Interview with bestselling author Nikhil Chandwani

Nikhil Chandwani, a resident of Nagpur, India is a writer, lyricist and a poet currently pursuing his engineering degree from VIT Vellore. He writes fictional stories for various magazines, newspapers and websites. At just 18 years of age, he has written this book full of lust and romance in his teenage journey.

In an enlightening conversation with “Read In Park”, Nikhil speaks about his life, himself and his future plan.

Tell us something about yourself?

This is Nikhil Chandwani.  Author, poet, public speaker and a lyricist studying in VIT University, Vellore. I have authored a novel, "I wrote your name in the sky and yours and yours too". Apart from writing, I give public lectures at events, workshops and colleges. 

Tell us about your first book “I Wrote Your Name in the Sky And yours And Yours Too” in brief?

The book “I Wrote Your Name in the Sky and Yours and Yours Too” is a story of a teenager trying to make sense of emotions and feelings while trying to cope up with the problems of being a teenager. The story is more of a diary of a flirt who isn’t even mature enough to really understand what being a flirt means. It is through his eyes that the story progresses touching onto the drama, chaos and myriad of emotions which the writer portrays as typical of teenage life. The story revolves around a flirtatious teenager who wants to experience everything in life- be it good or bad. It is in this path that he falls in love, feel the ache of betrayal and the recovers to enjoy the bounties of life. This book is homage to teenage life and how it feels while it lasts.        

            

As being an author of bestselling, how do you feel? 

Feels great people knowing and approaching me every day. I love reading fan mails and letters. I always visit different book stores and sign autographs for them.  I work with NGOs and give lectures as people tend to hear a best seller. This acts as a fund raiser for the needy. So, overall it feels good.

How and when did you get started as a writer?

I was another over romantic poet playing with words few years back. Then I started writing inspirational stories, got noticed, got a column for a newspaper and my journey began. A novel is a limit for writing and I believe I was passionate enough to take my writings to the limit. It was risky but an awesome journey. No regrets.

How long did it take you to write it? Wasn’t it difficult to write a novel along with studies?

It took me around 3 months. My novel is a sex driven another casual-audience-will-love-readers-ll-hate type novel. I wrote novel for fun not for the readers. I write poems for my readers. I wrote novel for the Indian masses. It was fun so no difficulty in moving parallel to studies.

According to you how difficult is the art of writing?

Eating a chocolate is a cake walk but eating stone is impossible. Compare writing with eating. Writing when you feel like and what you love is a cake walk but at other times it can be rocket science.

What kind of support and responses you are getting from readers? 

As I said, casual readers are loving my novel. I am getting fan mails everyday. I am pleased with the response.

How supportive were your parents throughout the journey? 

Parents were really supportive. Proud parents and proud tears, that's what I gave them in turn. And yeah, my royalty too.

Tell us how much life changed after the release of your book?

Life's awesome as usual. Recognition from the state government. A new newspaper cutting every week. Well surprises awaits me every day and that's make me feel alive.

Did you find it hard to interact with publishers? Tell us your experience in that respect.

It wasn't that hard. Publishers want to sell. One of the publisher found my novel profitable. He invested on it and I guess he doesn't regret his decision. That's good for the business.

Apart from writing, what interests you most?

I love public speaking. I write and speak against corruption. I have written and spoken for Aam Aadmi Party- Final war against corruption. I am associated with them

What kind of books do you like to read? Who are your favorite authors?

I love reading those history books. My eyes shine while I read them.  My favourite author is Mic Foley (his autobiography is awesome), Dr. Shashi Tharoor and few Robin Sharma.

Which book you’re reading currently?

Writing one so reading none because I don't want to adapt any writing style.

You write poems and articles for various online magazines. And your writing is love and appreciated by masses. What message you want to convey to youth through your writing? What you write all about?

There are only few people who would want to hear you express. So, express yourself in a mysterious way. Mysterious way is poetry for me. Decode my poems and you can hear me laugh, smile or cry.

What is your first love – poetry or novel?

 My first love remains with poetry.  Poetry is the reason I am happy and alive. Being a lone child of my parents, poetry is my brother, sister and my best friend. Yes, my readers too. 

What are your plans for future? Are you working for your next book? When is it releasing?

I've three books coming in 2013. One poetry book will release next month. Yes, it's hard to find a publisher, really hard to find a publisher interested in poetry. But, I got one. Thanks to Dr. Kiran Bedi ji for recommending me.

What advice can you give aspiring young writers?

Advices? Well, write to express but  write novels to impress. 

Any message for readers of “Read In Park”?

 I would love to see a hard copy coming in 2013. Best wishes guys.

Thank you so much Nikhil. Best wishes to you from Read In Park for your forthcoming novels. 

Thank you.