Ashwin Sanghi gets candid with you, our dear readers! Read on!
Ashwin Sanghi is the author of three bestselling books -- The Rozabal Line, Chanakya’s Chant and The Krishna Key -- and he is out with a new one -- Private India.
Co-authored with the American bestselling author James Patterson, Private India promises to be an edge-of-the-seat thriller and will hit the bookstores soon (but it can be pre-ordered here).
Sachin Nirhali: Sir,I have written An Appointment with Death (Sachin Nirhali) romantic thriller Novel which is on amazon and Flipkard the question is how do I market the book as have recently read that you too had to go through tough time when you self publish your first Novel Rosabela Line.Sahin Nirhali (Author)
Ashwin Sanghi: Become active on social media, blog regularly, use every connection and friendship to push another sale. You have to want it badly to make it happen.
satyaki-bhowmik: Is there any true relation between indus valley covilization and krishna?
Ashwin Sanghi: I assume that you are referring to 'The Krishna Key'. The discovery of the underwater ruins of Dwarka have made people like me much more convinced about the fact that Krishna could have been a historical figure in the post-Saraswati era.
Jignesh Kaisth: Could you describe the experience of collaborating with another author?
Ashwin Sanghi: You need more than one voice to create a harmony! My insider's perspective on India and its culture along with my passion for research and fast-moving plots were complementary to James Patterson's proven formula for creating larger-than-life characters and building conflict. Multiple voices work well in a choir as long as they sing the right notes. I hope we did!
Ashwin Sanghi: Working with James has been a refreshing experience. My focus has always been on research and plot while the Patterson formula is pace and character. This book has given us a chance to combine our respective strengths and present something that represents the best of both.
satyaki-bhowmik: Which of your books is closest to your heart?
Ashwin Sanghi: Which of your books is closest to your heart? One never forgets one's first love. My first book was 'The Rozabal Line' and it shall remain my favourite.
jinny: Could you explain your fascination with Indian mythology?
Ashwin Sanghi: I think that I am an ancient soul. I grew up listing to mythological stories from my grandmother, terrifying tales of ghosts/occult from my grandfather. I also was a voracious reader besides being an Amar Chitra Katha addict. Those elements in my growing years developed my fascination for the past and the extraordinary.
shenoy eeejee: I have written a book. currently in amazon kindle. how to get a publisher for the same?
Ashwin Sanghi: You should consider finding a literary agent. There are several good ones in India. An agent would be able to evaluate your work and decide which publishers are ideally suited for submissions.
Amal Sebastian: Will I be right in saying that your best is yet to come? Do you have a story that is probably like a "dream story" to tell?
Ashwin Sanghi: Oh absolutely. I have always viewed myself as work in progress! And yes, there is a dream story. It always tends to be the one that I am working on at that given moment!
Kashif Mashaikh: Do you think an author should self publish if he is not getting into print via the traditional route?
Ashwin Sanghi: Yes, I did that. But any such author must make sure that he/she does what a traditional publisher would do... engage a professional editor, invest time in typesetting and cover design, and most importantly -- market the book passionately.
tushar: What would your advice to young writers be?
Ashwin Sanghi: The bestselling authors of our times are not necessarily the best writers, they are simple the most persistent ones. Writing means rejection. , refine my research notes, tweak my plot outlines etc. By the time that I am done, the block has miraculously vanished.
nita nagpal: There is no mythological angle in your new book. Do you think this might alienate some of your readers?
Ashwin Sanghi: Actually there is. But it isn't the core. The mythological angle of the story is a key element in the Private India story. I think that my readers will appreciate the fact that I am experimenting with new formats and genres. Life would be so boring if all the chocolates in a chocolate box were identical!
anita nambair: You run a successful business. How do you divide your time between working and writing? Do you follow a schedule?
Ashwin Sanghi: I start my day at office rather late by 11 am. It is possible for me to do that because I own the business that I run. I'm usually at work for 6-7 hours but I do not attend office on weekends. I usually write in the mornings from 6am to 9am, which explains why I have to start my day late. My evenings are usually spent reading and researching.
ria dsouza: There has been a surge of books based on retelling of Indian myths. What do you see as the possible reasons for this popularity?
Ashwin Sanghi: If we see the slew of books that have been hitting the shelves recently, it seems that history, ancient culture, theology, and mythology are increasingly grabbing eyeballs. Tulsidas reinvented Valmiki's Ramayana when he wrote his version... the very same process is unfolding before your very eyes as newer authors are attempting to reinterpret Indian history and mythology.
Suneel Bonjani: What do you make of Amish Tripathi's books?
Ashwin Sanghi: Amish is one of my very best friends and I have enjoyed reading his trilogy. I believe that Amish is a terrific storyteller and he has the intrinsic ability to pull you into the plot. For me a good book is one in which I rarely need to make an effort to turn the pages. The pages should almost turn themselves. Amish succeeds in doing that.
shirish: How different is this new book from your previous ones?
Ashwin Sanghi: This is a contemporary crime thriller about a tormented serial killer in Mumbai. The story and pace is extremely different to my previous books. Much less reliance on history or mythology to produce a thrill. The length is also shorter, almost 25% less. Many more twists and turns along the way. I think that my readers will love it.
Satish Pulli: You are deeply into thrillers with a mythological twist to it. Will you return to it soon?
Ashwin Sanghi: If you read 'Private India' you will find that mythology is a key element of the storyline but it is incidental to the crime. But I see what you mean. I will definitely be writing much more in the field of mythology too. It is my first love!
neetu chaubey: What were the major challenges and the learnings with collaborating with another author?
Ashwin Sanghi: While the process of collaboration does imply some compromises it also means complementarity. James Patterson is the master of the thriller whereas I bring an intimate knowledge of India to the table. The combination of these two elements is perfect for an India-based thriller. But yes, two voices can only create a harmony provided that they coordinate among themselves. That is key.
Nitin Deshmukh: How does a collaboration of this nature work? How are the ideas bounced around and how does one agree upon the final draft?
Ashwin Sanghi: JP provided me with a guideline as well as an existing set of characters that needed to be developed in the story. Using his guideline, I wrote a fairly detailed plot outline. We discussed the plot outline at length and froze it after several mutually acceptable amendments. I then proceed to write the first draft. The second and third drafts were written by JP.
manisha satpute: How did the idea for the collaboration come about?
Ashwin Sanghi: A dear friend who has read all three of my books and works for Patterson's publisher suggested my name. Given the fact that all three of my previous titles have been thrillers with short chapters, compelling pace, and unexpected hooks every few pages—traits that are amply evident in James Patterson's writing, the fit seemed a natural one.
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