1. Is there a specific event that inspired this story or was this an out of the blue idea?
When I retired in October last year from Government Service, my friend who knew me well and also my life of ups and downs, told me to share my learnings and experiences of life with our friends as he found I handled them bravely. So I started with sharing audios on WhatsApp, later uploading them to my YouTube channel ‘Discover Yourself'. The idea struck me as why not make the material in printed form. So that’s how it took shape.
2. What got you writing in the first place?
There was no plan to write a book. I dreaded writing a book. I had a flair in writing short articles. After creating a number of audios, it became easy to transcribe and convert into a readable book.
3. What was your impression of your first draft when you read it?
What shocked me most was that I had written a manuscript! It only strengthened my view that many talents and qualities are hidden within all of us which needs to be churned out and brought up to the surface.
4. Which part of your story connects the most with you? Why?
Two parts which connect with me very closely are a chapter on handling a prolonged litigation, which I faced, and another on useful techniques to Discover Yourself, which I practiced.
5. What makes your book the one to read?
Many times we don't understand ourselves and others well and so we react wrongly to people and situations regretting it. If we don't want to have any regrets, we have to become wiser, improve our intuitive quality and increase our resilience.
6. What was the best advice you got while writing?
Let the books not be bulky. Because we have less patience in reading huge books. The theme should touch on our practical problems .
7. Who’s your all-time favourite author? Which book of his/hers made you fall in love with them?
I read every book that fascinates me. But writings by Swami Vivekananda and Osho impressed me in their style and content.
8. What is your evergreen tip to the writers out there?
Many are scared to pick up a pen to write. Blessed are those in whose hand the pen has reached. Each writer is unique. Just keep writing till the pen stops itself.
9. What was your hardest scene to write?
How to describe the presence of spirit or soul in us. Chapter 2 deals with the energy within. Without sounding religious and spiritual, I had to use the best of reason to convince the readers, many of whom don't believe in God.