Scarred For Life, Healed Forever by Ashwati Menon (Book Review-3*/5)!!!

     Scarred For Life, Healed Forever" is the latest book I finished reading. It's written by the 2nd time author- Ashwati Menon. This 126-pages novel is written with an intention of making people aware of the kind of power our brain has. It uses concept of 6th sense and intuition to tell us about some power a normal human being can have. Ashwati Menon have written the book in a very easy language which I should compliment the first thing in this review, as writing on such topic could have become complicated and hard to understand for a layman like us. It was quite evident that the writer has gone through a good research before writing on such unusual topic. 

          There could have been few parts where the story must have looked fake but luckily, the determination of author towards projecting this story in good light made it look possible and a story-next-door. Some scenes are written really very terrifically. You might get scared imagining the situation but that's true in some rare cases which we see in news channel sometimes. The characters are wonderfully projected by the authoress even when she wrote this in quite a short-story format. Nishtha is beautifully portrayed. Her brother, Prakash and Sahdev are another two good characters who shall be always remembered whenever this book would be a topic of discussion. 

             I also liked the author's choice of keeping this story short as even 10 more pages could have made it boring and unacceptable as it's not about fun and humor but written on a very serious yet interesting topic. The only drawback which I feel will work against this book is its narrative. I found the flow of the story very confusing. Author switches from one time period to another without intimating and therefore, it leads to a messy situation in a reader's mind. The flashbacks could have been written more beautifully. In all, I would give this book 3 stars out of 5- a little above average attempt.

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 Thanks.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!

Sandeep Sharma: "You can’t criticize me over the storyline" (Interview) !!!

   

  Sandeep Sharma has been a Blogger and Book Reviewer just like me from a long time hence I have been knowing him since his initial days. He has gone a step ahead and already published 2 of his books and currently working on his 3rd one. It was a nice interview I had with him recently regarding his 2nd book- Hey Dad! Meet My Mom, which had a very unusual plot. Let's see what he says about the plot. 

1. Hello Sandeep. From being a blogger/book reviewer, you went on becoming author. How did this transformation take place?

Hello Abhilash.  I started blogging about 6 years back with a clear aim of becoming author in future. I think blogging is the best way to connect with your readers. I used to write short stories and article on daily basis and that’s where members of TAB (The Author’s Blog) connected with me and then we gave birth to our venture where we initially started with creative writing, then combined it with book reviews and after that took it further towards book promotion. So the transformation was pre decided actually. 

2. What difference do you find in writing blogs/reviewing books and actually writing a full- fledged book?

I write for my readers. When I write for myself, I write it on my diary. When you have a clear image of writing for your audience you should be able to know what they really want to read; and that’s where writing blogs and reviewing books comes in handy. I am familiar with the change in the current readership of India. What they want to read? What they want from a story? I have researched a lot and finally when I had my story ready, I decided to pen it down.

3. Tell us something about your latest flick “Hey Dad! Meet my Mom”. How did the story formation happen?

Well, it’s a funny story. I had no story in my mind when I decided to write this one; I just had the title in my mind and then I started formulating a story around it. Fortunately, I did come up with a great story (as reviewed my many) and everything fell in right place thereafter. I just had one thing in my mind that I want to write something unusual within the usual parameters.  

4. Why did you opt for co-authoring?

My protagonist, Puneet was meant to be read with two different mind-sets. The story needed to be written with two different aspects over the life of a same character and hence, I decided to search for co-author. And I am fortunate enough that I found a capable co-author, Leepi Agrawal. She provided life to the second half of the story. The newness in her writing got really appreciated.

5. Was it hard to write the novel having another partner working on the same story?

Not at all. It actually helps to explore new dimensions. Her ideas over the storyline were brilliant and everything went on pretty smoothly. If I was the lone author of the book, I would have taken a year more to complete the book. 

6. What encouraged you to write a book on such an unusual plot? 

People like to read unusual. I had a clear image in my mind to write something out of the box and that’s what I did. You can criticize me on my language, you can criticize me on technicalities but I am sure you can’t criticize me over the storyline. Frankly, I am not an author, I am a storyteller. I like to write unusual. 

7. Is your venture, The Authors Blog, helping you in promoting and marketing your book?

The Author’s Blog is the first thing which gave me an identity in this industry. I am fortunate enough that I met so many beautiful people through TAB only. Yes, we have explored it a lot and yes, we still try to expand our boundaries. 

Through TAB we have learnt a lot regarding book publicity and I have used it for my book too. We launched some trailers, did some extensive online publicity through various posters and one-liners before the release of the book and then reviews on the cover page; all collectively helped a lot to gain the attention of the readers. 

8. What is the next topic you are writing on?

Currently I am writing ‘Let the game begin!’ (Title Tentative), which is a historical thriller based on the origin of Chess in India.   

9. Any words for your fans who liked Hey Dad Meet My Mom?

Thank you for your support and lovely feedbacks. Keep on supporting me and keep on sharing the word about HDM3. Never let this journey end. Never let the ‘Rishi’ in you, die. I love you from bottom of my heart. You are everything to me. 

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Chhimi Tenduf-la: "The synopsis caused some debate" (Interview)!!!

     Chhimi Tenduf-la is a debutante author who got published with Hachette. His first book is named "The Amazing Racist" and it's getting a superb response from everywhere. While talking with the author, it was evident how much grateful he is to all the readers and supporters. He is also nervous about his future as an author. Do read what he has to say about India, Bloggers, Fame and his next work.

1. How has life changed after writing the first book? 

It’s much the same, except now my wife reads quite a lot, which she didn’t before. Not my book though. Also I have much more contact with India which is superb; I almost feel like I am there, and will be soon for a lit fest. 

It is also a little scary. Every morning when I wake up, I check if there are new reviews, and then read them with one eye closed in case they are bad. Thankfully, the feedback has been very positive so far. 

2. What was the first moment when it came into your mind of writing The Amazing Racist?

I know some very amusing characters in real life and, I guess, it came to a point where I thought I have to get some of these people down in one book before I forget. Two months, later I had the first draft of the Amazing Racist. It’s a bit of a blur really, as I don’t think too much about what I write. I just moulded a story around the characters.

3. Did you always have passion for writing or you just wanted to tell this story to the world?

Yes I always liked writing, particularly if I could make people laugh. I had a column in a magazine and have written a couple of plays. Maybe I am getting to the age that I should drop the attempts at humour, but I think it was fitting for this story as the real-life characters I based this story on all love a laugh. However, I guess like you as a blogger, I love writing as a way to relax, switch off, maybe even to keep my thoughts in order.

4. How did the character of Uncle Thilak  develop in your creative mind?

He is an amalgamation of many people and since the book has come out, most Sri Lankans who have read it tell me that they can identify with him because they have an uncle like him. In fiction, I love a bad guy with redeeming features which is what I was trying to get at.

The bits about his humour during his fight with cancer came from my father. He suffered from cancer for 13 years before losing his life to it, but he never stopped cracking jokes or living his life as normal. 

5. Weren’t you doubtful initially that starting the book on a lighter note and then changing it into a tensed and stressed story would disappoint the readers who picked it up considering only the synopsis?

This is a great question; the synopsis caused some debate.  We did not want to give the story away, so we could not refer to the second part of the plot, but at the same time, in hindsight I guess by just blurbing the first half of the book the story sounds quite generic. Yet, I wanted the story to be everyday life everyone could relate to, so it had to be quite a simple story.  

In general, readers have liked the switch in story in the second half to something which is a little different. To me, that was the crux of the story, and the first half was more about getting into the heads of the characters. 

6. How well do you think will your book pick up in India for Indian readers?

The response has been excellent.  I am not there to get the everyday feedback I get in Sri Lanka, when I bump into people – at least in person people have to say nice things. The press and blog reviews I have been getting in India have been fantastic and this suggests to me that the story is as applicable to there as it is to here.  My Tibetan father was actually an Indian national who was born and grew up there, so I guess part of my way of life is Indian anyway.

7. Are you loving the interaction you are having with Bloggers and Reviewers online these days?

I am absolutely loving it. This is really my first introduction to blogging. When I get a blog review, like from you, I then go through the full blog and find what you guys write about is fascinating; a wealth of information and a good way to get a finger on the Indian pulse as it were. I’ve learnt so much. I also think it amazing that you all find the time in your busy schedules to be so diligent about blogging. I have since considered starting a blog myself but don’t know, if like you, I can keep making interesting posts. Hats off to you. 

I have also been contacted by some newspaper reviewers who liked the book and that has been utterly brilliant too. I am not so confident about my writing so to get good reviews in the papers and on blogs really encourages me.

8. What is the next work we would be getting to read from you?

My next novel, Panther, comes out in July of this year.  It’s about a former child soldier getting a cricketing scholarship to an elite Colombo school. So it’s about fitting in to an alien environment, while hiding a dark past, and having to contend with physical and mental abuse, sinister school masters, war, first love, and rivalry. Most of all it is about friendship, loyalty and betrayal.

9. Any words for your readers who picked The Amazing Racist and liked it? 

I am unbelievably grateful. I think it is brave to pick up a debut novel, written by an unknown author from another country.  I hope the risk was worth it and cannot thank them enough for the kind words, support and encouragement. 

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Sabi Shaikh: "I don’t let the criticism get to my head" (Interview)!!!

        Sabi Shaikh is a brand new author who got his book released early this year named "Via Delhi". Since the book has released, he is enjoying every big and small shot of fame he is finding in his way. While taking this interview, the happiness was clearly visible in his sentences. Do read to know what Sabi Shaikh feels about his life post-success.

1. Hello Sabi, when did it occur to you that you should write a book and get it published?

I’ve always had the habit of scribbling random stuff on paper right from my childhood days but to be honest I never really aspired to be a published Author. I guess I was destined to be one and it just happened.

I’ve grown up witnessing inter caste love stories going for a toss due to a very stupid reason called Religious differences. Damn, I was a victim too. We somehow end up being a silent victim and the hypocrite Indian society always ends up on the winning side. They have destroyed more love stories than anyone ever could. I wanted to bring about a difference so I decided to be the change.  I started writing Via Delhi which is a one of a kind Inter caste love story. My motive behind this book was not to earn money or fame but to bring about a change in the mentality of those people who look down upon inter caste love stories. I quit my job to write this book and I have never regretted my decision.  Once I started writing everything else started falling in place and one fine day I ended up getting published. 

2. Tell us something about your first book “Via Delhi”.

Saifuddin Khan was a Sunni Muslim boy who was pursuing his MBA and resided in the city of Nawabs, Hyderabad whereas Mridu Bhattacharya was a Bengali Brahmin girl who was preparing for her BBA entrance exams and hailed from the beautiful city of Dehradun. Destiny strikes one day and they meet in the early morning in a very unusual manner. They become each other’s moral support in no time. Their bonding grew stronger as the days passed by and beating all the odds the inevitable happened, they fell in Love. Their unique love story stared at the Indian Samaaj right in the face as even today people and parents claim to be very open minded but the thought of Inter religion marriage makes them go numb and the first thing that comes to their mind is “Char log kya kahenge?” These Char log have killed more dreams than anyone else ever could. Saif’s parents had a broader outlook towards life but sadly Mridu came from a very conservative and narrow minded family. They were a modern day couple who always thought that Love is greater than or equal to any religion and were ready to fight the battle for Love in their own respective ways. The city of Delhi played a very important role in their lives even though they belonged to different cities.

Their love story was nothing less than a rollercoaster ride with a series of ups and downs. A twisted love story to be precise...

3. Are you planning to write its sequel or there’s already a fresh story in your mind?

           I have a fresh story in my mind and I have already started working on it. I don’t think there will be any sequels to Via Delhi. 

4. What difficulty did you face while writing this book as it was your first attempt?

          Believe it or not, my journey of Via Delhi was pretty smooth. Everyone around me was very supportive and it took me just around three months to complete my manuscript. I guess someone up there is very happy with me and made my first attempt to write a book completely hassle free.

5. What are your views about the Indian publishing culture after facing it all and getting published? 

Well there are good people and bad people out there. Some are eagerly waiting to cheat you while the others are readily available to help you if your work is good.  You don’t write a book everyday so you’ve got to be very careful in choosing a publisher.  I got a very mixed kind of a view when it comes to the Indian Publishing culture. I am not very happy with the way things work here nor am I very upset. I’m pretty neutral.  Maybe I’ll get wiser with more experience. And have a better understanding between good and bad.

6. How was your experience at World Book Fair recently? Any compliment by a reader there that will stay with you forever? 

The experience at the World book fair was phenomenal. I had never really expected that the event would be this huge. I had to pinch myself a few times to actually start believing that all this was indeed happening to me.  You know, when your signature turns into an autograph it clearly means that you have achieved something in life. I enjoyed signing autographs at the book fair and interacting with readers. The Authors Corner event was out of the world. That was the day when I actually felt like a little celebrity. It was my moment and I lived every bit of it. My parents were really very proud of me and nothing in this world gives you more happiness and satisfaction than seeing your parents proud and happy. 

Yeah I did receive a fan mail which I would love to share with everyone. 

7. What are your views about Gargi Publishers and Pulkit Gupta, its owner?

Gargi Publishers is currently the fastest growing self publishing house in the country and that is only because of Pulkit’s hard work, commitment and dedication.  He knows how to get the job done. I and Pulkit share a very good bond now and with time we have become very good friends too. I would take this opportunity to thank the whole team of Gargi Publishers for all the wonderful work that they have done for their Authors. I wish them all the very best for all their Future endeavours.  I am very positive that things are only going to get better from here.

8. How easy or difficult is it facing such exposure since your first release?

I never really thought that I would get this far. Everything still seems like a dream. I enjoyed every bit of the exposure, who wouldn’t? I have always been an extrovert so it was pretty easy for me to deal with all the exposure. In the beginning it was a little strange but then with time I got used to it. I still find it very funny when people address me as Sir.

  

9. How are you taking criticisms for your first book?

My Readers and my Reviewers. 

My book has been reviewed by many professional reviewers. Many have appreciated it while a few have shunned it.  They have their own parameters to rate a book and I respect that. But for me a common mans review is more important than a review given by a professional big shot reviewer because a common man will always rate your book keeping just one parameter in mind and that is Emotions. I read the reviews given by a common man with more interest as compared to a review given by a reviewer. I don’t let the criticism get to my head.  I will continue writing for my readers and if the reviewers are interested to read my book, they are more than welcome. 

10. Any words for your fans who liked Via Delhi?

Thank you from the deepest corner of my heart. Thank you for making me what I am today. Thank you for appreciating my style of writing. Thank you for making Via Delhi such a huge success. Thank you for all your reviews. Thank you for all your love, support and prayers. Thank you for making Via Delhi go Viral. 

An Interview with Harshita Srivastava, author of Bad Romance!!!

 Harshita Srivastava has been a Blogger since a long time and recently, she published her second book. We found an opportunity of asking her how has been her journey from a Blogger to a published author. Do read to know why her latest book is garnering huge compliments and praises. 

1. Hello Harshita, how has been your experience of switching from being a Blogger to an Author?

Ah! A bit on the sore side. As a blogger, I enjoyed more liberty and freedom of thoughts. I was my own celebrity. I did have a duty towards my readers like I do even now but there was less pressure. Now that the stature has increased, there are added responsibilities. Sales figures, promotions and events have taken a big part of my brains which has left little space for my creative thoughts to swim around freely. That being said, I wouldn’t say that I don’t enjoy being an author. It is my dream come true and the path has definitely become easier since the day Pulkit Gupta came my angel publisher.

2. What do you enjoy most- writing blogs or books? No Diplomacy please!

I like writing stories, doesn’t really matter if it’s my blog or book. However, yes, bringing out a story in the form of book is a tedious task as compared to posting up a blog post.

3. What motivated you to write “Bad Romance”? 

I had been in search of a story after the release of my debut work, One in a Million. While my first book was on a lighter note, I did not want this one to be on similar grounds. I wanted to write something different. I wished to talk about reality, the dark side of our lives, the part we never discuss about. The idea was to bring a character that goes beyond the convention. Fortunately, Kritika came into my life at that point and helped me grow my plot. Gradually, things began to shape up and the story picked up speed.  I researched a lot on victims of emotional abuse, what they grow through and what it takes to conquer the same. The year 2013 and half of 2014 saw me completely engrossed in this story. However, here I’d like to say that Bad Romance wouldn’t have been possible without the help of a few people in my life. 

4. Was it difficult in writing few personal moments of a girl publicly and still trying to sound innocent and genuine? 

Extremely difficult. I had a lot of audience to answer to. I was stuck in the conflict of doing justice to the story or fearing of the consequences such writing could bring about. I am glad I chose the former. Initially I was too hesitant but then after listening to the plot, one of my friends, Pratyush Prakash told me that unless you give your all to the story, you can never be a true writer. Since then I never looked back.

I have faced opposition for what I wrote, being told that it was a publicity gimmick but I have taken it all in the stride because I know that I have spoken for a hundreds of silent hearts. My writing is a struggle against silence. However brutal it may be, it is always honest. 

5. What would be your reaction if you are been treated by your boyfriend like Vikrant treats the protagonist of your book in Bad Romance?

It takes a lot of courage to fight for yourself, to go against a person you love yet hate at the same time. A victim of emotional abuse is too trapped and way too difficult to understand. What revolves in your head and heart never matches. When you’re committed to a man with split personality, you cannot even take help from outside because the picture there is altogether different. It’s extremely exhausting to decide when one minute the man abuses you and the second minute becomes the most lovable man. 

I believe even I’d have needed a lot of strength within to go against a guy like Vikrant. Ages back I learnt something from life, “You and only you can get yourself out of the misery you lie in.”

I tend to implement it every time life throws me its ball.

6. What did you personally went through while writing that rape scene?

Writing the book has been a real depressing task for me. I shut myself in a flat all alone for two months straight to bring this book’s first draft. Every day, I suffered migraine attacks for this book. Every single scene I wrote in this book is a result of extreme control over my thought process. I began to see the dark side of life, I began to think like Kritika, incorporating her ways of life in my life so as to write exactly how she felt. 

Writing the rape scene was a herculean task. I have no idea how many rape stories I had to read. Every victim had their own story and each story was enough to give you sleepless nights. Our country houses a number of rape victims inside marriage or relationships and a few have been courageous enough to speak about it. If they wouldn’t have talked about it, the writing of that scene would have been impossible.

7. What has been the best compliment you have gotten for Bad Romance?

Once I got a mail saying ‘Bad Romance’ motivated a girl to get out of emotional abuse. She profusely thanked me for giving her the strength she thought she never had. What else would I have asked for! If you have contributed towards the betterment of someone’s life, you have definitely succeeded as a human being.

8. Do your parents read your book?

Reading is a habit that my parents had inculcated in me since childhood. My mom and dad are voracious readers. My dad is a scientist and devours books like anything although he’s not into fiction reading. I have never found my Mum without a book in her free time. My mother has read me since I was a kid and she continues to do so. I still don’t know if my dad has read my books or not though I have been told that he picked up my debut novel one night after everyone had slept 

9. What are you thinking to write in your next flick?

It’s too early to say something but yes, there’s a travelogue I am working on (all thanks to my association with a travel portal) and then there’s a another compilation wherein I’ll talk to all the significant and insignificant people of our lives through the written word.

10. Any words for your fans who liked Bad Romance?

It took me a lot of efforts to bring out this book and I am really thankful to all of you for appreciating a story that was so dark. I know we often look for happiness but this book brought around a part of society that people don’t wish to talk about and mostly brush it aside. I am so glad that you put your trust in my words and gave me a stature I had never dreamt of. I am nothing without you guys. Thank you! 

Interview with the author, Piyush Naik!!!

Piyush is one of the most youngest authors in India who debuted in the field of literature while they were still in school. He has already written 2 books and run his own book promotional website named The Word Bite with his friend. I got to take his interview at the time of the release of his 2nd book. Let's see what he has to say about his writing career in this very short interview.

1. Hello Piyush. How did it come in your mind to write a novel at the age of 17-18? 

Hi, My girlfriend died, my parents found out that I was into drugs. Okay whatever I said before is a joke, don’t take it seriously. Life doesn't need to be this dramatic for a person to become an author, I started writing because my heart got stories which I needed to tell the world.

2. How much change do you see in yourself since your first book to this one? 

A lot has changed in me, time teaches you a lot. I cannot measure it in numbers or anything but i can just say that some changes happened in me is for good.

3. “Bizarre Emotions” is a very wonderful novel. How did the story come in your mind?

 I’m glad that you enjoyed it. Well it was just a normal day when i heard the news of Nirbhaya on TV and that incident struck me. And call it a gift of God or anything but this story just came to me.

4. How long did it take to write this one? And what approach did you follow while writing this thriller?

 Well the thinking procedure took longer, after the story was in my head; it hardly took some 2 months to pen it down. And talking about the approach, i just did one thing. If it does not amaze me it will not amaze any reader. So till the time i wasn’t happy with the chapter i would keep on writing it again and again. 

5. How hard it is to write a thriller? 

Well it’s not that much hard, you should just know, ‘What to tell?’ ‘When to tell?’ ‘Why to tell?’ & ‘How to tell?’

6. I found a bit of Chetan Bhagat and Ravi Subramanian in your writing and plot. Are you really influenced by them?

 I would not say I’m influenced by them but yes they inspire me a lot.

7. Tell us something about The Wordbite. Is the portal helping you in promoting this flick of yours?

Wordbite.com is an Entertainment site and a marketing company. I along with my friend Rahul Marar have started it. The motto of wordbite.com is that it should have something for everyone. Being my own company it is my promotional partner.

8. Have you started working on your 3rd book? What is it based upon?

 Well yes i’m working on it, it will be a sequel to my first book ‘Oops! I fell in for DON’s daughter’ and second book in ‘oops! Series’ and it will be different this time, and it will have the flavours of oops and hangover of Bizarre Emotions. It will also be a Romantic Thriller with a twisted love story.

9. Any word for your fans who liked Bizarre Emotions? 

Believe in yourself, no matter how bad the time is... it has to change one day!

An Interview with Jyoti Arora, Author of Lemon Girl!!!

     

    It has been a wonderful experience in working with Jyoti Arora for her books each time she has written one. Each time she writes a book, she ensures that it has some social message in it. Her latest book, Lemon Girl, is been liked by the youths. Let's see what she had to say in the interview I had with her. 

1. Hello Jyoti. Why did it take you so long to complete and release your 2nd book?

I confess that I’m a slow writer. I take my time in conceiving, planning, developing and revising my book. I can’t dash out a book in a matter of months. 

Secondly, since my first novel Dream’s Sake released, I have become much too busy in diverse pursuits. I have a full-time job with a multi-national company and I also have a technology blog called Techn0Treats. These two combined together keep me very busy and so I get little spare time to work on my books. That delayed the publishing of Lemon Girl even more.

2. Weren’t you doubtful about such an unusual title “Lemon Girl”?

I knew that some people might consider the title ridiculous. But I loved it and felt that most readers would find it attractive and catchy. And my belief in the title is being vindicated by the reviews that I’m getting of the book. Most readers feel that the title suites the story, its theme and heroine well. Some have actually told me that there couldn’t have been a better title for such a book. So, I guess, it was a fortunate choice.

3. What exactly made you write this story?

I had this theme in my mind since several past years. Then ‘Nirbhaya’ case happened. And after that, rape seems to have become almost a fashion. Never a day goes when we don’t hear of it in news programs. And what is even more enraging is the way our own leaders and prominent people casually put the blame of all this ‘cultural decline’ on girls and women and offer all sorts of excuses for culprits. I found this disgusting. Seeing and hearing all this made me feel very angry. My health problems don’t permit me to go out and take part in protests. So I decided to raise my protest by way of my writing. That’s what led to Lemon Girl. 

4. What changes do you find in yourself as a writer from Dream’s Sake to Lemon Girl?

When I wrote Dream’s Sake, I was very inexperienced as a writer, in terms of market perspective. I wrote out my story without any awareness of the market demands and trends. I wrote what I enjoyed reading. But since then, I have made many writer friends and joined many writing groups. My understanding of the market and current reading preferences has improved. As a result, my second novel is shorter in length and trendier in tone. Although, it still has the depth, sincerity and the beauty of language that readers appreciated in Dream’s Sake.

5. How hard it was to write a story about a girl who’s a victim of a heinous crime like rape?

Writing of any book involves challenges. While writing Lemon Girl, my greatest challenge was doing justice to the serious theme without making the book too serious and gloomy. Some readers of Dream’s Sake told me that they loved the book but it made them cry. I did not want my second novel to be so serious as well. And yet, it would have been wrong to deal with such an issue as rape in a light and frivolous way. Keeping the balance between poignancy and entertainment was tough. I achieved it by getting the story narrated by two different people. The parts that the heroine Nirvi narrates are serious and thought-provoking. The parts that the hero narrates are lighter in tone. The two together add the required depth and light to the story. 

As for the difficulty of writing about a rape victim, I did a thorough research upon this theme before beginning the book. And that helped me develop the character of Nirvi. Also, I’ve done Masters in Applied Psychology. So I do know a little about the psychological effects of such traumas. 

6. What were you most doubtful about while writing this one?

I was narrating my book from female as well as male perspective. The heroine and the hero narrate the story of Lemon Girl alternatively. I was sure of the parts that the heroine narrated. But I did worry about the tone and the words that I gave to my hero. I wasn’t sure if they were natural enough for a guy like him. Thankfully, the reviews of Lemon Girl have assured me that I have succeed in making the hero Arsh natural and relatable. 

7. Who are your favourite authors whom you feel influenced by?

I enjoy reading classics most. While working as a freelance writer with one publisher, I also abridged 24 classics to make them suitable for pre-teens. And so, I think those books by great masters have left a deep impact on my writing. I enjoy books of Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte and Charles Dickens most. Conventional choices, you might call them. But so it is. I like old things. Old music, old movies and old books. I wouldn’t mind going back to the old world either, if I could take my books, my smartphone and my computer along with me!

8. How genuine do you find the Bloggers and Book Reviewers?

That depends upon who the blogger or book reviewer is and why he or she is reviewing the book. Most bloggers and reviewers give genuine reviews. I do feel sometimes that due to the large number of books they have to read and review, many book reviewers seem to be losing the joy of reading and appreciating a book. Many just summarily jot down the main points of the book in their blog posts, almost as if their only intention was to remove the book from their ‘to-read-and-review’ pile. 

Fortunately, I’m happy to say that my novel Lemon Girl has managed to make most readers and reviewers feel excited about it. Most of the reviews that I got for Lemon Girl rang with the love and excitement that the reviewer felt for the book. And let me tell you, a thousand word review can’t make a writer as happy as one excited exclamation of appreciation from a reader can.  

9. What story are you working on currently? When will your next book release?

I haven’t started working on any book yet. I will try to start on another book soon, but it would probably be another two years when my next book comes out.

10. Any words for the people who read Lemon Girl.

I felt strongly about an issue and raised my voice against it through Lemon Girl. If you too feel strongly about the issue of rape and victim-blaming, I welcome you to Raise Your Voice too on the online spaces I have provided. You can post your messages on my blog, Facebook page or on Twitter. The details of that can be found here:  http://www.jyotiarora.com/raiseyourvoice

Also, do let me know what you think of my novel. I love hearing from my readers.