’s Block?’ How do you feel they should be tackled?

Writer’s Block is essential to bring out something new & creative out of the writer. One should go with the flow, do not stress out on not being able to write. It is because you are refilling your creative juices. A writer needs a pit stop too!


Where do you see yourself ten years down the line?

I do not know where I am going to be professionally ten years down the line. It is way too long to plan & expect. I take every day as it comes & try to do something useful/new/creative/satisfactory before heading to sleep. I would like to continue this trend. And hopefully this would leave me in a much more evolved, happier & peaceful state ten years down the line. That is the only thing I look forward to. Everything else that I get would be a bonus for sure that I would be grateful to life for.


What would you like to say to aspiring writers?

Write, take a pit stop, look back, retrospect, improve, write, take a pit stop .... and so on!


What would be your message to your readers?

Read my poems once, rest for a while & read them again. You will definitely understand a deeper aspect and a new perspective. If you have any kind of feedback for me, please do share it. The contact information is there on the book and my website (www.kuhoogupta.com).


Thanks a lot Kuhoo for your valuable time. Wishing you all the best for your current and future endeavors.

Many thanks!

"A Change In The Mindset Can Inspire A Paradigm Shift In Our Ways Of Living"

Kirthi is a legal researcher and lawyer. A Peace and Conflict studies enthusiast, Kirthi is a volunteer with the UN. She is presently a Senior Commissioning Editor with e-IR, an online International Relations portal, the Logistics and Constituents Head at The Channel Initiative, working for post-conflict reconstruction in the DR Congo, specifically targeting women. Kirthi works with DeltaWomen, as the Head of Digital Campaigns and Social Media, and as a writer. She also holds a position with CAAGLOP, as the Editor-in-Chief of the eJournals, and as a writer on African Policy. Recently, Kirthi was part of the UNICEF-UN Women Global Thematic Consultation on Addressing Inequalities through her paper titled The Rule of Law to combat Sexual Violence in a Conflict Environment. Kirthi dabbles with Intelligence and Security Analysis with Open Briefing, as an Associate Researcher, at the Asia-Pacific Desk, and runs an International Law Consultancy and Academic Journal called A38. Kirthi has written ad-hoc features for forums that include Insight on Conflict, TransConflict, WorldPulse and PeaceXPeace and is a member of the TrustLaw Network. Her interest and experience over all lie in Peace and Conflict, Public International Law, Gender issues, International Humanitarian Law, and in terms of a regional focus, in Afghanistan, the Middle East, DR Congo and South-Asia. ‘Stories of Hope’ is her first book.

To read the full review of 'Stories of Hope', click here.

I consider myself lucky to have read ‘Stories of Hope’, as it is not just a book, but rather, it’s a reflection of different shades of life, light and dark, and how hope guides us through life’s biggest hurdles. I am glad to introduce the author of this beautiful book, Kirthi Jayakumar.


Kirthi, congratulations for your book. As I have told you so many times before, I loved reading the stories, and perhaps, this is one book that I will treasure forever. It would be a pleasure to know more about you, your dreams, and your passions. In case you find any question offensive, you can skip it. I apologize in advance for any such instances.

Thanks Amrit! It means a lot to me to know that :)


Tell us something about yourself, your upbringing, your childhood, family and education.

I was born in Bangalore, and grew up between Bangalore and Chennai. I've always seen myself as something of a nomad. I don’t have any fixed ideas, no set goals and no sense of being rooted to one single destination in mind – which is why I enjoy the idea of doing many things, I guess. I've always been a strong person when it comes to the bonds I make, though, so I guess that takes me to my family and friends :) My family comprises my mum and dad, my brother, my grandfather and me. I have four fantastic friends that I count on as family as well. My childhood was a mixed bag – there was happy, there was sad, there was crazy, there was mad – but I reckon that’s pretty much what everyone’s childhood was like ;) I went to Law School , but was never inclined towards practice. I guess I've been more in line with seeking justice rather than worrying about the aesthetics of the law.


How did ‘Stories of Hope’ happen? What prompted you to write a book?

Honestly, I haven’t a clue. There were times when I would just write: it didn't matter where I was, but I just would write: in my phone, on tissues, behind question papers in the exam hall, in the palm of my hand, the gaps between articles in newspapers and even behind business cards. I didn't think it would become a book, really, but the bug bit when my best friend compiled the stories and strapped me to the chair, refusing to let me move until I sent it out to a publisher. We tried 25, all of whom bid me goodbye in the kindest of ways, until I got lucky :)


Kirthi, you are one versatile personality, handling several strings like working as a legal researcher, a lawyer, a volunteer with the United Nations, a Senior Commissioning Editor with e-IR, working with DeltaWomen, and the list goes on. Just out of curiosity, I would like to know that how do you find time for yourself after these?

Well, smoke and mirrors, really! :) Jokes aside, I enjoy filling my day with things to do. If I don’t have something to do, the trauma is really for those around me to bear ;) Doing the things I do feels like it comes naturally to me – so I think this is all my “me time”, after all! :)


How was the entire journey of publishing the book, right from the inception of the idea to the moment you held the printed words in your own hand?

Simply surreal! And it still is – I look at the book and sometimes wonder if it really happened, or if the whole thing was just in my head ;) It was a surprise, and in every sense, a beautiful one. Of course, I do recognize that I was involved in the process – but you still see something so awesome happen to you only as something so surreal, right?


Which is your favorite story in the book?

Ask a mother to pick a favorite from her kids – can she, truly, now? :) So I’ll give you an answer, but I guess I can’t really say it is a favorite – because I love and hate all the stories I've written in the book – but I guess “When the Mustard Seeds grew silent...” is closest to my heart. I lost a girl I loved like a little sister to child marriage, and it was a very emotional deal for me.


Who are your role models, both in literary as well as in non-literary field?

I don’t mean this in an arrogant way, but I have come to learn that it is a wiser course of action to never keep a role model as a vision. I believe in appreciating the good in everyone and being inspired by their dedication or goodness for your own advancement – but the idea of a role model is not good because in trying to model yourself on someone, you tend to lose your own identity. No arrogance intended or meant, just that I believe that everyone is unique, special and beautiful in their own distinct ways and should be loved for it!


Name three books that you wish you had written. 

None at all :) I love what each author brings to the table as their own extension. I reckon any book by anyone, if written by anyone else, will become a completely different deal altogether :)


Are you planning, or working on any book now? If yes, what is it about?

Yes sir! I am now working on a non-fiction book on 50 women peacemakers across the world, and have also written a couple of short stories – we’ll see where they go!


What changes would you like to see in India, as well as globally, in terms of the way of living and the mind-set of people?

For starters, I think a change in the mindset can inspire a paradigm shift in our ways of living. I guess I would say that the best changes I’d like to see in people is the development of a sense of empathy, tolerance, respect and acceptance of diversity and uniqueness.


There are many young aspiring writers in India today. What are your views in the current publishing pattern in the country?

The more the merrier! I think, though, that true writing should be given the importance it deserves. True, books also mean business, but the fact is that quality comes first, and that should never be compromised upon.


What would be your message to your readers?

Thank you for reading the stories! :)  It means a lot to me that you did. And those that didn't, I hope you might, someday.


Thanks a lot Kirthi for your valuable time. Wishing you loads of success in your current and future endeavors.

"Writing Is About Rewriting"

Michelle Cohen Corasanti has a BA from Hebrew University in Jerusalem and an MA from Harvard University, both in Middle Eastern Studies. She also holds a law degree. A Jewish American, she has lived in France, Spain, Egypt and England and spent seven years living in Jerusalem. The Almond Tree is her first novel.

To read the full review of 'The Almond Tree', click here.

Congratulations Michelle on the success of your debut novel. ‘The Almond Tree’ is fetching rave reviews from all quarters, and it indeed was a pleasure reading it. Your words surely have won more than a million hearts with the sensitive portrayal of Palestinians in Israel and Gaza.

It would be a pleasure to know more about you, your writings, dreams and aspirations. In case you find any question offensive, you can chose to ignore them. I apologize in advance for such instances.


‘The Almond Tree’ is receiving praises from critics and readers, and has generated quite a buzz in the literary circle. In fact, it is even compared with Khaled Hosseini’s ‘The Kite Runner’, which as we all know, is a modern day classic. How does it feel to be part of such an adulation? Did you ever expect this overwhelming a response? 

It’s so humbling. I never expected this type of response.


How did the idea of ‘The Almond Tree’ come about? What prompted you to choose this plot as your debut? How was the entire process of writing and publishing this book?

I lived in Israel for seven years during high school and college. I wanted to do something to help end the needless suffering that I witnessed and bring about peace, but there was nothing to be done back then. I tried to put it behind me until I read The Kite Runner and my past clawed its way out.  There was a passage in The Kite Runner about how religion and history are basically impossible to overcome. That’s when I got the idea for my novel because I saw those obstacles overcome. I thought if a doctor could write The Kite Runner than I, a lawyer, trained in writing, could write a novel. It took seven years, six editors and twenty-one writing courses.  In fourteen months, my book is coming out in I think ten languages so far by some top publishers.


Tell us something about yourself and your family.

I come from a Jewish Zionist family in Upstate New York, but my husband is Italian American. We have thirteen year old twins.


Did you always want to be a writer? What instilled this passion of penning down thoughts and transforming them into stories?

I never wanted to be a writer. Ever since I lived in Israel, I wanted to do something to bring about change, but I didn't know how until I read The Kite Runner and realized a writer can reach into readers’ hearts and change them.


What are your hobbies besides writing?

Reading, travel, movies, biking and mountain climbing.


Are you working on any new projects? If yes, what are they about and when can we expect to read them?

I’m just completing my next book. I have written about Nora and Ahmed’s story from Nora’s point of view.


If you had the option of changing something about ‘The Almond Tree’, what would that be?

I've noticed a number of readers think that my protagonist is from the West Bank because he grows up under martial law. He is actually from inside of Israel, the 1949 armistice lines. Readers don’t know that the majority of Palestinians from inside Israel were ruled by Israeli martial law until 1966. My novel starts in 1955 and for the first 100 pages, until 1966 his village is under Israeli martial law.  Israel didn't occupy the West Bank until 1967 so he couldn't possibly be from the West Bank. This is very important because Israel treats different Palestinians under its control differently.

The Palestinians inside of Israel have Israeli citizenship, learn Hebrew, but there are over 30 laws that discriminate against them as well as an entire culture of discrimination. They are non-Jews in a Jewish state. The Palestinians from the West Bank still live under Israeli military rule.

For example, whereas The Almond Tree speaks of  Israel’s scholasticide policy in Gaza, Israel has taken a different approach toward the Palestinians from Israel.

The Koenig Report of 1976 reflected Israeli thoughts on their policy toward Palestinian Israelis. Koenig wanted the number of Arab intellectuals reduced, because their frustration is potentially dangerous. He wanted to encourage "the channeling of [Arab] students into technical professions, the physical and natural sciences. These studies leave less time for dabbling in nationalism and the dropout rate is higher." Koenig wanted to make it easier for Arabs to study abroad and harder for them to return and find jobs. Israel makes military service a prerequisite for many high level jobs in science and since the Palestinian Israelis don’t serve in the military, they find it difficult to obtain work in Israel. But since they have PhDs, they can find work abroad.


Who are your role models and your favourite authors?

I love Khaled Hosseini’s books.


What would you like to say to all your readers?

Thank you so much for your support. I hope that we can shine a light. Awareness leads to understanding and understanding leads to change.


What would your message be for all the aspiring readers eager to make a mark in the writing circle?

Never give up. Read like a writer your favorite authors.  See how they made you feel a certain way. Writing is about rewriting.


Thanks a lot Michelle for your valuable time. Wishing you all the best for your future endeavors.


This interview is in association with The Readers Cosmos Book Review Program. To get free books visit thereaderscosmos.blogspot.com.

"I Believe In The Power Of Light That Dispels Darkness And Overcomes Fear"

Vivek Banerjee is a pediatrician by choice and a writer by chance. His debut novel The Long Road, which was well received by the readers, was published by Cedar- an imprint of PustakMahal in December 2010. He has contributed short stories to Chicken Soup for Indian Doctor’s Soul (Westland), Shades of Love (Grapevine India), Kaleidoscope (Parlance publishers) and Shades of Sin (APK Publishers) and www.litizen.com.

He blogs at http://drvbanerjee.blogspot.in/.

You can mail him at drvbanerjee@gmail.com.

To read the full review of The Other Side, click here.

Congratulations Vivek on the superb response to ‘The Other Side’. Reading it was a wonderfully ‘scary’ delight, and we would like to know more about you, your life and your books.

In case you find any question offensive, you can choose to ignore it. I apologize in advance for such instances.


Let’s begin with knowing more about you, your education, career and family life.

I was born in Jodhpur, Rajasthan and grew up in different cities. My dad worked for Northern railways and the regular transfers and postings resulted in frequent changes of school and many sets of friends who I am still in touch with. I am a trained Pediatrician and have a successful practice. My wife Sonia is an Obstetrician. My son is training to be a Computer Engineer in Bangalore and my daughter is in school.


Medical diagnosis and writing stories are like chalk and cheese. How did the amalgamation of the two happen?

No I don’t think so. Many well-known writers have been doctors from the field of medicine. Michael Crichton, Robin Cook, Taslima Nasreen and A J Cronin come to my mind. Not that I am comparing myself to the greats. But yes, a Doctor is privy to many things like birth, death, sickness and raw human emotions. He/ She is in a position to observe the myriad colours life from very close. So the doctor can be a very effective writer when it comes to portraying human feeling or emotions.


You have featured in quite a number of books. Tell us about them.

The Long Road, a novel about young doctors was my debut novel. It did get a fair share of critical acclaim and is very close to my heart. I have also written for various anthologies like Shades of Love, Shades of Sin, Carnival and Kaleidoscope. I won the best story award for The Hunter, my contribution to Kaleidoscope. I am also a part of Chicken Soup for Indian Doctor’s Soul.


What has been your most satisfying story till date, which you have penned down? Also, which story do you feel could have been written in a better manner?

I always feel that I could have done much better when I read any of my stories later. But I am very sentimental about The Long Road. Out of the short stories, I would rate Ayesha, which was published in Carnival, as my best. I am also fond of my stories in Shades of Sin.


Talking about ‘The Other Side’, how was the entire process of writing this book? How easy or difficult is it to write a book with a co-writer?

It was a breeze. I have loved ghost stories ever since I was a kid. I grew up reading Satyajit Ray and Leela Majumdar in Bangla. The influence of these greats shaped my stories for this book. As for my co-writer Faraaz Kazi, he is like a younger brother or a favourite nephew. I am almost twice his age but we get along fine. I found it very easy to work with him.


Which is your favourite story in ‘The Other Side’?

The Long Weekend is my favourite. I loved the planchette part and the twist in the end. And the two protagonists, Sachin and Shikha, are almost real to me. It seems that I have known them for years. I am also partial to The Muse Comes Calling.


Do you personally believe in ghosts? Are any of the stories in ‘The Other Side’ inspired by paranormal happenings that you might have experienced?

The honest answer would be that I do not believe in ghosts. But I believe in the power of darkness, the power of fear and above all in the power of light that dispels darkness and overcomes fear.


What are your other hobbies besides writing? Also, what are your upcoming books this year?

I love reading, listening to music, travelling and photography. Bird photography seems to be my latest passion. As for further writing, there are no definite plans as of now. The Other Side is a bestseller and I am a part of a classy anthology like Carnival, so I can say providence has been kind to me. But yes, I do dream about writing a block- buster novel.


What message would you like to share with your readers?

Dear readers, love me or hate me, but please don’t ignore me. And do buy my books by the dozen.


There are many aspiring writers eager to tell their stories to the world. What would be your advice to these new and aspiring storytellers?

Do not write for an audience. Write for yourself! If name and fame has to come, it will. If it does not, at the least, nobody can take the rapture of creativity, the ecstasy of writing and the power to shape the destiny of the characters’ you create away from you.


Thanks a lot Vivek for your time. Wishing you all the best for your future.



This interview is in association with The Readers Cosmos Book Review Program. To get free books visit thereaderscosmos.blogspot.com.

"Books Are Like Food, Enjoy Each One Of Them."

Sneha Mehta is the author of the hugely popular books, 21 Things Every Girl Should Know and Change Your Life.

Majors in psychology, she teaches a very simple and effective healing therapy called Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), all across the country.

As a life coach, Sneha’s unique diagnostic abilities have helped many people in their dwindling careers, fears, health and relationships. Because of her deep knowledge of the mind body connection, Sneha is a highly sought after teacher, who helps put all the parts of the life puzzles in a simple and logical manner. She explains the link between the conscious and subconscious mind and how dreams can be manifested effortlessly.

Apart from being a keynote speaker on various issues, taking corporate sessions and self empowerment workshops, Sneha is also available for personal consultations. Visit www.snehamehta.com to know more.
For love and hate mails, contact Sneha directly at mehtasneha001@gmail.com.

To read the full review of Change Your Life, click here.

Congratulations Sneha on the publication of ‘Change Your Life’. It was really insightful, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I, along with the readers, would surely like to know more about you and your books.
In case you find any question offensive, you can choose not to answer it. I apologize in advance for such instances.


Let’s start with how it all began. What really prompted you to take up the pen and write books?

Just to kill boredom. I do realize that not everyone who gets bored can come up with a book. But to me, it was the only thing I knew and I just did that. I was meant to do MBA but for some reason that didn't happen. I also have this urge to give and share. I guess, my books fulfill my giving needs. 


You started with a bang with “21 things Every Girl Should Know”, and followed it up with another delightful read “Change Your Life.” What types of books do you follow and love to read?

I can’t stand romantic fiction. I mean, there is more to life than just getting the love of your life.  For how long can you read ’my girlfriend is very pretty’ or ‘my boyfriend is very caring’. I read non fiction, mostly.  It’s informative and more need based. Guess, I have come out of the ‘time pass’ phase.  Religion, spirituality and biographies are something I duck myself in.


You met several inspirational people while writing ‘Change Your Life.’ How was the entire journey – right from the inception of the idea for this book till the time it was published?

Super fun! I had all my dreams fulfilled. The tarot card reader, Bindu Maira that I covered told me of my past (in details) and the astrologer Bejan daruwalla told me that I am about to shift in my new house, when we are ACTUALLY shifting.  I cried like a baby during the past life regression and had all my myths busted about God and religion while doing the Brahma Kumaris Course. One thing that I still laugh by is how confidently people asked me to cover Nirmal Baba and Aasaraam Bapu.  Thanks God, I went by my intuition and a rational mind.


You are also a therapist healing people using Emotional Freedom Technique. Tell us something about it.

Yes, EFT is an energy healing technique that cures pains and migraines within minutes, quite often. Our body has certain energy points through which the life force (or prana shakti) flows. When there is a blockage in these energy points, we feel stressed and depressed. Through EFT, these energy points are tapped and brought in balance while thinking about a problem that is bothering a person.  Properly done, EFT balances the disturbances in the energy system and thus reduces the emotional and physical pain, until it zeroes down. It’s a very simple technique that can be learned even by children. Best part is, it’s quick, gentle, super effective and thoroughly safe. When the energy system of the body gets blocked, we start feeling dull, dowdy, and depressed. In short, our tendency to feel bad increases. This is evident in the day to day life that we live in. For example, most people don't need to confront a catastrophic natural disaster—an earthquake, a volcano, or a tsunami—to feel bad. For some, even small triggers do the trick. There are people who can mourn for days if they are not being invited to a particular party. The good news is, with EFT, the energy blockages can be tapped and restructured. Many conditions that are otherwise termed ‘incurable’ by doctors have been permanently cured by EFT. Visit www.snehamehta.com to know more.


Tell us about your childhood, and your family.

My father is into business and Mom is a housewife. I have a younger brother who is studying Applied Mathematics and we are based in Udaipur. I was super good at studies but soon understood the futility of formal education. I think I would have learned more if I had the guts to be a school dropout. Back then, I didn't even understand what I was going through. I chose Commerce while I should have opted for psychology. I don’t get shares, stocks and balance sheet. It’s boring!


Who is/are your role model(s)?

My mom remains my inspiration, no doubt!  I read books that have sold crore copies only to realize that they are not saying any different from what I hear at home, day in and day out. My family is 200% dependent on her and I can’t be at peace if I have had her upset on anything.

Message to aspiring writers: Just write. When I did my first book, I didn't even know how many words can make a book. I was just out of graduation and all I knew was that I want to do a book. The message is simple – hang in there. Write to published authors and well read people. Seek their opinion. Don’t stick to ego, have an open mind and try to figure out if others are right. One problem that I often notice is that most newbie authors concentrate too much on vocab and grammar. Of course, basic grammar needs to be correct but you need to concentrate more on the content. Content is king. Does what you are writing has a market? Can your concept create a whole new market? Understand that a publishing house is a business at the end of the day, it may be an intellectual business but it’s still a business. They vouch for concepts that can sell and they have highly skilled editors who can easily correct your grammar. My own books have seen more red by editors than any of my course books in school and mind you, I was amongst the toppers. The first book always takes time. Give it the time it deserves because after that you will be so deft in writing that you’ll never get to live that confusion and learning period ever again.


If you are told to write a sequel to ‘Change Your Life’, which other eminent personalities would you like to meet?

Umm..not really sure on this. I have not just covered the personalities but their healing therapies too and those that matter have already been covered. But I might do an interview thing with other spiritual personalities. Deepak chopra, mata Amritananmayi and Jaggi Guru Vasudev are a few people I would like to feature.  If I do something of this sort, ever again, I would also like to bridge the gap between realism and magic. For example, I have always heard of people who can bend a spoon just with the intention. Would like to meet people of this category.


What do you do when you are not writing or working? How do you unwind yourself?

I call random people (uncles and aunties) and tell them that I want to marry their son. I also love to dance so I sometimes just close the room and start dancing.  And when my brother is around, I have no idea how time passes. We spend the whole day laughing, either at each other or collectively at others. 


When are we going to see a third book from you? What will it be about?

Whenever people ask me the same I tell them I am a human and it takes time to write since my books are highly researched ones. Writing romantic fiction is easy that way. You can make your characters do what YOU want. I am not sure whether I can do a fiction again. I tried but it just doesn't get any hold of me.  And nonfiction, nonfiction takes time. Not as easy as laying eggs! I am not sure whether I’ll do a book in immediate future. At the present moment, I feel too empty to plunge on anything. I have recently started taking Emotional Freedom Technique workshops for colleges, corporate and clubs and would love to continue doing so. I think it’s my time to meet the world and come out of the cocooned life that I have been living for quite some time. 


Finally, what would be your message to the readers?

Books are like food, enjoy each one of them. Relish every taste. Don’t confine yourself to a niche. Open yourself to all kinds of books – romantic, nonfiction, spirituality, religion, erotic. If you read about sex, try to understand spirituality as well. If you read about spirituality, read about sex as well. The world is interrelated after all. 


Thanks a lot Sneha for your time. Wishing you the best for the present and future.

"There Is Something In English Bites! For You To Chew, Relish, and Cherish"

Manish Gupta is a banking professional. When not crunching numbers he is busy engaging with and examining the vagaries and idiosyncrasies of the English language. He also likes trivia, travelling, adventure sports, delving into human psychology, and giving professorial discourses to colleagues, family and friends, and practically anyone who can give him a patient hearing. An engineering graduate from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh and an MBA from XLRI, Jamshedpur, he lives in Mumbai with his wife Deepali, a medical professional, and daughters Tamanna and Prakriti.

To read the full review of English Bites! click here.

I never knew that one can improve his/her vocabulary and word power in English until I came across 'English Bites!' Today, I am in conversation with Manish Gupta, the author of this brilliant book.

Congratulations Manish on the success of English Bites! It was a pleasure reading it and I, along with the readers, would like to know more about you.

Amrit, I thank you for reading and reviewing my book on your blog. I am glad that you liked it and found it useful in further fueling your love for the English language.

How did you come up with this unique concept of increasing word power in such a fun and easy going manner?

To answer this question, we need to get a little bit into my background. I grew up in Rohtak, a small and sleepy town in Haryana in the 1970s and 80s. The only English I spoke was in school and that too to respond to questions of my teachers in the class. I looked down at English as an alien tongue merely suited to the narrow field of academia and with no particular use once someone got into the real economy.

As a result, I was horrible in all aspects of communication. My active vocabulary was extremely limited, pronunciations & spellings were terrible (as I refused to accept English as a non-phonetic language that it largely is), sentence construction was poor, and my fluency was severely compromised.

The thought of improving my English started in Class XI after facing acute embarrassment in front of my third and final crush (and her family) when I could not speak even one correct sentence of English with a foreigner we met during a family vacation (and she did).

This thought took a serious turn once I landed-up at Punjab Engineering College in Chandigarh and came face-to-face with far more fluent and erudite specimens from convent schools from metros and towns much bigger than my hometown. I also noticed how I used to get tongue-tied while attempting to make a small conversation in English with or even in front of the convent educated colleagues and that hurt…really badly.

This thought was further strengthened when I realised to my horror that English had long outgrown the narrow confines of academia and become extremely relevant and in fact an absolute necessity in the real economy. So much so, that I would need to face group discussions and interviews where my proficiency in this language will be put to the real test to get into one of the best engineering jobs offered on campus.

Having lived all my school life in disdain for this alien tongue, the grossly neglected subject of English made me realize its importance, its vastness, its complexity, and my far less than self proclaimed ‘photographic memory’ all at once. I needed something quick and in large doses to beat the convent educated types in their own game and seal the best job offered in the campus in my name and after gaining some industry experience, successfully compete with them once again for admission into a top-tier MBA program.

       

Let me confess here that I had drifted towards an MBA after realizing that no specialist (read post-graduate) medico girl will consent to marry a Bachelor of Engineering in an arranged marriage situation I had found myself in after many crushed crushes. Marrying a medico was a childhood dream; the flexibility of working hours that profession allows (a must for raising a happy family) is only a later realization.

Hence, I set aside the word lists, my failed attempts at mugging, and started creating interesting stories and anecdotes to make indelible imprints of this foreign language in my mind. This was the genesis of the book. It took a lot of research and creativity, but it was a matter of survivability. It was the only thing that could have rescued me from definite depression and elevated me to think and speak like an erudite gentleman.

Once I started revising the book in 2008, I had two dominant thoughts in my mind. The first thought was that this is an opportunity to spread a culture of making teaching (not necessarily limited to language learning) less bookish and pedantic and making LEARNING more FUN. The second and equally, if not more, powerful thought was to put in my bit to make sure that language does not become a handicap for anyone to realize their ambitions and dreams!

How was the entire process, right from the inception till the point the book got published?

You may find it hard to believe but this manuscript was in the making for over 20 years and this has influenced a lot of content in the book. It started as an idea in my second year of engineering way back in 1989-1990 when two of my closet friends and I resolved to publish a book each before we turned 21. This, we agreed, had several advantages.

§   Till Class XII, I stayed in the campus of a girls’ college with our row house facing the girls’ hostel and had left this beautiful environment to join Mechanical Engineering at Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh (a subject no girl dared to join in our year and many years before and after). While this led to a deep appreciation and understanding of how God re-balances our lives, it also made our resolve to attract attention from the few girls from other depts., amid very strong competition, even harder. What better way to attract attention than project our multi-faceted personalities, mastery over the English language (we had declared we were writing books in English medium), and great sense of humour (my book was supposed to be a FUN book).

§         Make us look precocious in the eyes of potential employers after Engineering, interviewers during the MBA admission process, and potential parents and other family members of the post-graduate medico girl I was destined to marry in an arranged marriage situation that I had found myself in after many crushed crushes.

§   Give us an additional source of annuity income plus a decent advance, with which to fund the MBA education. Annuity income stream was reserved for annual vacations in exotic foreign locales.

I thought I had written a masterpiece by the time our final placements ended (spoiling my grades in the process) and was still a few months shy of turning 21. My other friends, who were writing on ‘quizzing’ and ‘poetry’, had pulled out of this pledge while they were still in their teens.

My manuscript then hibernated for 20 years as I got busy with my first job at Tata Motors, an MBA from XLRI Jamshedpur, my banking career at a major multinational bank, and family life. The manuscript was preserved on a 3.5 inch diskette in Microsoft Word 2000 that refused to open on my old PC, when I thought of reviving my work of art in the year 2008.

Fortunately, the handwritten version (‘manuscript’ in the real sense of the word) had survived well on loose sheets of paper, which I promptly transferred on my PC and started editing and expanding it at the same time. By the time I finished in 4 years (working on weekends), I had landed up re-writing the entire book. 
  

When it came to publishing, I realized that there has been an explosion of books in the Indian market in the past 3-4 years. Thus, a freshly minted author had little or no chance to get his manuscript a fair evaluation with the top publication house, unless the manuscript was, in their assessment, a masterpiece and/or immensely suitable as a script of a block-buster movie. I did send it to a few publication houses directly and their lack of responses despite passionate follow-ups told me it didn't fit either of these two categories.  

Fearing I will exhaust all the top names though this route, I sought the expert intervention of a literary agent. He critically assessed the quality and marketability of the manuscript before submitting it to the select set of publishers that are interested in publishing this genre of books. It took less than 4 months after submission of the manuscript to the literary agent for me to sign a publishing contract with Penguin Books India.

Thereafter, life became hectic as I had to incorporate the extremely valid suggestions of my commissioning editor Shahnaz Siganporia, who made me connect my disparate chapters on different subjects into a single story that started from page 1 and ended at page 334. Then the copy editors Mudita Mubayi-Chauhan and Paromita Mohanchandra took over and made me relearn the rules of grammar and punctuation.  Finally, after 9 months of hard labor, the book came to life. 

What do you feel lacks in our current education system? If you had the power, what changes would you like to see that would lead to a smoother and well planned system?

In India, 4% of children never go to school, 42% drop out before they finish primary school, and 90% drop out before entering college. In government schools, as per one study, 25% of the teachers are absent on any given day. On the days they are present, only 50% are likely to be teaching at any given time. This is distressing and a sad reflection of the state of affairs in the vast majority of schools in our country. Private schools, by and large, provide better quality education, but they are beyond the reach of the masses.

In my view, government needs to get out of school education, handover the existing infrastructure to responsible corporate houses, change laws that allow them to make a small profit, and subsidise their costs so that they become efficient and well-run institutions. The subsidy can be given directly to schools to allow them to provide varying levels of tuition waivers to the children of lower income families. Government can create a robust regulatory and supervisory framework (on the lines of TRAI, IRDA, SEBI, RBI, etc.) for the education sector.

I am sure these measures will also help in improving the teaching methods and in elevating the standard and motivation levels of our teachers.

Who are your role models in life?

It is hard to pin-point one person and I feel blessed to have had a fairly well rounded support from family, teachers, friends, and books in the process of growing up. I draw inspiration from people who have conviction, passion, and clarity of thought; who have ability to work hard and courage to challenge the status-quo; who do not take themselves too seriously; and who spend some of their resources to achieve the higher purpose of life and some of their time playing with children and taking care of elders.    

Which writers do you admire the most? If you had the chance to re-live your life as someone else, who would you choose?

I stick mostly to non-fiction and while there are too many favorite books and authors to list, I love the simple and relatable humor in books by Sam Levenson, the life skills taught by Dale Carnegie, and the seminal work on English etymology by Norman Lewis, Wilfred Funk, and Henry Hitchings. In the recent past, I have read and thoroughly enjoyed books on Mind, Passion, and Happiness by Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, Dr. Carol S. Dweck, David Rock, and Ken Robinson.

If I were to relive my life, I would not be able to choose anyone else. There are parts of others that I admire and get inspired by, but as a whole, I enjoy being myself.  

After 'English Bites!' what next? Will your next book focus also focus on the English Language or are you planning to bring forth another subject in an interesting manner?

I guess when you write a book, you give it your all. My stock of ideas is now empty but it doesn’t mean that I will not write another book. Book sales and readers’ feedback and appreciation are extremely strong motivators in rapidly refilling one’s reservoir and giving new ideas and different perspectives to make more meaningful and interesting books. However, I would like to stick to writing in a similar genre (laugh as you learn). Feel strongly about and need to put in my bit to make sure that that language does not become a handicap for anyone to realize their ambitions and dreams!

What do you do when you are not writing?

Till recently, I used to work as a Managing Director and Head of Sales for Treasury and Trade Solutions division of a major multinational bank in India. I have now decided to take a plunge in the field of education, training, consulting, and executive coaching and will shortly start working with an organization that works for the underprivileged children at the school level.

In my personal life, I now live by the principle of learning one new skill every year (pity, I understood and adopted this only a few years ago) and have dabbled in adventure sports (like skiing, paragliding, bungee jumping) and getting off the beaten track while travelling. I plan to hone my moderate skills in singing, gardening, and cooking next. I also like to delve into human psychology and waiting for the day when someone will actually pay me for my wise counsel.

If you had to change something in your book, what would that be?

There are indeed a few more things I can do with the book. I would add chapters on sports, technology, fashion, and anything else the younger generation suggests. Since these additions will made the book too voluminous, I would split the book into two, each about 220-250 pages long. I would also like to add some more interesting aspects of my life so that the reader gets a more balanced dose of English language in a fun read. 

Finally, what would be your message to all the readers?

The book is a crazy mix of facts, fiction, and real-life. It is full of amusing incidents, anecdotes, jokes, and a lot of interesting trivia. If any one of you believes that English language is a handicap (big or small) in your career advancement, your social acceptability, and affects your self confidence, you can take a look at English Bites! If you are a language nut, you can take a bite too. There is something in there for you too to chew, relish, and cherish.

The book is the story of my life. It begins when I am in high school and much of the damage to my understanding and grip over the English language has already been done. It ends when, even after spending 20 years as a devoted student of the English language, and having achieved my goals of getting into engineering, securing one of the best jobs engineering has to offer, getting into a top-tier MBA program, a medico wife, kids attending convent school, and a reasonably senior position in a multinational bank, I am stumped by new discoveries every other day. So much so that I find some unfamiliar English words in the nursery rhymes of my kids. My extended student life as far as English language is concerned continues and it’s an exciting journey. Come, join the fun.

Thanks a lot Manish for your time. All the best for your current and future goals.

Thanks Amrit. I wish you all the very best….have a great life!