About the Book:
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.
Book Links:
Goodreads * Amazon.in * Amazon.com
Interview:
1. Tell us about the person you are when you are not writing.
RS: When I am not writing I read, and I also like to spend time and relax with my friends.
2. Tell us about your first publishing experience.
RS: I self-published all my novels. The first ever publishing experience was quite scary since I was responsible for everything right from the story to cover to marketing, and that too for the first time.
The story I had written was a romance, high on emotion and drama, so wasn’t sure about reader’s reaction. It wasn’t very difficult to find the editor since my author circle had many, but finding the right cover-designer who could understand my brief and translate it into a picture was difficult. I wasted lots of time looking for good designer. I wanted everything to be professional and eye-catching.
Finally everything was done, the cover was ready, but I couldn’t find the courage to hit the ‘publish’ button for more than a month. When one of my friend, who is an author too, prodded and pushed me, I crossed my fingers and released it.
3. What is your latest book about?
RS: ‘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. This was inspired
4. What makes it different from other books in the same genre?
RS: I would be blowing my own trumpet if I answer this question. But I have read a suspense novel set in India or romance set in India. There are very few writers who are writing romantic-suspense or thrillers set against the backdrop of conflicts in India.
5. Do the characters drive the plot or does the plot drive the characters?
RS: Since this is a thriller, the plot drives the characters.
6. Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
RS: Depends. These days after four novels I have understood my readers. And more or less what I want to write is what they want to read. But sometimes I want to go on a tangent and do write short stories, which are also available at Amazon, but not very popular.
7. Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly?
RS: They have to feel emotions yes, but sometimes it happens if you are writing from a villains perspective it becomes difficult. In such kind of cases, one has to write from the memory what they have read in a book or seen in a movie. Reading and having a good vocabulary is a ‘must’ for any author.
8. What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
RS: Editing…. 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.
9. Does your family support your career as a writer?
RS: My family is very supportive and encourages me a lot. They have more confidence in my abilities than I have. My husband funded my ‘Creative Writing’ course and the cost of editing and cover designing for my first book. My daughter beta-reads all my stories despite her busy college schedule.
10. What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
RS: None
11. What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?
RS: I can talk about the Indian publishing scene. The publishers are not transparent about the sale figures with the authors. I have heard many such kinds of episodes from fellow writers who have taken the traditional publishing route.
12. What are common traps for aspiring writers?
RS:
• Sending the first draft of their story to the publisher - It takes four round of editing to get the book right. Aspiring writers think that the editor is supposed to correct the grammar. Thinking this is like committing professional suicide. There are two things to a finished fiction project; story telling skills and proficiency in the chosen language. Learn both aspects and develop your own voice and style.
• Blurb or the details at the back of the book is a teaser for the reader. Newbies sometimes give the entire synopsis of the book. This is wrong. Read a few good book’s blurbs and write your own. Ask your writer friends to give feedback.
• Get a professional cover if you are self-publishing. The cover should not be taken lightly.
Book Links:
Goodreads * Amazon.in * Amazon.com
Interview:
1. Tell us about the person you are when you are not writing.
RS: When I am not writing I read, and I also like to spend time and relax with my friends.
2. Tell us about your first publishing experience.
RS: I self-published all my novels. The first ever publishing experience was quite scary since I was responsible for everything right from the story to cover to marketing, and that too for the first time.
The story I had written was a romance, high on emotion and drama, so wasn’t sure about reader’s reaction. It wasn’t very difficult to find the editor since my author circle had many, but finding the right cover-designer who could understand my brief and translate it into a picture was difficult. I wasted lots of time looking for good designer. I wanted everything to be professional and eye-catching.
Finally everything was done, the cover was ready, but I couldn’t find the courage to hit the ‘publish’ button for more than a month. When one of my friend, who is an author too, prodded and pushed me, I crossed my fingers and released it.
3. What is your latest book about?
RS: ‘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. This was inspired
4. What makes it different from other books in the same genre?
RS: I would be blowing my own trumpet if I answer this question. But I have read a suspense novel set in India or romance set in India. There are very few writers who are writing romantic-suspense or thrillers set against the backdrop of conflicts in India.
5. Do the characters drive the plot or does the plot drive the characters?
RS: Since this is a thriller, the plot drives the characters.
6. Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
RS: Depends. These days after four novels I have understood my readers. And more or less what I want to write is what they want to read. But sometimes I want to go on a tangent and do write short stories, which are also available at Amazon, but not very popular.
7. Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly?
RS: They have to feel emotions yes, but sometimes it happens if you are writing from a villains perspective it becomes difficult. In such kind of cases, one has to write from the memory what they have read in a book or seen in a movie. Reading and having a good vocabulary is a ‘must’ for any author.
8. What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
RS: Editing…. 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.
9. Does your family support your career as a writer?
RS: My family is very supportive and encourages me a lot. They have more confidence in my abilities than I have. My husband funded my ‘Creative Writing’ course and the cost of editing and cover designing for my first book. My daughter beta-reads all my stories despite her busy college schedule.
10. What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
RS: None
11. What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?
RS: I can talk about the Indian publishing scene. The publishers are not transparent about the sale figures with the authors. I have heard many such kinds of episodes from fellow writers who have taken the traditional publishing route.
12. What are common traps for aspiring writers?
RS:
• Sending the first draft of their story to the publisher - It takes four round of editing to get the book right. Aspiring writers think that the editor is supposed to correct the grammar. Thinking this is like committing professional suicide. There are two things to a finished fiction project; story telling skills and proficiency in the chosen language. Learn both aspects and develop your own voice and style.
• Blurb or the details at the back of the book is a teaser for the reader. Newbies sometimes give the entire synopsis of the book. This is wrong. Read a few good book’s blurbs and write your own. Ask your writer friends to give feedback.
• Get a professional cover if you are self-publishing. The cover should not be taken lightly.
About the Author:
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.
Blog | Official Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter
Giveaway:
~ 1 winner for 500/- Amazon Gift Card + kindle copy of Guardian Angel
~ 1 winner for 250/- Amazon Gift Card + kindle copy of Guardian Angel
I would buy The Hobbit if I win the Amazon Gift voucher
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