Get To Know Sheritha Singh,

Hi everyone, please welcome Sheritha Singh on my blog. Sheritha is a writer of New Adult genre. Today, she'll share with us something of herself and her journey in the writing of her book 'Only Yours'.

1. Tell us something about yourself and how you got into writing?

I started writing at the age of twelve.  I loved reading and wondered what it would be like to write my own book.  I got started and haven’t stopped since.

2. What was the experience of writing your first book – easy as pie or as hard as nails?

My first “real” book – I say real because I took a writing course last year and identified common writing mistakes – was the most difficult thing ever.  Once I learned the dynamic of plot and writing style book two, which I am querying, became much easier.  I wrote Book one in a year and book two in a month.

3. What motivates you to write?

The characters who live in my head.

4. What inspired Only Yours, your manuscript on submission?

The sudden interest in New Adult. I wrote a New Adult book years ago and it wasn't well received.  The growth in this genre has been beneficial for me because I am stuck in this growth phase of my life. Lol.

5. Please describe your book briefly.

Twenty year old Riley Hart thought she left behind her traumatic past behind her when she settled on South Africa’s east coast two years ago and started over. When she snags a job that helps pay the rent and her college tuition fees Riley believes she’s truly moved on from her dark past. However her romance with her cricket star boss Liam David, is strained when subtle reminders of Riley’s past surface. Riley is forced to choose between Liam’s love and his safety – if she doesn't choose fast she’s risking Liam’s life.

6. Tell us about your main characters in your book?

Riley is an orphan, a loner who’s started over after being raised in an orphanage. She’s a part time student and a full time employee. Liam is an international cricket start who’s just taken over the reins of his father’s business.  Liam is instantly attracted to Riley and tells her so. He lives by the philosophy – life is too short to live in slow motions.  Riley’s traumatic past makes her more reserved. I've included memes from the book.

 

7. How do you overcome writer’s block?

I watch a lot of Indian movies.

8. Does writing get in your way of life?

Not really.  I’d rather write than waste time doing nothing.

9. What’s next in your writing plans?

I’m querying Only Yours.  If I don’t garner any requests I will self publish.

10. What is the best thing about writing?

Living the characters’ lives for a short while.  I learn a lot while researching my characters.

11.  And here comes our rapid fire round…

Favourite Movie?

My favourite movie of all time is Avatar. I also love grande Bollywood stories complete with song and dance like Om Shaanti Om and Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gam. 

Worst Movie?

It based on the book by Stephen King.  I am scared of clowns.

Any secret habits?

None really.

Actor you’d fall for in a heartbeat?

Salman Khan

Favourite Book?

Twilight

Fallback Option when the fridge is empty

Nandos Portuguese styled grilled chicken.

What comforts you when things go bad?

My nephew

Your most comfortable outfit?

Leggings and a long t –shirt.

You can keep up with her latest news at her author page. 

You can follow her on Twitter @Shersinghzn

Thanks, Sheritha. Best wishes for your book and hope to hear its acceptance buzz soon!

And here's another of her lovely memes

Hope you enjoyed looking at those as much as I did. Thanks everyone! 

Ciao :)

Author interview – Get to know Shoma Narayanan

Today I'm hosting Shoma Narayanan on my blog. Shoma is an author for Harlequin Mills and Boon and also holds the prestigious position of senior vice president in HSBC. She has three books published till now, one under publication, releasing in November and is currently working on her fifth book for Harlequin.

Her most recent release is 'Secrets and Saris.' 

Let's get to know more about her and the book through a question and answer session.

Q1. Tell us something about yourself and how you got into writing.

I got into writing completely by accident.  I used to write a little in school and college – nothing serious, and I gave it up when I started working.  I saw an ad for a writing competition organized by Harlequin India in a bookstore, and sent in an entry on impulse.  I was one of the contest winners, and got a shot at writing a book for Harlequin.  Then the book got picked up for a global release, and the next thing I knew, I was offered a four book deal with Harlequin….

Q2. What was your experience of writing your first book? Easy as pie or hard as nails? *smile* 

Somewhere in the middle!  I loved most of the experience, and my editor was a dream to work with.  But there were still bits of the story I struggled over, and even after I’d re-written those bits, I’d still keep coming back to them, wondering if I could have done a better job!

Q3. What motivates you to write?

The high I get from the writing process – and the quiet feeling of satisfaction when I hold the first few printed copies of a book in my hands.

 Q4. What inspired this story?

The initial idea was sparked off by a conversation on how lots of people move from small towns to big cities, but very few do the opposite – that made me think of writing a romance novel set in a small town.

Q5. Please give us two lines describing the book. 

It’s about two ‘big-city’ people thrown together in a small town. Neil is a TV celebrity, and also a single dad. Shefali was brought up to be the perfect wife and mother  - but after she was jilted on the day of her wedding by the man her parents had chosen for her, she decides to strike out on her own. The book is about the two of them finding happiness with each other (after their due share of fights and misunderstandings!)

Q6. Do share two prominent traits about each of your two main characters in the book. 

Neil is half Indian and half British and combines very traditional Indian sensibilities with a fiercely independent outlook to life. He’s a single dad, and is far more mature and responsible than most twenty-eight year olds, but he has a quirky side to him - of course, he’s stunning to look at as well!  Shefali is a little stiff and uptight at the beginning of the book. As the story progresses, she loses a lot of her hang-ups, and comes out as a strong, loving and independent woman who’s not afraid of the depth of her own feelings.

Q7. All writers dread the writer's block. How do you overcome it?

I’ve not had a bad case of writer’s block yet (fingers crossed!) but there have been days when I’ve found it tough to write more than a few pages – on those days, I just stop working on the book and go off and do something with my kids.  When I come back to the book after a couple of days, it’s a lot easier to pick up wherever I stopped.

Q8. Does writing get in way of 'life'?

No, but my life gets in the way of my writing often enough L

Q9. What's next in your plans?

I’ve just signed a contract for another four books with Harlequin – now I need to sit down and actually write those books!

Q 10. What's the best thing about writing – other than it gives you a great excuse to avoid housework? *wink*

Well, I don’t do much housework other than cooking the odd meal with my kids…. The best thing about writing romance novels is that they are as much of an escape for the author as for the reader.

Q11. This last is a rapid-fire round. Brace yourself to give some quick responses. Say the very first to come in your mind. Be honest! *gives a stern look*

Here goes…

- Most hated movie:

Jeepers Creepers – I watched it on a trip to London with a bunch of colleagues – it was so bad, it wasn't even funny

- Your one secret habit no one knows about. (getting tough here?):

I tell myself stories every night before I go to bed

- Actor you'd fall for every time (don't worry we won't tell hubby J): 

Daniel Craig

- Book you would laminate to preserve it:

“To Kill a Mockingbird”

- Fallback option when the fridge is empty:

Salads from Subway

- What comforts you when things go bad? 

My kids

-What sounds better? A party or a quiet evening at home?

Depends on my mood

- Your most comfortable outfit?

Shorts and a well-worn T-shirt

-Which is a better pastime – a book, a movie or a game?

Always a book.

Thank you so much, Shoma for the interesting answers. 

Here's the blurb, excerpt and the buy links for the book. Go enjoy! :)

Blurb:

Jilted at the altar, Shefali Khanna should be humiliated. Instead she takes the opportunity to start again. Top of the priority list: do not tumble headfirst into another relationship! But even moving from Delhi to a small town can't keep Shefali out of trouble—especially when she catches the eye of TV celeb Neil Mitra. To add to the complications, Neil is divorced and a single dad, and his four-year-old daughter Nina is one of Shefali's students. There is no way she can risk a getting into another relationship. He might be gorgeous, but he's totally off-limits…right?

Excerpt: Please follow this link to the Harlequin website to read the excerpt

Buy links:

Harlequin: http://www.hqnindia.com/author/shoma-narayanan

Flipkart:  http://www.flipkart.com/mills-boon-secrets-saris-june-2013/p/itmdhazezsakh6g8?pid=9789351060611&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&q=shoma+narayanan&ref=6a69ad47-6e1a-4f05-8c44-58215e919b8f

Infibeam: http://www.infibeam.com/Books/secrets-saris-shoma-narayanan/9789351060611.html#variantId=P-M-B-9789351060611

Amazon Kindle:  http://www.amazon.in/Secrets-Saris-ebook/dp/B00D41LVNC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1373993496&sr=8-4&keywords=shoma+narayanan