So, for this month featuring author from Indian Literary World is Himani Vashishta
Author Himani Vashishta’s Interview
Can you tell us a little about yourself? Your profession and your hobbies!!
With hundreds of shades of my personality, I have always
seen it as a challenge to describe myself in words. I felt bit relieved when I
saw that you have specifically asked about my profession and hobbies. Still,
that will be an irony if an author is not able to describe something in words,
but for that, I need to write another book... [Ops am I exaggerating?]. I
don’t wish to disappoint my readers, so maybe my formal intro will work.
Presently I am working as the founder of Vidya Retreat
[www.vidyaretreat.in], where we offer a wide range of alternative therapies
like- Pranic Healing, Acupressure, Sujok therapy, Psychological Counselling,
Yoga, Meditation, Reiki healing, Vastu, FengSui, Hypnotherapy, Tarot card
reading, Past life regression, Dowsing, Colour therapy, Magnet therapy,
Angel therapy, astral travelling.
Regarding my hobbies, I love art, art is my life and
breath. I love art in its every form. I love to write, paint, handicrafts,
origami, gardening, acting... ops my list is somewhat big...
Educational Qualification-
Pursuing- Doctor In Naturopathy
Master's- MBA
MA- Psychology
Bachelor- Law [LLB]
One year Diploma Course - Ayurveda
Master Diploma- Alternative Medicine
Certificate Course- Panchkarma
Diploma- Naturopathy
Spiritual Learning- Grand Master Reiki
Among India's Notable Astral Projection and Lucid
Dreaming Practitioner
Read my Book - Astral Projection, Out-of-Body Experience
and Lucid Dreaming]
Arhat Yog Pranic Healing
Kundalini Initiated
Oracle/Tarot Card Reader
Angel Therapist
Award and Recognition -
Patanjali Award by Baba Ramdev
College Colour- Two Times
Third Prize at Internation level in Child Art
Best Cartoonist- State Level
Won hundreds of competitions in painting, writing,
acting, quizzes, rangoli, poster making, cartooning, collage, clay modeling,
fancy dress etc.
1.
How did you first
get involved in with writing, are you an imaginative person?
I think my primary clair is clairvoyance. In Orkut days
my user name used to be “Imagination guiding me.” Still, most of my acts are
guided by my imagination. Readers of my book “Princess Of Falcons” can better
judge my imaginative power.
I have been drawn towards writing since the day I lifted
my first pencil, but only a few years back I started publishing. From a very
tender age, I have been inclined to write poetry and short stories. My passion
for fantasies developed a flair for writing a fiction. My first poem was published
in book “Blossom Of India” through a poetry competition held by ‘Poet Of Mars’
an American Poetry Society but I am mostly known for my fantasy novel “Princess
Of Falcons. My recent work is an Occult non-fiction, "Astral Projection,
Out-of-Body Experience, and Lucid Dreaming" and a fantasy fiction “I still
crave for him”. I equally write in both English and Hindi languages. My Hindi
essay ‘Dukh’ has been published in the book ‘Anand’ and two Poetry books
‘Garden Of Love’ and ‘Let Him Play The Music Again’ are published online. I am
also chief editor of two international poetry collection books, “Fiesta of
Love,” “Moods and Moments.” In the year 2013 my story got published in the book
“Acerbic Anthology”, which is a powerful and timely anthology of voices
standing in unity against the ongoing senseless shame of our world's harmful
gender violence against women and rape.
2.
What do you find
most challenging about your writing?
I write with deep emotion and feeling, so while writing
in the flow it becomes hard for me to concentrate equally on grammar and
sentence formation.
3.
What do you do when
you are not writing?
Well, writing is not the only form of art I pursue. My
latest inclination is towards Alternative healing therapies and spiritual
healing and now I am pursuing the same as my profession also.
4.
Where do you see
yourself in the next 6 months, and 5 years down the road?
In six months I see myself as the happiest newly married
bride J
Ops you mean in terms of writing.. yeah, I am working on my
new title “Broken Not Bent”. In coming 5 years, I see myself definitely as an
established author.
5.
How do you keep
coming up with material / content for your story?
My imagination keeps guiding me. My rebellion against unjust,
love for art and beauty,keeps motivating me to write.
6.
Any specific tips
you have for new writers who want to make it big in the world of published
books?
Marketing is something, but not everything, if your book
won’t meet reader’s expectations, next time they are not going to open your
advertisement link even.
The most important advice I must give doesn’t compromise
on your book quality in terms of editing, cover, paper, font size, etc. Being
an author I know how one feels about his/her book. It’s really painful when you
find your publisher has not brought your book up to the level. I have been
through this and it still hurts me a lot.
7.
What’s the best
thing a writer can give to his readers?
Food for their mind and soul.
8.
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?
In Indian context or even all over the world, I don’t see
writers are well paid unless they are the best selling. Well, blogging, content
writing is a good option. With original content and a good number of page views
Google AdSense can help generating income.
9.
What motivates you
most in life?
My nephew Kushagra, he is my only silver lining.
10. The majority of the
readers tend to take sides due religion and such other considerations.
Art unites religion divides.
11.
What is the story
behind the name of your book?
Well, I have got many books published on my credit. My
debut was ‘'Princess Of Falcons’. In my hometown, I used to live in a Haveli,
which was like a magnificent castle. My friends used to call me, it’s Princess.
The protagonist of my book also lives in such a place.
My book “I Still Crave For Him” I have dedicated to my
lost first love, hope it justifies the title.
“Astral Projection, Out-of-body Experience And Lucid
Dreaming,” my this book is a non-fiction, so I gave it a straightforward title
based upon content.
12.
What are your views
on increasing plagiarism?
Plaigarism is a grave threat to the industry as a whole
and to writers personally, but now publishers and web portals are
well equipped to detect it. By working in a publishing house I know, now first
thing publishers do is check plagiarism with today’s sophisticated softwares.
There is no harm in using some good quotes or ideas of
other authors, provided their name and reference is mentioned, but naturally
the credit for any work should always lay with its creator.
I would like to urge my readers to visit my website to
know more about me-
Love & Light
.jpg "BOOK REVIEW - “IT HAPPENS FOR A REASON” BY PREETI SHENOY")
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