First of all, I would like to welcome you in the
Literary World. Being capable of expressing feelings in the form of words is
itself an achievement. Here, at WordCurd we would like you to
express your feelings and experience as a writer, reader and as a human.
And now as you have entered this world, how do you feel being a member of it?
Privileged and honoured. It’s overwhelming to receive compliments from
so many readers. This feeling is simply indefinable!
What made you think that your book is different from others? What makes your book special that the reader should pick it?
Honour for a Ransom opens with a newly wed bride and her lower caste husband
being gunned down by her father at the dawn of Baisaki, in order to
‘uphold family honour’. The bride’s politician grandfather (who has actually
manoeuvred the gruesome crime) happens to be a gutsy survivor of the
Jallianwala Bagh massacre which incidentally also took place on the day of Baisakhi
(Punjabi new year). Though sixty years apart, there is an ironic connect to
both these incidents which make my novel unique and heartrending!
While writing this book what were your expectations from the book? Were you sure that this book could give wings to your writing career?
The novel tells heartfelt love stories involving three generations with
a very relevant historical backdrop. The foremost expectation from the book was
that it should appeal strongly to the lovers of romance and romantic poetry.
The protagonist is a brilliant poet who goes on to win the heart of his British
girlfriend with his romantic poetry!
What do you think of writing as a career? What importance does literature play in your life?
What do you think of writing as a career? What importance does literature play in your life?
Well I’m still a ‘part-time’ writer with my nine-to-five corporate job
on first priority – a combination that I wish to continue. Literature has
always been an integral part of me ever since the Enid Blyton days and as I
grew older it elevated to the likes of Agatha Christie, Alistair Maclean,
Fredrick Forsyth, Sidney Sheldon and Harold Robbins to name a few. Since I
intend to continue with my writing, Literature will obviously remain embedded
in my soul.
What according to you is the best way to connect to the readers? Words shooting from heart, an extraordinary story or something else?
Well…I’d prefer to put it as an extraordinary story told with words
shooting from the heart!
Now as your second book arrives in the market, what do you expect from your readers?
Now as your second book arrives in the market, what do you expect from your readers?
I am confident that my readers will find Honour… an engaging
read. If I’m able to usher a smile to their lips and simultaneously evolve a
tear in their eye, I will consider my work rewarded!
What do you think is the purpose of your writing? What difference does writing make to your life?If not writing, then what?
The main purpose is to experience that immeasurable satisfaction of
following my passion. Also writing immerses me with my ‘larger than life’
characters that I have so fondly created…honestly, nothing could relax me more!
If not writing, I would be singing. I am extremely fond of (listening to and
singing) old Kishore Kumar numbers of the seventies!
At any stage, did you feel like leaving the script halfway? Who would you like to give the credit of being a constant supporter?
At any stage, did you feel like leaving the script halfway? Who would you like to give the credit of being a constant supporter?
So far it’s never occurred that I felt like leaving the script halfway
(thank God!). But yes, there have been times when I was faced with a ‘writers
block’. Simply refraining from writing during such periods proved the best
solution. Not only did it diffuse the agony, the time off also helped generate
relevant ideas to carry the plot forward.
What do you usually prefer-pen, typewriter or computer?
I love using my ‘Cross’ fountain pen while making notes on research
material. For writing the main novel, I use the computer.
What are the core qualities an author must possess?
A highly imaginative mind to tell a unique story with a perfect command
over the language in which it is being told. If one can possess these, there
should be no looking back!
Tell us about your latest book.
I firmly believe that ‘love’ is the greatest creation of God and being a
treasured possession it is above everything else. It is the purest form of
human emotion. It is beyond measure. It is priceless. You need love to enrich a
good relationship. You need love to foster a strong family bond. You need love
to cherish a lasting friendship. Accordingly my novel, Honour for a Ransom explores
love as a relationship, as a family bond and while defining a true friendship.
Alongside, the book also projects the obstacles that vitiate the power of love
– a newly wed daughter becomes a victim of ‘honour killing’ at the hands of her
own father; a dutiful son is unscrupulously blackmailed by his egocentric
father, compelling him to cut off ties with a girl whom he sincerely loves just
because she is British; a true friend brazenly betrays the trust of another,
driven by jealousy and lust. Amidst this unbalanced equation, stands tall one
woman (beautiful and determined) who vows to set things straight within this
disarrayed Punjabi family. Odds heavily stacked against her and with the time
fast running out, will she succeed in her mission?
Does anyone else write in
your family or anyone who loves books?
My youngest son writes beautiful poetry whereas all my three boys love
to read. My wife though is more into reading spiritual books and the ones
related to home management and nutrition.
Tell us about the best compliment you’ve ever received and the criticism given to you as an author.
The compliment came from a dear friend. His finishing of my 460-page
first novel, A Passion Beyond Extremes at one go was itself a super pat
on the back!
How much your stories are influenced from real-life stories?
I have used a couple of real life incidents in the sub-plots of both my novels.
I guess it becomes easier (and more interesting) if one can infuse real life
events through your characters.
Tell us something about your five year goal. Where do you see yourself as a writer in the next five years?
Probably with a couple more of quality novels to my credit!
If given an opportunity, would you like to be a full-time writer?
A writer can never be ‘given’ an opportunity. It has to be earned with
dedicated and quality storytelling. My work must be good enough to attract
readers across the globe. Only then will I consider becoming a full time
writer.
How much time do you take to complete a novel? Is ‘patience’ the keyword to become a successful author?
Three to four years – which I don’t reckon to be too long, considering
I’m a part-time writer. Yes, ‘patience’ definitely is the key word to writing,
regardless whether you are a part-time or a full-time writer.
What is the motive of your writing? Does your work fall under some special category?
The sense of satisfaction while creating characters who shoulder the
story I always wanted to tell, motivates me to write. I would place my work so
far under the category of ‘Romance fiction’.
Last, but most important question readers would want to know- Are you working on another book? If yes, how different is this from your last work?
Yes I’m working on my third novel which is a romantic thriller. The last
one would classify under romance.
Thank you for sparing your precious time!
We hope you enjoyed the session.
Team WordCurd!
Nice. Intriguing book. Added it to my to-read pile.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
LyfeIndex highlights Shova Rani Mondal's impactful contributions perfectly.
ReplyDeleteshova rani mondal