Sunday 31 January 2016

Author’s Interview- Sumit G Sehgal author of 'My Chameleon Soul'

From this month onwards I'll be publishing 'Author’s Interview' from Indian Literary World, so this month my feature author is...

 ‘Sumit G Sehgal author of My Chameleon Soul’



Sumit G Sehgal is an international wordsmith with a literary experience spanning eleven years with twenty-nine e-books in tow. This aspiring literary wizard took it upon himself to spend his entire quality time helping other people create literary masterpieces. This beautiful vision of his has helped many literary aspirants realize their dreams and his never-ending efforts are sure to bring to light a new era of authors and poets.

A multi-talented person, Sumit’s varied experience in the project design and management and strategic development lead him to meet many different people and face myriad circumstances, some good and some with takeaways for life, which have sourced his creative endeavors and inspired him to write.

To add to his long list of credentials, he has been an extremely successful ghostwriter and currently heads Butterfly & The Bee …your literary angles, an erudite hub for India’s literati. Having been involved in theatre work, he also has expertise in different writing styles and poetry with a twist.

Sumit has been nominated for Rex Global Fellowship and Karamveer Chakra Award 2016 for his contribution to the Indian Literary World.


Questioniare with Sumit G Sehgal

How did you first get involved in with writing, are you an imaginative person?

“When you read a book, be it a fiction or a non-fiction make sure to keep in your mind that you are not reading your school book. Reading these kinds of books should be able to release stress from your body. When you start reading it, automatically you will get transported to another world. A world created by the author. When you finally finish reading it, you will realize that you just experienced living someone else’s life.” These words still comes back alive as if she’s sitting right in front of me and telling me the difference between a school book and a story book. Yes, of course I’m an imaginative person.

My grandmother was an avid reader. I had this opportunity of listening to thousands of stories sitting on her lap and drinking either my morning or evening milk. I got into the routine of reading ‘Champak’ and ‘Chanda-Mama’ all because of her. We would discuss those short stories and dream about the life of our favourite characters together. This is how I got into the habit of reading books. A decade later, I became fan of ‘The Secret Seven’, ‘Famous Five’ and ‘Nancy Drew’. Till 9th standard reading such books was done mostly at night-time because they had become my stress buster after long hours of my study schedules. I improvised on my English language. Dictionary became my best friend.

After many twists and turns that kept happening in my life, I never left reading and evidently I became a bookworm and two decades later, a writer by profession. So far I have lived thousands of lives, acted many of my favourite characters either for fun or not to face the music for causing any nuisance I did. It has been a great experience.

Be it romance, crime fiction, thriller, fantasy fiction, creative non-fiction, short stories, novella, poetry, contemporary, a coming-of-age novel… I have read most of them. Within the circle of other avid reader friends, I got into the habit of scrutinizing the books too. Talking about empathy, colour writing, theme, plot and discussing other various aspects have been a new and an immense pleasurable experience.

What do you find most challenging about your writing?

It’s the colour writing I find most challenging. I hate detailing’s and at times it becomes quite challenge coz the pace gets affected.

What do you do when you are not writing?

I read. I read a lot actually.

Where do you see yourself in the next 6 months, and 5 years down the road?

6 months down the road, promoting my book in other cities. 5 years down the road, a successful man in our Indian Literary World. A lot had been planned and things are in process.

How do you keep coming up with material / content for your story?

The real life interesting incidents or an interesting conversation with someone which at times triggers an idea. My mind is full of notions and a lot needs to be penned down.

Any specific tips you have for new writers who want to make it big in the world of published books?

Don’t think about money. Don’t think about what others will say. A lot of patience is required. It is very important to have a lot of patience. Hire an agent. Find someone who has an expertise in promotions and marketing of the book apart from what all, the publisher will be doing for you. The actual work starts after the release of the book.

What’s the best thing a writer can give to his readers?

Entertainment. Positivity. A new beginning …depends on the genre.

A lot of people are interested in writing for the money earning potential. What are some tips for people interesting in making money from writing? What are some realistic expectations in regards to what can be made?

Writing for money, the best way is by becoming a freelance writer. If you explore this field, there are many online portals and companies that hire freelance writers to either write eBooks or articles. This will also enhance your writing skills, as there are varieties of topics to choose from. Expectations in regards to what can be made depend upon how many words a person can write in a day.

What motivates you most in life?

Positivity. Music. A good read.

What is the story behind the name of your book?

The story has been in my mind for almost six years. I wrote the entire manuscript and then deleted it. I was in the twilight of my existence, and in that point in time, I only experienced insecurities, uncertainties, and hesitations in my life.

One fine day, I was watching videos on YouTube and came across a song by Lana Del Rey titled Ride. I was simply awestruck by it. The video started with her voice in the background, narrating the lines that I could actually relate to. It goes like this: My mother told me I had a chameleon soul, no moral compass pointing due north, no fixed personality; just an inner indecisiveness that was as wide and as wavering as the ocean.

Saturday 30 January 2016

दोस्ती...

दोस्ती...


दिमाग़ कहता है....,सयानों से रखना दोस्ती बनाए...,  
दिल ये कहता है...,दीवानों बन दीवानों संग रहना...!

नहीं भाती लोगों को...,उँचाइयाँ दूसरों की...,
ढलानों से भी रिश्ता बनाए रखना...!

रात ढली तो मिट जाएंगे मंज़िलों के निशान...,
रास्तों की पहचान से दोस्ती बनाए रखना...!

तमाम हादसें जिंदगी के तोड़ेंगे हौसले...,
झूठे ही सही जीने के लिए...,कुछ बहाने साथ रखना...!

हर नए दिन के साथ जिंदगी ख़्वाब सजाएगी...,
पर जो दिल टूटे तो...,गम से दोस्ती बनाए रखना...!

ना माने दिन को दिन...,रात को रात जो...,
फ़ासले दरमियाँ उनसे बनाए रखना...!

यू तो हैं सौदेबाज़ी का बाज़ार ये दुनिया...,
झूठे ही सही तुम तुम भी दूकान सजाए रखना...!!!


दीप

Wednesday 27 January 2016

You’ll say...

You’ll say...




I always dreamt when you will be by my side...

 When you'll say..., night and night will be for me...,
When you'll say day..., and the day will be bathed...

When you'll say, colour..., and all butterflies of the earth will come flying to us...,
When you'll think, love..., and the horizon will uncover a hidden rainbow...

When you'll be..., burning and her skin will be ablaze in another city...,
When you'll say night..., and memory will be shed...


I always dreamt when you will be by my side

When you'll say day..., and earth will become empty...,
When you'll remain...,silent and rocks will explode onto the moon...

When you'll pretend..., not to see and I'll be stuck invisible in air's throat...,
When you'll say...,night and a sand-house will start rising by itself...

When you'll say, day and this body, gnawed by old age, will be bared...,
When I'll say, you will listen, and love and embrace me day and day out...

I always dreamt when you will be by my side.


Deep

Friday 15 January 2016

ढूँढ़...

ढूँढ़...



तेरे करीब फिर तुझसे दूर होने पर...,
जिन रास्तों पे तुम संग चली वो रास्तें ढूँढती हूँ...!

अंपने हाथों की लकीरों में अक्सर रातों मे...,
तेरा हाथों का एहसास ढूँढती हूँ...!

किसने लिख दी जिंदगी में यार ए जुदाई...,
दिलबर ना जाने कब से तेरे दीदार को तरसती हूँ...!

खो गई हूँ जिंदगी की अनजान राहों में...,
भूली खुदी को खुद को ही ढूँढती हूँ...!!!

दीप


Monday 11 January 2016

BOOK REVIEW - “Punjabi Thali” by Swati K Gulati


The very thought of a Punjabi Family reminds me of a serene lake in the midst of a valley. Calm quite surface with no ripples is what meets the eye. But a peak into the under surface tells a different story. With the sheen of the marriage fading to a certain extent in a short span of four years Shalini was aghast to see the turmoil below. The entire range of relatives from her in-laws side, including the Buas and Massis were scheming, conniving, manipulative and devious to the extent that it left her perplexed every now and then.

The story revolves around the bragging Punjabi family creating sardonic situations out of routine day to day life. Their penchant for running everyone down for their speech and dress sense speaks volumes about their own mannerism. For Shalini who is observing all this from the calm water above feels the life unfolding in this Punjabi family as satirical and at times humorous.

In order to share her experience in the Punjabi family, Shalini decides to pen down her observations. Her task is made complex by the fact that her sister-in-law is in love, and had confided this to Shalini. This dilemma whether to help or not is further compounded by the fact that Shalini is not the favorite Bhau. It is a complex mixture...a Punjabi Thali.  

The initial chapters are devoted towards the pre and post marriage period. Then it moves on to the relatives and the resultant personification of various relatives. The story also touches upon the sudden change in husband’s enthusiasm for life after marriage.

While solving the case for Shalini’s sister-in-law her husband finds his true self again and speaks up for his relationship with his wife. He understands the essence of being married and the need to take a stand.The climax was quite interesting with twists and turns as they unfold. For that you need to read this book.

Now my Positive viewpoints:

The positives of the story are the primitiveness in the narration that impressed me. The author narrated the story in a very unique way; it seemed as if she is talking to the readers personally. The author has been successful enough to connect with the readers, I loved it, and I am sure that the target audience will love this book too. Special mention how Rahul changed drastically and then took a stand in front of his family in order to save his and Shalini’s basic rights, and make Shalini feel important and precious for him.

Some suggestive points:

Although the narration of the story is wonderful but at some places the story becomes stagnant. When the story does move; it inches towards the end, to convey just a one line message that sums up the book. I feel the narrative was coming back to the same point after each change of scene without adding much to the story line. The author seemed confused in building the plot in initial few chapters. The way it ended left the reader cheated, because as a reader we always want to know the complete and proper end. Even typical melodrama of Saas Vs Bahus’ was too much to handle after a given point of time.

Final words:


  Overall if asked I would say this is a light and simple book, perfect accompaniment to your weekend pastime. Overall I would say...this is a good job done by Author (Swati K Gulati ) I would give 3 stars to this book.

Sunday 10 January 2016

ख़ुमार...



हर नज़र में तेरी ही तलाश हैं...,
हर धड़कन को तेरा ही इंतज़ार हैं..!

हर फूल तेरे ही नाम हैं...,
हर ख़ुशबू में तेरा ही ख़ुमार हैं...!

गिरती बरसात की बूंदे जब भी...,
खोले पिटारा तेरी ही यादों का...!

ठंडी चलती पुरवाई में तेरा ही एहसास हैं...,
उड़ता पंछी बहता बादल देता तेरा ही संदेश हैं...!

हुआ मेरा ही दिल मुझ से ही बेगाना हैं...,
फिर भी ना जाने क्यों हर पल तेरा ही एहसास हैं...!

तेरे संग रहने की फिर चाहत हो जाती हैं...,
अनजाने ही आ जाने वाली मुस्कान तेरा ख़्याल दे जाती हैं...!

दिल फिर तेरे साथ का तलबगार हो जाता हैं...,
दिल को मेरे तेरा ही एहसास हो जाता हैं...!


दीप

Friday 1 January 2016

BOOK REVIEW - “Another face in the crowd” by Indraneel DG

BOOK REVIEW - “Another face in the crowd” by Indraneel DG



‘Another Face in the Crowd’ is an engaging story. It is about three friends who are poles apart but together in their own way, yet maintaining their individuality. The story about the Jai, Jagnanath and the author himself that is set in Delhi revolves around Bali, a girl who is instrumental in causing distress to the males around her. When we have a combination of a Punjabi, a Communist Brahmin, and a Bengali and on top of that the damsel from the North East what can be there except a hilarious comedy followed a tear jerker phase. 
After college the friends land up in their respective first jobs. But shortly after that their lives are thrown out of gear by the cruel hand of the fate. Fate herds them towards a new business enterprise in urban India that sea-saws between confusion and clarity, from hope to despair, but the part that stands out is the true selfless friendship between the friends. 

Indeed everybody will be able to find a part of themselves in the story, specially the youngsters. This book has certain incidents which are or were once a part of everybody's life. The book flows simply and the writing seems to come naturally to the author. The climax was quite interesting with twists and turns as they unfold. For that you need to read this book.

Now my Positive viewpoints:

The positives of the story are the primitiveness in the narration that impressed me. The author narrated the story in a very unique way; it seemed as if he is talking to the readers personally. The author has been successful enough to connect with the readers, I loved it, and I am sure that the target audience will love this book too.

Some suggestive points:

Although the narration of the story is wonderful but at some places the story becomes stagnant. When the story does move; it inches towards the end, to convey just a one line message that sums up the book. I feel the narrative was coming back to the same point after each change of scene without adding much to the story line. The author seemed confused in building the plot in initial few chapters. The way it ended left the reader cheated, because as a reader we always want to know the complete and proper end. Even philosophically it has not much to offer.

Final words:

  Overall if asked I would say this is a light and simple book, perfect accompaniment to your weekend pastime. Overall I would say...this is a good job done by Author (INDRANEEL DG) … I would give 3.5 stars to this book.