In conversation with Rishi Vohra – Author of Once Upon the Tracks of Mumbai

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Rishi Vohra recently relocated back to Mumbai after completing a Green MBA from San Francisco State University and a Masters Diploma in Environmental Law, prior to which he has had a successful career in the Indian entertainment industry. Having been a guest columnist for various newspapers in India, he currently writes for delWine and is a Certified Specialist of Wine. ‘Once Upon the Tracks of Mumbai’ is his first novel.

Source: http://www.jaicobooks.com/j/Book%20Rev/Once%20upon%20the%20Tracks%20of%20Mumbai%20Hi!%20BLITZ%20Nov%2012.jpg

He is here with us for a short tete-a-tete.

Aseem: Take us through your journey from the entertainment industry to releasing a novel.
Rishi: Well Aseem, it was a long journey. After my B.S. in Corporate Finance / Film making from the U.S., I moved back to Mumbai. I started of in ad films and then moved on to feature films as an assistant director. Side by side, I was also independently directing music videos, TV shows, stage shows, live events, and promos. During this time, I realized that writing is where my passion lay. So I kept writing as I proceeded to San Francisco to study an MBA in Sustainability. During that time, I wrote a novel and pushed it for publication while working / studying. Though it was rejected in the U.S. and other foreign markets, several Indian publishers showed an interest in it.

Aseem: Was it a natural progression for you to write a novel since you were already writing newspaper columns?
Rishi: I never chalked out a path in writing. But I guess that that’s the national progression for any columnist. But most of my columns are related to wine, so for me both were totally different and unrelated.

Aseem: How difficult is it for a first time author to set sail on the journey of publishing a novel? What all challenges did you face?
Rishi: I guess it is kind of difficult because your manuscript is one of the fifty that publishers receive each day. Your subject matter has to be interesting and really stand out for a publisher to take notice of it.

In my case, I faced many challenges, both before publication and after. I realized the amount of effort and resources it takes to market a book to a pan India audience.

Aseem: The main character of your novel is described as autistic, schizophrenic and psychotic. Considering that this character type is quite rare in the Indian literary industry, was it a challenge to describe how he feels, how he behaves etc.?
Rishi: That was the toughest part, Aseem. And it took an immense amount of research, both primary and secondary. Through the help of the psychology department at my university in the U.S., I interacted with many students with disabilities. This and other factors helped me shape up Babloo’s character.

Aseem: Your love for Mumbai is evident from how beautifully you have described the city. So what does Mumbai mean to you?
Rishi: Thanks for your kind words, Aseem. Mumbai means just one word to me – home.

Aseem: So is this story inspired from real life incidents?
Rishi: Not at all, Aseem. It’s complete fiction though there are some glimpses of my life in the book.

Aseem: Considering the Bollywood-ish touch to the story, do you plan to make this one into a movie anytime soon?
Rishi: Yes, I do. A prominent director just got in touch with me and expressed an interest in the book pending the approval of his main actor. So I’m waiting to hear back from him. Otherwise, I haven’t pitched it to any filmmaker as of yet.

Aseem: Do you plan to become a full time writer one day?
Rishi: I would love to!

Aseem: Any upcoming books we can look forward to?
Rishi: Yes, there’s another book based in the Hindi Film Industry. I have yet to place it for publication.

Aseem: Your take on the Indian literary market today?
Rishi: The literary market is booming. Though it has its upsides, the downside is that books don’t have a long shelf life in bookstores and the author has to put a lot of effort in publicity to make his / her book stand out amongst so many others.

Aseem: Reading or Writing – You prefer?
Rishi: Writing.

Aseem: How do you spend your free time?
Rishi: Mostly with family and friends. I like trying out new things all the time. Like recently, I watched an IPL match at Wankhede and I don’t usually watch matches live. Mostly, I like being around people. But when I’m all alone you always catch me with a book in hand.

Aseem: What’s your message for first time writers as well as your readers?
Rishi: For first time writers, you will get published. Just keep at it! And keep reading as it only improves your storytelling and writing skills.

For my readers, thank you for reading my book, making it a bestseller, and turning this writer into an author. I love you all!

Thanks Rishi for the lovely interview. We wish you all the best for your future books and other endeavours.

In conversation with Shatrujeet Nath: Author of Karachi Deception

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Shatrujeet Nath was born in Shillong in 1971. As a young man, he sold ice-cream, peddled computer training courses and wrote ad copy before finding his true calling in business journalism. But while still at the top of his game as Assistant Editor at The Economic Times, Shatrujeet quit journalism to write fiction. The Karachi Deception is his first book. He is currently writing his second book, The Guardians of the Halahala, which is part of an epic fantasy trilogy based on the legendary king, Vikramaditya.

We have him here for a special tete-a-tete –

Aseem: Considering you were at the top of your game, why did you decide to forgo a successful career in business journalism?
Shatrujeet:The truth was that after more than a decade of being a journalist, I found that I had stopped learning anything new at work. I was stuck in a routine that I didn’t enjoy, and even the prospect of writing a business story didn’t lift the spirits – which is downright scary for anyone who aspires to write. I realized that the problem didn’t lie with journalism; the problem lay with me. I needed to re-invent. And the only way I could think of doing that was by writing something completely different from what I had been writing for ten years.

In conversation with Sami Ahmad: Author of “Red Jihad”

Sami Ahmad Khan read Literature at Hindu College and Rajdhani College, University of Delhi. He then completed his master’s in English at Jawaharlal Nehru University. Sami was awarded a Fulbright grant at The University of Iowa, USA, in 2011. He has engaged in film production, teaching, theatre and writing. His short stories, plays and articles have been published in magazines and academic journals. His political thriller Red Jihad won the Muse India Young Writer (Runner-Up) Award at the Hyderabad Literary Festival 2013 and “Excellence in Youth Fiction Writing” at the National Debut Youth Fiction Awards at the Young Writers Meet during Delhi World Book Fair 2013.

Currently, Sami is a Doctoral Candidate at JNU, where he is working on Science Fiction and Techno-culture Studies. He is now working on a sequel to Red Jihad.

So we have him here for a tete – a – tete –

Aseem: What is one most important thing / things you have taken back from your days at the Hindu college and JNU?
Sami: Think for yourself, stick to your guns and have an opinion about anything and everything. It’s surprisingly liberating – DU/JNU style!

In conversation with Mukul Deva: India’s first military thriller writer!

An alumnus of La Martiniere College, Lucknow, the National Defence Academy, Pune and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Mukul Deva was commissioned in December 1981 into the Sikh Light Infantry of the Indian Army. He took early retirement from the army after fifteen years of service, including a decade of combat operations in India and overseas. He is now an entrepreneur and motivational speaker, leadership, business and executive coach, and consultant.

He is the author of ‘Time After Time..It all Happened‘, ‘S.T.R.I.P.T.E.A.S.E: The Art of Corporate Warfare‘, ‘M.O.D.E.L: The Return of the Employee‘, the recently released ‘The Dust Will Never Settle‘ and four bestselling books in the ‘Lashkar series: ‘Lashkar‘, ‘Salim Must Die‘, ‘Blowback‘ and ‘Tanzeem‘.

Aseem: An army man writing books. Now that’s something new at least in India. How has your experience been?
Mukul: Yes I guess it’s how most people perceive army men. And how army men view themselves. Most of the ones I know are very articulate and have great stories to tell. I simply decided to tell them, without thinking too much about it. In any case I have always believed that I can do anything if I wish to do it since it is seldom capability, but belief in our capability that matters. As for the journey – it’s been incredible. And continues to be so… I find I am full of ideas and the words don’t seem to stop flowing… ‘Tis as though of (literary) Viagra I have drunk…:)

In conversation with Priya Narendra – Author of ‘You Never Know When You’ll Get Lucky!’

A corporate big wig, a former advertising professional, a writer, a mother – Priyadarshini Narendra, an IIM Kolkata and INSEAD passout has worn many hats. ‘You Never Know When You’ll Get Lucky‘ is her first attempt at portraying life in the happening world of advertising. So we have her here for a short tete-a-tete.

Aseem: What was that one ‘spark’ which inspired you to pen down “You never know when you will get lucky”?
Priya: Believe it or not, the crucial parts of the story came to me in a dream. I had the same dream three nights in a row and realized that I had to write down the story! The rest of it was just fleshing out the before and after.

In conversation with Bhavna Rai: Author of Fate, Fraud & A Friday Wedding

Bhavna Rai was born in Delhi and has subsequently lived in the Philippines, Kenya, Thailand, Germany and the US. In a career spanning fourteen years, she has worked with some of the leading technology firms of the world. She currently lives in Hong Kong, with her husband and their two children. Fate, Fraud & A Friday Wedding is her first novel.

1. When did you say to yourself – “I am going to become a writer”? How did it all begin?
I would have to go all the way back to IXth grade for this one. I always knew that I could write and would write. Why I didn’t actually write for about 10 years from college onwards, I can’t quite explain. Life took over, I guess. It was only in 2001 that I realized I had a story to tell and I needed to start writing it. So I opened a blank Word document with no plan, no outline, no timeline and then somehow it all just came together. For me, “Fate, Fraud And A Friday Wedding” is all about the characters. It’s set in a time when India was going through tremendous transformation and I wanted to write about how people’s lives have been transformed as well.

In conversation with Parimal Kalikar: Author of The Godly Blunder

Parimal Kalikar graduated in Hotel Management and earned his first buck as a bell boy at a five star resort in Goa. Even though he pursued his master’s in Human Resource Management, he worked as a credit cards salesman in a multinational company. After leaving his lucrative job in 2009, he decided to pursue his dream of writing and owning a business. His hobbies include photography and listening to music.

You can read my review here - “A Godly Blunder”.

1. What drove you to write?

I always liked writing essays and penned random thoughts. I dreamed of publishing my novel one day, but never did I imagine that it would happen so early in my life.

Penning down my thoughts excites me and I enjoy it immensely. And so the move was made to give this career a try.

In conversation with Puneet Gupta: Author of The Suicide Banker

Puneet Gupta is a career banker with experience of over fifteen years in India. Presently working with one of the largest banks in the Middle East, he has retained his passion for writing, trekking and painting. ‘The Suicide Banker’ is his first novel.

1. What was your inspiration to write? When did you decide that you wanted to put your thoughts into words?

When I think of it, more than inspiration, it was my frustration that forced me to write. During one of my stints with a leading bank, I felt hopelessly frustrated with the way the business was being conducted and when nobody heeded to my voices, I took to pen.

Initially I had no plans of making it a commercial venture but when I read a leading Indian mass fiction writer, I suddenly realized that if he can become a successful writer, why can’t I?

Tete-a-Tete with Jims Andrews – Navy Engineer & Author

Jims Andrews is a chief engineer with the merchant navy, sailing the high seas for the last ten years. He lives in Calicut with his family. He has written two books namely – “Fall of a Sparrow” set in the backdrop of the tsunami which lashed the archipelago of the Andaman and Nicobar and “The Patriot” which is a marine terrorism edge-of-the-seat thriller.

1. What inspired you to start writing?

The answer to this one is very simple and honest. I write for the love
of writing.

2. Considering both your novels are based in the vast emptiness of the
oceans / seas, how much do your experiences as a navy engineer
influence your thought process? And how much of that reflects in your
writing?

One situation which urged me to start writing is the solitude of the
oceans (though the inclination had been always there). Once I start
writing in my cabin, in the middle of some ocean or the other, it is
always the ocean dominating the proceedings and invariably it ends up
as the key player. Though both my books are pure works of fiction, my
merchant navy background helps me to do away with a lot of research
which otherwise would have been very cumbersome.

My first interview for iLikeTimes – A Pune based tabloid