Amrita Sharma is a journalist by profession and an author by choice.
She has worked with DD News, NDTV, Hindustan Times and is currently with the BBC.
She has authored several non-fiction books including a book on relationships, called "What Did I Ever See in Him" besides "Dictionary of Religion" and "Dictionary of Literary Terms". “Taken for a Metro Ride” is her first fiction.
She has been writing on relationships for over 20 years and several of her articles on the subject of love and relationships have been published in various leading Indian newspapers and magazines, including the online portals of Femina and The Indian Express.
She feels strongly about wellness and mental health and enjoys writing about work-life balance and emotional health and well-being. She is passionate about chai and her Twitter handle is - @amchaivinist
1. Who and what inspired you to write?
I have always been interested in observing people around me and the kaleidoscope of their lives, their relationships and the way they approach things. That has been the underlying subject of all my writings.
The idea of writing this book – Taken for a Metro Ride – came about when I started taking the metro to work – in the pre-Covid days. The different types of people I travelled with everyday and the various shades of experiences I had during those rides, started emerging like a tapestry before my eyes.
Every day was a new experience – sometimes good, sometimes bad and sometimes even extraordinary. My bucket of experiences kept filling up and I suddenly felt I wanted to share this kaleidoscope of lives and experiences with everyone. And that’s how the book came into being.
2. What challenges did you face while writing and getting published?
Discipline is one of the main demands of writing I feel. The drill to put random thoughts coherently into words requires a lot of focus and effort. When I was writing my novel, I would often have days when I would stare at my laptop screen and eventually give up with a feeling of frustration. But when I finally managed to finish the book, the feeling was beyond words!
However, the task of finding a publisher has been quite taxing. Often it seemed like a walking into a blind alley since they take eons to respond. One loses the enthusiasm after a point and it can be really challenging to keep the faith. That’s when I was told about literary agents and how they could facilitate the publishing process.
3. How did you come to know about the literary agency THE BOOK BAKERS?
I remember reading an article in a newspaper about literary agents making inroads in the Indian publishing scene. My curiosity was piqued and I started doing some research about them. Of all the agents I read about, The Book Bakers seemed to have a certain conviction, which inspired a lot of confidence in me. That’s when I got in touch with Suhail Mathur, the man and the mind behind TBB and things started looking up.
4. How did THE BOOK BAKERS help you and what would you like to say about them?
When I approached Suhail Mathur, the co-founder of The Book Bakers, it was a sheer delight in the way he took charge and guided me through – not just with the process but also with his valuable inputs. I guess it came with the fact that he is a celebrated author himself and knows the nuances of writing. Kudos to him for doing full justice to his vocation and being so involved with the work he represents.
5. How do you see literary success for yourself?
For me, literary success means penning several acclaimed books and reaching out to as many readers as possible. Since I take immense pleasure in writing, I aspire to achieve many milestones by writing stories, self-help books, memoirs and even anthologies of short stories to connect with a diverse group of readers. Screen adaptations of my work would also define literary success for me.
6. When can we expect your next book?
My next book, which is a sequel to my earlier work on relationships – What Did I Ever See in Him – is expected to be out in the next few months since it is already in the publication stage.
7. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?
Always stay focused and make sure to finish what you have started. Remember, your work is your expression and your voice in the world. Also, it’s very important to believe in yourself and your work. Stay true to your feelings when you write and you will never be disappointed in the final result.
BOOK NAME : TAKEN FOR A METRO RIDE
PUBLISHER : TREESHADES BOOK
BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB:
When Aliya, an NRI from the US, revisits India after almost two decades, she has no idea
that the city and its vibrant metro rides will change her life forever.
As Aliya takes the metro every day and brushes shoulders with all kinds of people, she
discovers a whole new world – both inwards and outwards. The daily rides also become the
landscape against which her life starts to unfold, and her past and future intersect through her turbulent and clandestine present.
“Taken For a Metro Ride” encapsulates the journey of relationships, harsh realities, losses,
and acceptance with the metro playing the supporting role.
ORDER YOUR COPY FROM : https://www.amazon.in/dp/9389237149/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_SMBD9KE8FQMBHMQK5NJQ
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