Tuesday, December 22, 2015

On Writing: Bhavya Kaushik

Today on 'On Writing', we have the national best-selling author Bhavya Kaushik who says he writes only for himself. But his readers love what he writes.


With a Masters degree in Computer Science, Bhavya believes versatility is the key to unlocking every door of our aspirations. The author of a best-selling novel, he is in pursuit of his unwavering passion for talking about things that will touch our soul and leave an everlasting impression. He is on a quest to seek answers to the questions that have always kept him awake.
“I am the story of my own journey.”

- Bhavya Kaushik, Author (The Other Side of the Bed) 

Welcome to 'On Writing' Bhavya Kaushik

FOLLOW him: WEBSITE 
Twitter handle: @BhavyaKaushik
Facebook: /writeroflife


How did writing begin for you? Was becoming an author always your dream or was it a particular event or incident that gave birth to the author in you?

Ever since I was a kid, I knew that I wanted to be a writer. I was extremely fortunate to be surrounded by people who encouraged me to pursue my dreams. I remember how I started my blog when I was in the seventh standard and the response that I received was overwhelming.  At the age of 13, I had a committed reader base. It was after their appreciation, I decided on accepting writing as a career alternative.

How important are the names of the characters in your books to you? Do you spend agonizing hours deciding on their names?

They are extremely important because they define your characters. I strongly believe that I don’t write stories, I write characters. Though, I never invest a very long time in order to come up with their names. For me, it comes very effortlessly. It’s like as if all my characters are already living and breathing inside me, waiting for me to write their stories.

What is your least favorite part of the publishing/ writing process?

I’m a very introvert and secretive person. For me, going out there and telling people about my work somehow puts me a little off. I don’t write for fame or money, I do it for myself, but sometimes it gets a little tough to make others understand the same.


 What is ‘Infinite Equinox’ all about? How long did it take to complete writing it?
It is so much more than just a book; it is a journey in itself. For me, the equinox is a perfect symbol of life, an amalgamation of good and bad which is symbolized by the night and the day of the equinox. Every one of us experiences an equinox, but for a few it stays forever. This is the story of those unfortunate souls. It took me around 6 months to write the first draft.

 Who is your favorite character in the book and why?

I think my favorite character would be Tamanna’s mother, who was barely in the book at all, but still the entire book revolved around her. You will get her glimpse only through Tamanna’s memories and will fall in love with her through Tamanna’s obsession of finding her.


 Do share a snippet/ Quote from your book.

It’s pretty tough to pick one quote because I loved every bit of it. I would rather pick two of my favorite snippets:


Sometimes, I believe that is how all the planets, the galaxies, and the universe might have come into existence. Maybe, God was in so much pain that it resulted in the Big Bang when he kept it all inside and didn’t let the pain go. Maybe, the Big Bang was a cry made by God in order to get a relief from his pain, and maybe, just maybe, we are nothing but a figment of his imagination, living in his dreams. Maybe, one day, we all will disappear when he would wake up from his sleep.


There comes a time in your life when you are left with too many yesterdays and fewer tomorrows. When you can look back and relive all the golden moments of your life. You would laugh thinking about your graduation day, or the teacher who changed your life, or how you met your soulmate. But then, you look ahead and you would realize that there is no future – no tomorrow to look forward to, and nothing to plan. What would you do? How would you go on and live a future that doesn't exist?


Is there a certain type of scene that is harder for you to write than others? Did you face such an issue while writing ‘Infinite Equinox’?

If I would say that it was tough for me to write a particular scene, then I won’t be the writer of my book. I enjoyed writing each and every bit of it, without any effort. I would do it again in a heartbeat!


What is your method of writing? Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I’m a complete pantser. I let my characters write their stories by letting me their medium. I know people who follow the snowflake method while writing, but I can’t do that. I can never write with a restricted mindset.


Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have any advice on how to deal with the bad?

I rarely read the reviews. I don’t let the reviews, whether good or bad to change my style or alter my work. I write for myself and I’m pretty happy with that.


What are the three tips you have for readers who are aspiring writers?
1) Write for yourself, not for your readers or for getting published.
2) Be vulnerable while writing. Let the book be your journal.
3) Don’t write to follow a commercial trend. If you are good, success will come to you.

Thank you Bhavya! That was so interesting. I wish you all success for all your future endeavors.

Bhavya's Books:

Infinite Equinox:
BUY IT HERE

Blurb:

Moments.

Our entire life is made up of moments-entwined together, so impeccably that it is unimaginable to disambiguate one from the other. But it was never the same for Tamanna. She could easily differentiate every moment of her life to either good or bad, black or white ---there was no gray shade. Abducted from her hometown, she spent countless days begging in the streets for her life.

Sometimes, you need to fight for your destiny and Tamanna did as she made it out of the perilous begging rackets of India to the grandeur of Seattle.

This moving tale will take you through the events of her life from the terrible turmoil of her past, the saddening impact of heart-wrenching experiences to the blossoming of friendship between strangers who were destined to be chained together and finally the confluence of two souls - Tamanna and Vikram, who stood together even when the stars forced them apart.

She is on a quest to find her parents in order to live, to exist. This is her heart's ink imprinted on the pieces of a paperback.

It is yours now!



The Other side of the Bed:

Buy here

Blurb: 
This is a story which tries to answer the age-old question, what to do when someone you love dies; in a contemporary and personal way. Nakul, who lost his beloved wife after only a month of their marriage in a serial bombing attack, found it impossible to continue with his life.

He takes a journey in which he interacts with people like him, who have also lost their loved ones in those blasts and decides to help them. Though he didn't realize that in the process of helping them, he was helping himself This is his journey through the five stages of grief -

DENIAL, ANGER, BARGAINING, DEPRESSION and ACCEPTANCE, and how he comes out of them with the help of his family and his "Grief-Mates".

He thought that he had forever of togetherness with his wife, but he didn't, none of us does. And before it is too late, we should better go out there to our loved ones and tell them how much we love them. Have any of you said it lately to your wife, your husband, your children, your brother, sister or your parents, that "You mean the world to me. You have changed my life. I cannot live without you. I love you..."


That is all for now, folks. Do pick up his book.

Have a great day.

Much Love,








2 comments:

  1. Thanks a lot Preethi!
    I had such a nice time talking to you and sharing my experience. I hope your readers will enjoy reading this too.
    Best,
    Bhavya Kaushik

    ReplyDelete