Custom Search

Interview with Author Anuradha Prasad

by Anuradha Prasad
(Mumbai, India)

1) Can you tell me a little about yourself?

I don't believe in talking about myself much. I am a shy person but don't look it. I Just want to be recognized by my work. To answer your question, I am a post grad in English literature and a Phd in the same. I am an artist, blogger, columnist, academician and an author. Recently I developed a penchant for traveling too. I love to soak in the culture of a new place and interact with the locals.

2) How did you start writing?

Without my knowledge. I was writing since the age of 7. I would write poetry and songs after school hours. Nobody knew about it. Naturally, at that age I did not know either that I was creating something great.

3) What is the greatest joy of writing for you?

I must say recognition?? I don't think most people will differ on this.

4) Is there a message in your novel that you hope readers will grasp?

Yes! I want the readers to get inspired from the story of struggle and eventual success of my characters.

5) What genre are your books, and what draws you to this genre?

Contemporary, inspirational self discovery. The very feeling of discovering something about yourself is inspirational without a doubt. So Sense of self discovery attracts me.

6) What is your e-reading device of choice?

A tab.

7) How did you come up with the title?

Before writing books I have written thousands of features with catchy titles for leading Newspapers. Coming up with a title is easy for me. So based on the emotion of the story also I come up with a suitable title.

8) Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice?

When I started writing long back I did not think much. My concentration was totally on a good feature ,language, title so on. Now writing takes me to a different level. I become one with the words. Its surreal. Coming back to your question writing cannot be viewed as a spiritual practice because I feel Spiritual practices can be learnt and worked with. I believe great writers are born and good writers cannot be created. Having said that talented writers experience one-ness through words,narration, story, characters. J.K Rowling once said that she has to write to maintain sanity and equilibrium in her life. I experience a sense of transformation and calm when I write. It happens often . A oneness , a kind of deep trance I experience. Yes good writers could meditate spiritually with their creations.

9. What cultural value do you see in writing/reading/storytelling/etc.?

Story telling was a part of our culture. Grandmothers, mothers all used to tell us stories of age galore around the kitchen fires. Even my dad used to recount some happenings and anecdotes around our dining table. Reading was an important part of my childhood. So was writing. Reading, writing, storytelling improves communication and bonding, so it should be encouraged big time. For emotional and intellectual development.

10) How do you select the names of your characters?

This is very funny. In-fact my family jokes about my fictional names. But yes I come up eventually with apt ones. I select keeping in view the character of the person in the story. They need to be catchy as well so on and so forth.
***

Thanks Anitha for sharing your interview with us.

IWW Team
3/22/2017