Kamini Kusum: "Women Empowerment is good but trying to extend its horizon beyond a limit could be dangerous." (Interview) !!!

An Interview with the debutante authoress, Kamini Kusum, who have just released her first novel, "Secrets, Sins & Struggles". She have written 5 stories in her first book itself. Let's see what she has to say about this and her journey as writer.

1. Dear Kamini, how does it finally feel after becoming an author and getting that tag? What changes do you find in your life after the release of the book?

It’s a dream come true. Though I had been writing for years now- articles and short stories. Some of stories had been awarded and appreciated for creativity in my organization but with “Secrets, sins and struggles”, I become a published author. Feeling great!!

2. Tell us something about your book- Secret, Sins & Struggles.

It has five stories about five women. It’s about the lives and loves of these women, tracing their long, eventful journeys that are anything but linear. 

Pooja, a teenager forced into the flesh trade but determined to escape and get justice. Shrawani who dreams of becoming a bureaucrat despite all the trials life throws her way. Avni who is torn between her childhood friend and her brand-new boyfriend. Harsha who is trapped in a loveless arranged marriage while still being haunted by thoughts of her forsaken lover.  Geshna who falls head over heels for a high school sweetheart only to find her own life shrinking to accommodate his. 

These stories are about the odds stacked against women in their path to love and success. They are also about hope that the next turn will lead to the happiness and success they all long for. 

3. What made you write a book with 5 different stories and not just one with good 200-250 pages?

When I had started writing this, I knew I had to get it out to the world by all means as it has great messages to convey not just to women but everybody. Also, I knew that the stuff and the way I am writing is absolutely nowhere in trend in Indian market of Fiction. But that didn’t deter me. It was the best way to bring out the protagonists in the book; one single story couldn’t have done justice to it.

4. Did you research and talk with different ladies while writing this book or you created the story and emotions yourself?

Well, these stories are not completely imaginary. All these five stories have many real incidents that inspired me to pen down. For first story, I literally walked down the GB road (the red light area) in Delhi to bring a picture perfect in my story. “Madam Bureaucrat” is more or less one of my friend’s story with a little bit of  writer’s imagination. Rest other stories too are realistic.

5. Do you believe that girls in India misunderstand something else as women empowerment and fight for wrong things?

Yes, I agree. Nobody is perfect and absolutely mature and when this cloud of immaturity settles down, then they understand the reality. Empowerment is good but trying to extend its horizon beyond a limit could be dangerous.

6. How easy or hard did you feel in finding a publisher for your first book as it’s not very easy for debutante authors in India?

I didn’t approach any traditional publisher. I knew for a new author, its like waiting for ages to see your work out. I had a solid story and I believe it will be loved. I approached Zorba Books which is a self publishing company. They helped me bring this beautiful baby of me out to the world.

7. How has been your association with Zorba Books till now? How did they help you in publishing your book?

They are a fantastic team headed by a strong lady, Shalini Gupta. They did it all for me giving a big control to me throughout the publishing process making me an authorpreneur.

8. Can you tell us something about your next book? 

I  have completed 40% of my next book which is an inspirational love story. A very realistic story ; full of emotions. Though I am too much into promoting “Secrets, sins and struggles”, I intend to complete my next book by mid next year.

9. Where do you see yourself as a writer in next 5 years or in long-term?

I am a big Danielle Steel fan. I would love to churn out 2-3 three novels a year just like her. Being in a hectic corporate job, it’s difficult. Let’s see what’s there stored for me.

10. Any words for your readers who are picking up your book as their next-read?

I assure you, you won’t stop in between and will be hooked till the last page.

GO CLOWN by Shatrugna Vadwlas (Book Review: 4.25*/5) !!!

Earlier this week, I had rated very highly to a book belonging in the "humor" genre which made me pick another humorous book named "Go Clown" which comes with a tagline "#AccheDin for Comedy!". The book is written by the debutante, Shatrugna Vadwlas, who is a Software architect based in the US, with an American Masters in Engineering and an undergraduate degree from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), India. He is a contributor to the Times of India, Huffington Post etc. He has completed a writer’s course at the Writers center, Bethesda in Washington DC. His novel Go Clown (Get High Legally!) is a Literary Fiction Comedy set in India, America, Nepal and Thailand. He contributes to various online portals like Faking News, India Opines etc.

When you know that the writer of the book have contributed to the most famous online humor portal, Faking News etc, you have very high expectations from him. You already know that even if the book is not going to be very special, it will still be very good and you won't be disappointed. But seriously speaking, after reading this book, I am in awe of the writer. Just in the name of humor, author haven't tried to write a simple story by inserting few great one-liners and funny scenarios. He have written a very good book with a great story with humor as premise which keeps following every chapter. 

The book discusses almost the whole life journey of a guy named Kiriti who is an average Indian but belonging from a controversial land. He moves to different parts of the world to find different scenarios. He has his own point of view on things and act according to his state of mind. The Clown in him discusses and does things that will make you laugh out loud without worrying about the people sitting around you. I had read few parts of this book in the local train and people were looking at me as if I have gone crazy or mad. This is what the book does to you.

In the manner the story has been narrated seems little confusing in the initial pages as you have to actually concentrate a lot to understand what's going on. But later on as soon as you start getting the characters and set-up, you begin to understand the whole concept. The hypocrisy of Indians is discussed. How mediocrity and casteism is the base of every Indians attitude is discussed widely. The education system and what happens in campuses is also discussed fearlessly. The politics, religions, caste, region-wise, NRIs etc have been discussed in the form of satirical comedy which definitely interests the reader who have got bored reading the same kind of books from Indian fiction authors.

Talking about the drawback, the initial chapters could have been written little more simply for the understanding purpose. Sometimes, few scenes are narrated in such a fast pace that you couldn't enjoy the journey of reading while reading them. There are few grammatical mistakes here and there but they are avoidable. Rest, there is nothing wrong with this book. The set-up of the GO game is a very unique concept. There are few quotes which I liked a lot mostly in the second half of the novel. The Clown is surely going to be one character I wouldn't forget soon. I give this book 4.25* out of 5. 

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!! 

Secret, Sins & Struggles by Kamini Kusum (Book Review-3*/5) !!!

Feminists are growing in population on daily basis in our country. Haha! Owing to which, there are many books that are based on women empowerment these days. Even Chetan Bhagat's latest release "One Indian Girl" also portrayed the same theme. I am just done reading with the book named "Secrets, Sins & Struggles" written by the debutante authoress, Kamini Kusum. The book is the journey of five women and how they fought against their internal and external demons. Do not get confused that these 5 women are friends to each other in the book but it is 5 different stories in the form of an anthology. Each story is of 50 pages or something and speaks about a certain character's ups and downs. 

The SSS is a nicely written book with a very smooth narration. The narration is very simple which makes reading this book a good experience and you will end up reading it in a single sitting within few hours. The characterization is also very good of each of the 5 main protagonists and other characters associated with them. You will not feel a single character out of place. Even when all the stories are short, author have managed to explain the backdrop of the story very nicely in the initial few pages itself which builds the premise very beautifully. I also liked the climax of each of the stories as it sounds quite realistic and doesn't end up being a dramatic fairy tale. In my personal opinion, I liked the first story of Priya a lot which describes how she stays in hell and every time she gets a ray of hope, it turns out to be another disaster for her. All the other stories are also nicely woven but as they are mostly about love tales, it didn't touch me the way the first story did.

Talking about the drawbacks of the book, the only thing that I felt underwhelming was the theme of the stories excluding the first one. All of them almost had the same premise where the girl wanted to do something but because she was in love with a boy, she sacrificed everything for him and after getting hurt in love, they bounced back by achieving their ambition and falling in love with that best friend who stayed with them during their break-up phase. This problem lies basically with the 2nd and 3rd story which sounds almost same. The story based on rave party is also nice and has a different theme all over about revenge. Overall, this book is a light read and specially for the readers who have just got into the habit of reading. I give it 3 stars out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!