Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Interview with author Jahid Akhtar

In a conversation with author Jahid Akhtar, author of the book Story of Tublu. The book, Story of Tublu, is about the various phases and circumstances of life that one goes through and then overcomes. To read the complete review of the book, you can visit Book Review : Story of Tublu - Jahid Akhtar.


-- Interview with author Jahid Akhtar --

Q: “Story of Tublu” is a published book, how does it feel to hold your work?
A: For the first time when I noticed my book in the New Delhi World Book Fair at my publisher’s stall, I was simply lost for a while. Writing my first novel in itself was such a beautiful and unique experience. I actually lived the characters which I created in the book. It has been so long, but even today wherever I see my book, I hold it, have a closer look, great feeling, and happiness.

Q: Did you plan “Story of Tublu” or it just happened?
A: After blogging for almost a couple of years, I got inspiration from my friends, my readers always encouraged me to come up with a novel. But writing a novel is a different game altogether. It needs planning, lot of hard work.

Q: “Story of Tublu” was all about the life of Tublu, how did you come up with his character definition?
A: I grew up in a small town in the Eighties-Nineties. Those were the golden days, simple life. I wanted to let people relive those days, to let the younger generation know about the kind of life we lived while we grew up. Everyone has a story. As far as love is concerned I think one-sided love has its own charm, it is pure, and I wanted to portray the same through Tublu.

Q: How did you start writing? Was it an Intentional move? Something inspired you? Or you think you were destined to?
A: Writing actually came as a surprise. It initially started by writing comments in some online media websites. But after the arrival of Facebook the game changed entirely. My writing then was not limited to comments. Soon I started to post my own posts on Facebook, and guess what, people liked it. I started to write some of our memorable college time stories. I posted them on our college Facebook group. Hundreds of people liked those posts, commented. We were all happy to relive our good old days through such posts. Soon, I started my own blog, and then writing just become a part of life.

Q: Apart from "Story of Tublu” what else have you written? Anything that you want us to know?
A: “Story of Tublu” is my first and the only novel. Apart from this book I’ve written many things on my blog. I have a blog titled “Flashbacks – Some Unforgettable Moments”. It has been 4 years since I started to blog. But from the last one year my blogging has slowed down a bit.

Q: What can we expect from you in the near future? Any other books lined up?
A: Presently I am working on my second novel. It is a fiction, a psychological thriller. Even though it is progressing just like a giant tortoise, but I feel positive, I think it should come out by the end of year 2017.

Q: Being a published author, is a different feeling altogether. How do you make sure that this feeling stays alive forever?
A: Yes, you are right, being a published author is a different feeling altogether. I can share my views without much of hesitation. I feel somewhat confident. In order to make sure this feeling continue, I try to keep writing. I write almost daily on Facebook, whatever comes to my mind. Even though it is difficult but I somehow manage time to work on my ongoing novel.

Q: "Story of Tublu" is a fiction drama, how much of it is real, inspired and fictional?
A: “Story of Tublu” is a fiction drama. But some of the hostel and college incidents are real. To be honest the novel is the outcome of the ups and downs of life as we grew up into young adults, with some imagination.
Interview with author Jahid Akhtar
Interview with author Jahid Akhtar
Q: Any particular review that you received for “Story of Tublu” made you go wow? Can you share with us?
A: Yes, there’s one review of the book that really made me go Wow. It was a review in the Assam Tribune. The Assam Tribune is one of the oldest and most reputed English daily Newspaper from Assam, India. It was founded in 4th of August 1939. First published from Guwahati, it is now published simultaneously from Guwahati and Dibrugarh. It has a huge readership in Assam and is the highest circulated English daily in the entire North-East India. I grew up reading the Assam Tribune, right from childhood - schooldays - college. I could recollect the fine morning, I checked my Engineering entrance examination results in the same Newspaper. I was pretty relieved. I've left Assam almost a decade ago to earn my bread. Like many other things back home, I also miss the Tribune, the smell of its print, so refreshing. I do read it online though. When I read the review of my debut book "Story of Tublu" published is The Assam Tribune, I was overjoyed and thrilled. I felt content, a little moment of pride.

Q: Tell us about, how writing is a part of your daily life?
A: Writing has become a part of daily life. I post quite regularly on Facebook. One good thing about social media is that one can write anything that comes to mind. I love to blog. And then writing novel has become a passion, so I dedicate some amount to time, especially in the weekend to work on my novel.

Q: Other than being a published author, what else do you do professionally?
A: I’m a software developer by profession. I work as a software consultant with an MNC.

Q: Tell us something about your experience of getting “Story of Tublu” published?
A: Because of my blogging I came in contact with many authors through various social media. I used to discuss with many of them on how to get my book published. After I completed the book, I asked one of my school friend, Arundhati Hazarika to edit my book. She helped me a lot with the editing part. Then to get a publisher I followed an approach. I sent the manuscripts to the top 3 publishers in India. I waited for almost 2 months without any reply. Then I started sending reminders to them. I got rejection mail from two of them, and the third one never bothered to reply. Then I sent the manuscripts to 5 or 6 more publishers, and waited. And then one day I got a call from LiFi Publications. I was delighted to know that they’re interested to publish my book.


Q: Do you read as much as you write? Which are your favorite books and authors?
A: To be very honest I don’t read as much I write. But I do read sometimes. During schooldays I liked to read Sidney Sheldon novels. "A Suitable Boy" by Vikram Seth is one of my favorite. I am more into fiction, have read many Indian authors, had also reviewed some of their work on my blog.

Q: You prefer reading e-books or the traditional paper/hard back book?
A: For reading novels I always prefer traditional paper/hard back book.

Q: If “Story of Tublu” is made into a Bollywood movie, who do you think will the lead stars be?
A: Haha, I think Nawazuddin Siddiqui would definitely do justice with Tublu’s character.


Q: Two things that you like and dislike about “Life”?
A: There’s so much we can do in life, can spread lot of happiness. There’s so much to explore. But sometimes life can also get monotonous. I hate the Bangalore traffic, but really love the weather out here. I hate when people fight in the name of religion.

Q: If you have to give one reason to our readers to get hold of your book, “Story of Tublu”, what would the reason be?
A: This book is written straight from the heart. While reading “Story of Tublu” you can relive your good old school/college days. You are going to remember your first love. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing journey that is, life.

Q: Any message you would want to share with our readers?
A: I always encourage people, particularly the younger generation to have a hobby. All of us have our own taste and talent, be it photography, painting, dance, music, writing, sports, travelling, the list is simply endless. It is for our own pleasure, something which is capable enough to make us feel good and confident for our entire life. Our hobby need not be an alternative career option, but if it turns out that way, well, what more one can ask for? Balancing professional and family life is hard. Our hobby can really help in reducing our stress. It is the private time we spend with ourselves. It also gives us the opportunity to socialize and share with others. Sharing and socializing only make us better.


Q: How can our readers connect with you?
A: Readers can connect me through Facebook. They can also reach me through my blog.
-- End of Interview with author Jahid Akhtar --
You can order a copy of the book from Amazon and Flipkart.
11:11:00 PM / by / 2 Comments

2 comments:

  1. Good interview. Jahid is a good writer with a natural breezy style. I feel that apart from fiction, he should consider publishing his memoirs from the past already available in blog forms into a book rearranging and giving it a flow. I wish Jahid all the best!

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