Conversation with Sapan Saxena
About Sapan: Sapan Saxena is a software engineer by profession and an author by choice, Born in the city of Nawabs Lucknow, he earned his Engineering degree fro m MNIT Allahabad. Sapan started writing when he was coding for a complex algorithm and found that a fictional story would at least make some sense. Currently based in Nashua, New Hampshire, he is the Author of the highly acclaimed Finders, Keepers. UNNS-The Captivation is his 2nd attempt at writing fiction.
Q&A session
Q.1) Your favorite author and why ?
A: Stephen King for the range he has. You read "IT" and then you read "The Green Mile". You wont believe they are penned by the same person. He never let himself bound to a specific genre, and that's why as a reader as well as a writer, he is my favorite.
Q.2) Three things you wanna do before the end of this year ?
A: Make "UNNS" reach as much readers as possible, trip to LA and finish the first draft of my third book.
Q.3) your biggest inspiration and why ?
A: Rahul Dravid. His strength of character is exemplary. He is one of the few cricketers who have gained massive respect after retirement, and that's purely because of the person he is. Calm, composed and yet a competitive fighter. He succeeded merely by working hard, that is an inspiration.
Q.4) How you came up-to writing ?
A: By chance. I mean I had started blogging when I found some very interesting tidbits about Hindu mythology and started sharing it on my blog. But fiction happened by chance when I pondered upon the eternal rivalry of Shaivas and Vaishnavas and that's how my first book happened.
Q.5) Describe yourself in one word ?
A: Maverick.
Q.6) Expectations from your latest book ?
A: From UNNS? Huge? I have worked very hard on the story and how it was to be presented. To divide the story into three seasons and then subsequently the seven stages of love was very tough, specially how the story progresses as per each stage. Expectations are very huge.
Q.7) Why you have wrote “UNNS” book? What is any specific reason to write this book?
A: I wanted to write a love story once in my life. Being a fan of SRK, that is like a must-do. But, then I wanted it to be completely different from the titles on the shelf. The only way I could do it was to add elements of shock and surprise. That's why its more of a thriller than romance now.
Q.8) Your experience with Inspire India Publishers ?
A: Exemplary. Both with The Book Bakers, my agent and Inspire India publishers. Talking of Inspire India(as your question is about them), Richard is a guy who knows this thing inside out. He exactly knows what to achieve, how to achieve it, and the steps and hiccups involved. He has been supportive throughout the entire journey.
Q.9) You satisfied with them ?
A: Yes of course, very satisfied. There couldn't have been a better publisher for my 2nd book.
Q.10) Tell us something about your latest book ?
A: UNNS is a romantic thriller. Its a story of Atharva Rathod and Meher Qasim, who fall in love when in school, only to separate and then meet again after 15 years in another country. The book is based on Sufi-themed seven stages of love.
Q.11) Emotions , sentiments , sensitivity is a part of ?
A: being human. They make you more human, and help you be in touch with a side of yours, you often keep in wraps.
Q.12) when you will consider your biggest achievement ?
A: Can't go by numbers. When there is a general consensus that I write books which are "different", I would consider it my biggest achievement.
Q.13) Which place you love to write? Nature or your room or any place?
A: My room. Closed room in fact. Late in the night. That's when I am most active and creative.
Q.14) If you get a chance to be invisible for one day. what you wanna do ? or what you wanna be ?
A: If I become invisible, of course steal/rob/earn a lot of money so that I can use it the next day I am visible. Its a fact of life that best things in nature are free, but second best are not.
Q.15) Who is your first crush? is it in school, college or office ?
A: I had a huge crush on Sunita Rao, the singer of Pari Hoon Main.
Q.16) What is your hobby except writing?
A: I like cooking, in fact at times I post in my cooking blog as well. Then dancing and singing.
Q.17) Your future plans ?
A: To write better books. To write books with a difference. And not just saying it, actually meaning it.
Q.18) Behind every successful man there is a woman. Agree or disagree? and why?
A: I started writing after I got married, with all the support from my wife. And of course, she is my most strict critic and motivator. So, definitely agree for whatever little success I have achieved in life.
Q.19) If you wouldn’t have been an author ?
A: I already am a Software Engineer by profession. So, if not an author, I would still be writing...code.
Q.20) one message for your readers .. or for your friends ?
A: To my readers and my friends, you are the reason I write. So, thanks a lot for all your genuine feedback and your love. You guys keep me moving.
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