Author Story Article Release
Hello author, on behalf of all the readers, we would like to discuss something about you and of course, your book as well. This conversation will help reader to know more about you and your debut book. Please give answers in brief.
Most welcome to Criticspace Journals, Author. We heartily congratulate you for being a published author. It’s really a great achievement. First thing, we would like to know about your basic info as a person, daily life, career so far and anything you would like to share about you with your readers.
Your Answer: Thank you. Glad to be here. I was a ship’s Captain till recently, just retired from the Merchant Navy. I spent my entire adult life at sea—more than forty years on the waves—and grew to love the sea. I have always loved to write, and this profession gave me the time and inspiration to do so, especially on long sea voyages.
That’s really great; please tell us something about your journey of becoming an author. When you actually started writing and how was the circumstance? Did any person or situation influence you to write your debut book or was it your childhood hobby of writing?
Your Answer: It was a childhood hobby. I had always excelled in English writing in school; my teachers were dismayed to learn that I had joined the Merchant Navy after school. They had hoped I would become a journalist, a historian or a novelist. But I remember assuring them that one day I would become a published author. And my travels around the world helped me achieve that.
Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly? Be descriptive please so that our visitors know about you little more.
Your Answer: Yes, why not? If you’re not an emotional person, you can still be a writer if your command over the language, your clarity of thought and your vocabulary are good. But your writing will be more suited to non-fiction, or articles where you present facts and opinions in a dispassionate way. The science fiction genre may suit you. But you may not be so successful at writing a love story.
How do you come up with the titles to your books?
Your Answer: It didn’t happen overnight. There was no Eureka moment. Not to me, at least. So far I’ve written only two books. One is published, the next one is with the publisher. In both cases, it took months of daydreaming and consulting family and friends to come up with what I considered the most suitable title. I am already spending a lot of time wondering what my third book, which is underway, will be titled.
What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?
Your Answer: a) Whatever the topic may be, it should hold the reader’s interest. (b) Bad grammar is a total turnoff! (c) So is meandering—the correct length is important. It shouldn’t be unnecessarily long; nor should it seem that the writer was in a hurry to finish the story. (d) The right word in the right place is the key to a well written piece. The language doesn’t have to be flowery. The reader is not interested in knowing how good the writer’s vocabulary is.
What comes first, the plot or characters? How do you develop your plot and characters?
Your Answer: I can only speak for myself. The plot comes first. Always. The characters can be developed along the way. The same holds true for movies, I think. Every movie doesn’t need a superstar in it to be widely appreciated—a good story well told with an ensemble cast is enough, isn’t it? I develop my characters by reading and rewriting my stories, letting them ‘breathe’ for some weeks and reading them again to further edit my work. That is how my story, and the characters along with it, develop. It doesn’t happen overnight.
Are you on social media and can your readers interact with you?
Your Answer: Yes, I am and they are welcome to.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beetashok.chatterjee
Twitter: @bravo_charlie1
Instagram: beetashok
Please tell the reader something about your book. What is your message to those readers who have still not read the book. Why they should pick it up for reading?
Your Answer: When was the last time you read some modern sea stories—stories of ships and the seafarers who man them? Tales of adventure, love, romance, piracy, intrigue…. and human nature? Look no further.
My debut book Driftwood – Stories Washed Ashore is a collection of twelve modern stories of the sea, but not necessarily for seafarers alone. They are for anybody who likes to read fiction. Driftwood will give you a glimpse of what it is like to be at sea; to empathise with the trials and tribulations of a seaman.
And yes, the most important thing we would like to hear from you is what is your message to those new writers who have not yet started their journey of becoming an author? You have been their source of motivation, please convey your thoughts with them.
Your Answer: Write because you love to. Do not write for any other reason—no need to get pressurised. Develop a thick skin to absorb criticism and use it constructively. If several people are saying the same thing about your work, there must be some truth to it. Read and re-read your work several times, make changes where you deem necessary. Read the work of your peers as well as of established writers—see how effectively they are communicating their ideas to you. There is a lot to learn from them. Lastly, be patient. Success doesn’t happen overnight. I am the perfect example of the fact that it is never too late in life to fulfil your dreams!
THE BELOW SECTIONS CONTAINS SOME IDEAS FOR INJECTING A BIT OF FUN INTO YOUR INTERVIEW
Would you rather
Would you rather be in a room full of snakes or a room full of spiders?
Your Answer: Spiders. I have a better chance of survival.
Would you rather have an endless summer or an endless winter?
Your Answer: If you’re talking about a North Indian summer, give me an endless winter any day!
Would you rather have constant nagging pain or a constant itch?
Your Answer: Constant itch. An itch to write more!
Would you rather always be an hour early or be constantly twenty minutes late?
Your Answer: An hour early. I am a very punctual person, and I have little respect for people who do not value other people’s time.
Would you rather live in a haunted mansion or live in a un-haunted cottage?
Your Answer: Un-haunted cottage… duh!!
Either Or
Tea or coffee
Your Answer: Tea
Hot or cold
Your Answer: Hot
Movie or book
Your Answer: Book
Coke or Pepsi
Your Answer: Coke
Morning person or Night owl
Your Answer: Morning person
Social Media or book
Your Answer: Book
Paperback or ebook
Your Answer: Paperback
All the best for your future and this book too! Thanks for answering my questions.