ON WEAVING STORIES ABOUT HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS

Author Interview: Neelam Saxena Chandra

Neelam Saxena Chandra works as Additional Divisional Railway Manager, Pune. She is an Engineering graduate from VNIT and has done her Post Graduation Diploma in IM & HRD, and also in Finance. She is a bilingual writer; writing in English and Hindi, and has authored 4 novels, 1 novella and 6 short story collections, 32 poetry collections and 13 children’s books. She has recently come out with the book “Lines of Fate: First Love and other stories”, which is a short story collection consisting of selected, distinctive and unique sixteen tales from different walks of life set in Indian diaspora. In a candid chat with Chirdeep Malhotra, she talks about her latest book, her writing journey, her favourite books and authors, and much more. Read on!



Please tell us more about Neelam Saxena Chandra as a person.

I am a jovial person, enjoying every bit of life with a gratitude to all those who came into my life, for everyone taught me something or the other. Some made me glow in radiance and some left with a lesson for me to learn.
I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth and I have had to struggle for every little inch of space; but that’s the fact that makes me the happiest today, for I know what it means to keep trying, trying and trying till you succeed. I respect everyone who does what he/she is doing to let his/her dreams turn into a reality. However, I have a strong dislike to those who are always complaining and have a grudge against one thing or the other, and I keep such negative people out of my life.
I love making friends, and I have friends all over the world. Sometimes, my daughter says, “I can’t keep a track of your friends – you have so many!” Luckily, most of my friends have been very supportive in this journey called “life” and those who weren’t, left me long ago. I don’t have any regrets for their departure, for they were never meant to be with me. I value those who are with me at present and those who have been with me in thoughts and spirits.
Most importantly, I laugh freely, and this makes me the happiest.



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?

Well, writing has been in my genes. Though they were not so well-known (just because the times were different and there was no social media around), but my grand-father and father were both awesome writers/poets.
I started writing right since the time I started grasping the stories and poems taught in the school curriculum, realising soon after that there was a vast world of words, still unknown to me and waiting to be explored. During my school days, I would write little, but read a lot, and I suppose that made me what I am today.
I was published as a school student in one of the papers having largest circulation in Central India. However, I took to serious writing from the year 2008 when my daughter had grown up a little and I had some spare “me” time to write besides my hectic job and home schedules.



You have written across various forms and genres. Can you tell us more about your oeuvre?

I have authored 4 novels, 1 novella and 6 short story collections, 32 poetry collections and 13 children’s books. I am a bilingual writer; writing in English and Hindi. I write in very simple and lucid language, though my stories/poems are very emotional. Most of my stories/poems are inspiring.
Most of my books were in best-sellers list and that gave me the much needed boost to write further and keep on publishing. My latest children’s illustrated book titled “Kasam Matmaile Mushroom Ki” published by NBT has sold more than 35,000 copies.



Please tell us more about your book “Lines of Fate: First Love and other stories”.

The book “Lines of Fate: First Love and other stories” remained in the top 10 on bestsellers list on Amazon (India) since its release and was under no. 3 on new hot releases for almost a month. Youth can most easily associate with this book and most of the reviews have been written by them, however, the others can also find the stories very relatable.



How did the idea of writing this book originate? When did you start writing this book and how long did it take you to finish it?

One day, while I was just ruminating about relationships (which I’ve always found an interesting topic), I kept wondering what’s it that decides the outcome of a relationship… after all, relationship is not like an exam in which you prepare thoroughly and pass. This simple thought made me decide on this topic “Lines of Fate”, after which I weaved stories around it.
I started writing stories for this collection around a year ago, though the publisher, AKS Publishing House, published it in twelve days (to be precise), including agreement signing, having a relook at the stories and the final printing.



What themes and topics have been incorporated by you in the short stories of this collection?

The theme is mostly woven around relationships – be it relationships between lovers, a couple, or parents and their children. All of them are realistic stories – based on something that can happen around you – in your family, in your neighbourhood, inside the houses of your relations or among your friends. However, the stories have a lot of twists and turns and these keep you bounded to the book. Most of my readers messaged me to inform that they finished reading the book in one go!



What challenges did you face while writing this book?

Everything about writing a story is a challenge in a way – the theme, the beginning, the climax, the end, the language, the dialogues. However, an interesting author knows how to handle it, and I suppose I can call myself one.



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

Recommending only five books is indeed challenging, but since you have asked only for five, here goes my list – “The Class” by Erich Segal, “The Time is Noon” by Pearl Buck, “The Last lecture” by Randy Pausch, “Gora” by Rabindranath Tagore, and “The Journey” by Brandon Bays.



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

Please go ahead. However, don’t be in a hurry to publish a half-baked book. Do your research. Focus on good words and language. Make sure that the story sounds logical. Also remember that you don’t become famous just by spending lakhs on publicity. You should have something strong and powerful to say to reach that topmost position. The theme should itself be interesting or the book should be written in a manner that is unique.



What are your other interests apart from writing?

I am a person who can never keep quiet and I do keep trying new things every day. Besides writing, I love to travel and see the world, I love acting, I love anchoring events, I love to meditate, I love to read, I love to talk to people to know their views, I listen to music, I cook and I even love a simple walk.



What are you working on next?

My poetry book in Hindi titled “Kai Basant Dekhe Hain Maine” will be available soon on various platforms. I have also signed agreements for one of my English novels and another short story collection in Hindi, which should be available in next six months.
I do have a few other novels, short story collections, poetry collections and children’s books ready for publication, but haven’t had the time to send them to the publishers and may do so soon.



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

I would like to quote two stanzas from my favourite poem written by Walter D. Wintle which have inspired me since childhood:

“If you think you are beaten, you are
If you think you dare not, you don't,
If you’d like to win, but you think you can't
It is almost certain you won't.

Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or the faster man,
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the man WHO THINKS HE CAN!”