Author Interview : Mayank Manohar
Hello everyone,
Today I am going to introduce you to the author of 'Shadow of the past'.
About the author -
Mayank Manohar is an engineer-turned-journalist and has worked with The Times of India as a Senior Correspondent for four years. He has also worked with an NGO Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) as a Communication Officer & Documentary Film-maker. He is presently working with SEED CSR as a Communication Manager. He was born in Bangalore and brought up in Patna. After finishing his 10th grade, he stepped outside Bihar to experience what it was like to live on his own. He finished his high school from Narayana Junior College, Hyderabad, then pursued engineering from SRM University, Chennai, where he realised what he was meant for and began his writing journey, to become an author. He moved to Delhi in 2014 and pursued a PG Diploma in Journalism from the Times School of Journalism. He is a movie buff, loves to cook, and lives to travel. In his leisure time, he enjoys listening to music and reading novels. Shadow of the Past is his debut novel, which describes the relationship between two people and their baggage from the past.
Let's start!
1) Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
My name is Mayank Manohar. I am from Patna, Bihar. I was born in Bangalore and brought up in Patna. I finished my schooling from Patna Central School before moving to Hyderabad, where I completed my high school from Narayana Junior College. I am an engineer-turned-journalist and I have worked with The Times of India as a senior correspondent. This is a bit about my background. I am a dreamer and a keen observer. I spend most of my time travelling and observing people when I am not working.
2) Did you always want to become a writer?
Like every other kid, the first ambition of my life was to join the Army. But as you grow up, you realize your potential. I was in 12th grade when the idea of becoming a writer struck me for the first time. It took me five years to finally decide what I wanted to do and take up writing as my profession.
3) When did you start writing?
I started writing in 2010 when I had dropped one year after my 12th grade to prepare for engineering entrance exams. I started as a blogger but didn't tell anyone in my circle about it. I was not confident about my writing and I was afraid of being judged by everyone. Only after a few random people started appreciating my blog, it gave me the confidence to showcase my writings to my friends and family.
Shadow of the Past is technically my second book and officially my first. I wrote my first book "Life's Unpredictable" in 2012 but it never got published. It received 19 rejections and now when I look back, I feel I was not ready to become a writer back then. I didn't write for next one and half years as the rejections shattered me from within. It felt maybe people who told me I was wasting my time chasing impossible were right. Nobody believed me initially when I told them I wanted to become a writer. But when I was in the final year of engineering and during the placement drive, I realized that I am not meant to be an engineer. It took me 20 back to back rejections to finally muster up the courage to tell my parents that I want to pursue journalism and not end up as an engineer.
I started this book in 2015 and completed it in 2017. It took me two years to plot and complete this book and there is a major difference in the first and final draft. And now when I look back, I know why everything happened. It happened for a reason.
4) What does the journey from reader to writer mean to you?
It means the world to me. I never thought I would become a writer someday. And now, when I am one, I cannot express my feelings. It is like a dream come true. I know now how it feels when you fulfil your dream and I also know now that there is nothing you cannot achieve in life. If you are determined and work towards your dream, you will taste success sooner or later. It is only about time. In my case, it took me seven years to get my first book contract.
5) What is 'Shadow of the Past' about?
Shadow of the Past is about three characters - Rehan, Lavanya and Arpita - who are crippled by their past and insecurities. It talks about the baggage of the past that we all are carrying and how it impacts us. It talks about the confusion every young people have about their dream and how the choices that they have made impacts their life. It talks about the emotions but how we make things complicated by overthinking and overanalyzing it. It is about teenage love and complex relationships. And most importantly, I have tried to convey the message that it is important to accept and embrace the mistakes we have made in life instead of running away from it because sooner or later, it is going to hit you when you expect it the least.
6) What motivated you to write this book?
I was going through a similar phase while growing up and I know how messed up it is to deal with your past. Especially, when your past has a habit of surprising you every now and then. I know how important it is to accept certain things and move ahead with life. Even if people don't tell you, everyone is raging a battle within their head. Some choose to ignore it, some fight it and some get consumed by it. This was my attempt to connect with people, who are going through similar situations and tell them that it is okay if you have messed up as long as you know that you want to get better and move ahead with life. Life is too short to regret about things we have no control over.
7) Describe 'Shadow of the Past' in one line.
It is a dream and a nightmare at the same time.
8) Has the story of the book been inspired from real life events?
It is a work of fiction but every story is inspired by some or the other life events. It is wrong to say it is entirely based on my experiences but it has some aspects of my life too.
9) What's the best experience you've gained through writing?
There are many things that I have learnt through writing. It gives you perspective and also, it comes with responsibility when you know many people are going to read it and it will have some kind of impact on their lives. But in my case, writing has given me a second chance in life. I cannot imagine my life without writing and when I do, it is just empty. It has made me what I am today and I like this version of myself more than any other version.
10) Who is your favourite Indian and foreign author?
Ruskin Bond has been my favourite since childhood. I love Paulo Coelho, Ernest Hemmingway and George Orwell. After reading their books, it opened a different world to me. And I was never the same.
11) How soon can your readers expect your next book?
I am working on a sequel to Shadow of the Past these days. I hope by next year they can expect my next book.
12) Any message for your readers?
If the book gets heavy for you, talk to someone if you too have suppressed a lot of your feelings inside. Cry it out if needed. If you are wondering whether a boy/man is this emotional then yes they are but they have always been taught to keep their feelings to themselves and pretend that everything is okay even when it is not. Emotions have nothing to do with gender but unfortunately, if a guy gets emotional he is always bullied by everyone. And my message to the readers is just one thing - Don't let the shadow of your past to affect the glimpse of your future. Stay healthy, stay strong!
Thanks for reading.
