Ishita@subhounplugged

So, I finally moved out of Mumbai for my Blog chat, though it happened to be just 100 kms from my home- PUNE- the city of IT geeks. Luckily, I have a cousin in the city so I need not worry about lodging and boarding but unluckily, he has no vehicle and I was left with public transport. No metros and once in a while Local train, I opted for bus and trust me, till the time I reached the meeting point, I was completely exhausted but then I was to host a girl and that thought gave me energy.

It was friendship day, so I picked up a rose and waited for her to come. Of course, I knew she won’t be on time so unlike my other interviews I scheduled it for 2pm and told her to come at 1pm. She came at 1.45pm. But like her persona, her entry was dramatic too. I was steering around searching her glimpse and then finally, a girl stood up in front of me, her face was covered with a duppatta.

‘Yes!’ I asked.

‘Ishita!’ She said.

‘Really?’

She removed the duppatta and there she was- ISHITA BHOWN, author of TOGETHER/TO-GET-HER (I am not sure).

‘You look beautiful!’ I said.

‘LINE MAT MARO PLEASE!’ She yelled at me.

I was damn scared. Trust me; I said that just out of courtesy.

 She took her seat and looked around skeptically.

‘Don’t worry, nobody recognized you.’ I joked and she gave me dead look.

‘Hi!’ She finally uttered a word. ‘Happy Friendship Day!’

‘Hey! Same to you.’ I gave her the rose and she almost freak out in terror.

‘It’s a white rose.’ I explained and she finally accepted.

‘Anyway, let’s get on with the interview.’ I said and she smiled. (She could smile too.)

I ordered for coffee and snacks.

Subho: Let’s start with a basic question; don’t worry weird ones are on their way. From Engineer to a fiction author, how and why?

Ishita: From Engineer to a fiction author, the journey has been an unexpected one. I had never thought that I could write a book someday, and off course getting it published was way beyond imagination. This all happened just by chance. I have always had a knack of reading and writing, and so during college days, when I got bored in lectures, I started scribbling down a story on the back of my notebook. When I read that story to my college group, they all liked it a lot, and encouraged me to look for a publisher. I had lot of free time in those vacations, and so I took their advice a bit seriously and started my publisher hunt.

(This is the same story with every engineer cum author. I think Universities should now also include a literature subject in the syllabus)

Subho: How difficult it is to get a publisher?

Ishita: Well, I come from a non literary background. I did not even know the names of 5 publication houses when I started my journey here. Yet, google devta helped me. Within a few months, I had good offers from 3-4 publication houses. So, I believe it is not that difficult, provided your manuscript is up to the mark. But yes, it is difficult to choose a right publisher. Today there are so many houses; some of them are greedy ones, who will leave no stone unturned to make undue profits at the cost of your ambition. So, one needs to be very cautious while making a selection and before signing an agreement.

(My first publishers was one those greedy publishers)

Subho: How much a pretty face or be straight- how much being a girl helps in promotion and marketing?

Ishita: If you asked this question 3-4 years back, my answer would have been that is an added advantage to be a girl. Since there were less female authors, so their face value helped in book marketing and promotions. But today, the scenario has changed. So many females have entered into writing, and social media is the key to promotions these days.

(C’mon dear we all know pretty face and dimples does matter and that’s why we have co-authors. You see, being a guy you’ve to write a good story, get a big publisher and do high promotion to be a bestseller. Being girl, add yourself to the stupid literary group and put a sexy DP, a bestseller author will approach you to co-author)

Subho: Your views on co-authoring concept.

Ishita: It depends on the kind of book that is being written. I have co authored a book on computers, and that experience was a wonderful one. My co author, Navneet is a wonderful person and is very supportive. So I did not face any issues or conflicts.
However, I wonder how people manage to co author Fiction stories. Every writer has a different style and the way of describing things, so it’s certain that conflicts will arise. It is very important that the differences are so well neutralized that the book appears like a single entity, not like two separate piece of art. However, if the authors have good understanding and respect for each other’s work, then Co authoring may result in 1+1= 11 J

Subho: Any plans of co-authoring.

Ishita: I don’t know yet. Depends, if I find a co author with whom I develop a good level of understanding. Then I will not hesitate to co author, as it would help me in polishing my own skills and in identification of my strengths and weakness in a better manner.

Subho: You remember your first autograph?

Ishita: Yes, certainly I do! My handwriting is very bad. I had to send 5 signed copies for some contest, so I pleaded my bro to sign the book on my behalf..:-P

He off course declined ,then I had to practice my own signature on a rough sheet and then I signed those copies. Not to forget, I celebrated that day with a chocolate ice cream J

(If your handwriting is bad then how come you into engineering and writing? You should’ve been a doctor instead. Anyway that first autograph is a bliss feeling.)

Subho: I have seen your technical textbooks, tell me something about it. Are they helpful?

Ishita: Yes, I have written a book called Comprehensive Computer Learning: A youngsters Guide. It is a book about computers and covers the elementary information about them and basic knowledge about Microsoft Office, internet, hardware etc. It is a self sufficient book for any person who is just a novice in the subject. I am also working on another book about communication and presentation skills. It is still under progress and will be ready by the year end.

(I tell you, this girl is a real time geek)

Subho: How many proposals after the book, especially on Facebook inbox?

Ishita: I don’t keep a count.

Just kidding! (But she isn’t kidding in real) Initially I was a bit bothered by the strange conversations and unknown friend requests. But these days, I have devised ways to stay away from this unwanted side of being an author. So things are pretty cool again.
(C’mon, you’re still bothered with those stalkers. I guess that Subscribe button was devised by FB on your request only.)

Subho: My other interviews were of Male authors and you can’t ask them about their earnings. I am not asking your age since you’re girl but what about royalty. You can also talk about your package in IBM, I don’t mind. I am thinking to send my CV across.

Ishita: Well, I have earned a lot of good friends and a lot of nice memories as a perk of being an author. As for monetary gains, you also are an author, so you would certainly know that the industry offers peanuts. And I am just a newbie in the IT world, so no handsome salary there as well. My royalty is the good contacts and the satisfaction that I derive from writing.

And yes, send me your CV; if you are selected I could get some referral bonus…hehe…

Subho: Did your parents read your book?
Ishita: Yes, I share everything with my mother. So I almost begged her to read the book, before sending the final MS for submission.  I wanted to make sure that the MS was okay, and that people would not make fun of me, once it is published.
Dad read the book after it was published. He is a slow reader, yet, he finished it in 2 days. Those two days, I kept looking at his face to gather his feedback from the expressions. It was the same scary feeling like we get during the declaration of exam results.

(Readers can be assured that her book contains no erotica.)

Subho: What’s next?? Bhagvad gita or fifty shades of grey?

Ishita: Umm… May be a mix of both …depending upon the need of the plot. I look forward to write things which are relatable to everyone and can touch the hearts of my readers in a constructive way.

(I would love to read that mix ;) )

Subho: Now let’s take some questions from your fans.

Welcome all of you and Happy Friendship Day. Ishita is online; you can shoot your questions.

Heena: Tell something about your book. (This reminds me of some job interview, tell me something about yourself.)

Ishita: ToGetHer is a fiction story that revolves around friendship. The protagonist is a simple girl, who is usually confused about small matters in life. There story talks about her journey through college life, how she initially hates college, then makes friends, and also gets involved in some issues with local goons.

(You know what my GF is too confused these days; I will ask her to read this book.)

Sundeep: ToGetHer.. How did you come up with such a creative title for your book?

Ishita: You know what; I guess it just happened by chance. I had thought of some other name for the book, and was about to finalize it but eventually I found out that it had already been taken and was a popular book. I was sad, and had to look for an alternate. For whole day, I was wondering about a name that fits the context of the story, and By chance it clicked. I told my bro about the name, with a fear that he would make fun of my hyper creativity. But he too liked it, and so upon his approval, we finalized it.

Sundeep: Do you think the title is apt to the story of the book? (Ask this question to me. MOM SAYS NO GIRLFRIEND!!)

Ishita: Yes! Of course. It suits the story, don’t you think so?

(He will let you know, when you send him a free copy)

Astro: How do you actually give flavor to your writings? I mean what is the thing that makes you love your writings yourself, before others love it?

Ishita: I like the simplicity of my writings...easy vocabulary and to the point writing is my strength. That is what I believe is best about my writing and of course, you as readers are a better judge. Please tell me if you find something more that can be called as my strength, so that I can try to keep it alive.

(I hope he read her book)

Yash Bansal: What will be the next book on? On which topic? Hot topic in the market is "Being Single or in the relationship”?

Ishita: Over the past one year, I feel that I have evolved as a reader and as a writer. So now I wish to focus on somewhat serious writing. I wish to write on something that is again relatable to everyone, yet it brings a change to everyone’s life and yes, it could be on relationships too, after all that is also a critical part of our lives.

Heena: So what are your future plans?

Ishita: After TGH, I wanted to try some other kind of writing, and so I co authored a book on computers...That is already published. Then I am working on another nonfiction book on Communication skills. After that I am planning to pen down my Second novel, which is still forming a shape in my head. Hope to get it on pages soon.

Subho: How about co-authoring a book with me?

Ishita: LINE MAT MARO PLEASE!

(What did I say?)

Krishna: Do you have boy friend?

Ishita: Ha Ha...I knew this would be among the first few questions to come. Nopes. I do not have a boyfriend.

(You can trust her otherwise she won’t have been sitting here for an interview on friendship day)

Subho: Then how could you write a romantic book??

Ishita: I guess your second novel is a gay love story?

(Next question Please)

Abhinav: With so much fiction available in market, how you make sure it’s a different?

Ishita: I am a writer by chance. While writing TGH, I never thought of getting it published. I wrote about a story which is relatable to every single person. I can bet on it that every reader would find at least some person resembling his or her friends. That is the distinguishing feature of my book. It talks about mango people, with their mango lives and thus clicks a chord with everyone!

(Aam Aadmi!!! Don’t tell me you’re Rahul Gandhi fan too.)

Abhinav: Do you read other fiction specially newcomers as you r also a Newcomer?

Ishita: Well, there was a time, some 3 years back, when i totally loved Indian chic lit genre. I read a book in almost every week. I read a lot and lot of them. But now, I have kind of bored by them..Too much of anything is bad; maybe that’s why I have given a break to reading that genre now. I read the books which have very good reviews though.

Rajveer: Most books have biased reviews like books of Ravinder Singh. What do you to say about it?

Ishita: No comments.

Subho: I would like to answer that rather. Yeah! The reviews are biased these days. Readers get emotional about their favorite authors and highly rate a crap book. Like movies, Books too sell on brand value and yes few authors and publisher cash in that. Ask any Akshay Kumar fan and he will say housefull, rowdy Rathore and Khiladi 786 are great movies; same way here. Moreover, authors make fake accounts or ask their friends to put fake reviews. Also, links with reviewers or website owner helps. You see in flipkart I have found there are particularly two books where in you cannot write a bad review, it’s removed immediately.

Prabhat: On which all subjects are you planning to write books in future. Please mention some for your fans.

Ishita: I wish to explore more about life and write on anything that can relate with them and my readers. No boundaries defined! And yes, I do not have any "Fans", but yes, TGH has got me many many good friends. This book and its repute may fade someday but yes, the friendships formed through it will stay lifetime. I have been too lucky in that regard.

Abhishek: Your opinion about erotic books. (She doesn’t want to answer this one too but I insist)

Ishita: Like love and friendship, physical proximity too is a part of life and like every other human emotion, this too needs to be covered by the literature to be explored by the writers and savored by the readers. Every form of art is respectable but I feel sad to see that people these days confuse romance with sex, and use it for making their books more salable. Such books are spoiling the name of literature. There should be decency even in erotic books and sex should not be included just to make the book shelved.

(I tell you this girl should join Politics for her diplomatic answers)

Kavesh: What is your idea about the darker shades of life crime thrill erotica and death???

(Strangely, Ishita taking too long to reply)

Ishita: Well, I come from a very simple family and have always been a protected child.So thankfully I have never had much experience with the darker shades. But looking at these aspects in movies, etc. makes me scared.

(No matter why she is still single!)

Kavesh: But don’t you think being scared weakens you as a writer and "noir" has always been a benchmark in writing.... So what do you feel about grey because life is not always beautiful

Ishita: On a serious note, death does not scare me much. It is an inevitable thing. But for the crimes, I believe, that is a part of human psychology, which should be curbed by the criminal himself.

(Anyway! This is now getting boring. Let’s put some humor.)

Subho: Death doesn’t but cockroaches do scare her!!!

Kavesh: Subho, can we talk something serious please?? Because I am definitely taking this seriously. Ishita, would you like to answer what I asked?

(This guy is getting possessive)

Ishita: I like this question Kavesh. I think no one is a born criminal, a person and his attitude towards life is shaped up with his childhood, surroundings and his upbringing. There is no definition for right and wrong, what maybe a crime in some persons view may totally be acceptable in others opinion. There are cases, where a person murders someone, but has no sign of guilt as he feels it was his revenge for xyz thing that does not mean murder is not a crime! A criminal is born out of his own mind.

Kavesh: Well impressive answer. Would you kill for yourself defense and what about erotica in literature?

Subho: Why don’t you open some ashram, Ishita? Anyway, enough questions on erotica!! Move on…

Kavesh: Subho would you mind behaving a bit decently? I hope it’s not that tough for you.

Subho: Dude!! This is my event!!!! I am not going anywhere.

Kavesh: Ishita it was nice talking to you best of luck for your book. I am leaving. Ishita, I genuinely wanted to take part in this event but all thanks to Subho ji mujhe ab koi sarokaar nahi is event se....or Mr. Subho maine aap jaison ke lie ek kavita likhi hai ho sake to padhiyega....shayad kuch realise kar lein ...kavita yaha bhej rha hu ...padh lena ...

(He did send a poem which was very rude; I was thinking to make him the winner but not anymore. Anyway he’s gone. Finally!! Sigh!!!)

Sunanda: As far as I know your genre is romance genre. So I would like to ask what according to you LOVE means and what importance does it have in your personal life?

Ishita: Well, my definition of love is different from the usual inference taken by everyone, especially our generation. For me, love is a feeling of affection for anyone, may it be parents, friends or any specific person. Love is beyond the physical bonds and the 24 * 7 phone talks. Love for me is a faith that the person shall stay by your side and guide you, always and of course, it is one of the most important emotions of my life. It’s blissful to be loved by people and it’s wonderful to have some people for whom we care by heart and are selflessly connected through love.

(Ask me what love is? It’s cruel and harsh)

Pushpendra: Can you tell me person always wants to be 'Together' with their loved ones and promises to be 'Together' then why mostly people are unable to live together. Is the society or is couple themselves are the reason of not being together?

Ishita: Good question Pushpendra. I think it is the couple themselves, which are responsible for not being able to stay together. To some extent, society plays a role but if the couple is confident about one another, and decide to stick around then it is totally their decision.

(Disclaimer: She isn’t a love guru!)

Pushpendra: What’s your problem? Why you don’t wanna come out of your shell?

Ishita: Umm… What makes you feel that I have a shell? I don’t think I have any such shell, ask my friends and they will be able to tell you better about me.

(Ask friends??? Where are they?)

She points at the gate; there were actually couple of girls waiting for her. It was 4.00pm already and time for me to wrap it up.

Subho: Its 4 already!!! Time’s up!!! Thanks Ishita for this event and thanks to online members for joining us!!! Cheers!!!

Ishita: Thank you people!!! And Happy Friendship Day again.

As we moved out, I asked Ishita to introduce me with her friends and she screamed-

                                   LINE MAT MARO PLEASE!!!!!