ON WRITING ABOUT OBSERVATIONS WHICH ARE ARCANE, YET PROFOUND

Author Interview: Kosha Shah Chandaria

Kosha Shah Chandaria has done her schooling, B. Com and MBA from Jamnagar. She is an eloquent and vigilant writer, along with being a voracious and ardent reader. She is but a scribbler at heart; she did content writing, advertising and corporate communication, delivering presentations at various renowned companies at the start of her career. She voices her feelings and experiences in words, after observing society, day to day incidences, habits, taboo thinking, on a broader as well as minute scale. She has recently come out with her debut book ‘Chaos Theos and Kosmos’. In a candid chat with Chirdeep Malhotra, she talks about her recent book, her writing journey, her favourite books and authors, and much more. Read On!



Has writing always been a part of your life? Or did you chance upon it later on and then instantly fell in love with it?

Reading and writing has always been part of my life in one form or another. My family members were all into reading so I was taught my mother tongue, and reading and writing at a very early age. I used to wait for newspaper supplements 'Foolwadi' and the magazines 'Champak' and 'Chacha Chaudhary'. My mother was the member of a library and used to read Gujarati novels, I used to read those too. I participated in elocution, debate, essay writing competitions at State and National level and won them too. Being an introvert, I liked to observe and analyse people and situations and pen it. After MBA, I worked in advertising, marketing and corporate communication, delivering presentations at various renowned companies like Niho Infrastructure, Bakeri Infrastructure and Adani Real Estate at the start of my career. I have spoken at various book festivals, Open Mics at colleges and Universities, at literary societies, book clubs, Literature Festivals, Civil and business organisations and in public libraries across the country. Later I wrote extempore topics observing society and the behaviour of people, and then started writing a blog under the name Kosmos. For publishing this book, my friends Mr. Rajesh and Mrs. Rupal Maru and Ashwany Varshey helped me a lot, and are the backbone for this book.



Please tell us more about your book “Chaos, Theos and Kosmos”.

The book “Chaos, Theos and Kosmos" is a universe (Cosmos) of thoughts, birthed through Chaos of the tides of words and thoughts, which leads to concursion with one's own self.
This book contains various articles picked up from my extempore write-ups about various thought provoking aspects of life, subjects related to human relations, love making, care, hope, menstruation, women, money, scars, father-daughter relation, barbarism, God and Worshiping, freedom, courage, breakup in friendships, etc. Incidents and habits of people which sum up to happy and sad moments of life are penned in this book. The topics are such that they will compel the reader to think about the side other than that of the general view. These are the viewpoints that people will agree and have a soul connection with, but due to societal norms or non-acceptance they don't have the courage to voice it.
More than reading, this book is a talk with the self, and provides strength to the reader’s raw thoughts. This book breaks stereotypes at many levels and questions ‘settlement’ as being related to ‘fixedness’. A fresh breeze of every kind of emotion is felt while reading and pondering over the book. Some change in thought process has to be started at some point. I have tried to titillate that thought process in the mind of readers.
Chaos within your own soul, with almighty – Theos , while designing you own universe – Kosmos is all what this compilation is.



How has the response of readers been to your book?

My readers could connect with the feelings which I have tried to share through my words. Somehow, they felt this is what they think, what happened with them, what they feel. Their feelings and thoughts were transferred to words. I tried to give everyday topics some other angle of view which felt good. The best feeling is when some bestselling authors like Zahir Chauhan, Ajitabha Bose, Antar Atreya, Sourabh Mukherjee, and many more take out time to read your work and admire it.



Which readers do you think are the reader group for this book?

My book is neither non fictional nor fictional. I have taken nonfictional topics and given them a different view. Topics are such that anyone can read it – beginners as well as elders.



Why was it important for you to talk about the topics that you have discussed in the book?

Our inner voice and feelings need to be voiced. We have a particular mindset, which is kind of folklore since generations. Somewhere there has to be a break where people can start to think on their own and think from every dimension. At times, we get absorbed in daily chores and forget even about our own existence and things around us which need to be observed. Minute details which we observe, taboo topics which are taking place either due natural process or any other reason, need to be voiced while trying to give another side of general view. We at times forget to love and trust ourselves, which needs to be done for not losing the identity of our thoughts. I have tried to show identity of people's thoughts through this book.



What type of research went into writing this book?

Observing society, people and things at macro and minute level and thinking on voice different to generic view. Spending time with myself to know my own stuff and think about different angles and views. Taking a pause, thinking and observing things which we take for granted, observing people their habits, nature and words.



What challenges did you face while writing this book?

I was writing about taboo topics which people don’t voice much about and still feel ashamed about talking about these topics, so there was a fear about how people will take me as debut author and my writing.
There was no such challenge, as writing the book gave energy to my soul. But yes, it was difficult to handle my toddler daughter and manage to give time to her, and my father – a cancer patient, but it was energising to write at odd hours too.



Can you recommend five books from any genre, for our readers to add to their reading lists, that you particularly cherish?

“Sapiens” by Yuval Noah Harari, “The Partner” by John Grisham, “Impossible” by Danielle Steel, “The Final Detail” by Harlan Coben, and “Life’s Mysteries” by Osho.



There are many new writers and poets who are aspiring to get their work published. What would you say to them?

First of all take your passion for writing very seriously and in a disciplined way. Read a lot and keep writing something every day. Be yourself while writing. Be thick skinned to lots of turndowns and ruthless critiques. Be open to productive critics, listen and observe everyone but at last do what you feel correct. Enjoy the process of writing. And writing is just one part of the process, which helps you get your work published on the basis of quality, but marketing and research are a huge part of the process.



What are your other interests apart from writing?

I am an avid reader and coffee lover. I also love playing Sudoku, leisure travel, yoga and dance.



What are you working on next?

I am working on a coffee table book on the theme of mother’s and daughter’s love.



Can you share with our readers a motivational quote that keeps you going?

These quotes motivate me - “Listen to all, follow yourself.”
“Love someone knowing their strengths, weaknesses, habits, flaws, nature and still be with them. Not because you want to.”
“Love yourself first, be your loyal partner. Live your life, it’s not to be created, it’s to be lived.”