• What inspired you to start writing?

Ans.

The story of my life! Actually, there came a point when I realized that the story of my life was unique in the sense that there never was a story been told before that was based on a stammer’s life. We have always seen a guy or a girl who stammers as a filler for jokes in stories. And, one fine day I asked myself that if I will not tell my story, who will. So, that thought inspired me to write.

• How long have you been writing?

Ans. For around four years now.

• When did you start writing?

Ans. In 2017 beginning.

• Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Ans.

Not at all. Before I decided to write a novel based on my life, I was everything but a writer. I tried a lot of things, but writing. And, once the bug of writing bit me, there was no looking back. From then on, I was nothing but a writer.

• When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Ans.

The day I wrote a short story and only one out of the four readers (my closed ones) with whom I shared my writing, liked my style of writing.

• What is your favorite childhood book?

Ans.

Comics of Chacha Choudhary, Nagraj, Super Commando Dhruv, Ram Rahim, etc. These comics have made my childhood memorable.

• Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice?

Ans.

Absolutely! Writing for me is a spiritual experience where you, not only come to know about different people, different cultures but also understand a lot about yourself, which according to me must be the primary thing an individual must strive for.

• What is the first book that made you cry?

Ans. Khalid Hosseini’s A thousand Splendid Suns.

• Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Ans.

Writing energizes me in a sense that it satisfies me, makes me happy and content, which very few things in life do. Yes, it can become a little draining at times when you are writing emotional scenes.

• Do you think someone could be a writer if they do not feel emotions strongly?

Ans.

I seriously doubt that. Because we are humans. We are social beings. In fact, we are emotional beings. And, I believe that every human, at least to an extent, has some emotions in them. But, if a writer cannot feel what others feel, or they cannot comprehend others’ perspectives, how can they do justice to the character/ story? So, even if a writer is not that technically sound, s/ he needs to at least feel emotions. Without emotions, a story will be a dish without spices – plain/ bland.

• What does literary success look like to you?

Ans.

If my book, my work can inspire, connect, give a purpose in life to even one individual, that for me is a literary success.

• How did you start your entrepreneurial journey?

Ans.

I was always sure that I didn’t want to work for someone else. I love my freedom too much for that. Since I belong to a middle-class family who had invested whatever they had in their son’s engineering degree, I chose a business that required almost no money. I started a coaching institute. It required only a whiteboard and a marker. (Smiles) By the way, there’s nothing wrong with doing a job. It’s just that it was not my kind of a thing.

• What did you learn the best thing when you owned a coaching institute for engineering students?

Ans.

That engineers can do everything. (Laughs) Also, those were the times (can’t comment for today) when if you were clueless about what you wanted to do in life, you get admission to an engineering college. That’s why we see lots of engineers who are now artists and are pursuing their careers in the art field.

• Which is your favorite book and why?

Ans.

There are actually many. To name a few here, there’s Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, Khalid Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, Stranger Trilogy by Novoneel Chakraborty, An autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda, Before you quit your job by Robert Kiyosaki are some of my all-time favorite books.

• What are the best public speaking tips that have worked for you?

Ans.

Think that the stage is the safest place where you can be. That’s your space, that is for where you are born to be.

Either Or

Tea or coffee

Ans. Coffee

Hot or cold

Ans. Hot

Movie or book

Ans. Can’t choose one.

Coke or Pepsi

Ans. Coke. Sounds cool, actually.

Toilet paper – over or under

Ans. (Laughs) Interesting one. Over

Morning person or Night owl

Ans. Used to be a night owl. Now a morning person.

Shower or bath

Ans. Bath

City or country

Ans. Cities.

Social Media or book

Ans. Book, without a thought.

Paperback or eBook

Ans. Undoubtedly, paperback