Do we ask a mother whether she likes the baby’s nose or baby’s eyes more? She loves all of it. The same is the case with me! The problem is that a mother loves a weaker baby more because she cares for it more. I need to discover the answer for this question and that is possible only after the honest responses of my critics and readers.
If you could spend time with a character from your book, who would it be? And what would you do during that day?
If I answer this question honestly, you would consider me a sentimental fool. Even at that risk, I want to answer. I would spend time with Sparsha – the wife of the protagonist in the story ‘The Sphere’. I remember her character because of the ‘unconditional love’ she offers. If I could, I would spend the day – by living my life ONLY for her. This is something I couldn’t do with my wife Vijji when she was alive. Despite my regret, I cannot do anything now. It is the real regret of my life.
The characters are certainly based on real people, but the settings in which they live are from my imagination. For example, the character of Pratima, who wants to become a natural mother in The Random Factor was inspired the wife of my close friend, who unfortunately doesn’t have children.
Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?
You cannot hijack yourself, right? The same thing is true even for my characters. They are the integral part of the story and the story is an integral part of them. Instead of using the word ‘hijack’, if you choose to use ‘elevate’, then, my answer is a certain yes! Then, both the story and the characters do have the reigns. Of my imagination and storytelling.
Convince us why you feel your book must-read read.
This is really a tough question. The difficulty doesn’t imply that the book is not worthy of your attention. I can interpret this question in two different ways! One as a marketing person, (which I am not, because I am an academician) and two as a writer, (one I certainly aspire to be).
Answering the question in the authority of the former is not actually my cup of tea. Read one story completely and if you really feel that the book is worthy of a few hours of your life, go ahead and read it completely. It is like offering a sample sachet of shampoo newly introduced into the market. But, I am confident that the book is certainly worthy of your time!
Coming to the second qualification, yes, I have something to add. Reading any book is like letting your consciousness live the ‘consciousness’ of another creative person. I am confident that at least a minute of your life gets translated into a few thoughts that are elucidated in these stories. You will find the battles you experienced in your mind in the minds of the characters and in the mind of the writer. The thrill of a rollercoaster ride is likely to be found in their minds, and subsequently in your minds!
Go ahead and see whether I am right or wrong!
Go ahead and see whether I am right or wrong!
Have you written any other books that are not published?
No. I have written two books, this being the second one. The first was an academic book ‘GMAT Sentence Correction’, published by Pearson India. However, I have written many books in my mind that are still awaiting publication!
If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?
A really great question! The scent would be that of human spirit and human emotion, both scents admixed to create ‘humanness’ in home sapiens.
What did you edit out of this book?
Being honest till now, I don’t think it makes any sense to be otherwise at this juncture. All of us appreciate ourselves in the mirror. There will be at least one feature that we wish we did not have. That is really true! I did find some characteristics that undermine the image of my characters. As their creator, I have the responsibility to at least hide them! I did that really, but don’t want to divulge it to my readers. The reason is pretty simple. Your kid should flawless to others!
Heart & Brain: A SciFi Anthology Connecting Both!
by Ramana Rao MLV
Oct 12, 2922
Genre: Science Fiction Fantasy Anthology
The title of the book is “Heart & Brain”, a sci-fi anthology that attempts to connect the both. The work is to depict Indian signature thought in science fiction milieu.
Random Factor: A woman aspiring to become a ‘natural’ mother in a futuristic society encounters a random factor that she hasn’t anticipated.
Sphere: An Artificial Intelligence psychologist aspiring to create a ‘natural’ AI lands himself in a strange situation that endangers his very own ‘sphere’.
Speck: As astronomy professor and scientist, who experienced the most exhilarating event and the most painful event of her life the same day, forty years ago, finds her ‘self’ in the most unexpected quarters.
Replay: An expert in Virtual Reality, who came to India to address a seminar with a hidden agenda, faces a situation that changes her life, forever.
Survival: a cosmic event that made a small physiological change in human race results in a series of events that not only endangers human existence but also lays a path for the destiny of human race – to be discovered and followed.
I have been a teacher since 1984 and critical thinking and verbal teacher since 2000. While I was a bad student during my education, I have become a good student during my teaching profession, learning more from my students than from my colleagues.
Though a published author in late 80s, I have become an academic author by writing a GMAT Sentence Correction book for Pearson India. Now, I am trying my hand in sci-fi and literary fiction. Heart & Brain is a book close to my heart because it explores the scientific side of emotion as well as emotional side of science.
I really appreciate your constructive criticism to improve my craft and a positive one, if you feel like giving, a pat on my shoulder to write more.
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Thank you for sharing your interview, bio and book details, I have enjoyed reading about you and your work and I am looking forward to reading Heart & Brain
ReplyDeleteThank you for the interview! Interesting!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for the nice words!
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