Insights of Author Nandini Dash About Writing in the Present Era
What inspired you to start writing?
A person plucks flowers of different colours and makes a garland for special occasions. Likewise, a creative mind always inspired by the information, knowledge , experiences and observances around it.
I am one of them. But my foundation lies in my parents unspoken inspiration to nurture creativity.
Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is 'Indicators of Soft Power & Implications in International Relations'.
In fact this is a niche that explores how people from all walks of life contribute to strengthen international relations. While there is a common perception that Diplomatic Relations between nations possible only by governments and diplomats.
Back page of the print format of the book gives a perfect example of Puducherry ( Pondicherry) a place , which is a soft power in international relations.
My intention has been to keep it simple and short that one need not spend days to read the book but finish within hours but gets some value out of it.
Even my fiction book 'Flapping Wings' is a collection of 27 short stories all about women depicting layers of contemporary women characters.
How do you create your characters?
For Fiction characters , they are 80% taken from the people we interact and live around us , watch and read about real characters then I make it fictional with 20% of tweaking and exaggerating.
For non-fiction books , it is sheer domain knowledge and facts.
What does your typical writing day look like?
Focus--- sometimes working hours in day time --- sometimes being a night owl --- no typical day for writing.
What has been the most rewarding part of being an indie author?
Rewarding part of an indie author is, give your words wings without the fear of publisher or editor may chop them.
What’s one challenge you’ve faced in your writing journey?
Technical challenge is, hackers steal words while my words are on the MS Words page, on my laptop. Writings need privacy till published for the public.
Do you have any favorite writing tools or apps?
Not yet. Still I am an old school of typing on MS Word page.
What advice would you give to new or aspiring indie authors?
Be true to yourself then only you can do justice to whatever you are writing.
Do not stuff non-fiction with fictional stories.
Write non-fiction with facts and assessments and fiction with your imagination.
How do you handle book promotion as an indie author?
I do not spend a penny on promotion. Only organic and posting on social media.
What’s next for you? Are you working on a new book?
There are fiction and non-fiction manuscripts in my mind but not sure when those will be penned.