World Of Writing
Ashwini Shenoy is an Electronics Engineer by profession and a writer by passion. In addition to a Master’s Degree in Technology, Ashwini has a diploma in creative writing. On top of all of this, Ashwini is also a lifestyle blogger and an avid painter in oils.
A fervent reader, she has an abiding interest in stories with positive life lessons. She wrote her first story at the age of eight and has been writing ever since, experimenting across genres. She believes in drawing into the literary limelight underrated yet pivotal characters, real and fictional, inspiring readers with their stories.
Shikhandini – Warrior Princess of the Mahabharata (Leadstart 2019), her debut novel, was critically acclaimed by readers and booklovers around the world. Her second novel Gift of Life (Leadstart, 2021) is a pandemic story loved by readers of all age groups. Visit her site at: www.ashwinishenoy.com
Q: Why don't we start by having you tell us something about yourself?
I’m Ashwini Shenoy from India, an automotive engineer by profession and writer by passion. My best works so far include – Shikhandini (Mythological Fiction) and Gift of Life (Literary). I am also a freelance blogger. I write in the morning for an hour and then for many hours during the weekends. When I am not writing (which is very rare), I experiment with oil paints.
I think the most common mistake writers as beginners make is start working on a full-fledged novel right away without doing the necessary research first. A few pages down the line, they find themselves confused and eventually give up.
I believe one must read extensively around the genre/theme of the book they wish to write. I read at least 50 retellings and hundreds of articles related to the Mahabharata before even creating the outline of my debut novel.
My greatest obstacle is being unable to write for a stretched amount of time without getting distracted (external and internal).
My biggest motivator is learning about successful authors who struggled for many years before becoming what they are today.
Q: What is your favorite memory in your career as a writer?
That has to be when Leadstart, one of the top publishing companies in India offered a traditional publishing contract for my debut novel (Shikhandini, 2019)
Q: Do you use a publisher or are you confident with self-publishing?
Both of my novels have been traditionally published. I have only published one of my short stories via Amazon KDP in ebook format.
Q: when did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I have wanted to be a writer, more importantly a storyteller for as long as I can remember. As a child, I loved making up stories about imaginary characters and narrating them to my younger cousins and friends.
Q: Where did you find all the sources for your research?
My debut novel was a retelling of the great Indian epic – Mahabharata. I had to read over 50 different retellings to collect enough information about the less known, often neglected character (transgender), Shikhandini who was the protagonist of my book. My second novel is based on real life experiences and events that we all went through during the first wave of the pandemic.
Q: What is the important role that writers play in today’s world?
As writers, I believe, we are keeping the oldest form of art alive. With each new book, we hope we are helping more people start reading. Without reading there is no learning. Without learning life is meaningless.
Q: Where do you get your plot concepts?
It just happens. I see or hear something, watch something and suddenly I have an idea for a book. I choose a tentative title first. By the end of the book, I often have the final one.
Q: Do you travel, either virtually or in person, in order to create your stories?
Oh yes. I think that is very important if you are using a real place in your story where the fictional character(s) is working.
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Thank you for being such an interesting guest on our blog 😎
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