Author Interview: Seelie Kay, Author of Bovine Tricks

 About the Book:

Lady Annabelle Trask is missing. Unfortunately, MISix doesn’t know if they’re looking for a woman, a cow, or something in between!

Is it real or is it fantasy? That’s the question MISix Agent Mathilda Honoria Spencer struggles with on her latest assignment. Tasked with discovering the whereabouts of Lady Annabelle Trask, Tillie is thrust into the world of Hucows and other human animals. It’s a world that raises serious questions about sexual fetishes, intentional physical enhancements, and even pornography, but in the end, Tillie has only one mission—to rescue and return Lady Annabelle to the Queen. However, as she and her partner, Agent Abdul Ali, attempt to find Lady Annabelle and keep her out of the clutches of terrorists bent on destroying the monarchy, they must also wrestle with their feelings for each other. Can they draw the line between their duty to the Crown and their relationship with one another? Or must they embark on separate paths to continue to serve the Queen?

About Seelie Kay:

Award-winning author Seelie Kay writes about lawyers in love, sometimes with a dash of kink.

Writing under a nom de plume, the former lawyer and journalist draws her stories from more than 30 years in the legal world. Seelie’s wicked pen has resulted in nineteen works of fiction, including the new paranormal romance series Donovan Trait, as well the erotic romance Kinky Briefs series and The Feisty Lawyers romantic suspense series. She also authored The Last Christmas, The Garage Dweller, A Touchdown to Remember, The President’s Wife, The President’s Daughter, Seizing Hope, The White House Wedding, and participated in the romance anthology Pieces of Us.

When not spinning romantic tales, Seelie ghostwrites nonfiction for lawyers and other professionals. Currently, she resides in a bucolic exurb outside Milwaukee, WI, where she enjoys opera, the Green Bay Packers, gourmet cooking, organic gardening, and an occasional bottle of red wine. 

Seelie is an MS warrior and ruthlessly battles the disease on a daily basis. Her message to those diagnosed with MS: Never give up. You define MS, it does not define you!

Interview

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer/a storyteller?

I am sure you hear this a lot, but I have literally been writing since I could hold a pencil. It has always been easier for me to write than speak. I never really decided to be a writer; writing was simply my mode of communication. It began when I was four and was miffed at my mother. I wrote her a lengthy letter complaining about being punished, pointed out she was also in the wrong (I was cheeky), and finally, apologized. My mother saved the letter and produced it after I graduated from law school. She claimed that was when she knew I would be a lawyer or a writer, and I became both. 

What motivates you to write and where does your inspiration come from?

I am blessed with insatiable curiosity. I am curious about everything and everyone. So I ask a lot of questions and pack away a lot of trivia. My stories have been inspired by a snippet of conversation, an article, a news event, a birthday card, someone’s quirks, a random sign, a photograph, even a dumb joke. 

How did you come up with the idea for your current story?

Tillie Spencer, the lead in my new series Royals Gone Rogue, was a minor character in my Feisty Lawyers series. In those books she was villain. As an MI6 agent, she was constantly interfering with their missions, sometimes with unfortunate results. I decided it was time for Tillie to redeem herself.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?

I don’t call it “writer’s block,” I call it a “brain fart.” Seriously, sometimes you just need to take a break and focus on something else. When that occurs, I bake. Or pester my friends. Or watch cooking shows.

What are your current/future projects?

I am currently working on the second book in my Donovan Trait series, “Ye Gods! The Law is an Ass!” Donovan is a Chicago lawyer by day, a vampire by night. In the first book in the series, “First, We Kill All the Lawyers,” he and his lady love were targeted by a serial killer. In the second, she has been turned, but against Vampire Coalition rules has fallen pregnant, and the Coalition wants the baby. Donovan and Shirley are forced to flee and wind up hiding on an island populated by an order of vampire nuns.

Are you traditional or self-published, and what process did you go through to get your book published?

All of my books have been published by eXtasy Books. While I admire authors who gone the self-publishing route, I just don’t have the patience for that. I write, edit, and send it off the publisher for more edits, then publication. It’s a very fluid process and I appreciate it’s simplicity.

What do you do if inspiration strikes in an inconvenient place like (car, restaurant, bathroom/shower, etc..) and how do you capture that moment before it gets away from you?

Usually, I dictate into my phone. It is always with me. I have been known to wake up in the middle of the night and dictate my dream.

What is your biggest fear about having a book published?

That there will be a glaring error in the first chapter that I missed.

Give us a fun fact about your book(s)?

The characters in my books are mostly based on people I met while practicing law: Lawyers, judges, law professors, law clerks, legal admin staff. I love that some dissect my books trying to figure out if they are included!

What would you like to write about that you have never written about before?

A thriller based on the life of a relative, who was a notorious leader of a cult in the 60s.

What are the most important elements of good writing? According to you, what tools are must-haves for writers?

Clarity, conciseness, and consistency.  I have a journalism background, so I have been trained to avoid using 25 words when I can say it in 12. I also use a variety of resources, including a stylebook. I prefer the Associated Press version, but the Chicago Manual of Style is helpful as well. I have also invested in several types of editing software and use all of them when writing and editing. There is no excuse for sending “dirty copy” to a publisher!

Do you view writing as a career, labour of love, hobby, creative outlet, therapy, or something else?

When I was in my 20s, I participated in study about stress triggers in the workplace. At the time, I was a speechwriter for an international legal organization. They found that the only time I revealed no stress was when I was writing. I love to write because it relaxes me. It brings me joy. 

Do you read? Who are your favourite authors and how have they influenced your writing style?

I enjoy Stuart Woods, JD Robb, and Lisa Scottoline. They are very skilled at developing a strong storyline. I really appreciate that!

Tell us three fun facts about yourself.

1. I went to Northwestern University on a full theatre arts scholarship. After two years I switched to journalism.

2.  My favorite food is pain au chocolat.

3.  I have five degrees. I kept getting scholarships, so I kept on going. Finally, after nine years, I said enough!

Author Interview: Apeksha Rao, author of Along Came A Spyder

 

Apeksha Rao is a multi genre author from Bangalore.

She is the author of Along Came A Spyder, which is the story of a seventeen year old girl who wants to be spy.

Apeksha has written many short stories based on the same series, The Spyders, which are available on this blog.

She is a voracious reader, and a foodie.

Apeksha's current works in progress: A middle grade book, a chick lit featuring a detective, and a horror novel (the writing of which is giving her sleepless nights).

4. When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer/ a storyteller?

5. I used to make up stories even as a child and wrote my first story at the age of seven. But, it was only when I finished writing my first full-length novel that I realised how much I loved storytelling and decided to take it up full time.

6. How did you come up with the idea for your current story?

7. As a teenager, I used to fantasise about being an undercover spy, and I waited for someone to recruit me into RAW. Unfortunately, no one ever recruited me, so I got on with life. When I started writing seriously, this little idea of a group of teen spies kept knocking at my mind’s door, and I took it from there.

8. What is your writing process? Do you follow a regular routine or do you have any weird, funny, or unusual habits while writing and what are they?

9. First of all, writing makes me ravenous. I have to keep eating when I’m writing, otherwise, I get hangry. What with my kids’ online classes, and the on-going marketing of my debut novel, it’s getting difficult to carve out a writing schedule, but I’m trying to write for three hours every night.

10. Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?

11. When I get stuck on one project, I work on another. Or I read.

11. What are your current/future projects?

12. I’m currently working on a historical adventure for kids and trying to outline a historical thriller for adults. 

13. Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre? If you write more than one, how do you balance them?

14. I think I was born a teenager, and I will die one. I don’t have to work at the YA voice because that’s how I normally think and talk, which is why writing YA came naturally to me. The trouble with that starts when I try to write other genres, but I’m working at that.

15. Are you traditional or self-published, and what process did you go through to get your book published?

16. I’m a hybrid author, actually. After I wrote Along Came A Spyder, I reached out to a literary agent, Suhail Mathur, of The Book Bakers, and he agreed to represent my work. He soon got me a traditional publishing deal with TreeShade Books, and my book was scheduled to release in April 2020. Due to the lockdown, we had to postpone the release, and I decided to release a novella on Kindle, The Itsy Bitsy Spyder, which was the prequel to this book. 

17. What opportunities have being an author presented you with and share those memories? (i.e. travel, friends, events, speaking, etc...)

18. First of all, I’ve been lucky to have met so many wonderful writers and bloggers through my literary journey, who have now become close friends.

19. I’ve also had the opportunity to conduct a couple of sessions with school kids, which is great fun! Recently, I had my very first Insta-live interview, and I look forward to doing more of those.

20. What do you do if inspiration strikes in an inconvenient place like (car, restaurant, bathroom/shower, etc..) and how do you capture that moment before it gets away from you?

21. I have been known to grab a piece of tissue paper and scribble feverishly, while the rest of my family stared in surprise. 

22. Once, I dreamt of a story idea and wanted to write it down as soon as I woke up. But I had an early morning flight to catch, so I carried my notebook along, and outlined the whole story while waiting to board.

23. What is the easiest/hardest scene for you to write, why? (Love, action, fight, death, racy, controversial, etc…)

24. I can write action scenes quite easily. But I really struggle with romance. Ask me to describe a murder from a serial killer’s POV, and I’ll do it easy-peasy. But, ask me to write a love scene, and I will just burst into tears.

25. What are some events you have attended or participated in that has been a positive experience/influence on/for your writing?

26. I recently attended a workshop on writing for middle graders, conducted by India’s foremost authorities on children’s writing, Sayoni Basu and Anushka Ravishankar. That was a big help.

27. I’ve also been handpicked for Anita Nair’s creative writing mentorship program, which starts in October. Hoping to learn a lot from that, as well.

15. Do you view writing as a career, labor of love, hobby, creative outlet, therapy, or something else?

16. It started off as a labor of love, but now it is a full-time career.

17. Were there any challenges (research, literary, psychological, or logistical) in bringing your book to life?

18. The biggest challenge was the COVID -19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown. The printers shut down on the very day that my book was to go to print, and that was a huge setback.

19. What makes your book stand out from the crowd?

20. Along Came A Spyder is India’s first YA spy fiction, the first of its genre. It has really strong female characters and is loaded with snark and humour.

21. What is the best piece of advice you have received, as a writer, till date?

22. When I was a child, my uncle gave me some writing advice that really resonated with me. I was just starting to write, and like all kids, I was obsessed with Enid Blyton. I tried to write something that was set in a world like hers, and obviously, I struggled with that, because it wasn’t my world at all. I was whining about that to my uncle, and he told me to write what I know. That’s the best advice I’ve ever had. For we write best when we write what we know.

At 17, Samira Joshi has only one dream in life.

She wants to be a spy. And why not?

Spying runs in the Joshi genes. Her great-grandmother was famous for sticking her nose in everyone’s business. Her grandmother had a flourishing side-business of tracking down errant husbands and missing servants. Her parents are elite intelligence agents for RAW. Yet, they want their only daughter to become a doctor. When she sees a college friend being trapped by a pimp, Samira does some spying of her own, and discovers the existence of a secret sisterhood of teen spies — The Spyders. And, she wants in!

The question is, do they want her?

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Thank you for this amazing interview! I wish you success for all your future works. Keep writing!

Author Interview: Avantika Debnath, Author of Dear Russell, Yours Truly

Hailing from the City of Joy, Avantika Debnath is a corporate professional with a story teller’s heart. The pen wooed and won her when she was just 12 and she has since been loyal to it. After having released her debut novel centered on the ordeal of a tormented housewife, The Bridal Pyre – Nainam Dehati Pawakah, she is all set with this collection of romantically rich stories in Dear Russell, Yours Truly.

1. How did you come up with the idea for your current story?

Dear Russell, Yours Truly is a compilation of seven mid-sized stories. And quite strangely, I didn’t have to work very hard to get these story ideas. In fact, these stories presented themselves to me and compelled me to pen them down and compile them. All of them are inspired by true events. Now I won’t say they are real to the core; of course, I worked around them and gave the real life incidents twists and turns I preferred. You could say, this was my way of un-doing the ‘not dones’ of life and re-doing it the way I like more. The title story is loosely based on a phase of my life, the others too, have their roots in the lives of friends or family members or say… a colleague. 

2. You are only two-books-old in this arena. Any specific challenge you have faced? 

I won’t say the challenges thrown at me are unique, but they are specific when it comes to new authors. Spreading the word about our work is a gigantic challenge. Big newspapers won’t want to invest their time reviewing us, and readers won’t be confident buying the book either, they don’t know us. What’s worst? People who know us, say friends and family members expect their copies, as in free copies. And refusing them is an uncomfortable task. Its common sense, yet people have so less of it. If your friend opens a cloth store, would you ask him to give you shirt piece for free. If your cousin opens a rice store, will you ask him to hand you 10 kg basmati rice? Then why expect your writer friend/family member to give our free copies when this is what they are trying to build a profession out of. We don’t become published authors to buy our own copies and distribute it to you guys. 

3. What is your writing process? Do you follow a regular routine or do you have any weird, funny, or unusual habits while writing and what are they?

I am more of a ranter – if that is even a word – than a writer, majorly so, when it comes to non-fiction writing. I just put things out to the world and let them perceive it the way they want. I am not here to explain or justify my thoughts to each and all. If you are my reader, I would want to rely on your comprehension skills as much as you would on my narration. 

Even in case of fiction, I let my thoughts flow. Thoughts are fluid, I give them the liberty to choose their course. But, I do work on the structure when I am narrating a story. I like going back and forth in time in story-telling. 

4. Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?

Unfortunately, we all suffer from it, and there is not much one can do about it. I have a novel that is about 70% complete. And though I know what the end of the story is going to be, I am just not able to take these characters to the climax. That novel is lying in some forsaken folder of my computer, untouched for several years now. 

5. What are your current/future projects?

If I complete the third novel any time sooner, that will be my next. Else, I don’t see myself working on fiction for the next couple of years. I am planning to work on more conventional and social issues now. Will return to fiction again; not just immediately. 

6. Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre? If you write more than one, how do you balance them?

My last work was a novel, a women-centric one. This is a compilation of romance. Both belong to different writing forms as well as genre. So, I guess there is a natural balance there. But I would also make a conscious effort at not opting for the same or similar genre. Would like to stay versatile as long as possible.

7. How do you think you have evolved as a person/author because of your writing and do you believe your writing has helped others, how/why?

Evolution is a continuous process. We evolve a little every day. I am not the exact same person today as I was the day before. Writing, again, is a constant progression. I think me evolving as a person would aid my craft, and its funny, but at time I take inspiration from the characters I have imagined and created in my head. There is a character, Raayee, in one of the stories, Parted land, departed lives. Just a teenager. Incomparable will power. I wish I were like her when I was in my teens. I was an idiot against her. But she does inspire me to be a wiser version of myself. Amidst confusions, I have gone beck to her wondering how would Raayee handle this situation. 

Now if you ask me if my writing beyond The Bridal Pyre or Dear Russell…. has helped others, I’d say, help is a stronger word. But, with my writings, I know, I have influenced the course of thinking in many young minds.

8. Do you believe there is value in a review? Do you believe they are under rated, over rated, or don’t matter at all?

Of course. Book reviews create awareness. They are the only hope for young and new writers like, your’s truly, for we don’t have any identity that would pull avid readers towards our work.

9. What is the intended audience for you book?

I would start the age limit at early twenties. Teens may find my work a little plodding and will be a challenge for their short-lived patience. But again, I don’t want to generalize. If you score high on patience, go for it.

10. Give us a fun fact about Dear Russell, Yours Truly?

The stories end just the way you wouldn’t have imagined in the dreams of your dreams. Unpredictability is fun, isn’t it?

11. What makes a good story, why?

Unless the author doesn’t live through the characters he creates, cries with them in their pains and spills water laughing that silly situations they end up in, the story won’t convince the readers. I need to feel the story I am weaving, only then I gain the confidence of having produced a good narration.

12. Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have any advice on how to deal with the bad?

I do read them. I am only human, and I have all human emotions that the next guy on the street has. Won’t say reviews leave me unaffected. Do totally touch me. A good one exhilarates me, a bad one breaks my heart. But I don’t go fight with those who leave me rude reviews. I learn from my mistakes and try to do better. I am not perfect, and I have learned to except my imperfections. Its okay if people don’t like my story, they didn’t promise me that they will like my work while paying for my book. I will forever be grateful for the time they invested.

13. What is the easiest/hardest scene for you to write, why? 

There are two such scenes. One is the final scene of the title story, in which the character loosely predicated on myself, takes a decision against her heart. It is a strong one, but it was needed. I am proud that I would persuade myself to take such a strong decision while earlier and lucrative options were laying in front. 

Giving an account of Bangladesh-India partition in Parted land, Departed Lives, how Bakultala’s undressed body was discovered after communal violence flared up was again a spine-chilling experience. I wonder if imaging a story around this situation is appalling to such degrees, how did people even live through those testing times and survive them.

14. What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?

My favorite scene would be Rayee meeting her deceased grandmother’s estranged lover in Bangladesh, decades after the family moved to India. Why? Well, you’d have to read the book to know that. 

He saved her from a deadly accident or was it an imagination. A vehement cycle of hallucinations led Avni on the path of the unknown. Rayee wanted to return to the US, but when time came for her to board the flight, she headed for Dhaka to give her deceased grandmother’s estranged lover, what belonged to him. 

25-year-old Jason is a Canadian man visiting his Anglo-Indian family in Calcutta. The 10-year-old next-door neighbor makes an innocent promise that fulfills itself half a lifetime and many heartbreaks later. 

Her flight is delayed for the sky is unclear, at the New York Airport she is united with her first love. The fog clears, his arms are wide open but so is the sky. Grace and Gauri are half a world apart, connected through conference calls. 

One struggling a bad marriage, another apprehensive to say ‘yes’ to love. But destiny picks them for each other. Different loves, different losses, different lives, one book. Dear Russell, Yours Truly.

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Thank you, Avantika for this amazing interview! I wish you success for all your future works. Keep writing!

Author Interview: Iram Fatima Ashi, Author of A Pleasant Secret

I am Iram Fatima ‘Ashi’. I am a non-resident Indian staying in Saudi Arabia. I was born and raised in India. I have lived in different places and explored different people and their cultures. I am connected with my own country by soul and miss that.

Travelling has been an important part of my life. I have always felt as though borders are just the constructs of our feeble intellects, we have to look beyond them, only then will our hearts be free. After spending so many years in different cultures and places, my quest is far from over. I want to travel till my last breath and I feel I don’t belong to any particular culture. I have accepted whole world as my own and have a deep desire to be buried wherever I die.

I pursued graduation and post graduation in English. I have been writing since the age of 13 in Hindi, Urdu and English. I am currently working as an Editor in chief of Reflection, an online magazine; Editorial Executive Sub-Committee member of VIEW (Print journal) and my creative work is part of 43 international anthologies.

My articles, short stories and poems are published in Indian magazines and newspapers. Internationally, my work is published in Canada, Uzbekistan and US.

I feel blessed on being honored by ‘Aagman Gourav 2015, 2016 and 2017’ in India by Aagman group.

I like reading, writing, painting, listening to music and observing nature. I take inspiration from real life, nature and anything which touches me. I am a poetess, writer, painter and overall an artist by heart. 

My poems and stories are simple yet subtle. You don’t need much literary prowess to understand its depth.

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer/ a storyteller? 

Ans: I started writing when I was 13 years old and in 8th std. I wrote my first poem on ‘pen’ and a drama which was performed in annual function against dowry and after that articles, short stories and poems and no looking back.

What motivates you to write and where does your inspiration come from? 

Ans: My parents and my friends… they have always believed in me and are my constant support; they appreciate, they criticize and they never let me give up. 

What is your writing process? Do you follow a regular routine or do you have any weird, funny, or unusual habits while writing and what are they? 

Ans: I am a passionate writer and try to write regularly. I try to make a balance between my responsibilities and my passion. 

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it? 

Ans: I suffer from writer's block many times and during that period I try to devote myself in reading classic and contemporary books. 

What are your current/future projects? 

Ans: Currently I am working on women oriented novel. 

Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre? If you write more than one, how do you balance them? 

Ans: I mostly write on romantic topic or any burning social issue and I can perfectly make balance these as I have many shades of emotions and I can express it well. 

Are you traditional or self-published, and what process did you go through to get your book published? 

Ans: I have experience of both publishing and I would prefer self-publishing because of transparency in it. 

What opportunities have being an author presented you with and share those memories? (i.e. travel, friends, events, speaking, etc...) 

Ans: My father had a transferable job and so I explored many places, culture and people because of that and all that experience shows in my writing too. 

What field or genre would you classify your book(s) and what attracted you to write in that field or genre? 

Ans: Mostly I write on ‘love’ and this is because I am a fun loving, romantic person in my life. 

What do you do if inspiration strikes in an inconvenient place like (car, restaurant, bathroom/shower, etc..) and how do you capture that moment before it gets away from you? 

Ans: I always carry a notepad with me and I pen down my ideas in short whenever I get it. 

How do you think you have evolved as a person/author because of your writing and do you believe your writing has helped others, how/why? 

Ans: No I don’t feel so as many people told me that they find my work inspiring and they too share their work or short stories after reading mine. 

Do you believe there is value in a review? Do you believe they are underrated, overrated, or don’t matter at all? 

Ans: Yes, good review inspires others to read that particular work, thankfully I never get bad review on any of my work. 

What is your biggest fear about having a book published? 

Ans: The biggest fear about having a book published is not to get enough readers because of lack of promotions. 

If you have multiple books published what do you feel is your greatest work, why? 

Ans: Till now my 42 anthologies and 5 individual books have been published and I think my best work is yet to come. 

What is the intended audience for you book? 

Ans: I write about human sentiments and want to reach common people through my book. 

If you had the chance to get one message out there to reach readers all over the world, what would that message be? 

Ans: Be positive in your life and spread love. 

What makes a good story, why? 

Ans: I think every reader has their own taste, few like adventurous, few love mystery and few enjoy romantic story. Being an author we express our ideas, it’s up to the readers to accept that or not. 

Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have any advice on how to deal with the bad? 

Ans: Yes, I read my reviews and give my response to that. I take bad review in constructive way to make my work better next time. 

What is the easiest/hardest scene for you to write, why? (Love, action, fight, death, racy, controversial, etc…) 

Ans: The hardest scene to write is about racism and death as people are fearful to accept both facts. 

What are some events you have attended or participated in that has been a positive experience/influence on/for your writing? 

Ans: As you know I stay out of India and my closest friends are in India, I love to spend my time with them and it recharges me and I feel more creative after that. 

What would you like to write about that you have never written about before? 

Ans: I want to write on women’s suffering and their fight against that. This would be in my next novel. 

Were your characters based on real life people/events or did you make it all up? 

Ans: I like to observe people deeply and try to understand their behavior pattern and relationship in their life that helps me to create characters in my stories. 

What are the most important elements of good writing? According to you, what tools are must-haves for writers? 

Ans: I think in writing there should be easy language, relatable characters, realistic situations must be created so that readers can relate and enjoy your work. 

Do you view writing as a career, labor of love, hobby, creative outlet, therapy, or something else? 

Ans: Writing is my passion and my love, so I enjoy doing it. 

What are the advantages/disadvantages of self or traditional publishing? 

Ans: In traditional publishing you are not sure that your work would be justified by them or not, as you have to blindly trust them for everything and in self-publishing, you have to pay for your own hard work that seems strange but at least you have the right to bring your best in paperback. 

What makes your book stand out from the crowd? 

Ans: Simple words, realistic characters and situations in my novel definitely makes my book stand out from the crowd. 

Do you read? Who are your favourite authors and how have they influenced your writing style? 

Ans: I always like to read renowned authors like Jane Austen, Ernest Miller Hemingway, William Shakespeare and their stories always inspire me. 

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing? 

Ans: Be a good reader first and keen observer of real life and then pen down whatever you feel like worth saying. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with your readers? 

Ans: Every person has their different passions like reading, writing, cooking, teaching, social work etc but somewhere we pack that and keep it aside while choosing our priorities. I would like to suggest that they should be a little mean to live for themselves too as they are also individuals with different identities and hobbies and passions. Take out the ‘me time’ for themselves… follow their passion… do what they love… to keep them happy and if they are happy then only they can spread happiness among others.

Definitely, all marriages are not made in heaven, and a few socially chosen partners turn their partners’ lives into living hell.

In this novel, Khushbu Khanna is the bold girl working as the C.E.O of a multinational company and lives her life on her own terms.

Sumit Aggarwal, who accepted all decisions of his parents and society and tries to be happy. Is he really happy in that fake cocoon?

Time and circumstances had separated Sumit and Khushbu. Then how did they become inseparable parts of each other and a pleasant secret of each other’s life?

Read and unfold the journey of the various characters layer by layer. It will leave you as a reader to ponder over questions like: Does something like soul-mates really exist? What is more important—Society and its norms or true love?

An exceptional story of separation and then the reunion of long-lost lovers...

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Thank you, Ashi for this amazing interview! I wish you success for all your future works. Keep writing!

Author Interview: Ruchi Singh, Author of Guardian Angel

Winner of TOI WriteIndia Season 1, Ruchi Singh is a novelist, and writes in two genres; romance and romantic thriller. A voracious reader, she loves everything—from classics to memoirs to editorials to chick-lit, but her favourite genre is ‘romantic thriller’. Besides writing and reading, her other interests include dabbling with Indian classical dance forms.

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer/ a storyteller?

It happened by chance in 2013, when friends and family suggested I should write. It was like an epiphany that yes I can, and should write. Since I am very fond of novels, so I began with a novel. I immensely enjoyed writing Take 2, the joy in creating something new is quite potent. And when I won the Indireads Short Story competition in Oct 2014, I knew I will become a fiction novelist. Recently winning the TOI WriteIndia contest was an awesome experience and added motivation.

What motivates you to write and where does your inspiration come from?

I don’t have any unique muse per se. I think I can safely say that my muse changes with each book that I write because my characters become my muse(s). My characters inspire and take me forward as the story progresses.

How did you come up with the idea for your current story?

‘Guardian Angel’ is a spin-off from ‘The Bodyguard’ and can be read as a standalone book. It features Nikhil Mahajan, who is an important character in ‘The Bodyguard’, as the main protagonist. He is injured in a bomb blast and lands up in the villain’s clutches in a case of mistaken identity.

What is your writing process? Do you follow a regular routine or do you have any weird, funny, or unusual habits while writing and what are they?

I write in the morning when people at home have gone to their respective school and office. The house is relatively quiet with essential daily chores out of the way, I love that time of the day. I love the corner near the window, which throws lots of natural light in the room.

There is no fixed pattern to the day. When I am writing the first draft I mostly write every day, but if the writing spree is interrupted it becomes difficult to start again. But it’s a good idea to write daily.

My weird habit: I can’t move ahead until all the colourful wriggly lines (the MS editor throws) are resolved in the paragraph/ line that I have written. My friends tell me to switch off the editor, but my conscious doesn’t allow me to.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?

Yes, I do. Though I object to the term ‘writer’s block’. It should be called something like else because block gives it a connotation of something external which is blocking the writer’s mind. But it’s not so. It’s our own mind and habits which lead to a break in writing. Creative people can’t be creative all the time, so they need a break. But be careful, too long a break leads to laziness and procrastination, then it becomes difficult to get into the groove again.

The ritual that I believe in, which I too find difficult to follow at times, is to write every day at the same time even if one writes only 200 - 300 words.

What are your current/future projects?

I am writing an emotional romance which is again set in Kasauli, the backdrop of my second novel Jugnu. I’m also planning and plotting a detective series, which is at a very nascent stage. There are lots of ideas floating in my mind, but very less time.

Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have any advice on how to deal with the bad?

Yes, I do. I read all of them. The best way to approach the reviews is with a dispassionate mind and look for pointers where one can improve. Do not get swayed with a very positive one and do not get de-motivated with a bad one. Its okay, not everyone is going to like your book/work, so treat a bad review as a mismatch between the book and the reader.

What is the easiest/hardest scene for you to write, why? (Love, action, fight, death, racy, controversial, etc…)

Specialized scenes like fighting or love scenes, and scenes where the characters are in pain, are harder to write. Fighting ones because one needs to convey the action, love scenes have to be aesthetically appealing. I find writing dialogues the easiest.

Do you read? Who are your favourite authors and how have they influenced your writing style?

I have been a voracious reader since the time I can remember. It all started with Nancy Drew series and then to Mario Puzo, Frederick Forsyth, Robert Ludlum, and John Grisham. So all the foundation stones had thriller written on them. Romance came with teenage and college friends. If you notice most of the thrillers dwell a little on the emotional story of the protagonist, so romance adds that little spice to make the characters more realistic and the story more enjoyable.

What is the best piece of advice you have received, as a writer, till date?

Editing by the author is done in four ways;

While writing, one constantly edits - This is done by everyone.

Take a printout and edit - This is a very effective way to find out the errors

Speak out loud - This tells you awkward sentence structures.

Read it on a different format, e.g. if you are writing in MS Word, make a PDF file with large fonts and then read it.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

It is not a field for impatient. Be prepared for a long haul.

The Man 

Security expert Nikhil Mahajan is in mortal danger. Gravely injured and unable to see, he is in the midst of hostile strangers in an unknown place. Any hope of survival is fast fading away. 

The Angel 

Should an innocent man be left to die just because he had been in the wrong place at the wrong time? Someone has to intervene.

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Thank you, Ruchi for this amazing interview! I wish you success for all your future works. Keep writing!

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Author Interview: Thomas Leslie McRae, Author of Fatal Impact

Thomas Leslie McRae is a 36 year old African American male who love for poetry and writing in general has transformed him in to a overly embellish author who strides on being the best author he can possibly be. Thomas lives with his parents not because he has to but because he chooses to stay with them while he saves his money to buy them all a house they all can enjoy. His current poetry book project Fatal Impact is filled with passion and desire plus a variety of collection of poems such as spiritual, love, death, political and personal. Thomas believes everyone who has a open mind will like this book because he feels poetry hasn't been this good in a very long time. Fatal Impact is available online Amazon.com, Barnes and noble.com, Google Books.com, fishpond.com and every other book retailer online.

1. What motivates you too write and where does your inspiration comes from?

Life motivates me to write.  Love, pain, and all of the above. I write because it's who I am and it's in my soul.

2. What questions do you wish that someone would ask you about your books, but nobody has?

At the moment I can't think of anything, but I'm open to any and every question. Because nothing means more to me than talking to my readers and genuine fan base.

3. What are your current projects?

My most current book Fatal Impact is available online at amazon.com and any other book retailer that you can think of. It's a poetry book, with a collection of poems such as spiritual, love, death, political and personal. I believe you will enjoy this book because it's filled with passion and desire as well as soul.

4. How do you think you have evolved as a person/author because of your writing and do you believe your writing has help others and why?

I believe my writing has made me more focused and dedicated, I'm determined to be heard and recognize for my artistic efforts. And the reason why I believe my writing has inspired others is because people I know plus never met tells me all the time how much they admire my dedication plus strong will to express myself freely and openly.

5. What is your biggest fear about having a book published?

At this point in my life I don't have any fear in regards of self-publishing, because between marketing and promoting myself plus monitoring the self-publishing company I have to go through to get my book out there. It's too much time consuming plus energy draining to worry about any kind of fear or to have any doubts.

6. Who is the prime target for your book?

Pretty much anyone who enjoys poetry plus a little of rhythm and soul.

7. If you had a chance to get one message out there to reach readers all over the world what would it be?

If you’re a genuine poetry lover who appreciates the craft then please support this book. Because there's a little bit for everyone especially if you're a diverse reader.

8. What would you like to write about that you have never written before?

Eventually I would like to write a typical full length novel from all kinds of genres. It doesn't matter if it’s love, action or drama. As long as it's quality good work.

9. What are the most important elements of good writing? According to you what tools are a must for writers?

To be a good writer you must be passionate, resilient, willing to accept criticism and determine to succeed even if you dont have a good support system at home.

10. What makes your book stand out from the crowd?

My book speaks to anyone’s soul plus has the ability to touch everyone's heart and give it an emotional charge.

11. What is the best advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

The main advice I would give anyone is to do your research especially if your self-publishing, but I would also tell them to pursue your dreams and don’t let anyone hold you back. Because life is too short to allow others to dictate who you are and what you're supposed to be.

12. Is there anything else you like to share with your readers?

Fatal Impact is available online amazon.com plus any other book retailer. If you wish to contact me personally email me anytime at. I am open to questions, advice or all of the above. Fatal Impact is raw, real and it's here please support this book you won't be disappointed.

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Fatal Impact is raw, real and it's here please support this book because poetry hasn't been this good in a very long time. It’s filled with passion and desire plus a variety of collection of poems such as spiritual, love, death, political, and personal.

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Thank you, Thomas for this amazing interview! I wish you success for all your future works. Keep writing!