Happy Thanksgiving, Dear Readers!
May this year be filled with gratitude, family and feasting for all.
On
Author’s Circle today, meet author and editor
Suleikha Snyder to talk about writing, life and his/her book,
TIKKA CHANCE ON ME.
Hi Suleikha, thanks for dropping in and letting us have a peek into your life.
1.
So, what’s TIKKA CHANCE ON ME about?
On the surface, it’s a really
straightforward romance about a girl who works at her family’s Indian
restaurant in small-town Indiana and the hunky bad-boy biker who always comes
in for food. But, of course, nothing is ever as simple as it seems! It’s really,
at least in my mind, about the things that bring you together even when it
looks like you have nothing in common—and about taking risks in order to be
happy.
2. What’s your favorite line from your latest novel?
Why?
I wrote so many jokes. So. Many. Jokes. But let’s go with this: He looked like heroism and hedonism’s
beautiful bastard. And, at least for tonight, he was all mine.
3. What’s
your favorite book by another author, and why?
A Ring of Endless Light by
Madeleine L’Engle. It’s such a beautiful look at a teenager’s first real
experience with death and grief, but also an exploration of her creative
journey and her finding her voice as a poet.
4. If your book becomes a movie whom would you want
to play the hero and the heroine?
Well, the hero, Trucker Carrigan, is inspired
by Chris Evans. So, he’s the one I’d want playing that role—even though he’s
probably a little old for it now! As to the heroine, Pinky, I really like Shazi
Raja, who plays Jaya on CBS’s God Friended
Me.
5. How did you become a writer? In other words,
tell us YOUR STORY.
In my family’s region of India, Hindus do a special
ceremony when a baby turns six months old. As part of it, they put a bunch of
items on a plate—money, a book, etc. Whatever the baby grabs will define their
future. I grabbed a pen. The rest is history. I’ve never wanted to do or be
anything else.
6. What is your best marketing tip?
Do only what
feels comfortable and natural to you. Don’t force yourself to be on social
media if you hate Twitter or Facebook. Don’t force yourself to do signings if
you’re an introvert. At the end of the day, writing the book is your most
important job. All of the other stuff is secondary to that—and secondary to
your own mental health!
7.
Why write what you write?
Romance has always been my favorite genre, and I write
it because I believe South Asian women deserve kissing and sexytimes and
happily-ever-afters, too.
8.
Is your writing character-driven or plot-driven?
Totally character-driven. I seldom have any idea where the plot is going beyond
a few high points. I let who the characters are inform the story.
9. Naturally, in part you are all your characters (they
come from your head) but which of your characters is the most like you? Or
resonates in you the most? Why?
Probably Ashraf in Bollywood and the Beast, because he’s survived something traumatic
and is just trying to keep going and power through his career—but at the cost
of his own happiness. He has no idea who he
wants to be and what his dreams are.
That’s the closest I’ve probably come to exposing my own vulnerabilities on the
page.
(Peeps, I ADORE Ashraf too!!!)
10. What can we expect from you next?
Right now, I’m revising a romantic suspense
manuscript and giving it a paranormal bent. I’m also working on a really
bananas but promising project with erotic romance author Charlotte Stein. She
is an absolutely amazeballs writer, so I’m very excited! I don’t know when
either of these things will be in front of readers’ eyes, so just stay tuned!
11. To end let’s try a Rapid Fire round:
LIFE: lesson
PASSION: pain
HERO: villain
LOVE: nothing
HATE: everything
Thank
you once again, Suleikha, for being
here and talking to me. It was fun!
About the author:
Editor, writer, American desi and lifelong geek Suleikha Snyder is an author of contemporary and erotic romance. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusivity in publishing, Suleikha is frequently ranting when she should really be adding to her body of work — which includes multiple Bollywood-set romances and several shorts and novellas.
Suleikha lives in Chicago, finding inspiration in genre fiction, daytime and primetime soaps, and anything that involves chocolate or bacon. Visit her online at www.suleikhasnyder.com
Suleikha lives in Chicago, finding inspiration in genre fiction, daytime and primetime soaps, and anything that involves chocolate or bacon. Visit her online at www.suleikhasnyder.com
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