Ask the Author: Sandhya Menon

“Have a question? I've probably got an answer!” Sandhya Menon

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Will we be getting anymore books or short-stories in the Dimple&Rishi-verse? Also, just wanna let you know that the "Parrot Scene" in TSAS will go down in legend as one of the MOST iconic scenes ever to exist in a book. I must have read it a hundred times by now and I die laughing each time. THANK YOU!!!
Sandhya Menon Hahaha, I loved writing that scene so much! So happy to hear you enjoyed it, too. :) As of right now, there are no more planned books or short stories in the Dimpleverse. *sniff*
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the first time I ever read When Dimple Met Rishi was when one of my friends told me that it was the best ya romance novel she had read, and now I understand why she said that! I love the humor in the books, and I love how unique each character is. I was just wondering what age you think Dimple would be when she feels she is ready to marry Rishi, if she does at all? and did Dimple's love of iced coffee come from you?
Sandhya Menon So happy to hear this, and please thank your friend for me! :)

If Dimple were to marry Rishi (*ahem* I assume you've read the companion e-novella As Kismet Would Have It?), I think it'd be once she's finished with graduate school and has a really great job. And yes, her love of iced coffee definitely comes from me! <3
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Hi Sandhya!!! I read When Dimple Met Rishi and I just loved it!!! I'm writing my own novel and sometimes I feel like my story isn't good. I wanted to know if you have any tips on staying inspired and motivated to write? Thank you!
Sandhya Menon You can find tips for writers on my website: www.sandhyamenon.com under the FAQ section and on my Instagram: @sandhyamenonbooks (look in the IGTV area)!

But as for motivation, the only thing you can do is make sure you're refilling your well--get out there and do things that you find fun and that take you out of your comfort zone (well, maybe once COVID is a thing of the past). I find I get stagnant if I just stay home and sit in front of my computer. I look for inspiration in everything I consume--books, movies, TV show, art, music, trips I take, etc. Hope that helps!
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If you could cast Twinkle Mehra in a movie ( based on the book ) Which actress would you choose and why?
Sandhya Menon I'm absolute crap at this question because I don't know any actors! I'd love for someone new to hop into the role and really shine.
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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)
Sandhya Menon Haha, definitely no plans to give Cash his own book! ;) So happy you loved Samir! As of now, there are no more planned books in the series. *sniff*
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Which of your characters to you relate to most?
Sandhya Menon I relate to all of them, as I put a little bit of myself in all my characters. :) Overall, though, I'd say I'm most like Sweetie (Hufflepuff all the way through).
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Hi, I just asked a question like 10 minutes ago but I had to again. Are you ever going to incorporate South Indian characters into your books? As a girl from a Telugu-speaking South Indian family, I would love to see a character who spoke the same language as me. *sends hopeful vibes through screen*
Sandhya Menon I already have! Sweetie's family is from South India (There's Something about Sweetie), as is Jaya's family (Of Curses and Kisses).
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Hi Sandhya! I absolutely love your books, and as an Indian-American teenager myself, I can absolutely relate to them. Though I do have a question: What languages, exactly, do your characters speak? I understand that Dimple, Rishi, and Ashish speak Hindi, though I’m a little confused about the others. It may be just me but I hear words from other Indian languages sprinkled into the dialogue.
Sandhya Menon So glad you can relate! :) Sweetie and her family speak Malayalam and Jaya and her family speak Kannada.
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Who is your favorite character that you've written, and why?
Sandhya Menon This is such a tough question to answer! :) I don't think I have a single favorite character, though I will say that the character who I sneak fell in love with was Grey in Of Curses and Kisses. I definitely wasn't expecting to love him as much as I did!
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Your humor is absolutely hilarious in all books! I love your love stories! Absolutely fantastic! What inspires you to be so hilarious? The parrots scene in TSAS cracked me up!
Sandhya Menon I'm so glad you enjoyed that scene because I was most definitely snort-laughing while I wrote it! :) Things that inspire my humor: my husband (easily the funniest person I know), other humorous writers (Sophie Kinsella is sooo good at this!) and performers (Sarah Cooper's Trump videos are my current fave!). :) -Sandhya xx
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Do you see more of your self in Dimple, Sweetie, or Pinky? BTW I love all of your characters and can't wait for "10 Things I Hate About Pinky"!!
Sandhya Menon I'd say I'm definitely most like Sweetie! :) I hope you enjoy 10 Things I Hate about Pinky! <3
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Will You ever make a Indian love story between two of the same gender? It would be nice to see some Indian LGBT rep in a book. I think you could definitely make it just as great as your other books!
Sandhya Menon I'd love to, but the thing that keeps holding me back is that there are already so many lovely South Asian LGBTQ books (ex, books by Rakesh Satyal, Maulik Pancholy, Tara Sim, etc.). I don't want to take away an opportunity from anyone else. <3
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Do you plan to make a movie from When Dimple Met Rishi? Because many people and I would love to watch it!
Sandhya Menon That, unfortunately, is not up to me, but fingers crossed!
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Do you think you’ll ever write a book about Elijah and Oliver? I’m excited to keep reading with Pinky’s story (which I honestly called her and Samir together) but I’d love to read their story too!
Sandhya Menon I'd love to do an e-novella on them one day, but it would have to slot into my schedule somehow!
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when will 10 things I hate about Pinky be published?
Sandhya Menon June 30th, 2020!
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oh also will Ashish and Sweetie make cameos in 10 things I hate about Pinky?
Sandhya Menon Ashish will for sure, and there will be mention of Sweetie and how everything's going!
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Can you tell us a two-sentence horror story?
Sandhya Menon There it was, in the pantry, the most horrifying sight anyone had ever beheld. I stared into the empty Nutella jar, and it stared back into me.
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What are some of your favorite teen romance novels?
Sandhya Menon So many!

To All the Boys I've Loved Before
The Belles (fantasy romance)
Caraval (fantasy romance)
Symptoms of a Heartbreak
My So-Called Bollywood Life
Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
You'd Be Mine

Hope that helps! :)
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Hi Sandhya! I'm currently working my way through all your books and loving them! I love Indian romances that feel like Bollywood movies in book form, it's really helped me get back in touch with my heritage so thank you! I'm wondering if you've come across any other YA South Asian reads that are similar to yours? I'm about to finish My So-Called Bollywood Life and I know I'll be craving another as soon as I finish!
Sandhya Menon Hi Jaida,

So happy you're enjoying the books! I can also recommend Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier and Symptoms of a Heartbreak by Sona Charaipotra. :)
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Are you going to write a book about Samir and Pinky?
Sandhya Menon I am indeed! It's called 10 Things I Hate About Pinky and can be added right here on Goodreads. Publication is planned for summer 2020. :)

xoxo,
Sandhya
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