“Artist in Confusion" is an endeavour to understand the spirit & beauty of relationships- -Ashwini Ahuja

Ashwini Ahuja’s writing journey is unstoppable. He is workaholic, multitalented and innovative. He writes both in English & Hindi. He has already three Hindi published books to his credit- a poetry and two fiction books. He writes on several subjects from politics to fashion. From management education to health and society but fiction is his favourite. Recently, Ashwini Ahuja has come up with his debut English fiction ARTIST IN CONFUSION- a collection of twenty stories, written with absorbing intelligence. Our feature editor Anugya Sinha converses with him over the book and its journey. Excerpts:

Q       What is “Artist in Confusion” to you?

Ans:   I think- an endeavour to understand the spirit and beauty of relationships and passion, relationships either they are between wife and husband or between two teenage lovers or between siblings or parents or among colleagues working in the same office.

Q       How much time you took to complete the book?

Ans:   “Artist in Confusion” took some four years to me.  I made several amendments time to time until the publisher picked the book for publication.

Q       Who published the book?

Ans:   Sanban Publishers, Delhi

Q       Do you think readers will value your book?

Ans:   Readers are always the assets of any writer. They make the writer proud. “Artist in Confusion” is an entertaining and enjoyable fiction. I’m sure; readers will love to read it.

Q       What is the message actually your book gives to the readers?

Ans:   I wouldn’t claim this book gives any great social or political message but I must say if you read the book, you may learn how to build strong bond with friends, family, colleagues, siblings etc. I

Q       After the emergence of Chetan Bhagat on the global arena, do you feel that it is the only style which charms the readers and books sell like hot cake thanks to funny and entertaining style?

Ans:  Exactly right.  Through this book, I too tried my best to portray the significance of relationship in an impressive and interesting way.

Q       What is your style of story telling?

Ans:   First, let me tell you the four ways of story telling.

1. Difficult things in difficult ways
2. Difficult things in simple ways
3. Simple things in simple ways
4. Simple things in difficult ways.

 My way is second, I try to say difficult things in a simple way. To fathom the mystery of relationship is an uphill task but if you say difficult thing in a simple way it charms the readers. They enjoy the reading.

Q       You started your writing career in Hindi. Why did you switch over to English fiction? Are you failed Hindi writer?

Ans:   I published three books in Hindi, one poetry and two fiction books. I have switched over to English in view of vast readerships and global marketing of the English books.

Q       “Artist in Confusion” is your debut fiction in English. Tell, how much nervous are you?

Ans:   A bit. I know English fiction readers are quite smart and fastidious. They are quite different from Hindi readers but I’m satisfied. Ashish Jaiswal of Oxford University and celebrity writer of “True Dummy: A Fable of Existence” has endorsed my writing by eulogizing- “heart touching journeys on philosophical canvas”

Q       What inspire you to write “Artist in Confusion?”

Ans:   I was born in middle class Indian family. I normally observed what happened in our families and around us. Coldness and astringency in relationships always pained me. Due to sour relationships, we lose a lot in our life. It was my childhood experiences which developed as grew young and now a fiction came in the shape of “Artist In confusion”.

Q       Who is the literary agent of your book?

Ans:   None. In India, literary agents are not more helpful. Publishers want the writers come to them directly. They ask for manuscripts submissions directly. I contacted the global literary agents but they preferably review the books of brand name. Then I directly contacted the publishers and showed them my work. 

Q       What are your areas of writing except fiction?

Ans:   I write on several subjects, Career and jobs’ tips for the “The Observer of the Management Education. In Glittering India, I generally write on fashion, beauty, health and healthy lifestyle.  For Verdict, I write on society and current events etc.  For weekly Supremacy, I write on general interest topics.  Sometimes, I contribute to Greater Kashmir on politics.

Q       We see writers are mushrooming day by day. Every published book is not sold in great number. What are your views to sell the books?

Ans:   If you wish to attract the readers, remember some points: one, write simple but impressive and articulate. Diction doesn’t impress, expressions and style captivates the readers. Works sell with the constant efforts of the entire publishing team viz. editors, promotion departments, sales persons, writer and the publishers but the contribution of the readers is biggest who read the book and further passionately recommend the book to others so make the readers happy and sell the works.

Q       What is your next creation?

Ans:   I’m working on a novel for the last four years. I think it may be final in the next two three months then I will approach the publishers. Hopefully, next year, I will come up with one more fiction.