Author Interview : Neelam Saxena Chandra

Author Interview : Neelam Saxena Chandra

Hello everyone,
Today I am going to introduce you to the author of Kai Basant Dekhe Hai Humnein

Let's start!

1- First of all introduce yourself to our readers.
I work as an Additional Divisional Railway Manager, Pune. I am an Engineering graduate from VNIT and have done my Post Graduation Diploma in IM&HRD and also in Finance. I have completed a summer course in Finance from London School of Economics. I have authored 4 novels, 1 novella and 6 short story collections, 31 poetry collections and 13 children’s books to my credit. I am a bilingual writer; writing in English and Hindi. I hold a record with the Limca Book of Records -2015 for being the Author having the highest number of publications in a year in English and Hindi, besides two other records. I have won II prize in a poetry contest organized by American Embassy and in a National poetry contest organized by Poetry Council of India, 2016. I have received, Sohanlal Dwivedi Puraskar for children’s literature by Maharashtra state Hindi Sahitya Akademi for the year 2018, Humanity International Women Achiever Awards 2018, Bharat Nirman Literary award in 2017, Premchand award by Ministry of Railways, Rabindranath Tagore International Poetry award, Soninder Samman, Freedom award by Radio city for Lyrics along with other awards and honors. I was listed in Forbes as one among 78 most popular authors in the country in 2014.
My short story collection “Lines of Fate” remained in the top 10 on bestsellers list on Amazon (India) since its release and was under no 3 on new hot releases for almost a month. Similarly, “Kai Basant Dekhe Hain Maine”, my latest poetry collection received a best-seller tag for quite a few days.

2- Tell us something about your latest book 'Kai Basant Dekhe Hai Maine'.
Most of the times, external things such as a good outing, some shopping, meeting some friend, seeing the flowers bloom in the spring etc gives you enormous pleasure. However, why should you depend on things outside your control for happiness? One should have spring inside the soul so that no external factor has the power to destroy that inner peace.
Most of the poems have been written in this book in quest of that inner peace.

3 - you have written around 57 books , Which genre you enjoyed writing the most?
Oh, it all depends upon my mood! I enjoy writing in different genre every time. And I love it.
Initially, I was advised that it isn’t a good marketing strategy, but I never cared – after all, I was writing because it gave me pleasure and because people enjoyed my writings. Later, it turned out that various readers love different kinds of book and my writings do have a great market too!

4- Did you always want to become a writer?
Though I loved writing, I had never thought that becoming a writer was a feasibility.
I enjoyed Maths and Physics too and career wise, I chose to be an Engineer. However, I continued to write. I will certainly not claim to be the best writer, but I am happy and contended to be where I am in this journey of writing.

5 -  How do you handle negative feedbacks?
I read all negative feedbacks and dwell upon it for some time till my heart speaks out if it’s written because of genuine error/mistake or simple envy.
In the first case, I try to improvise. In the second case, I smile and leave it at that. After all, not everyone is going to like you in life and you have to learn to live with it.

6 - How soon can your readers expect your next book?
My next book is a very emotional novel. However, I can reveal more about it in a few days only – maybe you will have to interview me again!  

7 - How has your journey as an author been so far?
It has been very interesting.
Firstly, writing is very cathartic and it has helped me in making me more focussed. Secondly, I have made some awesome friends. Thirdly, it has raised my confidence levels.

I have been very happy and I suppose, that it matters the most.

8 - Who is your favourite Indian and foreign author?
It’s very difficult to name one favorite author, but if you ask me to name one, then it is Erich Segal among foreign authors and Rabindra Nath Tagore among the Indians.

9 - What does your family think of your writing?
They are all very supportive – especially my daughter who has even edited some of my poetry books and novels. She’s my best critic and has often made me erase chapters because she didn’t like it.
It has also inspired my niece Tavishi, who is only 12-year-old, but aspires to be an author and writes stories at times.

10 - Any message for your readers?
Hope you are enjoying reading my books dear readers! Please keep giving me feedback and follow my Facebook page or Insta profile for more details regarding my upcoming books and poems etc.

Thanks for reading.