NAMRATA joins the AUTHOR/BLOGGER'S CIRCLE

On the blog today, we have avid reader and blogger, NAMRATA, aka Privy Trifles, and author of 

METRO DIARIES.

About the Book: Love is one of the most amazing feelings on this earth, one that makes you the most powerful person or the most helpless person in a split second. These stories capture those feelings of despair, longing, love, lust, desire, want, dejection and admiration to create deja vu. Hold onto your hearts as you flip through these pages and take a walk down the memory lane as "Metro Diaries" will revive your innermost feelings and imbibe in you the magic of love. Touching, amusing and deeply moving, Metro Diaries - Love Classics are 20 tales that will hold you from start till end.

The book cover is a photograph by a very dear friend. I selected it for it conveys love in the most perfect manner in that one glimpse.

Book Links:

Goodreads I Amazon I Flipkart

All right, with the introductions out of the way, let's get on with the interview.

What genre(s) do you consider your book classified as?

My book can be classified under romance and drama.

What made you write a book?

I somehow feel the real meaning of love is getting lost in today’s times. I have witnessed so many love stories around me that every time someone says true love doesn’t exist in this world I want to tell them no! My book is an attempt to tell them that true love exists around us and it is there is its truest form. You just need to look for it.

Describe your book like a message in a bottle.

~You are holding a piece of my heart, I hope it finds a place into yours. ~

Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?

Somewhere in the mountains, having a library of my own!

What’s your current guilty pleasure?

Chocolates!

Isn't it everyones? :) When did you decide to become a blogger and now a writer?

Blogging started 4 years ago and I feel anyone who writes is a writer in their own way. Even if its writing a personal diary daily or letters to loved ones. We all are writers.

Becoming an author was never a choice, it was something that happened to me and I am so glad it did. It showed me I could make a difference through my words.

Who is your mentor? Who do you look up to?

When I started I was more of a recluse. But over the period of time during one of the book reviews I came across someone who not only encouraged me to write my own book but also took time to read my entire blog and choose stories from it to show how they could be worked upon more to make them a full length novel. His words that I cannot forget till now, “You write because that is what you are born to do. “

Aside from writing, what do you enjoy doing on your spare time?

I love reading, dancing and painting too in my spare time.

What do you love about books?

The very fact that within those pages they carry people, places, feelings, dreams and desires is what makes them very special to me. For me they are the ticket to a new world altogether.

Name a book you wish you’d written or a book you wish someone would write.

P.S: I Love you is a book I would have loved to have write for it portrays love so beautifully. And yes I would love to read a book in which the reader falls in love with the writer. It has always been my fantasy to read or write something like this.

Your favorite books and authors?

Paulo Coelho, R K Narayan, Nicholas Sparks, Cecilia Ahern, Novoneel Chakraborthy are some of my favourite authors.

The list of my favourite books is too long. To name a few Aleph, Malgudi Days, A Walk to remember, P.S: I Love you, Seven steps in the sky, Mirror City etc are some of my favourite reads.

Which genres do you prefer to read?

I love reading various genres like romance, drama, self-help, spirituality, travel, memoirs etc.

What book is currently on your nightstand?

The Rise of Superman is the book on my nightstand.

How interesting. Is that a Marvel thing? Wait. Is Superman part of the Marvel franchise. Anyway, how many books do you read/month?

Usually 7-10.

Nice average. Be it blogging or writing, how important do you find the communication between you and your readers? Do you reply to their messages or read their reviews?

It is absolutely important. I reply to each and every email, feedback, comment and reviews for I believe that they spare some moments of their precious time in writing to us and it is truly valuable.

Do you prefer Twitter or Facebook?

Facebook for I find it more user friendly for a tech handicapped person like me.

Where can your fans find you?

Website I Facebook I Twitter

OK. Let’s do a THIS or THAT:

Vampires or werewolves? 

Vampires

Female or male authors? 

(That’s a difficult one!) Female authors

Morning person or a night owl? 

Night Owl

Jeans or salwar kameez? 

Jeans

E-books or real books? 

Real books anyday!

If I give you a time machine, what time period and in what place would you travel to?

The 70s or 80s. In any country I would like to witness this era.

What projects are you currently working on right now? Would you mind sharing them with us? 

I am currently working on my own manuscript which is a story in two parts and hence might have a sequel too. The first part is 80% ready and in the process of being polished further to be presented.

LAST question: favorite line or quote from a book.

Love stories exist for love is always beautiful then now and forever. It is people who make it ugly. Amongst this ugliness there will only be one heart that will be able to sing back the song your heart wants to hear and they day you find that heart, never let it go at any cost.

Thanks for doing this interview, Namrata. This was fun!

Thank you so much for having me over, it was a pleasure talking to you!

But wait, there's more...

Random Fun Facts:

1. All the stories in the book are real. Name of places and people have been changed to maintain confidentiality.
2. Metro Diaries is a segment on my blog which consists of stories across genres though this book has only got the romance collection.
3. One of the characters in the book is me and NO I am not telling you which one ;) If you think you have the right answer do write to me and I will let you know how close or far you are.
4. All the stories in the book have not been "ended", they have been brought to conclusion in a manner that there can always be a next part to it and the story can go on with the same characters.
5. If observed closely you will notice the stories are not technically love stories where boy meets girl and they fall in love to live happily ever after for I believe love stories are also about what doesn't happen between the lovers.

About the Author:

Namrata is a prolific blogger known by the name Privy Trifles in the blogosphere who romances life through her writings and aspires to make love the universal language. She dons various hats between that of a contributing author to 7 anthologies a reviewer for leading publishing houses an editor to various books and a columnist. Apart from that she is also the editor for an online magazine called Writer's Ezine. Having mastered the nuances of finance till recently she also held the title of an investment banker closely to let it go to embrace her love for writing fully.

Contact the Author:

Website I Facebook I Twitter

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THE ACCIDENTAL WIFE: SPOTLIGHT

About the Book:

From the author of Inconvenient Relations Simi K Rao!

If you enjoyed Inconvenient Relations, you'll love The Accidental Wife, a new contemporary romance from Simi K. Rao.

Some accidents are meant to happen…

Dr. Rihaan Mehta is a brilliant young neurosurgeon who has no inclination for love or marriage. According to him wives and girlfriends are annoying accessories that one can do without. But when his mother dangles the sword over his head in classic Bollywood style, he succumbs, and sets out in search of a bride who would fit his 'requirements'. But can Rihaan deal with what he gets instead?

Book Links:
Goodreads I Amazon.in I Amazon.com

The Accidental Wife is now available on kindle for 99 cents Only! Go get it now as the offer is for a short period only !!

Excerpt:

PROLOGUE

“Another beer to calm the nerves?” A distant cousin who Rihaan had never the pleasure of meeting before, suggested with a knowing smirk.

This was followed by a loud burst of laughter. It was close to midnight, but the party had just begun at the usually serene Mehta abode in South Delhi. “Rihaan doesn’t need anything to cool him down. He’s going to be a full-on man tonight! Can’t afford to disappoint bhabhi, right?” This was promptly followed by another outburst of mirth.

Rihaan submitted to several friendly thumps on his back, returning them with the obligatory wry smile that could be interpreted any which way they desired. He didn’t care about their opinions.

It was true, he hadn’t let a single drop of alcohol pass through his lips. Not because he was anxious to perform well on his wedding night and impress his new wife. On the contrary, he wanted to keep all his faculties intact so he could confirm the suspicion that had been gnawing at his brain ever since the wedding ceremony. And with each moment that passed, his unease had grown steadily.

Unable to bide his time any longer, he stood up and went toward his room paying no heed to the numerous whistles and catcalls that followed in his wake.

Thrusting the door wide open he strode toward the marital bed. It was bare except for his bride’s wedding finery that lay in a neat pile in one corner. His heart now thudding at a frantic pace inside his chest, he scanned the vicinity, fervently hoping his concerns were for nothing.

He approached the wide open balcony door, and his pulse slowed down slightly. Perhaps he’d just been imagining it all?

A girl stood there leaning against the railing, her face upturned toward the full moon. On hearing him approach, she turned around. “Finally! I’ve been waiting like forever!”

He frowned, straining to decipher her features obscured by deep shadow. “Deepika?”

“Naa…, not Deepika.” She stepped forward into the light, a bright smile illuminating her strikingly graceful features.

His heart sank. Not Deepika.

“I am Naina—the girl you married. Goodbye, Rihaan.”

About the Author:

Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in both northern and southern India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years. She is the author of multicultural contemporary romantic fiction.

The inspiration for her books and other creative projects comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.

Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.

Much of Rao's down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world.

A practicing physician, Rao lives in Denver with her family. Her published works include Inconvenient Relations and The Accidental Wife. She is currently at work on her next release.

Contact the Author:
Website I Blog I Facebook I Twitter I Goodreads

Giveaway:

A $25 Amazon Gift Card is up for Grabs! Enter NOW!!

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TOP TEN post by AUTHOR MCV EGAN

About the Book:

A word, a single word defines a moment for Anne. She needs to find a new one when her spouse leaves her at the age of 47, coming out of the closet literally in a closet. She finds herself back in her hometown amongst her high school friends which she left behind in her past.

An inheritance from a friend leaves her with the means to meddle and spy on the lives of some of their mutual acquaintances. In an attempt to run from her reality Anne gets engrossed in a game of "fun" and "flirtation" with her friend and fellow sufferer Connie at her side. Anne however did not read all the files and what to her is fun games turns into a deadly reality. It is no longer a game.

Life, death and not even a defining word can stop the reality of manipulation.

Buy Links:
Goodreads I Amazon

TopTen about Defined by Others:

1. Amanda is dead, yet she controls the other women with a game she left behind.

2. Amanda, Anne & Allison were the Triple A’s buddies in Highcshool.

3. Anne loves words, not sentences, but single words.

4. Connie can cook the perfect food for any occasion.

5. Anne and Connie’s husbands Frank and Mike are in love.

6. Cyber Romances gone terribly wrong.

7. Deceptively dark

8. Midlife Crisis 

9. Snakes abound.

10. Entertaining and disturbing all at once.

TopTen about M.C.V Egan:

1. MCV in Roman numerals is 1,105

2. Some social media does not ALLOW MCV so people think I am McVegan.

3. I eat meat, often and a lot.

4. I am originally from Mexico City, Mexico.

5. I am the sixth child of eight.

6. I speak Spanish, English, French and Swedish.

7. To me writing is like breathing, I simply must.

8. I am pretty good at making Origami shapes.

9. I am really good at cooking

10. I am a MOTHER, Writer, Wife…yes in that order.

About the Author:

M.C.V. Egan is the pen name chosen by Maria Catalina Vergara Egan the author of The Bridge of Deaths and Defined by Others. Catalina is originally from Mexico City, Mexico. She has lived in France, Sweden and various parts of the U.S.A.
She has called South Florida her home for the last twenty-five years; she is a writer, a mother a wife and a pretty good cook.

Her first book The Bridge of Deaths is available in two different versions, her book Defined by Others is the first in a series Defining Ways exploring what makes us flawed and human.

Book two Climbing Up The Family Tree; Defined by Pedigree will be released in November 2015.

Contact the Author:

Website I Defining Ways Blog I Facebook I Twitter I Goodreads I Google+ I LinkedIn I Youtube

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DEVIKA FERNANDO: guest post on PUBLISHING

On the blog today, we have South Asian author, Devika Fernando, who writes "a little bit of everything" genre-wise...in her own words. This is her experience with self-publishing: 

Here's her WEBSITE where you'll find all of her books and other goodies.

Thanks for requesting a guest post from me, Falguni! I’m honoured to be on your blog.

At the end of 2013 I decided to make my lifelong dream come true and become a romance novelist. I had stumbled across an online article about self-publishing. After reading it, I spent months researching the topic and reading countless modern romance novels and indie books to get a better picture of things. Finally, I sat down and wrote my debut “When I See Your Face” during NaNoWriMo, which I released in April 2014. A year has gone by, and I don’t regret anything.

Everyone always wants to know whether I never considered traditional publishing and whether I might turn to it in the future. The first answer is yes, the second answer is no. In the beginning I was open to trad publishing. But then I realized how many limitations are connected to it – and not least of all, how much time. There are so many brilliant authors who waited years and years before they got published, and there are great self-published novels out there who had been rejected time and time again. The more I found out about the indie author world, the more I was drawn in. Here’s what I like about indie authoring: 

-control, freedom and flexibility (about the plot, editing and marketing)

-       -to be paid a fair amount of money for your hard work

-       -I can have a say about the cover

-       -I hold all the rights

-       -it’s easy to make changes to the books

-       -no time wasted by pitching the story to agents

-       -no risk of being cheated

Of course there aren’t just pros, but also cons. Depending on how you choose to go about it, self-publishing can cost you a hefty sum of money if you hire editors, cover designers and formatters and if you invest in paperbacks to distribute. If you opt against it, you’ll either need to ask friends for help or you’ll end up with a book that doesn’t look professional and thus might not attract any readers. Also, the competition is huge – but that’s the case whichever way of publishing you choose. You might have fewer sales – but you’ll earn more from each sale. Money is indeed an important factor, for there are many authors out there who were lured into publishing deals and have never seen a single cent for their work or have had to wait much too long. If you’re with a publisher, you can rest assured that you’ll have a professional cover and professional editing – but I’ve read dozens of books that had just as many mistakes as self-published ones.

Marketing is viewed as a self-publishing con by some because it takes up much time, because there’s a lot to learn, and because sometimes you have to invest money in it. However, even authors who are with famous publishers dedicate themselves to marketing and should be active on social media – and publishing houses don’t necessarily promote unknown authors.

In the end, it all boils down to what you personally prefer. If you want to focus only on writing, prefer a professional approach and wish to sell as many book as you can, then traditional publishing is the right way. If you want to make your own choices, if you don’t mind investing time and learning new things, and if you want to earn more from your writing, then try out self-publishing. As for me, I am happy to be an indie author. It isn’t always easy, but it’s filled with valuable experiences, I’ve found amazing friends, and I am living my dream of having my books out for everyone to be read.

~~~

That was an excellent post on publishing, Devika. Thanks for coming on and unveiling the self-pub process for our readers.

EDICTS of EDITING

So, I've been editing a mammoth manuscript...again. I feel I've been editing this manuscript for a long, long time. And everytime I do, it somehow gets bigger instead of smaller. Maybe I should quit (editing) while I'm ahead, hm? Anyway, let me take you through my editing process. First you...

Once that's done...and this is ready...

And you think OMG this is sooooo pretty. How can I hack it up? Murder my own babies? Cut them up, shred them, delete them, eat them? Nahiiiiii!

But I must. Nahiiiii!

I HAVE TO...

So, I gather my courage (and the brain that's swollen from the fact that I wrote that whole freaking (pretty) manuscript ALONE) and just do it. 

Whew. Done. You'd think...

WTH? That's...that's...no different. In fact, its stupid. So you do it again...and again...

Until you (think) you've got it right. You finally chiseled the pages, chapters, paragraphs, lines, words and punctuation in perfect sexy shape.

You take a day or two to admire it...just stare at your words...your work and hold it and squeeze it and fall in love with it all over again...Before the publishing madness takes over your life. :)

Very much for reading!

AUTHOR'S CIRCLE interviews ZEENAT MAHAL

On Author’s Circle today, meet author Zeenat Mahal, to talk about writing, life and her new book, 

She Loves Me He Loves Me Not. 

Hi Zeenat, thanks for dropping in and letting us have a peek into your life. And for the wonderful things you said about me in your blog. (read it HERE.) I am so thrilled we get to be friends over common interests :)

Alright, gushing done, or at least postponed... 
So, what’s She Loves Me He Loves Me Not about?

SLMHLMN is a twist on the fairytale, Beauty and the Beast. I always thought as a child, that the Beast's side of the story was not explored at all. We never hear his thoughts. What did he feel? And I always felt that there must be something dark within Beauty, to remain and then fall in love with the Beast. I think it's one of the most nuanced fairytales, others being The Little MatchGirl, The Little Mermaid and Snow White. I might do those next. So dibs on that! 

What’s your favorite line from your novel? Why?

When Fardeen and Zoella are negotiating their marriage and she stipulates 'no physical contact', Fardeen replies,  'Why is sex the first thing on your mind when it comes to me?' 

I thought it the most endearing quality of Zoella that she loves him and is so bad at hiding it, everyone knows it. Fardeen knows exactly how attractive she finds him but never uses it against her.

I'd laughed out loud on that one too. LOL.

How did you become a writer? In other words, tell us YOUR STORY.

A friend of mine I hadn't spoken with in years, but who had been very close to me in school, emailed me one day about Indireads. I followed up. I had just started writing Haveli, my first novella. Naheed Hasan, the publishing head of Indireads loved it and sent me a contract. 

It was such a thrill because I had never ever thought of writing romance or any genre writing for that matter. Genre fiction is not really respected in writing circles, unfortunately, and when I found myself on this side of the fence, I started writing about issues such as these also. I find it extremely rewarding. 

What is your best marketing tip?

Choose two or three social media sites at the most, and work on those. Don't spread yourself too thin. Give at least two hours every day to social media. I love Twitter. It's the most efficient marketing tool, I think. 

Why write romance?

I love romance. I read it a lot. I enjoy writing it. It's my way of taking a break from my mainstream fiction, which deals with social issues. Romance is fun! 

Is there a certain scene you find difficult to write? Eg: Racy or action etc.? Why?

I think taking your reader through an intimate scene between your characters can be tricky. It's difficult to not fall into the trap of distasteful long descriptions, that might just end up being hilarious rather than hot. Some people can do it very well, of course, others only think they can. I choose not to show intimacy in my books because not giving everything away is much more romantic. 

Is your writing character-driven or plot-driven?

Character is plot, says Henry James. I believe him. It's the choices our characters make that drives the narrative. So definitely character driven.

Which is the best character you’ve written? Is he or she your favorite? Why?

I don't know if she is the best character I've written, but Chandni is my favourite because she is the most unlike me. She is bold, spoilt and vulnerable. She is a princess. She has a tragic life but she doesn't ever let her weaknesses show. I love that about her, and her sarcasm! 

What do you wish to convey through your writing?

Entertainment. Laughter.  Snippets of relevant information about cultural heritage and geographical history. Things people tend to forget about themselves and their history, and when reminded, feel proud of.

What can we expect from you next?

No idea. Sorry.

To end lets try a Rapid Fire round. Your answer should be the first word/s that pops into your head when you think of:

LIFE: seasons (what?!)

PASSION: Yes!

HERO: Tragic

LOVE: life 

HATE: anger

Thank you once again, Zeenat for being here and talking to me. It was fun!

Zeenat Mahal can be reached at all these places:

GOODREADS

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

WEBSITE

BUY THE BOOK

Blurb:

(Incidently, I had the honor of reading the ARC of SLMHLMN and I finished it in one day. A pure reading pleasure. ~ Falguni.)

Zoella didn’t know whether she was devastatingly happy or happily devastated. 

Zoella has been in love with Fardeen Malik, her best friend’s gorgeous older brother, since she was ten, but he’s always seen her as a ‘good girl’—not his type—and he can barely remember her name. Besides, he’s engaged to a gorgeous leggy socialite, someone from the same rarefied social strata as the imposing Malik family. In short, Zoella has no chance with him. 

Until a brutal accident leaves Fardeen scarred and disfigured, that is. Suddenly bereft of a fiancée, Fardeen is bitterly caustic, a shell of the man he used to be, a beast that has broken out of the fairy tale world he once lived in. And a twist of fate lands him his very own beauty—Zoella.

This man, however, is a far cry from the Fardeen of her dreams. Stripped of her illusions, Zoella creates her own twist in the fairy tale, beating him at his own game.

Zeenat Mahal explores themes of love, longing and arranged marriages in this modern, unusual interpretation of the old-age fairy tale. 

GIVEAWAY: BOOTIE AND THE BEAST

Have you partaken in this Giveaway yet? 

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Bootie and the Beast

by Falguni Kothari

Giveaway ends March 15, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win