Sunday, December 20, 2015

On Writing: Paromita Goswami

Today we have on 'On Writing' Paromita Goswami who has writing in her blood, having inherited it from her father.


Paromita Goswami, is based in India. A computer programmer by qualification, she successfully carved a niche as a marketing professional with top companies for ten long years before taking up writing as her full-time career. Since 2009, she has been freelancing as a travel writer and blogger in many online sites. She has also written short stories that are published e-magazines. She is born in Shillong and spent her growing years in North East before moving to Delhi. She is married and lives happily with her family in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. She is a big fan of Indian Cinema and loves to read Bengali classic. 

Welcome to ‘On Writing’ Paromita Goswami.

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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?

Writing happened out of practice.

Writing is in my genes. I inherited it from my father. His work kept him away from family and each time he returned he would open up his bundle of stories for us. When we grew up a little we would anxiously wait for him to come back so that we could show him our piece of work – that would be a simple story, a poem or a painting. Later when we were adults and took to our path, the writing remained as our best friend. Later, I took up writing as a profession and became a travel writer. But the knack of storytelling remained. I had penned my first unpublished novel in school and it was highly appreciated by the readers. I saw a good drama writer in me and continued writing. I always wanted to be an author.

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

 Earlier, I use to think a lot about the names of my characters. Sometimes they even use to contribute to the title of my work. But not anymore. My characters are independent and I just follow them.  They have evolved much before I put them in papers and luckily the name they choose suits them – Latika, Shamsuddin, Debjyoti  are some examples.

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

I think I love each and every part of it. It is like watching your baby grow.

 What is ‘Shamsuddin’s Grave’ all about? How long did it take to complete writing it?

Shamsuddin’s Grave: The story of a homeless” is based on real-life incidents. The book is about migration and has two protagonists – Shamsuddin, a daily wager, who represents the youth of rural background and Latika, an MBA social activist who represents the urban youth. The plot is based in Guwahati,a big city in the North East India. It speaks about the plight of people both pre and post Independence. The book looks into the lives of people who have migrated to India from Bangladesh. But even after living for generations in the country their situation is more or less the same. Blame it to the poor economic growth, instable government, insurgency, and natural disasters. The people are bound to migrate to bigger cities for livelihood. But how many can really achieve their dream? Ideally, this book is apt for those who love to read critical issues and consider facts and figures above fiction.
A small article in Times of India triggered the idea. It took one year of research and another couple of months to write the novel.

Do share a snippet/ Quote from your book.

Snippet from the book –

Shamsuddin had come to deliver the relief materials to the volunteers in the camp. He had taken couple of trips already and it was his last trip for the day.  As he unloaded the material for distribution a young woman standing in the queue caught his attention. Her fragile frame draped in a cheap printed cotton saree divulged the bulge of her pregnancy. She was desperately looking at the hands that were busy distributing the food packets to the people. Shamsuddin instantly felt a sting in his heart as he saw the woman. He was trying hard to see her face which was half covered by the veil of her saree.
The woman waited her turn impatiently for the food packet and when she finally got one she ran inside the building. Shamsuddin followed her.

Tell us about your upcoming book.

After high fledged social drama with Shamsuddin’s Grave, I have ventured to paranormal zone with my next book. Although you can feel a tinge of it in Shamsuddin’s Grave too as the name suggests, however, my next book - the untitled JUNGLE SERIES is a typical paranormal flick. It is a collection of short stories based on the unknown and virgin forests of Chhattisgarh. The jungles here are not just the homes of the Maoists but also to several Adivasi tribes who practice various rituals and customs to praise the Lord, the vandevta. The tagline of the book is – GET READY TO BE ASSAULTED.
 The book is due in February and for more information you can keep a tap on my Facebook page or blog.            

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

I am more of a visual person. Before I pen down something on the paper or hit the keyboard I have the habit of playing the scene again and again in my mind like a tape till I get what I want. So I am a plotter for that matter.

What are the three tips you have for readers who are aspiring writers?

1) We all have a writer within us and get inspired very easily. Vomit out your story without any second thoughts. This should be your first step towards a published author.

            2) Don’t be in a hurry to publish your book. Spend time in refining it.     First, second, third, fourth.  Read other author’s work in the same genre. Always get an editor to polish your work.

3) Read more books because a good reader is always a good author.

Thank you, Paromita for that interesting chat! I wish you success in all your future endeavors. 
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About Shamsudden's Grave:



Acceptance is something that we all yearn for but what if you are not accepted? Will you prove yourself or let the time decide?
Latika’s wrecked personal front leaves her completely shattered. So when her ailing father reveals his desire to go back home, she doesn’t think twice and moves to her hometown. She joins an NGO and comes across a teenage rape victim. Much against her TL, Debjyoti’s wish she sets out to trace the girl with Shamsuddin’s help. Will she succeed or end up in big trouble?
Shamsuddin, a daily labourer, somehow manages to thrive in the city. Meanwhile, flood devastates his house in the village. His family takes refuge in a relative’s place where his wife has a tough time resisting the advances of her brother-in-law. Can Shamsuddin arrange for an accommodation before it is too late?
Set in Guwahati amid the backdrop of flood and ethnic turmoil, “Shamsuddin’s Grave”, is the story of migration towards big cities for a better life.


Book Trailer:









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

Have a great day.

Much Love,

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