Author Interview (Neelam Saxena Chandra)

Interview with Neelam Saxena Chandra

Firstly, Towards Literature would like to acknowledge you to be interviewed with us. It's my honour to discuss the path across which you reach at a peak of writing. You are awarded by many institutions and academies. Obviously, it's a win for every author as writing is creating a space in today's youth. Apart from this, you are an inspiration for women authors out there in the country and world. 

Starting from the passion you have identified for writing, we would like to start our discussion.

At what age you identified that you have passion for writing? What did you start writing first?

I think that I was always having a flair and inclination towards writing. I began by writing my first series of letters to my Uncle in standard 1. Then, I was drawn towards poetry like a moth is drawn towards light. I began writing poems from standard VI and I was published in one of the leading newspapers in Central India when I was in Class VIII. I was also a regular contributor to “Letters to the Editor” in the same newspaper for long, as an analyst for various aspects of tradition, politics etc.

You have written a variety of writing form. It is not as that much easy as you proved. What makes you writing this variation.

Just like one enjoys various colors of the rainbow in life, I love the various forms of writing. This variation helps me grow.

As we are here to discuss about your recently released book, "Rang Bhara Tohfa", we are eager to know that qualities of those stories constrain you to write them.

I love to write stories in which the reader can easily identify himself/herself. These stories are quite realistic and can happen anywhere around you. 

Some of the stories speak about the difficulties that come in the protagonist’s life and how he/she crosses them with motivation embedded in their heart and soul. Some are feministic stories where I don’t comment about what’s right or wrong, but give emphasis on “choice”. Some talk about the traditions that are outdated.

However, in all stories, there’s some ray of hope, and hence I have choosen the title “Rang Bhara Tohfa” or “Gift of Colours”. 

Is there any special reason to write this book in Hindi? i.e. special identity of Hindi language as our mother tongue. If yes, please share with us.

As you know, I am a bilingual author, writing in both English and Hindi. These stories were written over a period of time. Whenever I feel like writing a story, something deep in my heart tells me whether it’s to be written in English or in Hindi, and I follow my heart.

Though English stories/novels appear more in newspapers etc, the ones in Hindi are certainly read more through offline channels of distribution. A desire to reach maximum people is always there in every writer’s mind. Though two of my books have been translated before from English to Hindi, a few readers prefer the original writing by the author. 

We are ardent to know some of your prestigious books and their form or the books touched not only touched the readers but also touched you. 

There’s something so emotional about most of my stories/novels that they always touch my heart. After reading some of the stories written by me, my eyes are damp. No, I don’t have favourites – all my books are dear to me. 

I am not a writer who will describe the scene in 4 pages out of the 10 pages of the story. My stories are sentiment based.

In the culmination of your discussion, we are looking forward to know your future publishing plan also an inspirational message for budding authors you want to convey.

I have the manuscript of a novel, a short story collection in English, 2 poetry collections in English, 4 poetry collections in Hindi and a few children’s books waiting to be published. I will publish them slowly, one by one, when I find a suitable publisher, and when I think is the right time for them to be published. 

For budding writers, following is my advice:

1. Read a lot. Write one story/poem after reading at least a hundred. Don’t be in a hurry to get published. Your first book will define your journey in the world of writing.

2. Don’t expect too much success with your first book. There are more writers than readers in our country. Write with your heart, but expect sales from the mind.

3. Don’t give up. Writing is all about perseverance. 

Thank You

"A Step Forward Towards Literature"

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