Q. Please introduce yourself so that the readers can know you better.
PG: I am a simple, reserved guy. I live in Gangtok and have a government job in the Power Department. I love to read selected books, listen to melodious rock music, and watch TV shows and movies.
Q. What does the title says about the book?
PG: The title of the book gives a message: sometimes destiny invades your life like an enemy, shattering you. It is easy to lose your way in the dark maze of despair, but it is important to hold on to hope, as fragile as it may seem at that juncture. Someday, the clouds of darkness will clear and give way to light.
Q. How do you develop an interest in writing, is this something you always wanted to do?
PG: No, it was not something I always wanted to do. I used to like writing in my school days and some of my articles were published in my school magazine, but after that my interest waned until about seven years ago when a tragedy occurred in my life – my father suddenly passed away. As I was battling the pain, my mom suggested me to write. I began writing this book and the rest is history.
Q. Other authors and their work that inspires you?
PG: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, A Daughter’s Courage by Renita D’Silva and Sister of My Heart by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.
Q. Are you working on any other book right now?
PG: I am working on another contemporary fiction. This time it revolves around a family secret that has an impact on several lives. This genre is popular in international fiction – you can even find a category on Amazon.com called Family Life – and, ironically, this concept is unexplored in India despite it being a family-oriented country. I’m trying to write a relatable story based on the concept in the hope that this topic gains popularity in India as well.
Q. How much time did you took to complete this book?
PG: It took about two years to finish the book, one and a half years to write and self-edit, and about six months to polish it with professional editors.
Q. You know very well that Soham stole my heart, is he completely fictional or a part of him comes from you?
PG: I’m so glad that you liked Soham. Means a lot to me. A part of Soham does come from me. Some experiences in his life are similar to what I faced – especially the part where he loses his father.
Q. What makes your book different, why you think a person should read it?
PG: It’s awkward to praise your own book, but here it goes. The reason why you should read my book is: my book is not an ordinary commercial fiction. It is a contemporary fiction, a genre that lies somewhere in between commercial and literary fiction and is characterized by the better aspects of both – vivid descriptions, simple yet lyrical prose, well fleshed out characters, and a decent plot. It is an inspirational fiction but it’s not preachy. It focuses not only on romance and friendship but on other important relationships as well. In the current scenario of fear and depression in the world, the theme of my book is relevant and important: to never lose hope in the darkest of times.
Q. A fun fact about you which no one knows.
PG: Very few people know that I like to sing. I’m not a good singer but I like to sing songs at home. You could call me a bathroom singer.
Q. Say something from your side for The Book Critiques and for your readers.
PG: I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to The Book Critiques for featuring me on their wonderful blog. I’m so glad that an avid reader like you liked my book. Also, a big thanks to all the readers who have read my book. I am nothing without their support.
Thank you so much for your time Sir .
The Book Critiques 