How did the seed of the idea for Batshit happen ?

It started out as a very simple idea – of this girl who is struggling with body dysmorphia, and she begins hearing this voice in her head. It promises to give her everything she wants – weight loss, acceptance from her family, even a proposal from her boyfriend – as long as she does what it says. The more I thought about this voice – that I imagined as a supernatural extension of an eating disorder – the more chills it gave me. I kept thinking of its timbre, who it would belong to, what it would ask this character to do, and how far would she go? 

The thing is that body dysmorphia and body shaming can be very, very destructive, but that destruction is always so neat and it’s always channelled inwards. It’s always restricted to the woman being shamed. I wanted to see what happens when you take these issues into the realm of the absurd and the fantastical, by introducing a demon, and see what happens when that pressure to have that perfect body, to be that perfect ‘good little girl’, etc makes a woman truly explode.

We have seen zombies ruling the western market be it books or movies. Were you worried about bringing about the demon angle in Indian readers?

I was worried about presenting demons in a stereotypical way – like they have been in Hollywood and Bollywood movies like The Exorcist or Bhoot or a Ramsay film. I didn’t want Pia’s head revolving 360 degrees, and her crawling up walls throughout the book, or a tantric coming and exorcising her with a jhadoo. I wanted it to be subtle, until it wasn’t. Because so much of the book is really about looking at the psychological impact of being constantly judged and shamed and criticised – and how it alters an individual – through the lens of a demonic possession. I was excited to present demons like this – in an urban South Delhi setting, minus all the other tropes and cliches.   

Till the end you have managed to sustain the suspense of whether the demons are real or not. Did you do any research in terms of the psychological side?

I definitely did my share of research on the various theories in the book – be it Rorschach or Freud or Jung. I also read up on many psychological case studies on possession, dysfunctional relationships and so forth. I wanted this book to be rooted in reality, because so much horror in it comes from the real… from that ‘it could happen to you’ element. At the same time, I couldn’t be psychologically or supernaturally absolute about Pia’s diagnosis till the very end. So, I played with many open-ended psychological theories – ones that have been argued and debated, like Freud, and moulded them to Pia’s condition. 

Anando’s character stands out from the overall mood of the book, which is refreshing. Was that deliberate?

Oh, yes! Apart from Kabir, I imagined Anando as this figure who really tried to understand Pia and was on her team from the get-go. I don’t think he’s the best psychologist out there. In fact, he is someone who is quite flawed and messy, with hardly any sense of boundaries – but still, I think he’s a respite from all the South Dilli-walas, and he doesn’t see Pia through that warped and superficial lens that everybody else in her life does.

There is a familiar trope of bad girl protagonist amongst a perfect family. Was that a conscious choice?

While I don’t think I was deliberately taking on a familiar trope, I did know that Pia would have to be the black sheep of the family, definitely. This is someone who is on the outskirts and margins of all social groups – family, friends, work, etc. It’s what builds up her desperation and makes her inner demon(s) so powerful – this desperate need to fit in, to be ‘normal’, to be like everyone else… to be an idealised image of that ‘good girl’. 

You have touched the childhood trauma part at one point. Do you believe childhood trauma could make people vulnerable?

I think we are hugely defined by our childhood traumas, and it impacts and permeates every single aspect of the person we end up becoming. Everybody has their own set of traumas, of ranging severities. It could be something like a comment on your appearance that changed how you saw yourself forever, or it could be abuse – the magnitude of which your young brain could barely wrap itself around. It could also be a constant barrage of criticism, rejection, being told you weren’t ‘good enough’ – and now you see that playing out through a toxic romance or in your office setup. It’s constant work to move beyond these traumas, to undo and unlearn their damages. But I think that work is important.

Do you really believe in demons?

No, as much as I love a good horror book or movie, I don’t really believe in demons, or anything supernatural in real life! 

What’s your next writing venture?

I am looking at exploring a horror novel about toxic romances. 

Wow! That’s exciting. So, when did you decide to sit down and actually start writing?

I have always written – ever since I could remember. It’s the only way I have known how to express myself as a person, since I am not much of a talker. But usually, I have limited my writing to diaries, journals, blogs, memoir-type musings in my email drafts, or articles for work. 

Once I got this idea, I found myself writing this book constantly. But every now and then, my Imposter Syndrome would kick in, and I would abandon the drafts for a month or two. Then, I would force myself back to the laptop, because a part of me also wanted to know how this story would play out and I would constantly wonder what would happen to Pia? Regardless of whether this book was published or not, somewhere I felt like it would be supremely unfair to me o not see this story through!

What is your advice to aspiring writers?

To write like no one’s reading. Write for yourself first, and let it all out. Accept that your first draft will probably be crap. And that you can always write a second and a third and a fourth. You can always find better words, better sentence structures, or add and subtract from the story. 

I probably junked two-thirds of the first draft of Batshit and wrote it all again from scratch. And I am so glad I did! Some of the best parts of this book only came to me in the second and third drafts. One of my favorite parts, in fact, was written right before Batshit went to press!   

Wow. That is some crazy writing adventure. Thanks, Kritika for your time and sharing your little secrets on Batshit. 

The post “Judging, Shaming and Criticism; how it alters an individual through the lens of a demonic possession” – Kritika Kapoor , About Her Debut Novel Batshit. appeared first on Outset Books.

90 days is a marvelous craft. Why did it take so long to see the light?

AM: Yes, I had been asking myself whether to write a book on the assassination of India’s former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi for far too long. It was during these times that many people including some members of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that looked into the assassination case asked me why I have never thought of writing a book, more so after extensively covering the story in India Today magazine. And then when I reconnected with some of those SIT members who had cracked the case, I realized that the assassination had continued to haunt some of them even after all these years, thirty years to be precise at the time of writing this book. I decided to write it as a mark of respect for their stellar work and for the generation of today—to tell them about this intriguing piece of investigative journalism and to help them gain a deeper understanding of the events—and the attempted cover-up that followed—of what was surely a turning point in our nation’s history.

What were your thoughts when you were asked to cover the Rajiv Gandhi Assassination investigation?

AM: I was delighted to hear that. My senior Shekhar Gupta had done the first story that was soon after the former PM was killed. And then it seemed to be my turn. I was new to India Today and thought “this is my chance” to prove myself. I was very thankful to my editors, particularly Inderjit Badhwar and Shekhar Gupta.

How was your writing experience?

AM: I thoroughly enjoyed writing the book. It was like rewinding my life between 1991 and 1992. It all came out once I decided to uncap myself and much like a soda bottle reaction.

Are you planning to write another book?

AM: Yes, I am working on it and more than halfway through.

Every journalist would have a pandora’s box of experiences. What was the moment that made you feel like yes, it was all worth it?

AM: I was narrating a story to a group of young creative people at a film production house when one of them came up to me and said, “Sir, my grandfather knew you when you were investigating the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case in India Today magazine.. he was so and so..” I laughed and realized it was high time I worked on the book.

How was your publishing experience?

AM: Excellent. I didn’t know any publisher. Took a long shot at Harper Collins India and they wrote back with a positive response. They have been very supportive. Not many would like to publish a book as sensitive as this one. They did this without any rider or condition.

Do you want to share an anecdote about 90 days that was not mentioned in it?

AM: Oh, there are so many actually. A very significant one would be about two key members of the SIT who I am not going to name for obvious reasons. They were mesmerized by the actions of the LTTE supremo and mastermind of the assassination, Sivarasan. Both officials were so impressed by the planning and execution of LTTE’s mission that they had no hesitation in drawing a parallel between Prabhakaran and Sivarasan with Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. Having said that, neither of the investigators was glamorizing the Tamil guerrillas. Certainly not. Looking at LTTE’s methodical, ruthless approach clinically, the investigators thought the LTTE duo was close to being unbeatable.

What is your advice to aspiring journalists and writers? 

AM: I think any writer needs to keep in mind that he or she is writing not just for self-satisfaction but for their readers. Therefore, their work must connect with the hearts of the readers. Readers must be able to relate to what they are given to read. What we write should enlighten and entertain the reader. That’s my take.

Thank you so much for your valuable time. Looking forward to your next book and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.

The post “I decided to write it as a mark of respect for their stellar work and for the generation of today”, Anirudhya Mitra – Author of 90 Days appeared first on Outset Books.

1. Tell us about your writing journey.

My first writing experience was way back during my engineering days when I co-authored the second edition of an electronics book with one of my professors. I understood how publishers work to a large extent, but there was intense competition for the specific book we planned to revise, and things didn’t pan out. After six to seven years into my corporate journey, I got interested in writing blogs because that is a way to share knowledge. At that time, I again tried to rework the earlier electronics book, but still, there were many apprehensions from the publishers, mainly due to the intense competition. Ten years into my career, I began teaching as a visiting faculty, and after a long journey of 17 years in the industry, I thought of writing a book about healthcare IT (Healthcare Decoded). During the pandemic, I published a marketing book (Technology to Business – The Invisible Gap) and a Data Science book (Master the Mystic Arts – Begin your Data Science Journey). Finally, after much thought and additional learning, I wrote my first Novel in 9 to 5 Cubicle Tales.

2. The book is about corporates. Do you feel like somehow life was unfair to them in terms of the pressure?

I don’t think there is any industry/profession where there isn’t any pressure. Even as an author, one is stressed if our work will get recognized. As an entrepreneur/independent business owner, one worries about finding the next customer or big idea. As an educator, the challenge is making students not only understand the concepts but also give them a vision of how to use the same in real life. The corporate world is no different; it can be compared to an exam of real life where we meet various characters in our day-to-day life, some supportive while some who love opposing your ideas.

3. You have shared several relatable anecdotes. Was it inspired by your life?

I would say these experiences are from the corporate world but not limited to a single person. People who have read the book can relate to many aspects as they feel nostalgic about finding a Job, the training one undergoes, working on a client project, visiting the US for the first time, and many more. The way the book is written, you might feel you are the book’s main character at some point.

4. The book wraps at a note of optimism and ambiguity. Was it intentional?

Well, that’s reality, isn’t it? Life is never about clarity; only when you move ahead in life is when you realize the reality was right in front of your eyes, and you needed to connect the dots. The book’s essence is to showcase that whatever the situation, one needs to stay calm and keep trying to reach our goal. In the words of Rocky Balboa, “It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!”

5. Were you always in the world of words?

I wouldn’t say I was always in the world of words. From my youth, I have been a quiet person; even my responses to other people I spoke with were in the form of an SMS (still is though ). However, I realized I needed to improve my communication once I entered the corporate world. So, sometime in my corporate journey, I read the book “Made to Stick – by Chip Heath and Dan Heath” which made me realize how to communicate. Between September 2021 to March 2022, I did two courses on creative writing, which helped me on my journey into the world of writing.

6. Are you planning your next book?

Absolutely!! By the way, 9 to 5 Cubicle tales is a 4-5 part series; fingers crossed, I have a long way to go.

7. What is your advice to aspiring writers?

Create a plan, and execute the same!! For any idea to be successful, execution is more important. You might have a thousand ideas, but they will remain an idea if you don’t act on them. For example, if you want to write on a specific topic and focus and diligently write 500 words daily, you will have written a novella in three months. 

The post In Conversation with Harish C Rijhwani – Author of 9 to 5 Cubicles appeared first on Outset Books.

While I was reading Teenage Chronicle, all I was thinking was how could such a young girl possess wordly knowledge and philosophical expertise. I had these questions reeling in my mind when I got a chance to interview the author herself. Yes, today we have Saania Saxena, the author of Teenage Chronicle sharing her vast experience at her tender age. She is a cosmopolitan Indian whom has been a globetrotter student.

Born to loving and caring Indian parents and grown with with Singer twin sister, Saania had her learning experience for a lifetime. 

“I have lived in 4 different countries including Singapore, India, South Africa, and the UAE and hence have moved around schools that have each been enriching in their own ways,” she says. “I have always been into writing since I own a blog titled Fun with Philosophy from the age of 12, and read various different books and met some incredible authors that sparked my interest in writing my own.”

Lets learn more about her in the virtual tété-â-tété by Outset Books.

You are born and brought up in the UK but your book has ideologies that reflect Indian culture. Was that adapted or a coincidence?

Since I wanted my book to have a wide appeal, I incorporated ideologies from several different cultures. Before writing, I interviewed some of my friends across different countries. So, there are indeed certain ideologies that reflect the Indian culture. 

How did you gain so much philosophical knowledge?

From a young age I was immersed in books that questioned life. Some include Magic of Reality and Sophie’s World, which provoked my own mind to wonder/ponder about such questions about why things are the way they are. 

Who is your favorite author?

Mitch Albom, because of his inspirational stories and themes, and how his books like Finding Chika and Tuesdays with Morrie tells us stories that find their way from the deepest spaces in his heart. 

Are you planning another book?

I would definitely write another book at a later stage in my life, moving away from the teenage life, haha. Perhaps on my travel journey.

How is your writing pattern?

My writing pattern is very original. I try to use my life experiences that have given me a particular point of view. I then try to make sense out of it by putting in some scientific evidence, and I also try not to sound too complicated, and use easy emotive language that others can relate to, especially the younger audience.

Is philosophy your favorite genre? If so, which other genres would you like to try?

Philosophy is an interesting genre, and I feel books like Philosophy 101 question the nature of reality. They also delve into and argue the answers to life’s most basic questions, definitely enabling me to think critically and logically. However, reading fiction books also increases my creativity and sparks some incredible ideas. Fantasy and magic-based books are things I love to switch between non fiction sometimes. 

That was a candid conversation with Saania Saxena. You can connect with her in her Instagram handle @teenage_chronicles. Read my review of Teenage Chronicles only on Outset Books.

The post In Conversation With The Author of The Teenage Chronicles – Saania Saxena appeared first on Outset Books.

 Smita Das Jain is the author of ‘A Slice Of Life’ and ‘The Lost Identity.’ She is a writer by passion and writes every day. Samples of her writing are visible in the surroundings around her- her home office, her sunny terrace garden, her husband’s car and the kitchen napkins. She loves writing contemporary stories with a twist. Her works have been published on StoryMirror, Penmancy and Women’s Web.

When she is not writing 

In another world, when she is not writing, Smita is a Personal Empowerment and Executive Coach enabling people to become better versions of themselves, and a Strategy professional with more than fourteen years of experience working in leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies. She is an IIM Indore and SRCC alumna. Smita lives with her rockstar husband and her adorable eleven-year-old daughter at their home in Gurugram, India.

Tete a tete

Click the image to listen to the interview 

The post Virtual Tete a Tete with appeared first on Outset Books.

 Indian authors are expected to write stories that fall within the shackles of morality. Morality that is defined by the masses with a veil of discrimination.  When Rahul Saini wrote ‘Love to Hurt You’, little did he expect the backlash from the readers who have carried Game of Thrones,  Fifty Shades of Grey and the likes on their shoulders. Little did the readers expect the author of The Part I Left With You,  to write something a raw, gory and realistically scary.  Was it discrimination or wrong expectations?

Virtual tête-a-tête with Rahul Saini

CLICK THE IMAGE TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW

 About the author

The post Virtual Tête-à-tête With Rahul Saini appeared first on Outset Books.

 An author is someone who lives the story he/she writes. The characters, plotline, twists and the climax are born out of unending intellectual tug of war. Today we have one such author who voyages with the characters. She has written numerous childrens’ book which are rich in language, plot, and character. 

Shabnam Minwalla

The post Tête-à-tête with Shabnam Minwalla appeared first on Outset Books.

Virtual tete-a-tete with Vish Dhamija 

Friendship or freedom, what would you choose?” This is a tagline that hooks readers. How did this idea come to you?

Prisoner’s Dilemma as a concept (in-game theory) is simply that. Rationally, there should be no reason to doubt your friend—you should know that your friend will not double-cross you, but you are talked into doubting years of friendship. Once that happens, you get paranoid, and consequently, the self-preservation instinct takes over your rational mind. That is the entire premise of the book, so when I began writing I knew that is the challenge I’ll put forth to the protagonist(s), and I appreciate the dilemma it puts the reader in. As any tagline should, it is the heart and soul of the story, and it makes you stop and think. 

Both friendship and freedom are so vital to life that one should never want to be put in a situation to decide between them.

Do you plan a book or do you go with the flow?

I’ve been asked this before. I am more of a hybrid writer if there’s a term like that, and I doubt there are writers who plan a story to the last detail before they begin penning it. In my case, I usually have the idea/premise of the story firmed up in my mind before I start writing. For example in crime fiction, I’ll know what crime is going to be committed in the beginning (burglary, theft, murder or any other) and how will it unfold for the investigator (police, detective, lawyer) and the reader. Or, if it’s a crime caper and the protagonist gets away, how will s(he) do that. The rest I decide…as I write.

When did your connection with crime fiction begin?

To be honest I was fascinated by crime fiction before I was even aware I was reading them. 

Like most of my friends at the time, I started with comic books. 

The earliest ones were Indrajal Comics (Phantom and Mandrake), and then Tarzan before moving on to Tintin and Asterix, and Obelix. Do you see what I mean? I was enjoying these comics without knowing I was reading crime fiction in this format. Mysteries from Enid Blyton and Hardy Boys came next, followed by Agatha Christie and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Now I enjoy reading every sub-genre: legal & psychological thrillers, noir, crime capers, cozy crime, police procedural, romantic suspense… the list is unending.

When did you recognize the writer in you?

I don’t think I recognized that after the success of my first book, Nothing Lasts Forever, which was published in 2010. Writing a book was one of the things on my bucket list so when the book got published I thought I was done. But it just kept selling, and readers kept asking when am I going to write my next one? And I had no plans to write a second one. Eventually, I wrote Bhendi Bazaar, published in December 2014. When that went on to become number one on the Amazon Crime chart and featured among bestselling books in Crossword stores, I realized I had a calling. And now, with six of my books being signed up for adaptation to screen, and three of my legal thrillers becoming a subject of a doctoral thesis by a PhD student, it gives me the added confidence that I should keep going.

Tell us a bit about you(Your background, childhood, etc)

I was born and raised in Ajmer, Rajasthan. I went to Jodhpur for a post-graduation in management. Then worked in various organizations in Jaipur, Chennai, Jamnagar, and Mumbai before moving to Manchester to study MBA in 2000. The plan was to complete an MBA and return to India, but life had other plans for me. As they say in Yiddish: if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.

From Nothing Lasts Forever to Prisoner’s Dilemma, how far do you think you have grown?

Ten years People who’ve read all my books tell me that my writing has matured. No one says I have matured. Jokes aside, as an author I like to experiment. 

I write across sub-genres of crime fiction.

I use various styles of narratives—I break chronology, I use a first and third-person or both in the same story, I use different perspectives (e.g. in The Mogul the narrative unfolds through the perspectives of the ensemble characters—seven of them). With years of writing, I’ve grown and learned that there are various ways of telling the same story, and I spend a lot of time thinking about how I want to present it to my readers for it to be most impactful.

You have been in the industry for a decade now. How was your publishing journey?

I finished writing Nothing Lasts Forever at the beginning of 2009. It took me almost 16 months to find the first publisher, so it wasn’t easy. It became just a little easier, not a lot. You may have written a masterpiece, but the publishers have to put on their commercial hats and evaluate the work. In the end, if the publisher doesn’t think the book is commercially viable, they aren’t going to invest in the book.

Are you planning your next book?

As I said, I didn’t have any books between 2010 and 2014 (almost 4 years), but I still wanted ten in ten, a promise (made to self) that I had to break due to the outbreak of Covid last year.
Prisoner’s Dilemma was due in 2020, but it
got delayed. But I’ve made myself a new promise: I’ll
have twenty books before 2030, fingers crossed. So yes, I’m always writing something. 

The next book should be out in early 2022. 

What is your advice to aspiring readers?

Read, read, read. Write, edit, rewrite. Don’t worry about the publishing deal, and don’t bother what others say. Yes it is difficult to find a publisher, and yes it is an over-crowded marketplace, but don’t forget publishers need new voices as much as you need publishers. Also, never undermine the value of a good literary agent. Find yourself one.

How can the readers reach you?

 They should join me on Instagram (@vish_dhamija) and message me. I always respond if I think the question/request is genuine, and I think I can help or guide someone. But remember, sometimes it might take a little time to get a reply. It’s Instagram, not Instant-gram

Vish Dhamija is the most down-to-earth bestselling writer I have ever come across. Without the air of a celebrity writer, he has been patient, cooperative, and considerate. I reviewed his books earlier in 2017 and then my reviews were as short as an intro. Further, I reviewed Lipstick and now Prisoners Dilemma. All through the years, I could see a growing graph of this incredible writer. 

If you are a book lover, join our Outset Book Club and be with other book lovers. We also have the Outset Books Facebook Group.

The post “I Am A Hybrid Writer,” In Conversation With Vish Dhamija – Author of Prisoners Dilemma, Bhendi Bazaar And Ten More Books appeared first on Outset Books.

Hi Sakoon

Welcome to our virtual tête-à-tête

 Thank you for having me. 

First and foremost, let me ask you how the current situation has changed your life?

This pandemic has been productive in terms of the retreat it has offered to writers- the many hours of unspoiled time. As for me professionally, I am now transacting my lectures online which has its set of challenges. Overall, it hasn’t been personally a gloomy phase for me; on the contrary, it has been a phase of stepping back, growth, and introspection. On the other hand, many people in these months, have been forced to see the seamier side of our systems and that has come at a huge cost. That said, one just hopes that in the interest of humanity this unprecedented phase now passes.

That’s indeed a different perspective to look at things. I have seen the same in your book as well. Have you always seen life from a different perspective? Tell us a bit about the real Sakoon Singh.

I belong to Chandigarh. Did my schooling and college here before moving to JNU, New Delhi for my MA in English Literature. I went on a Fulbright fellowship and put a year at the University of Texas at Austin, US.  Last year I did a stint at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla. I have been in an active academic career and have been teaching at the Department of English, DAV College (Panjab University), Sector 10, Chandigarh. My area of research is Amitav Ghosh and Cultural Studies.

 Wow, Now I know how you could write a book that’s rich in literary value. How did you decide to write a book?

It was in 2016 that the idea of writing this book first came to my mind. A recurrent image of a young woman walking down a road on a rainy evening would come to my mind. At some point, it became critical for me to write her story. In 2017, I applied for a sabbatical from my college to devote full attention to writing. By the end of the leave period, I had my manuscript in hand and the struggle for a good publisher. The publishing industry itself works with a unique set of challenges and every book comes with its destiny. I signed the contract in November 2018 and as promised, we brought out the book in one and a half years. 

How did you come across the idea of “In the Land of Lovers?”

I was keen to tell the stories of urban Punjab- like any society, there are distinctive experiences and stories which need to be told. The book attempts to have an engagement with that ethos while highlighting the struggles happening today. And if viewed from another end, I feel literature is an act of empathy. It allows you to enter another’s experience without judgment. As far as Punjab is concerned, I feel mine is the generation that can bring these disparate threads together: memories of Partition, the experience of terrorism, and living through 1984 and now seeing the state of Punjab with its multiple problems. But over and above, is the inimitable spirit of Punjab, the land of the Sufi saints, the land that nurtured Gurbani. So it has been a personal quest too.

 I wanted to capture the many voices of this land from the past and present. One trope I have used to that end is the dialogues between “Mirasis”, the traditional performance artists, tramp like figures, as a narrative device to inject irony and wit in the novel.

How do you connect yourself with Nanaki and Beeji?

The book is a bildungsroman, which is a popular genre in European writing.  I trace the growth of the main protagonist, Nanaki. I would say just like her, the book embodies a Sufi consciousness- one that emerges out of empathy for the ‘other’, is radical, embodies a unique aesthetic, and does not forsake social responsibility. Most of all, there is hope at the heart of this book. Nanaki leads a cosmopolitan life, at the same time, is anchored to her cultural moorings, she can look through the many layers of social conditioning. And I think it is important because, in an age where social media has become so intrusive, we are tethered to the echo chambers of social validation and conformity more than ever before. Her empathy is a core character trait and I think that is what helps her understand people and situations better. These characteristics are hugely attractive to me. As for Beeji, through her, I was trying to delineate a whole generation of women in Punjab who lived through the horrors of Partition but did not get bitter. This is something that has always touched me about their spirit. 

Your narration has a poetic musing to it. Was it deliberate?

Wasn’t deliberate. I would say it is my writing style.

I felt that you could have given a little more space for Nanaki and Himmat’s romance. What is your take on it?  

Haha…I wish too. But I guess their romance is one part of the novel. As you have seen, the novel is about much else. At the end of the day, Nanaki and Himmat become allies of sorts. All lovers are allies (at least for some time, if not forever), but these two have a very defined aim, which was what was foregrounded in the novel. For now, I did not have the scope to delve into the intricacies of their relationship, which would have taken away from the thrust of the novel. 

Are you working on the next book?

What is your advice to aspiring writers?

Thank you so much for your time. We are eagerly looking forward to your next book. 

The post Sakoon Singh Gets Candid in Outset Virtual Tête-à-tête appeared first on Outset Books.

Oh that’s incredible. Salute you. As a soldier, did you have the dream of being a writer? Or Did it come naturally to you?

Do you have any writing routines?

That’s indeed a different way of inciting your imagination. Beyond imagination, tell us about you

I believe you can be anybody you want and you are never under any obligation to be the same person you were yesterday.

Sin and Zen has depicted the carnal sequences with the same dignity. Was that a conscious effort on your end?

I do feel that even the dirty and animalistic parts of being human are dignified though and should be explored.

Would you categorise your book as an erotica, psychological fiction or contemporary fiction?

Are you working on your next book?

How can the readers reach you?

That was an awesome piece of interview from Warren Stribling. His perspectives were different and thought-provoking. You can read My review of SIN AND ZEN
And CLICK HERE TO BUY THE BOOK

The post ‘I believe you can be anybody you want’, says Warren Stribling, the author of Sin and Zen appeared first on Outset Books.