Holla, mi amigos!
Today on the blog we have a writer all the way from South Africa, VASH KARUPPA, who besides giving us a sneak peek into her writing world, would also tell us more about her new book, ‘Destiny for Love Arranged’. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Vash Karuppa is a South African author of Indian origin who has been an avid reader from the tender age of five. Being a passionate romantic and voracious bookaholic, reading was a drug to which she had an instant addiction, one that only grew with time. While books in all genres interest her, it was romance that captured her heart. From early as her pre-teen years, she loved the ‘happily ever after (HEA)’ syndrome leading her to fall in love with any book in the romance genre, and later as a teenager, dreams of writing her own HEA story. Writing a novel has always been part of her bucket list, so, after spending years concentrating on her role as a corporate executive, she eventually unleashed her number one desire and passion for writing with Destiny for Love Arranged. Vash’s writing portrays the lives and dramas of ordinary people who readers can easily relate to. The crux of her stories celebrate the power of true love coupled with timeless bonds and inevitable drama that exist between family and friends, while capturing the true essence of diverse cultures especially nuances of the South Indian culture. Her stories are inspired by Indian traditions, but set in contemporary times. She enjoys writing and reading above all else, but when Vash doesn’t have her nose stuck in a book, she can be found cooking, watching movies, travelling or hanging out with her close-knit family. Vash grew up in Durban and resides with her husband in Johannesburg, two of South Africa’s most stunning cities. She is a member of Romance Organisation of South Africa. We had quite a few questions for Ms. Karuppa, and as expected, she handled all of them with élan. Here are a few of them: 1) DD: Vash, tell us more about ‘Destiny for Love Arranged’? Vash: Destiny For Love Arranged is a contemporary, gripping and angsty, second chance Indian romance that reveals the love of family and friendship bonds during trying times. The story revolves around Aariyan Ranjan, a highly successful CEO of a Hotel Empire and Varini Iyengar, an Oncologist, who are forced into a temporary marriage of convenience to help them resolve personal dilemmas. While Aariyan is determined to treat their marriage as he would any other business deal, love rarely listens to logic, and what follows is anything but business. On the other hand, Varini soon finds herself gravitating toward and rejoicing in the love she thought lost forever with a hidden hope that their marriage of convenience will end in a union of everlasting love. The story is embedded with cultural anecdotes familiar to any family of Indian origin. It takes their family, friends and a life-threatening situation to show them the love they lost is worth fighting for. In short, this is a story about family, friendship, and starting over, as Aariyan and Varini embark on a journey toward a second chance at love. You will get to share in their moments as they discover that vulnerability can actually be their strength and the most perplexing problems can be overcome with the support and resourcefulness of a loving family and faithful friends. This is Book 1 of a trilogy. 2) DD: What inspired you to write it? Vash: For many years I have read articles around the call for diverse romance novels that incorporate multi-cultural aspects into a traditional romance plot. In addition, I’m a hopeless romantic myself and always had a plot in my head around a story that integrates family and friendship bonds (which I have been blessed to have throughout my life) together with a typical romance story. When I eventually decided to put pen to paper, it all just naturally came together, giving birth to Destiny for Love Arranged. Finally, I do believe there aren’t too many novels written which share intricacies of the South Indian culture and I was determined to do this. Looking at the feedback received thus far from readers, it was well received. 3) DD: Are any of the characters in there inspired by a person you know? If yes, do you mind telling us who? Vash: Yes. The matriarch of the family, Paati, was inspired by my own grandmother. 4) DD: How many WIPs do you have currently? Vash: 2. 5) DD: How many books do you have in your TBR list? Vash: About 20 (wish I had more time to read) 6) DD: On an average, how long does it take you to write a book? Vash: From start to first draft – 3 months (courtesy of a day job which is demandingL 7) DD: Tell us a bit more about your writing process. Vash: Being a debut author, I can’t say that I have established any firm writing process. However, if I had to share the process I followed for Destiny for Love Arranged, it was a simple one.
8) DD: Do you target to complete a set number of pages or words per day? How many? Vash: I try to achieve a minimum of five pages a day. On most days I am successful and get more done J 9) Are you a plotter or a pantser? Vash: Thought I was a plotter, turned out I was definitely a punster with my debut novel. I am trying to plot with Book 2 and 3 J 10) What is your writing kryptonite? Vash: My primary kryptonite is the internet. While I start to do research on a particular topic e.g. destinations, I tend to get distracted by other pop-ups that I suddenly think could add value to the novel e.g. fashion ideas. Definite distraction! 11) Who are your favorite authors? Other than yourself, of course. J Vash: Julie Garwood, Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown, Victoria Pinder, M.V. Kasi, P.G. Van, Devika Fernando, Rubina Ramesh, Brenda Jackson and many more, but best I stop here. I’m so hurt, Vash, you didn’t mention me. :’( 12) Writer’s muse. Your thoughts on that? What’s yours? Vash: Mmmm. I believe every writer has entrenched inspiration and a muse is really kind of a “safety-net” their conscious relies on when they are having a bad writing day/period. My muse is simple… people! Just the difference between every individual provides me with inspiration for my plots. 13) Is yours a family of reading enthusiasts? Are they supportive of your writing? Vash: Yes, many of them are avid readers and they are extremely supportive. I would never have been able to embark on this journey without their support. 14) Finally, what advice would you like to give to aspiring writers? Vash: Don’t think twice about it just do it! The hardest part is getting pen to paper. Once you do that, it will all come together naturally. I thank you, Vash Karuppa, for taking time out and answering a few questions on my blog! But, I’m still hurt, you didn’t take my name. L BUY THE BOOK HERE: Amazon US , Amazon UK, Goodreads STALK HER on: Facebook , Twitter , Instagram Subscribe to the blog now, because the author next up is someone you all love… Nope, not telling anymore. J
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So, today we are about to start a new section on the site, Author Interviews.
A different author will be highlighted on the page every week along with their new baby, book baby that is. Who better to start the section with, than the uber-talented, a polyglot, the uncrowned queen of romance, and a friend, Devika Fernando!? Besides, giving us a sneak peek into her writing world, she would also tell us more about her new book, ‘The Indian Prince’s Scandalous Bride’. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Almost as soon as Devika Fernando could write, she imagined stories and poems. After finishing her education in Germany and returning to her roots in Sri Lanka, she got a chance to turn her passion into her profession. Having lived in Germany and in Sri Lanka with her husband has made her experience the best (and the worst) of two totally different worlds – something that influences her writing. Her trademark is writing sweet, yet deeply emotional romance stories where the characters actually fall in love instead of merely falling in lust. She draws inspiration from everyone and everything in life. What she loves most about being an author is creating new worlds and sending her protagonists on a journey with ups and downs that leaves them changed. When she’s not writing, she’s reading or thinking about writing. Some of her contemporary and paranormal romance novels are bestsellers on Amazon. We had quite a few questions for Ms. Fernando, and must say, she handled all of them like a true professional that she is. Here are a few of them: 1) Devika, tell us more about ‘The Indian Prince’s Scandalous Bride’? Devika: A wedding planner from England travels to India to organize a royal wedding. She meets a fascinating man on her first day, and sparks fly. Only later does she realize that he’s an actual prince (and the groom’s brother). Will these two give in to forbidden attraction? 2) What inspired you to write it? Devika: I already have 3 royal romances out, and I’m a fan of sheikh romances (as a reader) so I had this urge to offer an alternative by setting my next royal romance in India. 3) How many WIPs do you have currently? Devika: One, and it’s half-written. It’s going to be another Inn Love book but I put it on hiatus to write the 4th royal romance. Now that it’s been released, I’ll soon return to the WIP. 4) On an average, how long does it take you to write a book? Devika: If I didn’t have my writing job, I could write a book in roughly a month (NaNoWriMo proved that to me once). As is, it takes me two to three months until the ready-to-be-published version. 5) Tell us a bit more about your writing process. Devika: I am a mix of ‘plotter’ and ‘pantser’. Once I have an idea I want to pursue, I find names and create a rough outline of my characters and settings as well as major plot points. Then I start writing. I’ve found I work best when I don’t keep to the ‘timeline’ and write whatever chapters and/or scenes want to be written first. Then I go back and write the ‘fillers’ and the rest of the book. 6) Who are your favorite authors? Other than yourself, of course. Devika: Sooo many… Nora Roberts, Anne Rice, Michael Ondaatje, Jane Austen, Terry Pratchett, Margaret Atwood, Deborah Harkness 7) Is yours a family of reading enthusiasts? Are they supportive of your writing? Devika: My parents both enjoyed reading, which is why I grew up with books from a small age and was also encouraged in my earliest writing endeavors. As for my husband, he doesn’t read at all but he supports my being a novelist. 8) Finally, what advice would you like to give to aspiring writers? Devika: Show dedication and perseverance. Read as much as you can, and write as much as you can. Treat it as if it was your job, not just like a hobby. |
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