WRITING STORIES WITH A BOHEMIAN PANACHE

Chirdeep Malhotra . Updated: 6/14/2018 4:16:13 PM Books and Authors

Author Interview - Himanshu Rai

Himanshu Rai is a telecom professional and storytelling has been his hobby. He has written his third novel “My mute girlfriend”, reminiscing his college days. This book is based on a very different premise, that is- “No words were spoken between the lovers, but it is a story worth of being communicated”. His way of writing is often termed as visual writing, because a reader can visualize all the action with great ease. In a candid chat with Chirdeep Malhotra, he talks about his latest book, the reader’s response to it, his writing journey and his favourite authors.

When did you think about writing this book and what was the inspiration behind it? Can you tell us more about your writing journey?
Last year I visited Jabalpur for my friend's wedding and being in a city from where I did my engineering made me nostalgic, and I decided to write a story remembering my college days. If you read my novel, you will find that all the locations and most of the characters are real. In my book, I have tried to bring back an era when we loved without facebook or mobile.

Can you give a brief overview of your book "My mute girlfriend"?
The book is about Rohan, a telecom professional posted in Meerut, who misses his girlfriend from his college days, who has stopped interacting with him since first year of college, without giving any reason. Although, she always stood by his side and showed immense love for him in her eyes, but she always remained his mute girlfriend. He asked her many questions, without getting any answers to them in return. The book details about what happens when she messages him after five years, and the interesting story that follows.

How has the response of readers been to your book?
The response has been fabulous. Readers all over the world are loving it, with the book being in a fifth print run and having 200+ positive reviews of Amazon. Each day I am getting so many friend requests on facebook, and messages too, where readers are asking questions about the characters of the story.

Nowadays, a lot of literature festivals are being organized which have gone a long way in fostering a love for literature in the reading fraternity. Have you participated in some literary fests? What do you think are its other advantages, both for readers and writers?
I participated in Gorakhpur Literature festival where my book got inaugurated; and also at the World Book Fair where I had a good time interacting with readers. As authors, we write a story keeping the readers in mind and with the perspective that they can relate to the story; and during literary fests, by interacting with readers, we get an opportunity to know what readers look for in a story. Another benefit is that you get to interact with many more authors and understand what they are working on.

What are your favorite books? Can you share with our esteemed readers about the genres that you and your favorite authors?
Very frankly, I do not read much. I like to narrate and write a story in my own style. But yes, I admire the writing of Chetan Bhagat, Munshi Premchand, and a few more young authors. I generally pick up any book which attracts me, not thinking much about the genre.

What are your other interests apart from writing?
I love watching movies, singing songs and spending time with my family.

Are there any other literary projects that you’re currently working on?
Yes, I am working on my next novel, which is the toughest novel on which I have worked yet, and I have been telling this to everyone. It’s a romance between a couple who are very close to each other but still spaces apart.

Who is your biggest critic and how?
My Wife Sona, she doesn’t read the galley but I have to narrate to her each and every page that I write; and she is also the first editor who suggests me about what is right or wrong in the story. And second is my son Rhythm who contributes equally.

There are many new writers out there who are aspiring to get their work published. What would you say to them?
This is the message that I give to new writers- “Keep writing by your heart, because something which is written from the heart has its value hidden in words”.

Can you share with our readers a motivational quote that keeps you going?
The quote is “Life is a pool of water, which will give you a chance till you try. Once you will stop moving your hands and legs, you will get drowned. So never lose hope, just keep doing good work”.

Do you want to give some message to the esteemed readers of this newspaper?
I am thankful to all my readers who support and appreciate my writing work. One review of theirs on Amazon makes my day. I would request them to keep reading and to keep on appreciating my work.


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