1. First of all, tell us something about yourself... (Family, Background, Education, Location, etc.)
I am a banker and I work in State Bank of India, New Delhi. Originally I belong to Bathinda (Punjab). I’ve done my masters from Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra. My father is a business man and mother is a home maker. I worked as an investment consultant for over three years before joining SBI.
2. When and how did you start writing?
I was into writing poetry and articles since my college days but writing a complete book is what I had never even thought of in my wildest dreams. But then an incident in my life (As mentioned in my book) motivated me to do so.
3. What inspired you to write a book?
Actually I always believe that we are living in a world where every human being is double faced. What we observe in a person is actually his/her external existence but internally everyone has some hidden desires, fears, dilemmas, fragility and sometime few untold confessions which he/she fears to accept in public. “I am Heartless…” is a real story rather a real confession. When I came to know about it I decided to share it with all, so that no one repeats the same mistake which the protagonist did. In short, the story itself inspired me.
4. Tell us something about your book(s)
The book highlights the purest form of human emotions and the small yet intimate moments of love life which usually is evident in almost everyone but they do not get noticed. It portrays height of love and friendship, bizarre madness, internal conflicts, dilemmas and ocean full of sentiments. It touches the heart of every youngster or for that matter anyone who has ever fallen in love.
5. How do you feel after getting published?
Feels on the top of the world, with my feet still firm on the ground.:-). On a lighter note, it makes me feels royally humble.
6. Do you have a specific writing style?
Yes, my writing style basically revolves round love and relationships, the understanding of which is both my asset as well as my limitation too. Secondly I write in poetical fiction genre which is quite unique in Indian context.
7. How did you come up with the title, tagline, cover design etc?
All of these things had been finalized keeping story and characters in mind.
8. Which part of your book was the most difficult to pen down?
The last chapter! Initially we had thought to conclude the book with a different climax but then I and Rumana (my biggest support and critic at the same time) sat down and after many rounds of discussion we successfully reached the point where we wanted to.
9. Any other challenge that you faced while you wrote?
I wanted to share the story in its real version only so that readers will feel themselves associated with it. Being a novice it was little difficult for me to manage varying emotions of the characters and adjust its magnitude as per the circumstances occurring in the novel.
10. Does the story relates to you or somebody you know?
Yes it does, but I do not wish to reveal the name of the person.
11. Which are your favorite books and writers?
My favourite books are: Eleven Minutes, I too had a love story, A thousand splendid suns and many more. My favourite writer is: Poulo Coelho.
12. Which writer do you think influenced you the most?
Paulo Coelho
13. Do you see writing as a fulltime career?
Hmmm…. it is a sensitive question to me as of now. I can say only that I haven’t given it a serious thought yet.
14. Learning/experience while writing your book that you would like to share...
It was a beautiful journey of converting my thoughts into a book. Now I feel myself more mature as a writer as well as a human being.
15. Your advice for aspiring and emerging writers?
Be true to yourself first and then to others. Just concentrate on the purity of story rather than on other marketing stuff because at the end of the day it is only your hard work and creativity that will take you ahead in this field.
16. Any message for your readers.
Always love the person who loves you.
17. Your forthcoming book(s)
Currently, I am working on few ideas but have not finalized anything as of now.
18. You can be reached at...?
You can get in touch with me at: vini14jan@gmail.com or find me on face book and twitter. My Website is: www.iamheartless.in
